Idaho45guy
06-17-2017, 08:54 PM
Shot in my first GSSF match last month and the next one is next Saturday.
In the first match, my pistol was stock other than a fiber optic front sight and a Pearce grip extension; both legal for Stock class. I shot the stock class first but was so nervous I flubbed it and got a 427. I calmed down and they let me shoot in Unlimited with the stock G29. I did much better and got a 468.
What killed my score was the 25yd distance; 10 shots in 15 seconds. The 10mm is snappy, and the load I chose was my most accurate but had some heat to it. I simply couldn't get back on target and reacquire a proper sight picture in 1.5 seconds.
I ordered a new Lone Wolf conversion barrel to turn my 10mm into a .40 S&W for the Unlimited division. I developed a few different recipes, but when I went to the range, it wasn't accurate with any of them, including factory loads, so I sent it back to have it looked at.
I had also ordered a KKM Precision 4.5" 10mm barrel for shooting cast with and it arrived yesterday. I also went to town and discovered that my LGS finally had some Blue Dot powder that folks had recommended. I put together some very mild loads using it and both Hornady XTPs and my 180gr RCBS cast boolits.
Today I shot around 10 different recipes using WSF and Blue Dot and the cast boolits and XTPs in both stock and KKM barrel. KKM barrel was underwhelming in both accuracy and function. Several FTF jams and magazine rarely will lock back after last round is fired. At this point, I can't use it in a match.
It had feeding issues and failure to lock back slide with factory HSM ammo. It did turn in the best group of the day with a 2 3/8" at 25yds. But, the stock barrel was not far behind at 2 1/2".
What was surprising was how much more recoil there was with Blue Dot mild loads compared to WSF mild loads. Factory HSM 180gr cast boolit loads were middle of the road in terms of recoil and not very good with 4" groups.
Best group was with 180gr cast boolits and 9.6grs of Blue Dot, but they were very snappy compared to the same boolit with 5.2grs of WSF.
Stock barrel and 180gr XTP with 5.2grs of WSF was reasonably accurate at 2.5", and the recoil wasn't bad, either. So far, it is my preferred match load for the stock class.
It's trying to figure out this KKM barrel and finding a combo that is both low recoil and accurate.
Honestly, the FTF issues have me concerned. Most folks say their KKM barrels are drop-in and 100% functioning with everything. Could it be more sensitive to limp wristing? When I bench shoot for groups, I have a very loose grip, which has never caused a problem with any other pistol or load, and when I tried the Lone Wolf conversion barrel, it was 100% functioning, just not accurate.
The powders I have on hand are WSF, Unique, Titegroup, Blue Dot, and Lil' Gun. In previous loads, TG was not very accurate with either the XTP or cast boolit.
WSF is milder recoiling, but not as accurate as Unique or Blue Dot.
I don't have but a day or two of load development available before I shoot in the match. Suggestions for what load to try next for the KKM barrel? Or should I think about sending it back due to the feeding issues?
I took some pictures of it and the stock barrel after shooting today and before clean up. I didn't notice any unusual wear marks...
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In the first match, my pistol was stock other than a fiber optic front sight and a Pearce grip extension; both legal for Stock class. I shot the stock class first but was so nervous I flubbed it and got a 427. I calmed down and they let me shoot in Unlimited with the stock G29. I did much better and got a 468.
What killed my score was the 25yd distance; 10 shots in 15 seconds. The 10mm is snappy, and the load I chose was my most accurate but had some heat to it. I simply couldn't get back on target and reacquire a proper sight picture in 1.5 seconds.
I ordered a new Lone Wolf conversion barrel to turn my 10mm into a .40 S&W for the Unlimited division. I developed a few different recipes, but when I went to the range, it wasn't accurate with any of them, including factory loads, so I sent it back to have it looked at.
I had also ordered a KKM Precision 4.5" 10mm barrel for shooting cast with and it arrived yesterday. I also went to town and discovered that my LGS finally had some Blue Dot powder that folks had recommended. I put together some very mild loads using it and both Hornady XTPs and my 180gr RCBS cast boolits.
Today I shot around 10 different recipes using WSF and Blue Dot and the cast boolits and XTPs in both stock and KKM barrel. KKM barrel was underwhelming in both accuracy and function. Several FTF jams and magazine rarely will lock back after last round is fired. At this point, I can't use it in a match.
It had feeding issues and failure to lock back slide with factory HSM ammo. It did turn in the best group of the day with a 2 3/8" at 25yds. But, the stock barrel was not far behind at 2 1/2".
What was surprising was how much more recoil there was with Blue Dot mild loads compared to WSF mild loads. Factory HSM 180gr cast boolit loads were middle of the road in terms of recoil and not very good with 4" groups.
Best group was with 180gr cast boolits and 9.6grs of Blue Dot, but they were very snappy compared to the same boolit with 5.2grs of WSF.
Stock barrel and 180gr XTP with 5.2grs of WSF was reasonably accurate at 2.5", and the recoil wasn't bad, either. So far, it is my preferred match load for the stock class.
It's trying to figure out this KKM barrel and finding a combo that is both low recoil and accurate.
Honestly, the FTF issues have me concerned. Most folks say their KKM barrels are drop-in and 100% functioning with everything. Could it be more sensitive to limp wristing? When I bench shoot for groups, I have a very loose grip, which has never caused a problem with any other pistol or load, and when I tried the Lone Wolf conversion barrel, it was 100% functioning, just not accurate.
The powders I have on hand are WSF, Unique, Titegroup, Blue Dot, and Lil' Gun. In previous loads, TG was not very accurate with either the XTP or cast boolit.
WSF is milder recoiling, but not as accurate as Unique or Blue Dot.
I don't have but a day or two of load development available before I shoot in the match. Suggestions for what load to try next for the KKM barrel? Or should I think about sending it back due to the feeding issues?
I took some pictures of it and the stock barrel after shooting today and before clean up. I didn't notice any unusual wear marks...
197802
197803
197804