Hey all,
Longtime reader, first time poster.
So, I've been reloading for a while now, thru several different calibers. Usually 45 LC for my lever actions and SAA Colts for cowboy shooting. I reload some 7mm Rem Mag for my rifle, some 40 S&W for my HK, and some 9mm for my Baretta. Lately (w/the craze), I've been reloading more for friends, so I upgraded from my trusty RCBS RC to a Dillon 550.
Awesome, I can't remember why I waited so long?!?!?
Anyway, this brought me back to a problem I've had in the past, that I ignored. It's crept back up on me tho, and in a more expensive way.
When I first started reloading for the Baretta, I noticed that it didn't want to cycle on recoil. It wouldn't fully eject, stovepiped, or something along those lines. I chalked it up to a stiff spring, and just loaded a little hotter. By "hotter" I mean "not at the bottom". For example, if the load data said "4.0 to 4.8", I'd find that 4.6 or so (w/a med crimp) worked fine. I've never had this problem with any other gun I've reloaded for, including some made for friends.
Well, with the new Dillon (and hard time finding powder), I made that same mistake in a BIG way. The Baretta has had hundreds (~ 800 - 1.5k) rounds thru it, mostly with Hodgdon HP-38 in it. (I like that for the 45 LC, 40, and 9) I found a 4lb bottle of Hodgdon Universal tho, and decided to pick it up as an alternative.
That's when I made the nube mistake. I jumped on the Hodgdon site, found that it wanted 3.8 - 4.3, and worked up 400 rounds at 4.0. I figured erring in the middle would be fine, and the dang Dillon made it SO easy to make 400 (vs. the usual 40-50 I usually make to test loads). I took a few dozen to the range, and now I'm back to Baretta not cycling all the way again. I haven't had a FTF yet, but I'd say anywhere b/w 1 our of every 3-5 doesn't eject fully and cycle the slide.
Enough background, now the question: Was I right back in the day when I assumed the Baretta spring was too stiff, and I needed hotter loads?? I figured she'd been broken in enough that I'd be ok w/a mid-range load, but not so much.
I REALLY don't want to think about pulling the 350 I have left, but they're too much of a PITA for me now. Any thoughts?!? HELP!!
Longtime reader, first time poster.
So, I've been reloading for a while now, thru several different calibers. Usually 45 LC for my lever actions and SAA Colts for cowboy shooting. I reload some 7mm Rem Mag for my rifle, some 40 S&W for my HK, and some 9mm for my Baretta. Lately (w/the craze), I've been reloading more for friends, so I upgraded from my trusty RCBS RC to a Dillon 550.
Awesome, I can't remember why I waited so long?!?!?
Anyway, this brought me back to a problem I've had in the past, that I ignored. It's crept back up on me tho, and in a more expensive way.
When I first started reloading for the Baretta, I noticed that it didn't want to cycle on recoil. It wouldn't fully eject, stovepiped, or something along those lines. I chalked it up to a stiff spring, and just loaded a little hotter. By "hotter" I mean "not at the bottom". For example, if the load data said "4.0 to 4.8", I'd find that 4.6 or so (w/a med crimp) worked fine. I've never had this problem with any other gun I've reloaded for, including some made for friends.
Well, with the new Dillon (and hard time finding powder), I made that same mistake in a BIG way. The Baretta has had hundreds (~ 800 - 1.5k) rounds thru it, mostly with Hodgdon HP-38 in it. (I like that for the 45 LC, 40, and 9) I found a 4lb bottle of Hodgdon Universal tho, and decided to pick it up as an alternative.
That's when I made the nube mistake. I jumped on the Hodgdon site, found that it wanted 3.8 - 4.3, and worked up 400 rounds at 4.0. I figured erring in the middle would be fine, and the dang Dillon made it SO easy to make 400 (vs. the usual 40-50 I usually make to test loads). I took a few dozen to the range, and now I'm back to Baretta not cycling all the way again. I haven't had a FTF yet, but I'd say anywhere b/w 1 our of every 3-5 doesn't eject fully and cycle the slide.
Enough background, now the question: Was I right back in the day when I assumed the Baretta spring was too stiff, and I needed hotter loads?? I figured she'd been broken in enough that I'd be ok w/a mid-range load, but not so much.
I REALLY don't want to think about pulling the 350 I have left, but they're too much of a PITA for me now. Any thoughts?!? HELP!!