JHP Load for Pardini GT45 - I hit the sweet spot!

I have been working on accurate and reliable loads for my Pardini GT45 and I think that I have finally developed a great long line load:

Bullet: Zero 185 Gr JHP (Zero ID - R187)
Brass: New or Once-Fired Starline
Primer: CCI Large Pistol Primer (but I don't think that the primer brand makes a difference)
Powder: Vihtavuori N310 4.4 Gr
OAL: 1.205"
Crimp: 0.469"

Results:
I shot a practice match today and here is one of my 50 yard targets (98-4X):



I am still working on the Short Line load. My current favorite is:

Bullet: Zero 185 Gr JHP (Zero ID - R187)
Brass: Mixed head stamps fired multiple times
Primer: Remington Large Pistol Primer (but I don't think that the primer brand makes a difference)
Powder: Vihtavuori N310 3.9 Gr
OAL: 1.205"
Crimp: 0.469"

It shoots well - soft and accurate. However, today I had one failure to feed during my practice match. I will have to make sure whether it is an oddball or a persistent problem.
I previously used 3.8 Gr of N310 and the load was even softer but I had multiple alibis with it, so I upped the amount of powder by 0.1 Gr. I may go to 4.0 Gr, if I find that 3.9 Gr still gives me problems.

Best Regards,
Oleg.

Congrats! Glad your hard work is paying off

Which optic is that Oleg? Mine with a matchdot II and the "medium" spring doesn't cycle reliably under 4.1gr N310 with the zeros at 1.205. Curious if your dot is lighter; perhaps that's the difference. Thanks!

Andrew, the dot is a Sig Romeo 4M. It is a bit lighter than the Matchdot. However, I think that the main difference is the spring: I tried using a Medium and, even with the light dot, it was a disaster. My elbow did not want me to shoot hot loads at the Short Line. I switched to a Light spring.

Best Regards
Oleg.

Great load, my Les Baer PII loves the 4.4 of N310.  Now if I could only find some N310!

Lane579 wrote:Great load, my Les Baer PII loves the 4.4 of N310.  Now if I could only find some N310!

I AGREE, I'M DOWN TO MY LAST 12 LBS. SNICKER, SNICKER

 I'VE LOADED FROM 4.1 TO 4.5 OF VV310 WITH THE ZERO AND NOSLER BULLET. MOST 1911 GUNS SHOT THE 4.5GR THE BEST. BUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 4.3 TO 4.5 AT 50YDS WAS SMALL. BUT YOU COULD TELL THE DIFFERENCE. BUT MY S&W 845 LOVES 4.3GR. MY SPRINGFIELD XD MOD2 TACTICAL ( FOR NRA PPC PRODUCTION DISTINGUISHED PISTOL) LOVES THE 4.1GR.

Great work, Congrat !

You’re mean JIMP!

JIMPGOV wrote:

Lane579 wrote:Great load, my Les Baer PII loves the 4.4 of N310.  Now if I could only find some N310!

I AGREE, I'M DOWN TO MY LAST 12 LBS. SNICKER, SNICKER

 I'VE LOADED FROM 4.1 TO 4.5 OF VV310 WITH THE ZERO AND NOSLER BULLET. MOST 1911 GUNS SHOT THE 4.5GR THE BEST. BUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 4.3 TO 4.5 AT 50YDS WAS SMALL. BUT YOU COULD TELL THE DIFFERENCE. BUT MY S&W 845 LOVES 4.3GR. MY SPRINGFIELD XD MOD2 TACTICAL ( FOR NRA PPC PRODUCTION DISTINGUISHED PISTOL) LOVES THE 4.1GR.

Have you tried lead bullets at 25 yds?  I'm just curious if they work.  I've been thinking about getting a GT45.

I have tried lead bullets at 25 yards. Specifically Zero lead hollow-point semiwadcutters 185 Gr. They work well at 25 yards but I could not get them to shoot well at 50. And Pardini USA recommended to use JHPs. So I switched to all JHPs - no regrets. Actually for me, JHPs shoot softer than lead bullets. This is 100% subjective perception, but it makes me feel better and that is what counts for my peace of mind

To be more precise about the lead bullets. 

Short line load for GT45:

Bullet: Zero HP SWC 185Gr (Zero ID R186)
Brass: Mixed head stamps fired multiple times
Primer: Winchester Large Pistol Primer (but I don't think that the primer brand makes a difference)
Powder: Bullseye 3.8 Gr
Length: 0.918" at the shoulder
Crimp: 0.465"