When to increase powder load?

[shmeddie]

I'm new to reloading. I am starting out with lowest recommended powder load. When do I need to increase my load? and why? I'm loading .45 acp 230gr with hp38 so I'm starting at 4.2 gr. I'm loading for a glock 21 with 4.6" barrel.

[buffybuster]

4.2gr HP38 (aka W231) with a 230gr bullet is definitely on the light side. Unless you are trying to meet some minimum Power Factor, just raise it enough to get reliable functioning (empties ejecting about 3ft) and call it good. You'll probably end up in the low (5.0-5.5gr) area. Just work up about .2gr at a time, until you get reliable functioning.

[tdc57]

Welcome to the group..

I hope you’re using more than one set of references for you load tests? I have four or five manuals to consult with prior to starting the test load sequences.. (Usually ends up being around 100 rounds)

IMO you need to first do test loads. You start at the low and work you way up the gr scale. You should do a min of ten rounds to a max of 20 rounds with each chosen gr weight to test. Usually you’re increasing your gr (2-3) per test load starting at the min working to a mid max load.

Then you head out the range and test each batch. Run a full (10 round) mag of each test load through you gun and watch for the following:
• Muzzle rise
• Muzzle flash
• Grouping (shoots)
• Chamber reloading / cycling
• And then don’t forget to look at your primer!! (you can tell a lot about pressure in the round from how your primer looks)

Each test gr will provide you with different experiences, some will kick more than others, some will have a larger muzzle flash than others, some loads will provide tighter groups, etc, etc.. Note what happens after each mag with the first set of test loads. Then loadup the remaining test loads and fire again (starting out with the lightest load working up mid – max load) by the time you through, you have just shoot about 100 rounds (all test loads) and now you’ve got a better idea of what load you would like to mass produce.

Hope that makes sense??

Have a great one and be SAFE!..

[shmeddie]

Thanks for the info. I can't wait to test my loads out