west coast frangible bullets

ericthered

I bought some West Coast Frangible Bullets 40 Caliber (401 Diameter) 125 Grain Round Nose Flat Point.I can't find loading data for these stupidthings anywhere. Even the people who sold it don't have data. There was one piece of data, but it was some weird powder I don't have and sure don't want to buy a whole pound for one lousy box of ammo. I use HS6 almost exclusively but I also have some power pistol, red dot, herco, unique, and accurate number 7.Do any of you guys have some good sound loading data for this stuff?ThanksEric

ericthered

I noticed someone else posted a question about reloading these bullets----I noticed these are on sale at closeout prices at midway

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just wondering what they would be any use for and if anyone out here has ever tried them out for anything

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I dont think they'd be a good personal defense round----but for plinking about?

Der Gebirgsjager

I see no reason why you can't approach this problem by grain weight of bullet rather than the type of bullet and what it does when it arrives at the target. 125 gr. is 125 gr. and any suitable published load with any powder for 125 gr. bullets should work for you.

ericthered

Thats the problem. I've let my fingers do the walking all over the US and nobody has any data on the miserable things.

RIPPER

YOU SEEM TO KNOW ALOT ABOUT PISTOLS.CAN YOU TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT A J.STEVENS 22 CRACK OPEN PISTOL SINGLE SHOT.E-MAIL IS JIMMYRIPPEY@AOL.COM THANX.

spclark

eric,I'd suggest not taking *Der Gebirgsjager* too seriously; the West Coast frangible bullets may weigh the same as a similar, solid bullet, but the weight isn't as important as the friction surface area that causes the bullet to resist being pushed down the barrel.Also, a less-dense, longer bullet will seat deeper for a given COL than a solid bullet of the same weight; serious overpressures will result.For a given weight, a bullet of lower density will have greater surface area & thus will generate higher pressures than a solid bullet of the same weight using the same loads.As an example, Barnes makes solid copper bullets that are significantly longer than an equivalent solid or copper-jacketed lead bullet & these must be used with lower powder charges to avoid dangerous overpressures when fired.If you compare the length of the West Coast bullet from the base to the beginning of the ogive & find a solid bullet you have a load for that is close to this dimension, you should be safe if you reduce your first loads a bit & watch the seating depth.____________________Afterthought: You mention .401" diameter - are you loading for .40 S&W? 125 grain is a very light bullet in this caliber & with the unsupported case web characteristic on many brands of .40 S&W pistols (Glock comes to mind; my S&W 99 is very similar) the risk of catastrophy is much higher with extreme loadings.I have 4 different .40's & load everything from 140 grain hardcast flat point to 180 grain HP, ball, & flatpoint jacketed bullets. Generally, the lighter the bullet the higher the powder charge so proceed with caution.I'd start with AA #7; among the propellants you mention I've used this & Unique with light bullets for .40S&W. Without having a few of the West Coast frangible 125's to measure & shoot thru a chronometer, I can't suggest a powder weight for you.____________________I can understand your frustration not having published loads to follow; please reload & shoot wisely & safely.[This message has been edited by spclark (edited 02-17-2002).]