Unburned IMR 800x

[Kilibreaux]

I just chronographed a load using 800X:

Mixed .45 ACP cases
CCI300 primers
IMR-800X 7.0 grains
Rainier 230 gran plated RN
OAL 1.265" nominal
Taper crimp

Average velocity over 10 shots on a 70 deg day: 845 fps
Average kinetic energy: 364 lb-ft

Fired from a RIA Tactical, the loads shot VERY clean with no unburned power evident.

[sawdustdad]

The 4.6g loads of 800x behind a 115g plated RN bullet, even with a OAL reduced to 1.1 inch (proper length per the manual) failed to function properly in my Taurus PT99.

However, 5.3g (max load) functioned perfectly, with good accuracy. This a 15 shot group at 25 feet. Some unburned powder, but no weapon operating issues.

This makes me happy. I've got some more testing to do, only loaded 50 rounds for this test, every round functioned perfectly.

[guygotguns]

nice shooting DAD

[WESHOOT2]

Nitro 100 = softest felt recoil in 45 ACP.

[guygotguns]

Good accuracy too.

[Nick_C_S]

You guys are making me jealous with this talk of Nitro 100. I've been wanting to try it for a couple years now; but for all I know, it's just an urban legend. I have never seen it at a store - or anywhere, for that matter. Other than load manuals and Accurate's site.

[sawdustdad]

I just purchased six 12oz bottles of Nitro 100NF last night from Butch's reloading. Wanted to buy more, but thought I'd leave a few for you...

As of right now, it looks like it's still available.

Gunbot.net found it. Looks like it has a lot of loads for .38sp and 9mm. I don't shoot .45acp (yet...).

[Nick_C_S]

I knew Butch's had it. Saw it on Gunbot.

Problem is, I've never used it before, and for all I know I won't like it. I'm not going to buy 12oz of it to test and pay a $20+ hazmat fee. And I can't risk buying a large quantity of an untested powder. Nope, I'm just gonna have to wait 'till it shows up at my LGS. It might some day.

[sawdustdad]

Well, I took a chance because I can't afford to pass up any potential pistol powder at this point. Maybe I'll load up some .38sp for my new Vaquero Bisley and report on the results...

[Nick_C_S]

Should work well in 38 Special. Report back.

Butch's is out of stock on it now, btw.

[mboylan]

thanks, Nick, for the additional info. I might try seating the bullets a little deeper, too, to increase the pressure. The accuracy wasn't bad, despite the metering issue. Put 15 rounds in about a 4 inch group at 25 feet, which is about typical for my Unique loads.

Umm. That's worse than a shotgun. Absolutely horrible at 25 feet. Maybe barely acceptable at 75 feet with reduced loads. What are you doing?

[sawdustdad]

I think I've found a workable load now for 800x in my 9mm. The 5.3g load listed as max for this powder seems to work fine. My PT99 functions flawlessly, all rounds group well at 25 ft. (considering my skill level/weapon capability). I still get some unburned powder ejected with each case, but much less than the lighter 4.6g load. I fired 50 rounds with the 800x load then 50 rounds of my stash of ammo loaded 25 years ago (6g unique) and both loads printed similarly-same point of impact.

[sawdustdad]

I saw on gunbot this morning some Unique available on Cabelas, but it sold out before I could get any.

[OverPressure]

I think i will put cents in here as 800X was one of the powders i got
ahold of once my Clays Standard Dried up.

I am in the group where i thought that if i added powder i could clean up the
unburnt particles in the barrel. At 6.6 gr with a SNS 200 gr SWC i was
averaging 810fps. It didn't shoot as accurately as my Clays loads so
i used it for action shooting. I still have 2 lbs.

I tried some loads at 7.1 gr and i could here a difference in velocity, i didn't
notice a cleaner barrel or gun after shooting this load. 200gr SWC.

I am using a Lees 4 die Classic Turret loader, this is chunky powder, so i tapped
the powder dispenser each time i charged a case with both the loads above
to try to attain equal charges.

Here is where i am going with 800X. I am going to place a small square of
paper towel over the 7.1 gr load. I will press it in with a pencil until
it touches the charge. Then insert the bullet.

I have a few loads where this method has changed the way the bullet performs. If my results clean up the load i will adust the powder volume up
or down to get the 850 fps i am looking for. I will be looking for
a 20fps +or- velocity as well.

I am trying to keep a production line going in my reloading so weighing each
one individually is out of the question. What i do , with my Lees charges is
weigh a dozen or so charges with my lees scale and if they are close i start
loading to shoot.

[sawdustdad]

I said I'd report back on my experience with AA Nitro 100NF. I loaded some 50 rounds with 3.2g (starting load) in .38sp. (predicted ~750fps) with a 125g plated bullet. Moderate crimp.

Fired from my brand new Ruger Vaquero Bisely .357 (stainless/5.5 inch barrel) (nice gun, BTW) there was a nice little Pfft! and the bullet hit the target. Adjusting the point of aim, easily put 6 rounds in a two inch group at 25 ft. Clean burning, a little flash from the cylinder/barrel gap, but not much.

Nitro 100NF is a light grey/silver colored, very fine flattened spherical ball powder that meters very well in my Square Deal press. It's a tiny amount of powder for that size case.

Next, I tried my Dan Wesson .357, 6 inch barrel, with similar results. Virtually no recoil.

I loaded another 200 rounds last night (all the empty brass I had).

This will make a very nice plinking load. I don't think It will ever replace Unique, but it's a reasonable substitute at this point.

[Nick_C_S]

Thanks for the follow-up report sawdustdad. It's appreciated.

I already have a lot of irons in the fire - so to speak - with stuff going on around the home and at the load bench. But if I cross paths with NT100 at my LGS, I'm grabbing some. I'll then find the time to tinker with it. Something tells me it's really neat stuff for target 38 applications, and your latest post reinforces that notion.

Thanks again.

[guygotguns]

Nick, highly recommend you grab any Nitro 100nf you can find, I love it for my 9mm and .45 ACP, have also used it in 40 S&W (need to go hotter in .40), very accurate target loads and recoil is unbelievably soft even at max loads. Just finished loading 200 gr. Berry hollow points and 24 gr. Berry rnd nose, looking forward to range time Saturday.

[Nick_C_S]

Awesome. I'll be on the lookout. Thanks.

[sawdustdad]

Nick, I chuckle every time I read your signature line. That's classic. Reminds me of that movie where Sean Connery tells an adversary "you don't bring a knife to a gun fight" or something along those lines.

[Nick_C_S]

I like it.