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Posted: 8/13/2012 12:25:11 PM EDT
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Looking at a 3 inch barrel for a carry gun. I have always done loads for a 5inch gun.
What is a good load that will not have excessive flash or blast for a 3 inch barrel? Looking for 230, 200 and 185 options if that is feasible. I have a good chrono, and I would not carry these, I just want to get in some practice. Any help or ideas are appreciated. Whatever is shared I will work up my own and be safe. Thanks |
| I would suggest a light load using a "fast" powder. Use your manual to find suitable powders for your application then pick one that has a fast burn rate. Burn rate lists are available in several places. There may even be a quick link on the forum to one. I've had good results with the old stand-by, "Bullseye". |
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I shoot the same loads in my 3 inch Kimber that I do in my 5 inch DW and Para's. Silhouette is my powder of choice for high power SD Loads.
http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ramshot_handgun_rifle.pdf |
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Can't tell you much about loading for 3" Glock.
My workday EDC is a Colt Officers model running factory recoil and mainspring weights which are stiff. It won't cycle 100% using anything less than 185 grain at 900 fps. Cycles fine with 230 grain Winchester running above 850 fps. My 185 grain load is Barnes Tac\Mil\Leo on top of max charge of Silhoutte. Primer is Federal Gold Match seated in new Starline nickel plate brass. It's been very reliable, accurate and manageable. Better be, cause it's my EDC SD cartridge. |
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I've fired a few handloads and factory loads at night to compare. True factory defensive ammo has flash retardants that I cannot get, and as a result most factory has little, if any flash (in 4 and 5") while my handloads do flash somewhat.
Slow powders suck. A bluedot/135 jhp load in a glock 27 will give you 3 foot diameter fireballs in broad daylight and will usually bring all other firing on the range to a complete halt. faster powders are better. You want as much combustion as possible inside the barrel. Use the fastest powder you can find. |
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Silhoutte has flash retardent.
Look here. This is myth that we use a lessor grade powder than ammunition manufacturers. Actually it's the opposite. What we use is called cannister grade and runs a lot more consistant from lot to lot than non- canister grades. Sure, it's true we don't get the latest custom blend made by Hodgdons for Hornady. Wait a year and we do. There are several cannister grade powders available to use made with flame retardent. Silhouette just happens to be the one I'm using in my three self defense loads. |
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What pistol ? I am looking at a Glock. If I had to shoot somebody it would piss me off when they would take my Colt for evidence. Don't think they make a 3" .45ACP Closer to 4 inch in the G36 and G30 barrels which are the shortest they make, but with the octagonal rifling they don't lose much velocity vs 5 inchers |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
What pistol ? I am looking at a Glock. If I had to shoot somebody it would piss me off when they would take my Colt for evidence. Don't think they make a 3" .45ACP Closer to 4 inch in the G36 and G30 barrels which are the shortest they make, but with the octagonal rifling they don't lose much velocity vs 5 inchers |
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Quoted:
Silhoutte has flash retardent. Look here. This is myth that we use a lessor grade powder than ammunition manufacturers. Actually it's the opposite. What we use is called cannister grade and runs a lot more consistant from lot to lot than non- canister grades. Sure, it's true we don't get the latest custom blend made by Hodgdons for Hornady. Wait a year and we do. There are several cannister grade powders available to use made with flame retardent. Silhouette just happens to be the one I'm using in my three self defense loads. Thanks for your time. I will start with Silhouette! |
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