Semi Wadcutters in the CW45???

[rkammer]

I have just about broken in my new CW45 with about 150 rounds of 230 FMJ factory ammo and it is 100% so far. Now I'll start shooting my reloads. I reload both 230 grain LRN and 200 gr. semi-wadcutters but prefer the wadcutters for paper target shooting.

So, have any of you guys shot the LSWC in your CW45s and if so, how does it digest them? :)

[rkammer]

Doesn't anyone reload? :confused:

[jocko]

I would suspect if u releadk, then just load up a couple dozen semi wads and go for it, at the worst, they will not function right ad u will know to go no furter, At the bes they will worik as u thiki they should, then just load away. Doesnt really matter really if others use semi or not, it needs to work right in your gun. ur not gonna hurt anything.

[TheTman]

I used to reload .45 but all my gear as at my ex-wifes for another 8-15 days, then I'll be moving back in and will get my gear back. I only used them in my 1911, didn't have a Kahr back then. I don't have room for all my stuff in my apartment so had to leave a bunch of stuf at the ex'es. Have you tried the 200 grain "flying ashtray" in you CW? I would think if it would run those the SWC shouldnt be a problem. I like what Jocko says, make up a small batch and try them and see if they work. Is your feed ramp polished? I'd think that'd help feed the lead into the chamber. Just some thoughts I had.

[rkammer]

I would suspect if u releadk, then just load up a couple dozen semi wads and go for it, at the worst, they will not function right ad u will know to go no furter, At the bes they will worik as u thiki they should, then just load away. Doesnt really matter really if others use semi or not, it needs to work right in your gun. ur not gonna hurt anything.

Of course, you are right, Jocko. But, I like to reload 500 to 1000 rounds at a time and thought I'd try to save some set up time by getting some feedback here on the forum. As many of these pistols as must be out there I figured there would be lots of reloading done for them. :D

[BBSky]

Not to be crass but loading 500-1000 rounds without testing a few first would be just silly, and potentially a huge waste of resources;)

[rkammer]

Not to be crass but loading 500-1000 rounds without testing a few first would be just silly, and potentially a huge waste of resources;)

Well, I won't say anything about the nature of your post :rolleyes: but, I will say that I've been reloading for 20+ years for all kinds of pistols. My .45 reloads all use recognized componenants and my loads are all within SAAMI specs for pressure and velocity. I have developed some favorite loads over the years that seem to work with all my current guns which include 1911s, M&Ps, Kel Tecs, Springfields, Rugers and a few others. So, yes, I do load 500 to 1000 at a time because these loads have proven to be reliable in most of the guns I shoot. There is always an exception, though and that's why I posted my question on this form.

I've never owned a Kahr pistol and I was trying to determine if anyone has shot Semi-Watcutters with them. You see, Semi-wads sometimes have feeding issues with certain guns. So, it was a simple question calling for, I thought, a simple answer. It goes without saying that if a load doesn't perform with a particular gun then I either won't use it in that gun or, I'll modify it to see if it will. :D

[jocko]

not sure anyone was trying to put down ur reloading expertise, but IMO and it is just my opinion, I unless I had another 45 that shot wadcutters perfecly, would not want to load 500 to a 1000 rounds to SEE if it works in my kahr. I used to reload many years ago, and back then it didn't seem like a big effort to load 50 rounds anymore than it did to load 500. It seems evident that your question has been unanswered, so IMO that might tell me that maybe the kahr owners don't load SWC for some reason or other. I think in ur case being a reloader who knows what he is doing, that testing some swc and letting the forum know the plus's and minus's of such would be a good thing.

[Rubb]

I asked this very same question (185gr LSWC) at a LGS with a CW in my hand.
No one could answer so I didn’t buy.
I asked on another forum (http://www.thektog.org/forum/showthread.php?t=207522&highlight=LSWC)...The one and only answer quoted below……



I'm not 100% on the 185 grainers, but I put 200 gr LSWC through my CW-45 all day long with no problems. In fact, the only time that gun has EVER jammed was when I held it upside down and triggered it with my pinky , and it was just the first round of the mag, then I got a better grip on it and fired off the rest upside down with no problems. OH YEAH!

[muggsy]

Of course, you are right, Jocko. But, I like to reload 500 to 1000 rounds at a time and thought I'd try to save some set up time by getting some feedback here on the forum. As many of these pistols as must be out there I figured there would be lots of reloading done for them. :D

If the semi-wadcutters don't work out for you then just send them to me. They work just fine in my Gold Cup. :)

[rkammer]

I asked this very same question (185gr LSWC) at a LGS with a CW in my hand.
No one could answer so I didn’t buy.
I asked on another forum (http://www.thektog.org/forum/showthread.php?t=207522&highlight=LSWC)...The one and only answer quoted below……

Thanks. That's certainly good feedback. I also got some positive responses from searches on several of the reloading forums regarding the 200gr LSWC. :)

[rkammer]

If the semi-wadcutters don't work out for you then just send them to me. They work just fine in my Gold Cup. :)

:D They work great in all my 1911s too. That's why I hope the CW45 will eat them.

[WMD]

Hi rkammer,

I am also a reloader although, have not reloaded in a while. I have had good luck with 38spl WC's and 45 SWC's in my guns but have not put any lead through my PM9. The reason for that is due to the gun having a polyganol rifled barrel.

That style barrel will "lead up" to a dangerous level within just a few shots. That may be why a lot of folks on this forum do not use lead. The CW has a land and groove rifled barrel which is typically much more forgiving for lead bullets (assuming you do not load them too hot :D ). Of course, I beleive Kahr only recommends copper jacketed bullets in any of their guns (as most manufacturer's)

When I do load nowadays, it is mostly match rifle ammo. I have a fair amount of pistol ammo inventory both factory and reloads so do not need to hit the press for a while.

[rkammer]

Hi rkammer,

I am also a reloader although, have not reloaded in a while. I have had good luck with 38spl WC's and 45 SWC's in my guns but have not put any lead through my PM9. The reason for that is due to the gun having a polyganol rifled barrel.

That style barrel will "lead up" to a dangerous level within just a few shots. That may be why a lot of folks on this forum do not use lead. The CW has a land and groove rifled barrel which is typically much more forgiving for lead bullets (assuming you do not load them too hot :D ). Of course, I beleive Kahr only recommends copper jacketed bullets in any of their guns (as most manufacturer's)

When I do load nowadays, it is mostly match rifle ammo. I have a fair amount of pistol ammo inventory both factory and reloads so do not need to hit the press for a while.

I can see now why Kahr owners don't use lead in their pistols (except for the CW series). Hadn't thought about that.

[WMD]

Yeah, the polyganol rifling produces much higher pressures resulting in greater knock down energy. That is why that type of rifling is prefered in a CCW. Lead however, is a no no. :)

[DLButler]

Krammer
The CW45 doesn't have a polyganol barrell. It has standard land and grooves. It shouldn't be a problem in that gun. I really hope no, I bought 1500 for my CM9 and CW45.

[WMD]

Read the earlier posts. That differentiation was made. :)

[rkammer]

Yeah, the polyganol rifling produces much higher pressures resulting in greater knock down energy. That is why that type of rifling is prefered in a CCW. Lead however, is a no no. :)

I've always heard and thought that the reason lead was a no-no in polyganol rifling was because of the raised lands leading up very quickly. I've never heard that this type of rifling produced higher pressures. So, do you mean that bullets fired out of polyganol rifling will produce higher velocities than the same bullet fired out of a barrel with land and groove rifling? Is the increased velocity substantial?

[WMD]

I've always heard and thought that the reason lead was a no-no in polyganol rifling was because of the raised lands leading up very quickly. I've never heard that this type of rifling produced higher pressures. So, do you mean that bullets fired out of polyganol rifling will produce higher velocities than the same bullet fired out of a barrel with land and groove rifling? Is the increased velocity substantial?

Exactly correct! And of course, higher velocities equal higher energy. Some folks think that polyganol rifling improves accuracy but I am not convinced of that yet. I believe the biggest advantage is the increased velocity. That is just my opinion however. I do not proclaim myself to be an expert.

[jrf]

Yeah, the polyganol rifling produces much higher pressures resulting in greater knock down energy.

I've seen that written many times yet every test I've read about and tests I have personally done don't confirm it. Actually the last test I saw between cw45 and p45 the cw showed higher velocities for the same load. I'll have to google for the link again.

As for the lead....I wouldn't know. :D


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[RJinAZ]

Here's a direct quote from the Kahr Owner's Manual, "Lead (unjacketed) bullets can cause excessive bore fouling. We do not recommended lead bullets in Kahr pistols with polygonal rifling". It further says that shooting reloads voids the warranty but I suppose that wouldn't matter too much for a used gun (if you knew they are within SAAMI/NATO spec).

[MW surveyor]

Just load up a few, do the plop test and go shoot! If they cycle you're good to go. If not you've got other guns to shoot the reloads in. Best of both worlds.

[rkammer]

I took the CW45 to the range today and shot the second 100 rounds of her break-in with my reloads of 200 grain LSWC over 4.3 grains of Red dot powder. The gun cycled and fired all 100 rounds without a hiccup.

Now, it's time to certify her with my SD ammo with is either the Federal 230 gr HST or the Winchester 230 Ranger T. I'll report on that in another thread.

[WildcatFan]

My CW45 didn't like my LSWC so I started feeding it LRN. It liked those ok, but I crimp mine to .4715 for my 1911s and my Kahr liked the LRN much better once I crimped down to .469. I haven't, however, recrimped any of LSWC yet. I think I'll leave those alone as candy for my 1911s and just take LRN for my Kahr. My gun seems to like a tight crimp.

[Mr_D]

Not to be crass but loading 500-1000 rounds without testing a few first would be just silly, and potentially a huge waste of resources;)
Very true!!
I loaded up 50 .357 Mag to a maximum load. Shot 6 and found expanded cases and blown primers. On the way home I bought a bullet puller and undid the other 44 in the box!!

[Mr_D]

Here's a direct quote from the Kahr Owner's Manual, "Lead (unjacketed) bullets can cause excessive bore fouling. We do not recommended lead bullets in Kahr pistols with polygonal rifling". It further says that shooting reloads voids the warranty but I suppose that wouldn't matter too much for a used gun (if you knew they are within SAAMI/NATO spec).
The CW has regular rifling so it shouldn't matter.

[TheTman]

As long as you have other guns that will digest them, make as many as you want.
I have yet to set up my reload bench again since I got back in my house.

[rkammer]

Very true!!
I loaded up 50 .357 Mag to a maximum load. Shot 6 and found expanded cases and blown primers. On the way home I bought a bullet puller and undid the other 44 in the box!!

I agree but if you'll note in my post #24, the load I was using is one that I have used for many years and is a light target load that is very safe for all .45 pistols. I would never load 500-1000 loads of an untried formula.