[OldVet]

Don't even start with the "it'll blow up" stuff. :argue:

This thread is for anyone who owns, reloads, and shoots a Glock in 45ACP.

I am getting an aftermarket barrel for lead bullets. I'm looking for a mild load in 200 grn SWC for range work. I have H38 powder on hand and have loaded a few rounds with 5.3 grns for preliminary testing. Some 185 HP Noslers worked fine with this powder (5.1 grns). I don't want much more power than what it takes to reliably cycle the rounds. I have reloading books but much of the data in them is developed using a specific gun (Colt 1911 with 6 in barrel) or a test barrel.

Any good suggestions? I've reloaded other cartridges for years (pistol, rifle, shotgun), so I'm not new to this. I hope someone with "Glock" experience can pass on some ideas as to "pet" loads that work well for their Glocks.:hand10:

 

[razor02097]

don't you have a reload book?

All I know about loading lead is I can't use bullseye.

All I knew was Glock voids warranty if reloads are shot I didn't know you needed an aftermarket barrel to shoot lead.

 

[OldVet]

Yes, several books, but books by Speer, Hornady, etc. only list loads for their bullets.
Most makers advise against reloads (small print) but the poly rifling in Glocks (and others) doesn't work well with lead, which prefers standard lands and grooves. Since the factory warranty is only one year, that won't be an issue as far as that goes.

 

[razor02097]

Yes, several books, but books by Speer, Hornady, etc. only list loads for their bullets.
Most makers advise against reloads (small print) but the poly rifling in Glocks (and others) doesn't work well with lead, which prefers standard lands and grooves. Since the factory warranty is only one year, that won't be an issue as far as that goes.

I see. I learned something new. Check out LEE precision. I know they have presses, books, DIY bullet molds and such. Might also be a resource since they don't make bullets.

 

[dukalmighty]

I load a 200 grn lead round nose bullet with 5 grains of unique and it shoots around 850 fps out of a 1911 5" bbl

 

[farronwolf]

This is what Hodgdon says for 45 acp with hp 38 powder. Just about every powder manufacturer has load data on their website for general classes of bullets, not manufacturer specific.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

155 GR. CAST LSWC Hodgdon HP-38 .451" 1.230" 6.0 998 13,400 CUP 6.7 1112 17,100 CUP
180 GR. LFP Hodgdon HP-38 .452" 1.140" 5.0 778 11,300 CUP 6.0 950 16,800 CUP
185 GR. HDY JSWC Hodgdon HP-38 .451" 1.195" 5.0 762 12,000 CUP 5.9 906 15,800 CUP
200 GR. CAST LSWC Hodgdon HP-38 .451" 1.225" 4.4 771 11,000 CUP 5.6 914 16,900 CUP
200 GR. SPR JHP Hodgdon HP-38 .451" 1.155" 5.2 794 12,700 CUP 5.9 906 16,700 CUP
230 GR. HDY FMJ FP Hodgdon HP-38 .451" 1.200" 4.2 751 13,800 CUP 5.3 832 16,800 CUP
230 GR. LRN Hodgdon HP-38 .452" 1.200" 4.3 699 12,200 CUP 5.3 834 16,900 CUP


NEVER EXCEED MAXIMUM LOADS

 

[OldVet]

I see. I learned something new. Check out LEE precision. I know they have presses, books, DIY bullet molds and such. Might also be a resource since they don't make bullets.

Also, a lot of the data for powder "X" is developed using a particular gun (Colt 1911 5.5 in barrel) or "6 in test barrel." I'm hoping to find loads that others have found to work well in Glocks, the G30 specifically.

 

[Freedomofchoice]

I'm not going to preach about reloads in Glocks, I reload for all my own Glocks even 45, but, I'm not very sure a replacement barrel will feed semi-wadcutters. Regular Glock barrels won't.

 

[farronwolf]

Your probably going to find limited data for a specific Glock pistol, with a specific aftermarket barrel, with a specific type of bullet with a specific type of powder. After all, if you have been reloading for long you already know that it is a trial and error type of thing to get to loads that you like or that your gun likes.

Loads you like might not be liked by others depending on personal preferences.

 

[Stevew]

Speer list load data for 45 Auto 200g LSWC. I am not familar with H38 powder.

 

[OldVet]

Speer list load data for 45 Auto 200g LSWC. I am not familar with H38 powder.

Same as WW 231.

 

[frankmako]

i got some good reloads for the glock 30 and 36. but that is with the 230 bullet. sometime next month i am going to work up some loads with the 200 gr bullet. i do not load hot, these are range loads, no reason to beat yourself up at the range. i run all my loads through my chronograph to make sure they will do the job. i also use after market barrels in all my glocks. i use aa#5 and titegroup for the powder. i would look in several load data books and on the powder internet sites to get a starting point. then work up from there. get a chronograph, best thing to reloaders and they are now cheap. they were not cheap when i got my in 1986.

 

[farronwolf]

^Yep,

Chronos are 100 bucks or less now. I only went about a month after starting to reload before I decided it was in my best interest to get a chrono.

 

[judgecrater]

I'm not going to preach about reloads in Glocks, I reload for all my own Glocks even 45, but, I'm not very sure a replacement barrel will feed semi-wadcutters. Regular Glock barrels won't.

I have not found a bullet type my G21sf won't feed just fine with the stock barrel. 200 gr SWC Zero lead is one of my most accurate loads. 5.4 HP38/Win231 OAL 1.255 Excellent accuracy.

If you are going to change the barrel out, I recommend the KKM barrel. I put one in my G17 with outstanding feeding and accuracy.

 

[pscipio03]

I'm glad you started this thread. I'm going to be firing my first handloads this weekend, and I used Bullseye and HP38. I was a bit miffed that I had to buy some Hornady XTP, as the lead was 1/3 the price. But, as you say, each reload book I've read has said to not shoot lead through the Glock barrel. I've read that it has something to do with poly rifling as well as something to do with housing the round a bit looser (assures more reliable feeding?). Again, all things I've read here and there. Almost makes me wonder if it's a bunch of BS that the ammo manufacturers are making up knowing that Glock is probably the second favorite pistol behind 1911 variants in the US. Too late to take on the 1911's, so take on the up and comer.
I'm probably going to bit the bullet and hit up Lone Wolf for an aftermarket barrel, or just give up lead altogether and only go jacketed. Unless, you can find something and report back on it.

 

[pscipio03]

Found this earlier last week when I was finalizing my research on bullets for my Glocks and handloads:

HARD CAST BULLETS IN POLYGONAL BARRELS

True hard cast bullets (as opposed to lead swaged bullets) that are properly lubed will not lead foul polygonal barrels any more than any other type of rifled barrel. Ever since Glock Corporation warned to not use lead bullets in their pistols with polygonal barrels, a myth that hard cast bullets will lead foul polygonal barrels has become wide spread in some parts of the firearms world. However, the myth is untrue. Hard cast bullets are not "lead" bullets. (See my article on "Dangerous Pure Lead Cowboy Bullets")

Pure lead or nearly pure lead bullets have a tendency to foul any barrel, not just polygonal barrels. Years ago, when several Glock pistols experienced cracked barrels because of fouling build up from shooting pure lead bullets, Glock issued a warning not to shoot lead bullets in their polygonal barrels. From that warning, the myth that you should not shoot hard cast bullets in polygonal barrels was born.

Provided you use real hard cast bullets with good lube, you can shoot them all you like in polygonal barrels without causing lead fouling deposits at the front of your chamber or anywhere else in the barrel. If you are concerned about lead fouling from hard cast bullets, all you have to do is to clean your barrel after firing hard cast bullets and before firing any jacketed bullets. However, in my experience, quality hard cast bullets won't foul a Glock polygonal barrel or any other type of barrel but lead bullets normally will.

 

[Jeff F]

I cast and shoot a lot of 200gr SWC and yes out of my Glock 36 and gasp with the stock barrel. I only use Unique though and find around 6gr is where they work the best (900 fps). If H38 is similar to W231 than my Hornady book shows it with a 200gr LSWC at a starting 800 fps load of 5.2 gr and a max 950 fps load of 6.5 gr. Don't know if that helps or not. BTW if you have a clue (not directed at you OldVet just a general statement) on how lead bullets are sized and loaded to fit the gun and how to recognize the signs of leading and being able to properly clean your barrel than lead is not an issue even with the poly barrel in the glock. If you don't have a clue than I suggest you stick to jacketed.

 

[pscipio03]

BTW if you have a clue (not directed at you OldVet just a general statement) on how lead bullets are sized and loaded to fit the gun and how to recognize the signs of leading and being able to properly clean your barrel than lead is not an issue even with the poly barrel in the glock. If you don't have a clue than I suggest you stick to jacketed.[/QUOTE]

Question for you on that part-- the hard cast lead that I'm finding in my local dealer is all .452, but the XTP's are .451. Make a difference for leading that you know of?

 

[OldVet]

If you'll look closely at the thread, you'll note that it was originally dated 2009, when I first bought a Glock before hearing of the Glock/lead controversy. I've reloaded mulitple calibers and gauges and many, many rounds since '75, with lead bullets limited to .38 wadcutters. I know about leading, but at the time (assuming there may be others with "Glock" experience) no experience with reloading for a Glock and sought specific advice. Since then I've fired a lot of lead through my G30 (I don't count rounds, maybe someone should invent a "roundometer" for those of us who don't) with virtually no leading in either the OEM or Storm Lake aftermarket barrel, which has the same rifling as Glock.

For your interest, lead bullets are commonly sized .001 larger, sometimes more, than jackets so they can better form to the rifling and seal. Can't think of the word for that.

 

[pscipio03]

For your interest, lead bullets are commonly sized .001 larger, sometimes more, than jackets so they can better form to the rifling and seal. Can't think of the word for that.[/QUOTE]

I've read about that. The correct term is largerleadforriflesealing. Think it's German. I digress. So, you recommend getting an after market barrel, correct?