I’m struggling with load data

First topic message reminder :

I got a great deal on Nosler 185 jhp bullets and my guns love them. I’ve been using 4.3 gr vv n310 and a 12 lb spring slide mounted 9000sc

I also have a fondness for the 160 gr button nose and 4.3 gr BE will give me lots of jams with that 12 lb spring. Sure I could shoot the jhp load on the short line but I tried that and recoil recovery ain’t that good for me.

If I want to use the 160s on the short line is my only option to change out the spring between long and short line?  I even tried a 11 lb spring and still no go.  I’m sure I could jack up the powder charge but then what’s the point. It starts feeling hotter to me with more recoil.  May as well shoot 200 gr swc then.

I have no issues changing the spring.  I’d like to find a lower recoil feeling load for 25 but I think that beast of a scope ain’t gonna let it happen.

I’m all ears on any load or spring changes...or anything.  I’m going to be real honest here.  I’m tired of messing with load data..I just want to shoot...and accurately..haha

BE powder or N310 doesn’t matter however N 310 is lots cleaner for sure.

I’m not he’ll bent on the 160s if need be.  I’ll go 200 for short line if needed.

Could the square ding be the size of the extractor hook?

If it fails the test I posted above, It can be bent by you.  Stick it half way into the channel and bend it a little.   Test again.   Its not a real scientific way, buy works.   If its bent too much, it will not feed the brass rim into the notch of the extractor and will be half loaded and stop the slide.  

David

David R wrote:Could the square ding be the size of the extractor hook?

If it fails the test I posted above, It can be bent by you.  Stick it half way into the channel and bend it a little.   Test again.   Its not a real scientific way, buy works.   If its bent too much, it will not feed the brass rim into the notch of the extractor and will be half loaded and stop the slide.  

David

I’ll find one and check it out.  It passes the extractor test with ease  but does have a lot of shaping and polishing done by the smith who built it.

If extractor tension is ok, check for a loose ejector.

Ejector seems fine. I’m starting to really think it’s the extractor..slide comes back and leaves the empty case in the chamber!  That’s gotta be it.  Odd thing is tension is fine.  Gotta be the shape of the nose.  Like I said it doesn’t happen all the time but as it gets a little dirty 2nd from last round it happens with every mag I try.

I’ll try to get a pic of it this weekend. I just have several irons in the fire right now so not a priority.  Plus, it shoots the jacketed without issue....mostly. Haha

Here is the defect on some of my once fired brass. Not sure this could be causing my issue

That defect is common on SA RO pistols. The breech face has a raised surface on left side of the pistol. When fired the case hits that surface and it damages brass. It needs to be scraped off with a HSS scraper and dressed with a stone. I fixed 4 in the last 30 days. It also cocks the cartridge to the right off axis in the chamber. Your gunsmith who fit the barrel should've caught that.
Jon

Jon Eulette wrote:That defect is common on SA RO pistols. The breech face has a raised surface on left side of the pistol. When fired the case hits that surface and it damages brass. It needs to be scraped off with a HSS scraper and dressed with a stone. I fixed 4 in the last 30 days. It also cocks the cartridge to the right off axis in the chamber. Your gunsmith who fit the barrel should've caught that.
Jon

Yea, you would of thought that!

This brass was once fired and not originally shot out of my gun.  However your comment will have me look into my RO and also look for that defect.  Thanks Jon

This is what my jams look like

Does it jam without the scope on?

It looks like I can see where the extractor hook pulled from the rim. 

David

Check extractor tension.

james r chapman wrote:Does it jam without the scope on?

Haven’t even tried that!  Thing is, it doesn’t do any of this madness with 185gr jhp with 4.3 N310.

4.3-4.4 BE with 160 gr lead swc. Does this every mag.  Again, I could up that load because even with a 10 lb spring it does it.  Not as much but enough for me to think I’m going to have an alibi every time I shoot timed and rapid

More pics for reference 

Looks like the second one may have extracted , but not ejected.   Or  did not completely extract like the first picture but got caught in the slide.    

Internet diagnosis.  Try another extractor.  

EGW , Wilson’s,  fusion....

David

I think I will try another extractor.  I may actually have one here.  Haha. No question if I’m using enough lube on the last picture

I shoot the 160 w/ 4 to 4.2 grns of BE. I have had a keg of BE which required a bit more, maybe 4.3 once or so. I have used this loading since adding red dots around '80. I have used most dots,+Mark II & 3 AP's, Comps, 9000SC's and 4.2 worked for all of them.

I have ALWAYS used an extended ejector. The Colt I have used for the most of those yrs was a Giles HS. It has had a Kart brl installed and been re accurized sev times.The original Colt mag is very dependable. I have added 2 Micro Chek mags yrs ago and they work very well. Recoil sprg's are either 9 or 10 lbs. Mainsprg was cut before I got it to something like 1.7".

In the past I have observed shooters w/ malfunctions and when I loaned a Metal Form mag  it solved the problem.

Right now I have a large supply of WST. Still developing the load but3.9 grns is almost there. !st bushing gave 4.3 grns and thought a touch strong