.40, Longshot, and 135 grain Nosler JHP

[firefighter4215]

Well, I got some of the 135 grain Nosler JHPs to play with in my G22. The Hodgdon data says 1,434 fps at a max load from a 4" barrel. I got some new Double Tap brass to use as I neared the max load, and used once-fired RP brass for everything else. My starting load velocities were about right considering the 1/2" longer barrel. The max load is 11.5 grains. I was averaging about 1,425 fps at 10.3 grains. The brass and primer looked great. I kept working my way up, 3/10 of a grain, and stopped at 10.9 grains. I fired 2 of that load. One was 1,494 fps, and the other 1,493. The recoil was pretty stout, and all of these loads were very loud. The brass and primers looked good from the starting load up to the 10.9 load. I pulled a couple of my 10.9 loads and weighed the charge on a different, digital scale. It still said 10.9 grains, so my Lee scale was accurate. I had anticipated a slightly higher velocity due to the longer barrel from the G22 vs their 4" test barrel. However, my results seem a little off. I decided to discontinue testing that load for fear of damaging the gun. I'm pretty sure the pressure was fine, but was concerned about the slide velocity. Has anyone else tested this load? Any input would be appreciated. It was 47 degrees outside at around 500' elevation, for those who want to get technical. All bullets were seated to 1.129", just slightly longer than the Hodgdon test load of 1.125."

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[freakshow10mm]

I've done workups with that combination at many different temperatures and I'm 600ft above sea level. The max load at 1.125 is around 1550fps with my results. Chronograph 15 feet from muzzle.

The handloading community doesn't nickname Longshot as "Loudshot" for anything. For some reason the powder is just loud.

[SDGlock23]

You might want to use a heavier spring to help tame down the wear on the gun, but I don't really think it's going to be terribly hard on your gun anyways...unless you shot it constantly.

I worked up some LS loads w/135gr Noslers a few years back from the G23 and didn't get the numbers I had hoped for, but it could have been that particular batch of LS too. For the record, 10.5grs (or was it 11?) of 800x gave me 1556 fps avg. with the G23 and 135 Noslers. But it doesn't meter worth anything, so if you can get good numbers with LS, stick with it. That bullet isn't particularly tough anyways, it blows apart in no time and will probably give you very shallow penetration.

VV 3n38 could be another good one, but I've only used it with 155gr and 165gr, but with great results.

[firefighter4215]

Thanks for the replies. My previous experience with chrono'ing Longshot loads was that the Hodgdon data seemed a little optimistic regarding velocity. This load appears to be a major exception. It's not a plinking load for me. I mainly just did it for the heck of it.

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[greenlion]

If you are working 135 grain loads up around 1,500fps wouldn't any powder generate more recoil and a louder report? I mean, you're creeping up on .357 magnum territory there. Is Longshot loud with medium velocity loads as well? Just curious..

[firefighter4215]

Good question. I personally think part of that noise was indeed the bullet traveling at 1500 fps. It was much louder than my 1100 fps 165 grain loads. A lot more recoil too. This load actually exceeds some 357 125 grain factory loads from a 4" barrel revolver. The Remington 125 grain rounds we chrono'd were somewhere between 1425 and 1450 out of a 4" Ruger Security Six.

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