Reloading noob, accuracy issue

[Kanad]

I've shot approx, 2000 rounds of both factory and reloaded ammo with no accuracy issues (XD .45-5"). I then tried reloading myself. At 25 yards, sandbagged, I'm getting a 6" group. Completely unacceptable, I thought something was wrong with me, but fortunately I had a few rounds of factory ammo and they all shot with about a 1" group, sandbagged.

My biggest question is, can the pressure be too high and cause the gun to start cycling or "unlock" before the bullet has left the barrel?

.452 230 grain fmj armscore, wst, 4.6 grains.

 

[rsmithsr50]

WHAT OVER ALL LENGTH ?

I've shot approx, 2000 rounds of both factory and reloaded ammo with no accuracy issues (XD .45-5"). I then tried reloading myself. At 25 yards, sandbagged, I'm getting a 6" group. Completely unacceptable, I thought something was wrong with me, but fortunately I had a few rounds of factory ammo and they all shot with about a 1" group, sandbagged.

My biggest question is, can the pressure be too high and cause the gun to start cycling or "unlock" before the bullet has left the barrel?

.452 230 grain fmj armscore, wst, 4.6 grains.

 

[rsmithsr50]

me thinks it is a pretty light load which maybe an issue
as is a crimp that is not uniform because the cases are not the same

 

[rwj]

As a start, do the fired primers in your reloads show signs of excessive pressure and/or do they look different from the ones in the previously fired ammunition? What is the source of the powder, charge weight, and bullet type used in your reloads?

 

[rammac]

Why are you using a .452" diameter FMJ bullet? Typically jacketed bullets are .451" while lead bullets are .452".

 

[mikld]

I believe the bullet has left the barrel way before any cycling starts. Have you tried working up a load? Start with the manual's min. load and add .3-.5 grains of powder and check group size. Also try different bullets. Change one thing at a time,; different powder charges, different powder, different bullets. There are other methods for testing a load but for me this is the easiest, most rewarding. I like reloading so there is no hurry to find "The Load"...

 

[Ralph Littlefield]

I agree with mikld. More load development may be in order. You apparently just started with a combination that you gun does not like.

 

[Steve Ladino]

I've shot approx, 2000 rounds of both factory and reloaded ammo with no accuracy issues (XD .45-5"). I then tried reloading myself. At 25 yards, sandbagged, I'm getting a 6" group. Completely unacceptable, I thought something was wrong with me, but fortunately I had a few rounds of factory ammo and they all shot with about a 1" group, sandbagged.

My biggest question is, can the pressure be too high and cause the gun to start cycling or "unlock" before the bullet has left the barrel?

.452 230 grain fmj armscore, wst, 4.6 grains.

No and I think your load is to lite, not even a Bullseye ball load. As for bulk bullets you may do well to weight sort the bullets too.

 

[T-shooter]

Some of it may be the exact bullet and load you're using. I loaded some of these for my .40 and they shoot horrible. 8-10" at 25-30' The pistol will shoot under 3" at 75' off-hand. These are 165 grain hollow point X-treme brand bullets (looks like a hex inside). I have the same brand in a 180g round tip that shoot reasonably well. CorBon 165 grain HP loads that are loaded hotter shoot very well. ??????????????
My .40 reloads, 180g with 5.2g of Bullseye powder
(998 fps average)
My .40 reloads, 165g with 5.8g of Bullseye powder
(1113 fps average)
CorBon, 165g HP factory loads
(1187 fps average)

 

[T-shooter]

There is a bright side. If it's the ammo, take a friend shooting, especially one that brags how good they are. Use some of your good accurate ammo and shoot a group, then give him a mag of the other and enjoy.

I've reloaded about 10 different loads using 2 different powers and 3 different bullets. These are the only ones that shoot that poorly. I have no idea why.

 

[JimSC]

There is a bright side. If it's the ammo, take a friend shooting, especially one that brags how good they are. Use some of your good accurate ammo and shoot a group, then give him a mag of the other and enjoy.

Now that's just nasty lol