Looking for a recommendation for Precision Delta

[Pistolet]

I worked up one ladder which was inconclusive: I wasn't sure if the powder loads were consistent and the targets were set too far.

So I started all over again. I took my time and made 20 of each at 4.0gr, 4.2gr, 4.3gr and 4.4gr and measured each at least twice, once on the digital scale and once on the Lee Perfect Powder Scale. I decided the mechanical scale was the one to be trusted, the electronic scale often read higher numbers (for example 4.3 -Frankford digital  for 4.2 -Lee beam scale, I guess it's safer that way).

Then I measured each one (with a dial calliper, I really like it. The previous one was electronic and not very consistent) and found an average of 1.144 Oal with one as low as 1.138 and one as high as 1.150, I tried running it through the seating dye again but it would just stay at 1.150.

I took it all indoors where they have kind of targets you can move forward and backward with the switch of a button. I shot at 10 yards and I changed or patched targets every 10 rounds so I have a picture for every rung of the ladder.

Everything went well, cycled well, no flattened primers, I'm not the best shot, I tend to shoot left and low but I'm thinking maybe 4.2 and 4.3 gr have the best groups.

I don't know if I should include a picture, but...

https://imgur.com/a/0UF0Lfp





Caliber:  [9x19 Luger]
Bullets:  [Precision Delta 124gr FMJ]
Brass:  [Mixed]
Powder:  [HP38]
Max Velocity:  Don't know
Primer:  [FWinchester]
OAL:  [1.145"]
Pistol:  [Beretta 92FS]
Qty:  [10 rounds each, slow fired]
Weather:  [80 indoors]
Chrono:  [none]

Load     
4.0gr        4.2          4.3          4.4         

[Wobbly]

Your bullseye is too big. That would be a great target for 20-30 yds. With a black section that large your eye can't find a distinct place to aim. For 10yds try a 2" black circle.

4.3gr is where I ended up too.

 

[Pistolet]

Your bullseye is too big. That would be a great target for 20-30 yds. With a black section that large your eye can't find a distinct pace to aim. For 10yds try a 2" black circle.

4.3gr is where I ended up too.

 

Interesting, I will try a smaller one

[Wobbly]

It's not you. Simply the way the human eye works.

[IDescribe]

Low left is typically a flinch.

There are a thousand remedies. I'd recommend you do four things:

1-- don't try to time the trigger pull with the sights lining up with the bullseye; instead, try to minimize sight movement, keep the center of the sight drift range on the bullseye, then steadily increase the squeeze until the trigger breaks where it may
2-- Follow through - - pull the trigger until it won't pull any further
3-- Watch the YouTube video "Bob Vogel on Grip" and implement
4-- practice, a lot, dry-firing, with a snap cap

All those steps are important, but I have helped novice shooters getting instruction from friends (often boyfriends) cut their group size  to one quarter of what it was with an adjustment to proper grip alone.  And I've had those friends and boyfriends watch groups sizes shrink, stunned, and say "Um... can you explain that again and look at my grip? " 

[Pistolet]

Your bullseye is too big. That would be a great target for 20-30 yds. With a black section that large your eye can't find a distinct place to aim. For 10yds try a 2" black circle.

4.3gr is where I ended up too.

 

So I made another 50 rounds of 4.2gr and 50 rounds of 4.3gr, put up the 2" targets I usually use with my 10/22 and was pleasantly surprised at how much more accurate my shots were. And this time there is no doubt, 4.3gr shoots a lot better.
Thanks to all.

[Wobbly]

Another satisfied customer.

 

[Pistolet]

Earlier I mentioned that I had a small Kaboom where the barrel did not explode but swelled up, a ringing of the barrel as noyli said, also I forgot to mention that the primer blew out of its pocket. I went back and looked at my load data for this event and I think I know what went wrong:
I was misinformed  and used the wrong recipe from Lyman,
With Bear Creek moly 147gr.,
I used the data for 147gr. TMJ  Titegroup 3.2-3.6, 1.115OAL (Rang the barrel and blew Primer at 3.2gr.)
I should have used 147gr #2 alloy. Titegroup 2.5-2.8, 1.058 OAL
Now I know better, Titegroup and 147 gr lead was a bad idea for a beginner, not to mention the wrong recipe.
 

[IDescribe]

I'd think more likely you cleared a squib if you impregnated the barrel.  I've used 3.4gr of TG with a variety of 147gr coated lead bullets and know plenty who use more.  The reason those charges in the Lyman book are so low is because that OAL is crazy short for a 147gr bullet.

You didn't get an overpressure kaboom from 3.2gr of Titegroup at any reasonable OAL.

[Pistolet]

I'd think more likely you cleared a squib if you impregnated the barrel.  I've used 3.4gr of TG with a variety of 147gr coated lead bullets and know plenty who use more.  The reason those charges in the Lyman book are so low is because that OAL is crazy short for a 147gr bullet.

You didn't get an overpressure kaboom from 3.2gr of Titegroup at any reasonable OAL.

And I thought I had it all figured out

[IDescribe]

And I thought I had it all figured out

You DO have it figured out.  You fired into a squibbed bullet.   

Noylj called it in the 3rd post -- a pregnant barrel is the result of firing into a barrel obstruction. And given that you'd already had squib problems, it shouldn't be too hard to swallow. 

If you had a barrel obstruction right in front of the chamber, so that the bullet you fired had nowhere to go -- KABOOM -- barrel comes apart.

But if the obstruction is a few inches into the barrel, you're looking at a "pressure chamber" a few times larger in volume, so when the pressure spikes, it won't spike as high.  Don't get me wrong, it will still spike dangerously high and given the right combination of variables, still get high enough to tear the barrel apart.  But there is also the chance that the two bullets will have enough time to clear the muzzle and relieve the pressure at the point where the barrel is starting to balloon under pressure, but hasn't broken apart yet. 

[Wobbly]

But if the obstruction is a few inches into the barrel, you're looking at a "pressure chamber" a few times larger in volume, so when the pressure spikes, it won't spike as high.  Don't get me wrong, it will still spike dangerously high and given the right combination of variables, still get high enough to tear the barrel apart.  But there is also the chance that the two bullets will have enough time to clear the muzzle and relieve the pressure at the point where the barrel is starting to balloon under pressure, but hasn't broken apart yet.

ID.... sounds to me like you're a little TOO familiar with this issue !   

[1SOW]

It's really good to have ID's experiences to draw on.
My (2)  no-powder  squibs never cleared the chamber enough to allow the next round to feed.  The press light I made,  deprives me from gaining more squib experience.

[IDescribe]

ID.... sounds to me like you're a little TOO familiar with this issue !   

Haha

The closest I've gotten to one is being there for a test-firing AFTER a friend had done it to his revolver.  It had happened his previous time out, shooting handloads with those half-jacket bullets.  His guess was that the lead had outrun the jacket and left the jacket in the barrel, which apparently happens with that type of bullet.  Anyway, he wanted to see what would happen if he fired it with the barrel like that, and I'm not that brave, so... "Um... I going to wait over here by my car."  It shot not great, but much better than I expected. 

[Wobbly]

Pistolete -
Now take that 4.3gr load and compare that target to targets of 1.140" and 1.130" OALs just to see if more case engagement improves anything.

BTW.... I gotta know. Does the pronunciation of your screen name rhyme with "Chevrolet" ?? 

All the best.