Comparing reload performance between Kahr and other firearms

[pbagley]

Is there any interest in see a comparison of reload performance between a Kahr pistol and other brands/types?

Warning: Any reloading data found in this thread is presented for entertainment purposes only. There may be unintentional errors in data entry. All data must be checked against reliable reloading data sources prior to use. The author(s) of data in this thread assume no responsibility for the actions of others.

There, that's out of the way.

First example: 45ACP with Power Pistol powder and Berry's bullets. At the range I shot these over the chronograph using my Kahr CW45 and a 1911 with a new Roto4m barrel.

Load: 8.8gr. Power Pistol, Berry's 185gr Plated Flat Point, CCI primer, WCC71 brass
Kahr CW45 (3.64" barrel): 1031 fps, 33 fps extreme spread
1911 (Roto4M 5" barrel): 1152 fps, 40 fps extreme spread
Difference: 121 fps, 10.5%, with 72% of the barrel length of the 1911.

Second example: 9mm with SR7625 and Rocky Mountain Reloading 115gr. Plated Hollow Point bullets. This has been my most accurate 9mm load to date. I shot these from a CM9 and a SCCY CPX2. Both have about the same length barrels.

Load: 4.7 SR7625, RMR 115 gr Plated Hollow Point, WW primer, FC brass
Kahr CM9 (3.0" barrel): 982 fps, 73 fps extreme spread
SCCY CPX2 (3.1" barrel): 979 fps, 60 fps extreme spread
Difference: 3 fps, 0.3%

The comparison between firearms is what I think is interesting. Seeing that with Power Pistol I lose more than 10% compared to a 1911 is amazing to me. Can't wait to see how faster powders compare between these two guns.

Let me know if you're interested. I can add more data as I collect it.

[muggsy]

Data is good. Bring it on.

[garyb]

How about the 40 with longshot powder?

[pbagley]

I've only got one 40 S&W (Kahr, of course), so nothing to compare with. Sorry. And no LongShot powder. I've tried PowerPistol and SR7625 so far with good results.

[AIRret]

Very interesting, thanks.

[Southerngunner]

I dont have a chronograph but The info is very usefull. The last few years I have stuck with WW231 for my 45Acp and 9mm loads but I also have used quite a lot of Titegroup Lately, they both meter well through my powder funnels.

[pbagley]

This post contains 45ACP info.

Date: 5/7/2014 Temp: 55f
Load: 8.8gr. Power Pistol, Berry's 185gr Plated Flat Point, CCI primer, WCC71 brass
Kahr CW45 (3.64" barrel): 1031 fps, 33 fps extreme spread
1911 (Roto4M 5" barrel) : 1152 fps, 40 fps extreme spread
Difference: 121 fps, 10.5%, with 72% of the barrel length of the 1911.

Date: 5/24/2014 Temp: 70f
Load: 8.3gr. Power Pistol, Berry's 185gr Plated Flat Point, CCI primer, TXX84 match brass
Kahr CW45 (3.64" barrel): 989 fps, 62 fps extreme spread
1911 (Roto4M 5" barrel) : 1086 fps, 38 fps extreme spread
Difference: 97 fps, 9%, with 72% of the barrel length of the 1911.
Had failures to feed in the Roto4M barrel with the bullet jammed into the feed ramp. The bullet was driven into the case reducing OAL.

Date: 5/13/2014 Temp: 50f
Load: 6.3gr. SR7625, Berry's 185gr Plated Flat Point, CCI primer, TZZ84 brass
Kahr CW45 (3.64" barrel): 722 fps, 95 fps extreme spread
1911 (Roto4M 5" barrel) : 824 fps, 82 fps extreme spread
Difference: 102 fps, 12.4%, with 72% of the barrel length of the 1911.

Groups shot at 25 yards:





This load was expected to have a smaller difference between the two barrel lengths than the Power Pistol load - the theory was that the faster powder would more completely burn in the shorter barrel.

At 722 fps average in the CW45 it is surprising that the load was 100% functional. I used this load to shoot a National Match Course - 10 rounds at 50 yards, 20 rounds at 25 yards - with the CW45. Score was a very reasonable 260x5 using a two hand hold. Needless to say, the groups shot during the National Match Course were far better than the one shot over the chronograph.

[pbagley]

This post will report on .40 S&W 165gr. bullet load performance.

Date: 5/07/2014 Temp: 55f
Load: Winchester White Box 165gr Jacketed Flat Point (factory, provided for comparison purposes)
Kahr CM40 (3.1" barrel): 1010 fps, 69fps extreme spread

Date: 5/13/2014 Temp: 50f
Load: 6.0gr. SR7625, Rocky Mountain Reloading 165gr Plated Hollow Point, WW primer, WIN brass (WWB empties)
Kahr CM40 (3.1" barrel): 990 fps, 113fps extreme spread

Load: 7.1gr. Power Pistol, Rocky Mountain Reloading 165gr Plated Hollow Point, WW primer, WIN brass (WWB empties)
Kahr CM40 (3.1" barrel): 1055 fps, 53fps extreme spread

Targets shot at 25 yards:

[garyb]

I have a few lbs of power pistol for my 40 but have not tried it. I actually purchased it for my wife's 380, but I did so because I could also use it in my 40's. I have found the longshot to be very clean and reliable in my 40's, but I guess I need to try the power pistol to see how it compares to longshot.

[pbagley]

This post concerns .380 ACP. Loads are compared between a Kahr CW380 and a Taurus PT 738 TCP.

Date : May 24, 2014 Temp 70f
Load : 2.6 700-x, Berry's 100gr. plated hollow base round nose, Blazer brass, WW primer.
Kahr CW380: 708 fps, 82 fps extreme spread
PT 738 TCP : 741 fps, 113 extreme spread
Accuracy was not as good as factory ammo.
Load is about 100 fps slower than factory 95gr loads.

Date : May 24, 2014 Temp 70f
Load : 2.7 700-x, Berry's 100gr. plated round nose, Blazer brass, WW primer.
Kahr CW380: 764 fps, 56 fps extreme spread
PT 738 TCP : 771 fps, 142 extreme spread
Accuracy is not as good as factory ammo.

Still looking for a good reload for the .380.

[pbagley]

This post will contain 40 S&W defensive load performance data.

Temp: 55f
Load: MagTech 155gr Jacketed Hollow Point (50 rounds box for $26.99 at Fleet Farm)
Kahr CM40 (3.1" barrel): 1137 fps, 30fps extreme spread

May 24, 2014 Temp: 70f
Load: MagTech 180gr Jacketed Hollow Point (50 rounds box for $27.99 at Fleet Farm)
Kahr CM40 (3.1" barrel): 943 fps, 38fps extreme spread

Temp: 55f
Load: Hornady Critical Defense 165gr FTX
Kahr CM40 (3.1" barrel): 1071 fps, 11fps extreme spread


Accuracy results: All target shot at 25 yards during chronygraph session.

[garyb]

Looks like your CM likes the MagTech 180's. Are you benching to put as much on the ammo as possible and less on other factors?

[pbagley]

@garyb - All rounds were shot using a two hand hold at 25 yards. Not benched. The groups are the rounds chronographed. Sorry, some of the mistakes are mine. That said, my CM40 really likes the MagTech 180 HP's.

[garyb]

I was curious and sincerely am not being critical with your test data. But would your ammo group comparisons be better represented off the bench than off hand? In other words, eliminate a variable?

[pbagley]

I was curious and sincerely am not being critical with your test data. But would your ammo group comparisons be better represented off the bench than off hand? In other words, eliminate a variable?

I agree, and a ransom rest would be even better. But part of the evaluation is how well I can shoot the reload under test. Of course comparisons between a 1911 and a CW45 are not fair no matter how I shoot them.