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Plated bullet data & experience
hfd_311
Member Posts: 19 ✭✭
I would like some input on loads for plated bullets. I have 124gr fp for 9mm, 165gr fp for 40 s&w & 185gr fp for 45 acp. I have been using AA #5 for these calibers but just picked up some W231 to try since #5 in next to impossible to find and I am almost out. Also have Red Dot, American Select and SR7625 on hand. Have been using 5.5gr of #5 in the 9mm and 9gr of #5 in the 45 as a trial. Loading simply for practice rounds that burn clean and have comfortable recoil along with accuracy. Was planning on trying 6 gr of #5 or around 5 gr of 231 in the 40. 4.5gr of the 231 in the 9mm and 5.5gr of 231 in the 45. Any other loads, suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated
Comments
I load both 40 smith and 45 ACP....the 40's go out a factory glock barrel....hundreds of times now...ZERO problems. They are also more accurate than me. I have done max loads.(jacketed max! I have loaded lots, again no problems...zero, zip)but I prefer midrange loads a little better.
I do 180 grain in the 40 and 230 in the 45. I also only use Rainier Tried Barrys, and while I had no trouble with them, I just like Rainier.
Like everything in reloading....these work very well me me in my guns....they may not in yours....
I can heartily recommend the products from Berry's and Rainier. Both are first-class.
A few special considerations for plated bullets:
Don't launch them too fast. Each company has a velocity recommendation for their bullets; stick to that or under for best results.
Use load data about halfway between that for cast and jacketed, subject to the velocity limit mentioned above.
Don't crimp too aggressively. Crimp a test round and the pull that bullet. If you cut the plating, the crimp is excessive. Tapered crimps and the Lee Factory Crimp work better than a roll crimp in this regard but a moderate roll crimp works fine, too.
The hollow points all shoot better than the round noses in 9mm and 45 and better than the flat point (truncated cone) 40. I've switched to hollow points exclusively because at about 30 cents more per hundred, I figure I might as well.
Of course this only applies to the bullets from rainier. YMMV with others.
4.3 grains of Titegroup for powder and CCI SP primers makes for a nice shooting load with no FTF's, FTE's or any other problems
+1.
I have tried 'em and found 'em to be pretty unimpressive in terms of group size.
Won't find many Bullseye shooters using 'em--but very big in the "fast and furious" action pistol field.
Accuracy is a 25-50 yard measure. My goal is usually <1.5" at 25 and .5" at 50. Won't win me much, but those are my accuracy targets.
I find many people judge accuracy by: (1) can they hit a 6" plate at less than 25 yards and (2) how small a group do they get at 7 to 10 yards. I also notice that very seldom does any one mention what they mean by "its accurate in my guns."
I get jacketed bullets, when I could get them, from Montana Gold, Precision Delta, and Zero Bullets. Very accurate, very consistent, and, as of the prior two years, the same cost as Rainier, Berry's, and such.
Other than that, I shoot lead almost religiously.
They make a 150gr .356 double struck for 38super. Several revolver shooters love this bullet! They use it in their 627+ in 38special, 38super autos, and 9mm. Its a accurate and versital bullet. It has a thicker jacket than others.