[Joe Durnbaugh]

Don’t take any load data at face value, particularly COL. Certainly the COL of your loads is important, but only you can determine the proper measurement for your barrel and bullet combination. Use the plunk test. If the listed COL is significantly different that the one that you determine works best for your ammo/gun, you need to adjust your powder charge accordingly. Using a listed COL can be very misleading, and can get you into reliability and even high pressure issues. Guns, barrels, chambers, and bullets vary. There can even be lot to lot variations of the same make and model of bullet which will affect the correct seating depth.

[Joe Durnbaugh]

That’s good advice. Use the plunk test. Also, just FYI, I load the same bullet to a COL of 1.08″ so that it will plunk in all of my barrels. That’s pretty short, I know, but I have some pretty short-throated pistols.

[Joe Durnbaugh]

Sorry that it’s been over a year since you posted this. Did you get it resolved. Your issue sounds like an internal mechanical problem and not ammo related. Is it a stock trigger, or has it been modified in any way?

[Joe Durnbaugh]

I’m on my 3rd Competition Electronics chrono. The first one I purchased in 1988. Then one day about 7 or 8 years ago it just didn’t work. I sent it back and they replaced it with a newer version for a minimal replacement fee. It worked fine, until my house fire 2 years ago. The insurance money bought me a new, Blue Tooth capable model. I also use their shot timers. In my experience, they’re a stand up company that stands behind their products. Like RMR. One of my personal laws is, don’t shoot your chronograph.

[Joe Durnbaugh]

I don’t own a case gauge. I use the plunk test, only. That said, your loads still should pass the gauge test. You said that you increased the crimp and still had the same problem? Well, I think that is your problem – too much crimp. It can cause a slight bulge just below the case mouth. You don’t need much crimp at all. Just enough to get the bell out, and possibly a little more to account for variations in case thickness and length. I try for a crimp of only 0.001″-0.002″. Also, if you are seating and crimping in the same operation, it can cause the same problem. Seat the bullet, then crimp.

[Joe Durnbaugh]

My carry load is our 115 gr Nuke with 6.3 gr of Silhouette. I’ve shot the 124 Nukes with 6.1 gr with no ill effect. Both at 1.06 COL.

These are +P loads, so approach with caution!

[Joe Durnbaugh]

One of my favorite powders. I was getting about 1050 with 3.8 in a 4.5″ KKM barrel and a COL of 1.08″.

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