Is this load safe?

[MikeS]

Hi All.

I'm getting ready to load some 400Corbon loads, but finding load data for lead boolits in this caliber is like looking for a needle in a haystack! I'm loading a 170gr TC boolit lubed with speed green, and from looking around, and comparing 45ACP loads, and 10mm loads (the 10mm has almost the same case capacity), I've kind of settled on 6gr of HP-38. Does this sound like a safe load to anyone else, or am I risking blowing up my 1911? I really don't like the fact that due to the small neck size a small portion of the lube groove is going to be below the case neck!

[lwknight]

I'm not familiar with hp-38 at all so I can't be specific.
If you find loads for the same or near same weight jacketed bullets, lead can load the same
as long as the bottom of the bullet is in the same place. If you have reduced the load for lead the load will be even more forgiving for the OAL.

A 170 grain in 45 acp is a light payload so you probably have a lot of leeway and might even have to up the powder to cycle the slide.

[MikeS]

For those that don't know hp-38 = w231 same exact powder, different label.

[badgeredd]

I have no experience with the 400 Corbon, but I'd say you might want to use 40 S&W and 45 ACP loads as a guide. I suspect using 10MM data may be a bit chancy because the operating pressure is quite a bit higher than the 45 ACP or (what I can find) the 400 Corbon. I think I'd find a load for the 40 S&W using the same powder as the 45 ACP with similar weigh bullets and try a compromose load to start with and work up from there. I haven't checked Quickload to see if the 400 Corbon is in there, but I will. I'll get back to you if I can find something useful.

Edd

[rexherring]

It's a bottle necked .45 acp and most loads are for slower powders such as AA#7, Unique etc. HP38 is a little faster and I would start with a lower charge and work up. Also, most loads don't include a 170 gr and stop at a 165 jacketed.

[40Super]

I've not used HP-38 in my Cor-Bon barrel,mostly AA#5 ,WSF, and N350. When doing my testing I used Quickload to get me close and compared with chrono.
According to QL, with 7.2gr HP-38,oal 1.260 and 175 lee tc(didn't have the 170gr) 55% case fill, pressure was getting to 24,650/Vel. 1093fps. The max for the 400Cor-Bon is 29K(7.8gr HP-38 is just under that). That is with my 1911 variables input, 5inch barrel . This is one of those calibers I have ,but only played with a bit, mostly with 180gr XTP's .

I do have some actual data for it around here some wheres that has a few more powders if you need them I'll try to find them.
I think AA#9 would be a great powder for this cal. also.


edit: I did find a 170gr spfp (bullet length .532,seating debth .175) oal still 1.260, 7.2/7.3gr hp-38 gets you in the 25,000psi range. That is around the psi that I tested at since I was using formed Blazer,SPP, .45ACP cases. I have some regular Starline .400 brass,but haven't played with them yet.

[mpmarty]

I used to shoot and load the 38/45 which is a 45acp necked to .355 and Herco was the powder of choice.

[MikeS]

According to QL, with 7.2gr HP-38,oal 1.260 and 175 lee tc(didn't have the 170gr) 55% case fill, pressure was getting to 24,650/Vel. 1093fps. The max for the 400Cor-Bon is 29K(7.8gr HP-38 is just under that). That is with my 1911 variables input, 5inch barrel . This is one of those calibers I have ,but only played with a bit, mostly with 180gr XTP's .


Yea, I'm loading the Lee 175 boolit. I didn't remember if it's a 170 or 175. So with that boolit and 7.2gr of HP-38 and the pressure is 24650 I should be plenty safe with 6gr of HP-38. Thanks! Probably a DQ, but what is a 40Super?

[40Super]

It is a conversion for 1911's, like the .45 Super and the Cor bon. I take Starline.45Win Mag brass(or actual Starline 40Super brass if I can find it) and cut them down a bit, then form a neck down to .40 caliber.
Another way is to add .1 to the .400Cor-Bon and you have the .40Super, only it runs at 38,000psi so I use rifle primers and the brass needs to be beefy
. Everyone knows it's not a normal 1911 when the first shot goes off . Uses a 26#recoil spring + a hydro buffer. I put it in my PT1911 and it is holding up good. (it's an abuse test to me). I plan on hunting with it this fall, thats the original reason I got a Cor Bon barrel but found out about this caliber and saw it was nearing .44 mag levels so I went to try it.


EDIT. Just so anybody reading my loads in previous post ,DISCLAIMER, THESE ARE JUST QL PREDICTIONS, NOT VERIFIED !!! USE AT OWN RISKS PLEASE!

[40Super]

MPMarty: was Herco used for any particular reason? never know when a particular powder will be the cats a **.;-)

I'm always looking for a reason to experiment. And with no data for a caliber, I get to make it up as I go.:brokenima

[Moonie]

I use Unique exclusively in my 400, I would worry that HP-38 might be too fast and could spike pressure on you. Are you using it in 400 corbon cases or reformed 45 cases?

400 corbon cases have a thicker web than reformed 45 cases and are the same as 45 +p but with small primer pockets.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Here's some load data. I use this site often for a start, but then I always go back to the source to verify. Looks like most of the data is coming directly from Corbon, maybe a call to them will yield some helpful data.

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=400%20Corbon&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

[MikeS]

Moonie, I'm using Federal small primer 45 brass sized down.

Silvercreek, that page is unavailable unless you have an account, which I don't, nor will I.

Super40, is the hydro buffer you're talking about look like a regular spring guide, but with a smaller diameter pin sticking out that moves in/out? If so I had one of those on an older all steel framed commander (it was made the first year of the steel frames) years ago. It worked nice, but I no longer have that gun. :(

[DX250]

I have been loading 400 for years and in my experience use med slow to slow powders. With reformed or factory corbon brass (per Starline the same as standard brass just with small pocket) keep the pressure at or below +p 45, with reformed 40 super, 460 Roland or, 45 win mag I have run up to 40 super pressures around 40,000PSI. I will say as pressure goes up the more modifications will be needed (square firing pin block, Springfield #28 main spring, #26 recoil spring, ect). Fast powders, as mentioned before, lead to spikes in pressure, I have had a case head rupture with a light load of fast powder and had punctured primers. I have usually started with 40 s&w data and worked up but for heavy boolits and slow powder use 10mm -15% and work up.

A place to start
http://www.reloadammo.com/400corbn.htm

This is an article on 357 sig but the fundamentals of loading are the same crimp wise for 400.
http://www.handguninfo.com/Archive/www.Pete-357.com/357.safety.reload.htm

Be safe with this cartridge I have found to goes from safe to picking chunks of brass out of your face very quickly. (Luckily my gun did not self disassemble anything but a mag and the wood grips)

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Strange, I've never had an account. Here is the info cut and pasted. Nothing really close to what you are looking for, but perhaps it will lead you in the right direction.

135gr JHP 9.7 gr VV N340 1,400 fps WLP guest
Works great with a compensated 1911 http://www.corbon.com/400.html

135gr JHP 12.5 gr HS6 1,350 fps WLP guest
More data for this caliber is available at http://www.corbon.com/400.html

135gr JHP 9.0 gr Universal Clays 1,400 fps WSP Corbon
Suggested starting load: 8.1 gr


135gr JHP 8.5 gr Unique 1,330 fps WSP Corbon
Suggested starting load: 7.7 gr


155gr JHP 8.8 gr PowerPistol Unknown 1.260" CCI LP guest
Good for nice fast manstoppers. A bit warmer than what Cor-Bon has been testing.

155gr JHP 10.3 gr AA #5 1,250 fps WSP Corbon
Suggested starting load: 9.3 gr
This data can also be used with 150 gr bullets.

155gr JHP 8.3 gr Unique 1,300 fps WSP Corbon
Suggested starting load: 7.5 gr
This data can also be used with 150 gr bullets.

155gr JHP 14.0 gr AA #7 1,300 fps WSP Corbon
Suggested starting load: 12.6 gr


155gr JHP 12.0 gr VV N105 1,250 fps WSP Corbon
Suggested starting load: 10.8 gr
This data can also be used with 150 gr bullets.

165gr FMJ 10.2 gr BlueDot Unknown 1.250" CCI LPM guest
Good, fast, and fairly stout. Must use magnum primers for best results. Easily loaded with Lee powder measure. Perfect in a 1911 type gun.

165gr JHP 10.0 gr AA #5 1,200 fps WSP Corbon
Suggested starting load: 9.0 gr


165gr JHP 7.6 gr Unique 1,200 fps WSP Corbon
Suggested starting load: 6.8 gr


165gr JHP 12.3 gr AA #7 1,250 fps WSP Corbon
Suggested starting load: 11.1 gr


165gr JHP 11.2 gr VV N105 1,250 fps WSP Corbon
Suggested starting load: 10.1 gr


180gr LFP 7.0 gr Unique 1,100 fps WSP Corbon
Suggested starting load: 6.3 gr


180gr JHP 7.6 gr Hercules Herco 1,025 fps 1.20" SP guest
Rem #1 1/2 primer. 1911a1 pistol. 16# progressive recoil spring. velocity over ProChrono at 10 ft.

Email author: DHEDGE
See all of DHEDGE's loads

[40Super]

The buffer I'm using is made by Sprinco, it's their heavy duty .400Cor Bon kit plus a 26# recoil. As mentioned by greyarea, A heavy mainspring is needed(or prefered) plus a non radiused fire pin stop. I got my gun running as best I could before dabbling in these calibers. I can feed empties through it without jamming and made sure the timing was on(that's one problem area with some, once the power is turned on and the gun wants to unlock early, or rips upper lugs off).Preventing set back is #1, just like the Sig. I haven't seen any spikes or questionable pressure signs with mine, these calibers deserve respect,afterall your running higher pressures than most 1911's are intended for.

[Moonie]

Please note that according to Starline they do NOT use standard 45 brass, they use 45 +P brass:

https://www.starlinebrass.com/brass-cases/400-Cor-Bon-Brass/

[Moonie]

I have been loading 400 for years and in my experience use med slow to slow powders. With reformed or factory corbon brass (per Starline the same as standard brass just with small pocket) keep the pressure at or below +p 45, with reformed 40 super, 460 Roland or, 45 win mag I have run up to 40 super pressures around 40,000PSI.

Please note that according to Starline they do NOT use standard 45 brass, they use 45 +P brass:

https://www.starlinebrass.com/brass-cases/400-Cor-Bon-Brass/

[DX250]

That is good to hear. I was told years ago when at the factory that there was no difference in their standard and +p brass and that was what they used to form 400. Great to hear they made it stronger.

[MikeS]

greyarea, I was just over at their site, and it seems that is true only for a couple of cartridges, I believe 38Special, and 9mm. At least those are the only 2 that they mention that about in their descriptions.

Supposedly they use small primer brass for the 400 Corbon as it has a stronger case head, so I did the same, I have some some Federal sp brass, so that's what I used. So far I've loaded 50 rounds, and I have another 50 45ACP rounds loaded into sp brass, so I'm going to pull them down, and form them into Corbon.

[Moonie]

I do use standard 45 acp brass as well as my Starline 400 corbon but in the standard 45 acp brass I stick to staring loads.