4.2 VV N320 and PENN 200 LSWC Recoil Spring?

[SW CQB 45]

This year I decided to put up the Nina and shoot nothing but 45acp in my LEO accuracy match. I haven't pulled on the Dillon loading 45acp since 2013.

I destroyed at least 10 cases and could not figure out what was getting stuck and putting a heavy U shape gouge in my brass at station one or two on my 550.

Turned out to be the stupid little paper clip do-dad was adjusted a little long and was getting underneath the case and causing it to be fed at a slight angle. felt like a DA when I finally figured it out.

anyway...I loaded my last successful load, 4.2 VV N320 pushing a .452" 200 LSWC. I will be using my Colt 5" with a Kart barrel. I have always used a 16# recoil spring but for whatever reason, what to try a 14 or 15#.

I want to test on Friday as my match is Saturday.

those who have loaded this recipe, what recoil spring weight you using?

I run a full length tungsten guide rod to help steady my 18 shots from the 25 yard line (no barricade). Not ready to invest in flat wire technology.

TIA

 

[GCF]

Noticed this post right after you put it up, & have been waiting for a knowledgeable reply from someone...

Although it's been a while, I sometimes load both N-320, & N-330 for 45acp. Starting a couple of tenths low, I plan to try both, under an X-Treme plated 200 TC/FP / 0.451".

Your Penn 200 LSWC / N-320 / 4.2 load, sounds interesting, but seems a bit on the light side - at least according to current VV load data. Spring issues aside, how does it shoot, & how did you come up w/ it?

If you still feel that you need to lighten spring weights for your listed 4.2 grain load, you might consider leaving your recoil spring at #16 - for reliable chambering, & going lighter on the Main (hammer) spring. I'm pretty sure you can get one as light as #17, from ISMI.

I use an ISMI #16 recoil, & #22 main, in my Ser. 80 Colt Gov't (Kart NM). Used to use the #19 main, but got tired of losing brass in the weeds...

 

[fredj338]

Not that load but a sim load using WST, a 14# spring should work fine.

 

[boatbum101]

If the gun functions with stock 16lb recoil spring I'd leave it be . Shooting open sights are you ? My std 50yd load with a cast 200gr was 4.2grs Bullseye , with a swaged 200 you can drop it to 3.8grs Bullseye or 3.6-3.7grs N-310 . Depends on how tight the gun is . Are you using the stock 23lb main spring ? If so a 19lb will allow slide to cycle a bit faster without battering . Rule of thumb with a 1911 is use the heaviest recoil spring that'll allow the gun to function & still lock back on an empty mag @ least 95% of the time . Never used N-320 in wad loads , just 230 FMJ ball loads 5.2grs with the Sierra 8815 ( IIRC ) is a good 50yd ball load right around 8-810fps .

 

[SW CQB 45]

Well I tried it in last weeks match. Not sure this load is going to work in this barrel/1911 set up.

For one thing, I did put the 14# spring (I believe my mainspring is 19#) and I test fired the 4.2 grains of N320 pushing a Penn 200 LSWC. I got this reciepe from a Bullseye Forum some years ago (according to my notes). Recoil with this load and the 14# spring was soft.

This load shot really well out of my Springer R/O 5" in the 2012 season, but I never shot it with this Colt/Kart barrel setup.

I lubed my 1911 with a new oil that I have never used before and the sooty firing residue was everywhere that lube was at.

While I was a little disappointed in my performance with the 1911, it was my first match of the season, I could not get a clear sight picture (very humid and it seemed like I was just smearing my glasses when I tried to clean them) and still recovering from a broken middle finger.

I attribute my 8s to first match jitters and unless I shoot a 495 or better, I am not happy with myself.

while the load worked fine, I may try N310 or Bullseye or WST. I am leaning toward N310 as I have a note from 2011 that shows 3.6 pushing a 200 LSWC was accurate out of my Colt.

course of fire

50 rounds, all point shoulder (no barricade) and timed on a B27 target.

2 rounds from the holster 3 seconds (4 times) 5 yd line
12 shots 25 seconds 7 yd line
12 shots 35 seconds 15 yd line
18 shots 90 seconds 25 yd line

here was my first match which is a 491/500


I aimed a little higher on this round. I usually aim at the 6 o'clock knotted hole but at 25 yds, sometimes its hard to see.

and my second match was a 494/500

 

[boatbum101]

Second target definitely better . Were you dropping your head while shooting the first ? That always made me shoot low & took awhile to keep my head up all the time . Like I said never used N-320 for wad loads , so I can't comment on your load . My Kart barreled guns really like the Zero swaged 200gr SWC . I'm shooting Bullseye so take this FWIW , slide mounted UltraDot , 10lb recoil / 19lb main spring , guns are old & slide to frame fit aint that tight any more ,barrel lockup is still great & Kart barrels still good & still group well @ 50yds . Both are loose enough they'll function with 3.6grs N-310 , Zero 200 LSWC . N-310 is temp sensitive , so when it's colder I use 3.8grs Bullseye . 25yds I could shoot rocks & still clean a target . I've found that " hard cast " has to be pushed harder to group as well @ 50yds . I also keep my guns fairly wet while shooting , especially barrel / bushing . I used all kinds of lube over the years & other than sear / hammer hooks I just use oil . Couple of 'smiths I know swear by TWB-25 , aint got around to trying it as it's pricey . I do know that it & some moly paste I got from Larry Carter are the cat's meow on sears & hooks though . I'd at least test your load either in a Ransom Rest or off sandbags @ 50yds & see if it delivers the goods . Shooting is 98% between your ears & if you aint confident in gun / load combo , then try something else . With a 200gr LSWC start with 3.6 N-310 , 3.8 BE , 4.0 WST if you go that route . Gun'll tell you what it likes .

 

[SW CQB 45]

hey BoatBum,

good to hear from you.

I placed an order from Zero and they did not have any 200 LSWC in stock, so I bought 185s.

I made a couple mistakes in this match.....one thing....I did not check the internals on this gun and my trigger broke heavy....when I checked it....I had a 5 lbs sear spring in it. I had move the 3.5 lbs sear spring to another gun for testing and never made the change back.

the other one, I am not used this this gun (fixed sights) and I had my adjustable sight guns to aim at 6 o'clock at my ragged hole at 25 yds and thats where I aimed with this fixed sight gun. My second target, I aimed mid hole.

I am hoping N310 will work better for me. and clean up between my ears! HA!

I have never used 185s before, but wanted something in my stock before reloading supplies disappear...again.

If you have any loads for 185, I will test first as I want to go through my Penn 200s first. (I have N310/ BE /WST)

 

[boatbum101]

With a 185 swaged try 3.7 N-310 , 3.9 BE & 4.2-4.3 WST . I haven't shot their 185 LSWCHP , but folks say it shoots as well as the old Stars bullet . If so above loads should be good to go . Their 200 just shoot so well for me I stuck with it . Many times Roze will show somethings out of stock , call them on the phone many times it is available . Also Powder Valley usually will also have them in stock as well . Don't be afraid to play the LEO card as many of their ammo contracts are with PD's .