Hi all

As you guys know I'm brand new at reloading and completed my first 30 rounds

I'm use Frontier 147gr heads
Fiocchi primers
And CFE pistol powder

Load data says OAL should be 28.5mm with 3.9 gr of powder

I went to test them today and unfortunately cases didn't eject... And in some. Instances rounds didn't cycle

I then tested my friends reloads with  OAL of 27 mm and they cycled perfectly and so does factory ammo

The AOL was at 29mm, of my reloads that didn't work so well... So should i reduce my AOL to 28.5 or 28 mm or is it not enough powder and should I do 4.1 or 4.3 grains of powder

My pistol is a Glock 17 Gen 4

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=53

Thank you for the link

The starting load of 3.7 gr and max of 4.2

So could it mean that the 3.8 is correct? Is the only other explanation then the OAL?

Try and reduce COL to 28mm. As you shorten that, pressure rises and with that speed. See if that solves the cycling problem. If possible record speed as that should give a good indication of pressure.

Just remember that it is a starting load. The idea is to start at the start, then incrementally increase the load until you have proper functioning. Never exceed the max load.

Also, it is a bit of a schlep to check your loads with the autodrum. I don't mind if my load is already set up, but when developing a load I would prefer to weigh every charge. That is where the normal powder measure and trickler works well. The powder-through expander die is specially designed for the funnel to fit on top.

Quote from: janfred on Jun 06, 2022, 01:14 AMJust remember that it is a starting load. The idea is to start at the start, then incrementally increase the load until you have proper functioning. Never exceed the max load.

Also, it is a bit of a schlep to check your loads with the autodrum. I don't mind if my load is already set up, but when developing a load I would prefer to weigh every charge. That is where the normal powder measure and trickler works well. The powder-through expander die is specially designed for the funnel to fit on top.

*************************
I also would rather use a scale and hand, eye a development load.

The first test for any reload is the plunk test. Look it up, lots written on it. If that works, the OAL doesn't need changing.

You mention rounds not ejecting and not cycling. You can't have one without the other. If it doesn't cycle, it's not ejecting, if it doesn't eject, it's not cycling.

So if the plunk test is good, it means you can up the load.

I do not have handguns, so made suggestions as per the Hodgon reloading data. You seasoned handgun re-loaders now need to assist the newbie to obtain a safe and successful load.

There is one other thing that can cause that problem : limp wristing.

If you don't hold the pistol well enough, your wrist absorbs the recoil, instead of giving the slide something firm to push back against.

Okay I'm gonna go and research the limo writing and the plunk test will only get to rest this over the weekend to see how it will work and will feedback or seek more advice, really appreciate you guys

Your 28.5mm OAL sounds ok.  I would look at the powder charge, and maybe go up a 10th of a grain or 3.

Absolute first prize is to try and get access to a chrony.  Rent/Beg/Borrow if you don't want to buy.  I normally rent/borrow one from a range I frequent.

At low charges you tend to get very inconsistent speeds.  The theory is you sometimes get 'flash over'  where the powder is lying on the bottom of the casing, not even reaching the flash hole. So the spark from the primer flies over all the powder, igniting the whole lot at once.   With pistol CFE and 115gr CMJs I've found almost 200fps difference between rounds on the low loads.  Had to go all the way to 5.3 gr to get consistency.

So load a few rounds at each charge, shoot them, and see where they start getting consistent.  That should also be cycling your pistol reliably at that stage.  Probably around 860fps or so for 147gr.

Quote from: 414gates on Jun 06, 2022, 08:34 PMThere is one other thing that can cause that problem : limp wristing.

If you don't hold the pistol well enough, your wrist absorbs the recoil, instead of giving the slide something firm to push back against.

And limp wristing will be exacerbated by a light charge. Less recoil to begin with being absorbed by a too compliant wrist.

Quote from: jager on Jun 07, 2022, 09:08 AMWith pistol CFE and 115gr CMJs I've found almost 200fps difference between rounds on the low loads.  Had to go all the way to 5.3 gr to get consistency.

********************************
200 fps variance . . . . you live rather close to the edge.

Quote from: Treeman on Jun 07, 2022, 12:29 PM

Quote from: jager on Jun 07, 2022, 09:08 AMWith pistol CFE and 115gr CMJs I've found almost 200fps difference between rounds on the low loads.  Had to go all the way to 5.3 gr to get consistency.

********************************
200 fps variance . . . . you live rather close to the edge.

Nah, they were all still slow and well within pressure limits.  Ranged from just over 800fps to just over 1000fps.  all with the same powder charge. Each manually weighed.  (started at 4.8gr)  I actually still have the data.  I could also be that the chrony was dodgy, but the fact that the rounds got more consistent at higher charges counters that point.

With 5.3gr I got within about 20fps of 1130fps on either side.   So overall I'm a believer that case fill is a thing. Too little is no good.

Too little is a dangerous matter, secondary ignition is a reality not yet understood. I just worry in your case because the spread is so wide, I would find that rather worrying, all kinds of things can happen when the velocity range is that big.
I think the main issue was that ball propellants need pressure to work and higher charges create pressure, perhaps you were on the edge of the charge for required pressures to be created that was required for that propellant to function properly.