Glock, need Best OAL, BHN and Diameter, (loading for a friend)

[Conditor22]

Glock, need Best OAL, BHN, and Diameter, (loading for a friend)

I'll be loading for a friends Fiance who shoots mainly Glocks. I'd appreciate input from those who have successfully loaded for Glocks.

I do have my favorite load data I can use with your input, but if you want to share your favorite load data, I'd enjoy looking at it.

The calibers and preferred boolits to choose from are:

9MM:
356-120-TC
TL356-124-TC
TL356-124-2R
358-125 RF
356-125 2R

40 SW:
.401-175-TC

45 ACP:
452-230-2R
452-230-2R-TL
452-230-TC

I do have available

9MM
356242 FV
357 446
358156
.356-102-1R

45ACP
454190AW
454424
45-185 BB
45-230-RN
45-225-RN
452-252-SWC
452-255-RF

I've dialed in their favorite colors
https://i.imgur.com/Zw8g0Qo.png

Thank you,

Jim

[Conditor22]

So far I've found
9MM size .357
40 SW size 402
45 ACP size .452

BHN 12+ with PC, 16+ with lube

Glocks prefer lighter charges with lead boolits

[mehavey]

No issues/discussion from the Peanut gallery on cast lead and Glocks ?
(Especially in someone else's gun/under someone else's control?)

https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=410812
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?33855-The-Truth-about-Glocks-and-Cast

[cwlongshot]

I shoot a 40 W/3Gun I have found at 1100 fps PC hardness has not made much difference from 10-18 BHN. ALL SHOOT sub 2” @ 50 yards. BUT, neither of my three guns shoot that bullet well. I am using the 145g with great success. My 22&35 shoot a Lyman 175 RNFP & 200g TC well too, but at a higher recoil impulse. I load Clays powder at 3.5g and a 145g LEE Boolit. The Glocks are more forgiving than the PCC for feeding and OAL dims. The PCC needs care in OAL AND bullet profile.

I shoot a 200SWC cast in a H&G or RCBS mold. Using #2 powder. Dont remember load off top of my head but its a book loading. I dont shoot it much anymore.

Good luck,

CW

[Taterhead]

My 40 bore Glocks did not shoot coated cast boolits well until I started using a larger diameter neck expander.

The diameter was getting swaged from.401 to .400. Glocks don't like that.
Here is a bullet diameter after being seated then pulled adter using the standard expander plug.
https://i.postimg.cc/RV1Cz21T/2017011995192924.jpg

Here is the same bullet after seating and pulling after using a larger diameter expander.
https://i.postimg.cc/3wrx9hqq/2017011995192835.jpg

That extra diameter on the expander shank made a huge difference. I use a 401 Cowboy from RCBS. Its length is perfect for a 10mm case, but a touch long for a 40 case, so i had a friend reduce the length by about 1/8" for my 40 die.

Here is the RCBS 401 Cowboy expander (38-40 WCF expander assembly) and the standard plug that came with the dies [right]. The Cowboy is longer and wider. Reaches deeper into the case to enlarge the full the length of the bearing surface.

https://i.postimg.cc/fyKWZxkZ/20180125-212015.jpg

If your bullets get narrower during seating, look for a larger expander shank. Your groups will be way better.

[cwlongshot]

GOOD INFO TH!!!

Just FYI: I load most of my 40 on a 550. Ones I load by hand use a M-Die.

CW

[YogiSC]

+1 on the expander. For 9mm i use Lee 38S&W exp. Plug (based on recommendations from this site). Normal 9mm plug lead to bullet compression on rear of bullet, which significantly leaded my Glock 19. I TL 2x as well (may be too much, but it works so far)

[JBinMN]

So far I've found
9MM size .357
40 SW size 402
45 ACP size .452

BHN 12+ with PC, 16+ with lube

Glocks prefer lighter charges with lead boolits

I don't have a Glock, but being that those numbers run about the same as I use for my firearms with regular lands/grooves, and are 0.002" over groove size for many handguns, I would think you should have "size/fit" covered, the PC has shown to work well as lube & depending on your velocity the 12 BHN, you should have good obturation I would think. The 16+ lubed would make me worry a bit about the harder alloy BHN, also depending on powder & velocity to avoid gas cutting if the obturation fails.

From what I understand, depending on what burn rate powder ya use & velocity you are trying to obtain, I would watch for possible leading issues on the 16+ alloy and maybe adjusting hardness or adjusting velocity to adapt to the alloy, or vice versa. (< Hoping ya know what I am trying to say there. ;) )

Seems to me though that the more rounded edges of the lands/grooves in a Glock would reduce the chance of "stripping" of lead more because they are not "sharp" like the other style of rifling.

I don't care for the "feel" of Glocks, thus do not have one, so I do not know what is the best ways to deal with them & lead boolits, but following the "basics" on adapting for fit, lube & hardness(<for best obturation ratio to velocity desired)for lead boolits would seem to be relatively the same for them, as for any other type of rifling.

G'Luck!
:)


No issues/discussion from the Peanut gallery on cast lead and Glocks ?
(Especially in someone else's gun/under someone else's control?)

https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=410812
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?33855-The-Truth-about-Glocks-and-Cast

LOL I was waiting for them to pop in here as well... Notorious topic for that. Give it some time....
;)

[Alstep]

I NEVER load for friends or other shooters, and NEVER shoot other's reloads, PERIOD. No disrespect to you, and can appreciate your wanting to help out. The chance of mistakes on both sides is more than I want to be responsible for. Get your friend a manual and teach your friend how to load. He or she will then appreciate what reloading is all about, and the skills & responsibility involved. You'll both be far better off for it.
Besides that, reloading for others is considered "manufacturing ammunition" under federal law, and requires a FFL to engage in that endeavor. Not to mention liability insurance. Check BATF regulations.

[Conditor22]

I thought you just couldn't sell hand loads without an FFL.

Do you have a link to where you can't give hand loads to a friend?

[Alstep]

I thought you just couldn't sell hand loads without an FFL.

Do you have a link to where you can't give hand loads to a friend?



No I don't, right offhand. Nothing to prevent giving reloads to a friend. But loading for others is your own risk. I've seen a few incidents over the years that makes me very cautious.

[ioon44]

Yep, a good way to end a friendship.

[Conditor22]

I use the RCBS Lockout die -- good insurance.
Too much/ too little powder and it locks up the press.