700-x

P

Pcfishslayer

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I went to buy my usual hp-38 and they were out. I ended up buying some 700-x. I found published load data. I loaded up 10 test rounds of 45acp. I loaded 5 230gr LRN with 4.5gr 700-x. 5 230gr LRN with 4.8. Both sets had CCI Large pistol primers. I gave just enough crimp to remove bevel.

Had some good shots with both groups but nothing consistent. All cycled my XDs and functioned well.

I have no experience outside of these test shots. Is this likely a bad powder for a 3.3" barrel? Is 230gr heavier bullet than 700-x likes? Any ideas what may be going on or insight on what the best uses for this powder would be greatly appreciated.

I also load 357mag 38, 9mm, 30-06, and .223
Only tried this the 45 so far.
Thanks!
 
Hello,

700-x is slightly faster than Bullseye and certainly faster than HP38/Win231.

Back off a bit on your LRN. You may be driving it too fast. Do you have excessive leading?

I'm using 3.8grns to 4.2grns with cast 230grn loads, and 4.5grns with cast 200grn SWC.

Regards,

Josh
 
I have zero experience with 45 ACP loading, but have had plenty with 700-X (more than I want).

My only comment about this powder, is that it is one of the worst I have ever worked with to use in getting consistent loads unless you are hand weighing every round. I refuse to use it. I does not meter well at all and can be dangerous (squib loads) if you are not paying very close attention.

I think it probably does well for its original intent (shotgun) since the charges are much larger. Just be careful using smaller weights (4.5g is what I would consider a smaller weight).
 
I have yet to have a poorly metered load, and find it meters as well as any other flake powder.

Granted, my presses are grounded.

I use a Lee Auto Disk, not the pro, and it works fine.

Just keep the static off.

Regards,

Josh
 
IMO- 700X burns well and is fairly accurate if you can get it to meter well.

It is simply awful at metering at low charges for handgun cartridges.

I have only ever had two squibs in 30,000+ handloads. Both were with 700X...
 
I just took the gun apart. Looked down the barrel, quite a bit of leading. Considering I shot 10 rounds.
I am going to try reducing the charge.
It does not meter well out of my RCBS uniflow either. I used a lee scoop and hand weighed each round. It was a real pain. I will try to find a nice load and keep the powder for a back up.
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I second the bad metering. I purchased some a year or so ago because I couldn't find what I wanted. About like cornflakes. Don't know what I'll do with the 2 lb I have
 
I've been using 700-X for 45 acp for years now. I don't recommend powder loads to anyone, but for me, my go to load is 4.7 grains behind a 230 grain plated projectile. Seems comparable to many factory rounds although I don't have a chrony. I get good results and continue to use this powder. The SR1911 cycles perfectly.

As far as metering goes, I use a RCBS Uniflow. Metering was an issue (was weighing each charge) until I changed the cylinder on the Uniflow from the large volume to the small volume cylinder. With the small volume cylinder, metering became quite consistent. I no longer need to weigh each charge, and loading has speeded up quite a bit.

Bayou
 
Bayou, I was was considering the smaller cylinder for my uniflow. Hearing that you are having success, I will be trying it. I also just got he baffle today.

I loaded some test rounds today. Can't wait to see how they work out.
I tried 3.9gr, 4.1, and 4.3 at OAL 1.250.
 
OP, both of the loads you listed are pretty decent respectively for each bullet, I do go up to 4.8 on 230 grain when I do use 700x. Simply because published data doesn't always extract spent casings in my guns for that powder. Just FYI:)
 
"Bayou, I was was considering the smaller cylinder for my uniflow. Hearing that you are having success, I will be trying it. I also just got he baffle today."

Hi, PCfishslayer -

I've never used a powder baffle. Could you let us know how it works out for you?

Thanks, Bayou
 
Love 700-X, and it Meters Well

I have used 700-X for many many years, and I love it for all light and mid-level handgun loads. I find it meters very easily AND accurately with both my Lee Auto-Disk and very old RCBS Duo-Measure. I only use the small pistol cavity on the RCBS measure, and I feel that a powder baffle is very important with flake powders of any size.

Lee suggests that you do not use a cavity smaller than .040 with large flake powders, and I find that good advice, especially for loaders without a lot of experience. These powders need both good quality measures AND good, consistent technique from the operator to get consistent weights.
 
I use 700X with a 200 gr swc loading 4.0. Very accurate and if functions my gold cup , G21 and G30 with no problems.
 
"Bayou, I was was considering the smaller cylinder for my uniflow."

My experience is a smaller diameter powder measure cavity makes flake powder less consistent rather than more. It just stacks up rather than fill the cavity.
 
^^^^ That's very interesting, Mobuck. In my experience, with the large volume cylinder in the Uniflow, the smaller charges of flake powders, like 700-X, would "bridge" or lump up when they were thrown. I no longer see that with the smaller cylinder.

Thanks for the comment.

Bayou
 
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