Reloading for IDPA

DeerNut · March 21st, 2008, 03:06 AM

I checked the archives for this an didn't see it (surprisingly). I'd like to start shooting IDPA with my 16-yr-old, but have not used my Dillon Square Deal "B" for 15 years. I assume you want to use a 200gr SWC as I did when I shot IPSC. Can anyone tell me a good load to make the power floor for SSP&ESP (125,000) and for CDP (165,000) categories?

I may be shooting:
Kimber Ultra CDPII (3")
SA XD45 4"
.45ACP Colt 1911 5"

That brings up another quesiton - I'm not sure what category I would shoot these 3 guns in - are all 45s shot in CDP so you don't have to compete with the 9mm? I have the IDPA manual but its confusing.

Any help is appreciated.

THX, JIM

Janq · March 21st, 2008, 03:50 AM

Check the IDPA rule book first on the ammo reloading.
IIRC ammo used must be commercial power levels if not grade.
I don't relaod though (yet) so I'm not up on all the particulars to that end.

As to the classes one can shoot a .45 ACP 1911 in either CDP or ESP.
I shoot in both. CDP is for normal 1911s that weigh less than 40oz.
If over that weight limit then you bump over to ESP which allows a max. 43 oz. I shoot my Sig GSR under ESP because it's a big honkin piece of steel and is over the CDP limit by just over half an ounce with an empty mag.
As to 9mm that can either be in ESP or SSP. I shoot my 9mm SA 1911 in ESP as well.
Be sure to read the rule book per class in detail as the differences are subtle such as the above noted weight limits.

Welcome to the board!

- Janq

sheepdog · March 21st, 2008, 07:51 AM

Jang, I think they just have to make the power factor, not as hot as factory. If that is the rule, a LOT of folks I know are cheating!
As to the calibers competing, as Janq said and you believe, you can shoot in either class depending on power factory you shoot. I think that it is not so much about calibers competing as ACTION types. You might check the manufacturer's web sites for load data if your books are as old as your SDB. I use Titegroup in my make PF in my 5 inch gun, but I don't know if my load will in all of them and have no idea what it would take to make the 3 inch run to the 165000 requirement.

Tubby45 · March 21st, 2008, 10:41 AM

Sheepdog, to get 165PF:
185gr= 892fps
200gr= 825fps
230gr= 717fps

I would just load one load that meets both floors and shoot it in all my guns. My 45s get the same load and my 10mms get the same load.

What powders do you have on the bench?

Cthulhu · March 21st, 2008, 11:14 AM

I believe the IDPA load my instructor uses is a 200gr LRN with 4.1gr of Clay's. That was just a tad over CDP power factor. Nice round, out of a 1911 w/ 5" barrel. Lead made it belch smoke like crazy, though.

-JT

Tubby45 · March 21st, 2008, 11:20 AM

The lube is to blame for smoke.

Miggy · March 21st, 2008, 11:45 AM

As per the rule book

Quote:

1. Power Floor.
The goal is to compete with “service type” ammunition, not light
target ammunition. Therefore, the following minimum power
floors will be in effect:
SSP - 125,000
ESP - 125,000
CDP - 165,000
ESR - 165,000
SSR - 125,000
Calculate power floor by multiplying the bullet weight by the
muzzle velocity. You will need a chronograph to verify muzzle
velocity.

2. Official Chronograph Procedure
Chronograph three (3) rounds at a distance of ten (10) feet using a
gun of MAXIMUM barrel length for the DIVISION of the same
gun type. If two (2) of the three (3) rounds exceed the power floor,
the competitor is in compliance. Prior to each shot, the muzzle of
the gun should be elevated to move the powder charge to the rear
of the case, thus giving the competitor every chance to achieve
maximum velocity.
Should the competitor’s ammunition fail to meet the power floor,
the competitor will have the option to chronograph three (3)
additional rounds through his gun.
If there is any question as to the bullet weight, a bullet should be
pulled and weighed using a powder scale. Any competitor whose
ammunition fails to meet the minimum power floor will be
disqualified from the entire match and receive a DNF score.

If I am not way off the reservation, the XD will land you in SSP and the other two in CDP. Now, if you are going to be into competition, running an XD in 45 against Glocks in 9mm is a losing proposition due to recoil. If you are in it for just the love of the game, you'll be fine.

Now, "legal reloads" for IDPA? You will need a chronno to check your loads. Gaming Loads without it? Start on the bottom of the load chart and increase the weight till the gun functions reliable with the caveat that the round that might work for the XD might not work for the SA or the Kimber so you might end up having three separate types of loads to fit your every gun. IMHO just get one that works reliable for all three guns. And if ever go to a sanctioned match, just buy factory ammo and shoot with it.

Janq · March 21st, 2008, 12:12 PM

Addition...

I forget to add this morning that the main reason I shoot my 9mm 1911 in ESP is because ESP allows single action where as SSP supports only double action.

- Janq

Tubby45 · March 21st, 2008, 02:14 PM

Wow, I would have to download considerably to get to 165 PF. I run 10mm at 227 PF. I run 45 Auto at 211 PF.

A 230gr bullet to at 717fps hardly seems to me like "service type" levels. That seems like "light target" ammo to me. a 175gr 10mm at 1300fps and 235gr .45 at 900fps seems more reasonable.

DeerNut · March 21st, 2008, 02:23 PM

I suspected shooting the XD45 would be a disadvantage in several categories - that's not my carry gun anyway. My intent is just to get very familiar with my carry gear, not to see how well I can do against others. I just want to have fun and I have a 16yr-old son who just wants to shoot something...and a lot of it (chip off the ol' block). I think it would be a blast to do this together. I'll use a 3" Kimber Ultra and he can use my 5"Colt. We'll get a load that will make CDP power floor with both. I don't have any powder on the bench - it has been too long, but I need to get some and wanted to load up some rounds and take them to the next match to watch and see if they'll chrono them for me (I don't know anyone with a chrono). You all have helped a lot, now my question is a little more focused. I'm looking for a recipe that will send a 200gr lead SWC 825fps in a 3" Kimber. I can do some experimenting with loads but w/o a chrono I would like a head start. The recommendation with Clay's is one (may have to up it a little to get that out of a 3"); any others hints?

Thanks, JIM

March 21st, 2008, 03:06 AM	#1
DeerNut Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 30	Reloading for IDPA I checked the archives for this an didn't see it (surprisingly). I'd like to start shooting IDPA with my 16-yr-old, but have not used my Dillon Square Deal "B" for 15 years. I assume you want to use a 200gr SWC as I did when I shot IPSC. Can anyone tell me a good load to make the power floor for SSP&ESP (125,000) and for CDP (165,000) categories? I may be shooting: Kimber Ultra CDPII (3") SA XD45 4" .45ACP Colt 1911 5" That brings up another quesiton - I'm not sure what category I would shoot these 3 guns in - are all 45s shot in CDP so you don't have to compete with the 9mm? I have the IDPA manual but its confusing. Any help is appreciated. THX, JIM __________________ Jim Heffelfinger Wildlife Biologist and Author of "Deer of the Southwest" http://www.deernut.com

March 21st, 2008, 03:50 AM	#2
Janq VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,939	Check the IDPA rule book first on the ammo reloading. IIRC ammo used must be commercial power levels if not grade. I don't relaod though (yet) so I'm not up on all the particulars to that end. As to the classes one can shoot a .45 ACP 1911 in either CDP or ESP. I shoot in both. CDP is for normal 1911s that weigh less than 40oz. If over that weight limit then you bump over to ESP which allows a max. 43 oz. I shoot my Sig GSR under ESP because it's a big honkin piece of steel and is over the CDP limit by just over half an ounce with an empty mag. As to 9mm that can either be in ESP or SSP. I shoot my 9mm SA 1911 in ESP as well. Be sure to read the rule book per class in detail as the differences are subtle such as the above noted weight limits. Welcome to the board! - Janq __________________ "Killers who are not deterred by laws against murder are not going to be deterred by laws against guns. " - Robert A. Levy Monday, March 12, 2007 -- Op Ed -- The Washington Post

March 21st, 2008, 07:51 AM	#3
sheepdog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 500	Jang, I think they just have to make the power factor, not as hot as factory. If that is the rule, a LOT of folks I know are cheating! As to the calibers competing, as Janq said and you believe, you can shoot in either class depending on power factory you shoot. I think that it is not so much about calibers competing as ACTION types. You might check the manufacturer's web sites for load data if your books are as old as your SDB. I use Titegroup in my make PF in my 5 inch gun, but I don't know if my load will in all of them and have no idea what it would take to make the 3 inch run to the 165000 requirement. __________________ What Would Gumby Do?

March 21st, 2008, 10:41 AM	#4
Tubby45 Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: In the reloading room Posts: 1,988	Sheepdog, to get 165PF: 185gr= 892fps 200gr= 825fps 230gr= 717fps I would just load one load that meets both floors and shoot it in all my guns. My 45s get the same load and my 10mms get the same load. What powders do you have on the bench? __________________ Freakshow Manufacturing LLC "You can kill it. We can help." 07 FFL/ 02 SOT

March 21st, 2008, 11:20 AM	#6
Tubby45 Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: In the reloading room Posts: 1,988	The lube is to blame for smoke. __________________ Freakshow Manufacturing LLC "You can kill it. We can help." 07 FFL/ 02 SOT

March 21st, 2008, 11:14 AM	#5
Cthulhu Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 921	I believe the IDPA load my instructor uses is a 200gr LRN with 4.1gr of Clay's. That was just a tad over CDP power factor. Nice round, out of a 1911 w/ 5" barrel. Lead made it belch smoke like crazy, though. -JT

March 21st, 2008, 12:12 PM	#8
Janq VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,939	Addition... I forget to add this morning that the main reason I shoot my 9mm 1911 in ESP is because ESP allows single action where as SSP supports only double action. - Janq __________________ "Killers who are not deterred by laws against murder are not going to be deterred by laws against guns. " - Robert A. Levy Monday, March 12, 2007 -- Op Ed -- The Washington Post

March 21st, 2008, 02:14 PM	#9
Tubby45 Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: In the reloading room Posts: 1,988	Wow, I would have to download considerably to get to 165 PF. I run 10mm at 227 PF. I run 45 Auto at 211 PF. A 230gr bullet to at 717fps hardly seems to me like "service type" levels. That seems like "light target" ammo to me. a 175gr 10mm at 1300fps and 235gr .45 at 900fps seems more reasonable. __________________ Freakshow Manufacturing LLC "You can kill it. We can help." 07 FFL/ 02 SOT

March 21st, 2008, 02:23 PM	#10
DeerNut Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 30	I suspected shooting the XD45 would be a disadvantage in several categories - that's not my carry gun anyway. My intent is just to get very familiar with my carry gear, not to see how well I can do against others. I just want to have fun and I have a 16yr-old son who just wants to shoot something...and a lot of it (chip off the ol' block). I think it would be a blast to do this together. I'll use a 3" Kimber Ultra and he can use my 5"Colt. We'll get a load that will make CDP power floor with both. I don't have any powder on the bench - it has been too long, but I need to get some and wanted to load up some rounds and take them to the next match to watch and see if they'll chrono them for me (I don't know anyone with a chrono). You all have helped a lot, now my question is a little more focused. I'm looking for a recipe that will send a 200gr lead SWC 825fps in a 3" Kimber. I can do some experimenting with loads but w/o a chrono I would like a head start. The recommendation with Clay's is one (may have to up it a little to get that out of a 3"); any others hints? Thanks, JIM __________________ Jim Heffelfinger Wildlife Biologist and Author of "Deer of the Southwest" http://www.deernut.com

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