30 Luger loads
 

These loads were not tested for accuracy, only for velocity and gun functioning. Five shots of each load were fired. Velocities were taken 15 ft from the muzzle with a PAC chronograph. The 60 gr Gold Dot & 85 gr XTP were .312 bullets resized to .3095. The 85 gr Sierra & 93 gr Hornady bullets were .308. Resized cases miked .385 at the base; fired cases miked .388-.389 at the base.

WARNING: These loads appeared to be safe in my guns (they did not blow up!) However, you use them at your own risk.

BULLET-------POWDER---CHARGE---AVG MV--BBL LGTH

60 gr GD-----Unique-----6.5 gr------1613------3 7/8
60 gr GD-----Unique-----7.0 gr------1726------3 7/8
60 gr GD-----Unique-----7.0 gr------1848------4 3/4
60 gr GD-----Unique-----7.0 gr------1902------6
60 gr GD-----Blue Dot---9.0 gr------1538------3 7/8
60 gr GD-----HS-7-------8.5 gr------1535------3 7/8
60 gr GD-----HS-7-------9.0 gr------1667------3 7/8
85 gr Sierra-Unique-----6.0 gr------1293------3 7/8
85 gr Sierra-Unique-----6.5 gr------1442------3 7/8
85 gr Sierra-HS-7-------7.5 gr------1286------3 7/8
85 gr Sierra-Blue Dot---7.5 gr------1280------3 7/8
85 gr Sierra-Blue Dot---7.5 gr------1304------4 3/4
85 gr XTP----Blue Dot---7.5 gr------1268------3 7/8
85 gr XTP----HS-7-------7.5 gr------1304------3 7/8
85 gr XTP----HS-7-------7.5 gr------1330------4 3/4
85 gr XTP----HS-7-------7.5 gr------1542------6
93 gr Horn---Unique-----5.0 gr------1300------3 7/8
93 gr Horn---Unique-----5.0 gr------1343------4 3/4
93 gr Horn---Unique-----5.4 gr------1362------6
93 gr Horn---HS-7-------6.5 gr------1211------3 7/8
93 gr Horn---Blue Dot---7.5 gr------1292------6
93 gr Horn---SR 4756----5.6 gr------1343------6

These loads did not cycle the action:

60 gr GD-----Red Dot----5.0 gr----------------3 7/8
60 gr GD-----Green Dot--5.5 gr----------------3 7/8
60 gr GD-----HP-38------5.0 gr----------------3 7/8
60 gr GD-----W 231------5.0 gr----------------3 7/8
60 gr GD-----4756-------6.0 gr----------------3 7/8
60 gr GD-----HS-7-------8.0 gr----------------3 7/8
60 gr GD-----Unique-----6.0 gr----------------3 7/8
60 gr GD-----Unique-----6.5 gr----------------6
60 gr GD-----Blue Dot---9.0 gr----------------6
60 gr GD-----HS-7-------9.0 gr----------------6
85 gr Sierra-HS-7-------7.5 gr------1288------6
93 gr Horn---Unique-----5.0 gr------1322------6
93 gr Horn---HS-7-------7.0 gr------1211------6
93 gr Horn---HS-7-------7.5 gr------1396------6
93 gr Horn---4756-------5.5 gr------1245------6
93 gr Horn---HP-38------4.0 gr------1057------6
93 gr Horn---Red Dot----4.3 gr------1230------6
93 gr Horn---Green Dot--4.7 gr------1260------6
93 gr Horn---Blue Dot---7.0 gr------1218------6
<img src="graemlins/icon107.gif" border="0" alt="[icon107]" />

I have not yet gone very far into the actual loads for the cartridge as there is quite a lot to deal with in the area of recoil springs and other issues before I get to loading, so I can't comment on your loads. But be they right, or be they wrong, they provide useful data. The case expansion seems excessive though. Usually we associate this with excess pressure but given all the other parameters that are wrong before you start, one has to ask: Are the cases undersized? Is the chamber oversized? What are the correct diminsions? Do the SAAMI specs have anything to do with reality? (Not so far.)

What brass are you using?

I would like to see the velocity for the loads that did not cycle the action properly.

There is also the question of what you have for recoil springs.

The impluse for all loads with velocity listed ranges from 0.496 to 0.659 lbf*s. The minimum to operate the 3 7/8" barreled pistol is 0.497, the minumum for the 6" is 0.595. No minimum established for the 4 3/4" barreled pistol. The difference between the 3 7/8" and the 6" is fairly large, I suspect the 6" has a stronger recoil spring.

unspellable

Hugh,

Don't forget to slug those barrels and send me the measurements!

unspellable

Unspellable,

I can only answer a couple of your questions, as these loads were fired a couple of years ago and the only info I have is what I posted.

I am using WW brass, the recoil spring on the 6" bbl gun is a Wolff 10% extra strength spring. Recoil spring on the other two guns was original, so don't know what strength.

The loads listed as "failed to cycle" were included if two out of five shots did not cycle the gun properly. [img]cool.gif[/img]

Unspellable,

I have already sent you the dimensions on all my 30 cal bbls. [img]confused.gif[/img]

rick,

No chance to put the chrony on the 8" yet. The guys with the grip work and Ted's baby, and half dozen knife orders been keeping me busy! <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />

Nein!!!

Sieger

Interarms bottom, Erfurt upper with 12" barrel firing Winchester WB, 7 rounds with no problems this summer!

Winchester makes White Box 7.65 Parabellum rounds??? :eek:

Sorry, my bad. I was shooting 9mm.......

3.8" barrel

Bullet--------------Powder--Charge-------Measured Vel.

Sierra 90 JHC ----Unique---5.0 ----------1100


Horn. 85 XTP-----Unique---5.1----------1174


Horn. 85 XTP------N340-----5.4----------1260


.311"-.312" bullets pushed through .309" sizing die.

The load I use for 85 grain bullets is 5.0 grains of Hodgdon CFE Pistol powder.

For 90 grain bullets I use 4.8 grains of CFE Pistol.

Depending upon your individual Luger and your brass, you may want to adjust the loads by 1 or 2 tenths of a grain.