-> JS> With the N320 and magnum primers, it was- 2100 fps.  A little hot
-> for JS> a starting load, but by following safety precautions it was
-> fine.
-> Is 7.0 gr the absolute minimum?  Would like to make sure that I'm not
-> referred to as "Lefty" after trying this, as the Glock has less than
-> total support for the case head.
You sound like you're talking low end.  I see that John's immediate
quote before your's was talking about upper end.  I may be preaching
to the choir, but this stuff bears repeating.
A word of warning.  Don't dare try Sandow's upper-end specialty loads in
your Glock. Sandow is doing his stuff in a HK USP.  Your Glock will
not handle the same stuff.
The Glocks, in all calibers, are finicky guns to load for.  They have
stiff recoil springs and a recoil geometry such that you can't shoot
light target loads. They have throating that causes excessing leading
when shooting lead bullets. Their chambers leave unsupported areas of
the case head which makes it dangerous to shoot hot loads.
In other words, Glocks were designed to shoot standard *factory* loads
in a NARROW range.  Glocks are less forgiving when you go outside that
range on either end, than are other quality firearms.
It would be very risky, in my opinion, to go outside of standard
reloading parameters as published in recognized reloading manuals when
reloading for a Glock of any caliber.
Even if you were using the exact same model of handgun as Sandow,
you need to understand a lot about internal ballistics before going
outside of established parameters, even when someone else did it first.
I know Sandow, and he would not intentionally screw with anyone.  But
don't EVER trust anyone on the net if they give you something outside of
published loads, unless you know exactly what you are doing and
understand the ramifications.  Sandow has also done a good job of
couching his statements and making disclaimers.  In other words, if you
try his HK-USP loads in your Glock, I think you will likely  have
disastrous results.
Another thing about going outside of established parameters is that you
need to have a good grasp of internal ballistics.  Such as "what if you
go from a heavy bullet to a lighter bullet while leaving the powder
chage the same?"  and "what if you use a case with less internal
volume?" and "what if you seat the bullet deeper?"  and "Is this powder
slow enough to exhibit detonation?"  "Do the chronograph results
indicate flucuations such that while the average may be within limits
the high end may indicate excessive maximum working pressure?"  "Does
the firearm show excess wear after shooting a series of these loads?"
(Hint, one of John's previous handguns *DID* !! )  Do you know exactly
were to look for excess wear due to excess recoil ?
One of the reloading manuals, I forget which one, goes into a great
explanation of why some loads are not acceptable.  The *average*
pressure for such-and-such load may be within the SAAMI working
pressure, but due to excess variances (even when you WEIGH every
charge), some samples may be way above the maximum pressure.
If you go outside of published parameters you need to be able to
extrapolate ALL the variables, and be able to read the signs to get
feedback, AND be willing to repair or replace your firearm.
I have a deal with my friends who let me test my reloads in their
firearms; if I break it, I buy it.  Trying a given load in different
firearms really opened my eyes as who how different handguns are.
It made me realize the importance of differences in:
1.  Barrel length.
2.  Bore diameter.
3.  Bore rifling.
4.  Chamber size.
5.  Chamber geometry, ie, different amounts of support for the case
    head.
6.  Throat size.
7.  Throat geometry.
8.  Recoil spring strength.
9.  Unlocking method and strength.
10. Slide mass.
11. Recoil "profile".
For instance, in 9mm, the Beretta 92 handles a very wide range of
reloads (low to high power) while still functioning perfectly and not
showing signs of pressure. Whereas a Ruger P85 (or P89, I forget) worked
with a narrow range.  On the low end, it jammed on loads that functioned
fine in the Beretta; and on the high end, it showed pressure signs on
loads that showed no pressure signs on the Beretta.
Target loads that will function flawlessly in a Colt 1911A1 with a
standard factory spring may cause stovepipe malfunctions in a Glock.
If you're playing with loads on the light end, you have to prepare for
having a bullet stuck in the barrel, or "detonation".  If you're playing
with loads on the high end, you have to prepare for ruining your
firearm. If one isn't prepared for paying those prices, then one
shouldn't push the envelope.
--- PCBoard (R) v15.3/M 10 (05-17-96 16
(1:231/875)
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