[Pelon]

I just got my Dillon 650, have 8 lbs. of Hodgdon Titegroup, 20,000 Winchester SP primers and 300 lbs. of alloy cast bullets (alloy made of 50% linotype & 50% wheelweights) and 4,000 pieces of brass. I´m all set ........ well not so fast!

I´m very confused with regard to the loads I have to use. I´ll be reloading 38 Special (160 grain), 9 mm (147 grain) and .40 S&W (180 grain). I find loads for bullets of the same weight but they don´t seem to be made of alloy. When I find loads for alloys, I´m not sure I have the correct one.

Example for 9 mm: On page 324 of the Lyman 48th Edition I see that a 147 gr. (#2 alloy) bullet would use 2.5 gr. of Titegroup as a starting load. The starting load for 147 gr. TMJ would be 3.2 - BIG difference!

My question is: Is the alloy that I´m using a #2 alloy? If not, how do I find the loads?

Thanks in advance for all the help you might toss this way - I want to get started right away!

[Poodleshooter]

With a 147gr bullet, you're not going fast enough to tax most lead bullets. Don't worry about the alloy at those velocities. Bullet profiles differ, which makes pressure differ. Jacketed bullets differ in pressure from lead bullets, and even from other jacketed bullets.
Get more data (preferably Hodgdon data from their website at www.hodgdon.com ) and compare the data available. Use a low starting load to stay on the safe side, then work up from there, watching for pressure signs. Personally, whenever I have a new combination of components, I assemble single shots of progressively higher powder weights, then slowly shoot from lightest to hottest to see where I start to see pressure signs. If I see signs, I quit right there, and disassemble the hotter loads. It lets me know how far I can go with a particular load combo.

[Master Blaster]

You can call Hodgdon and they will give you loads over the phone for lead bullets. I have done it for .45 acp and .32 auto.

They were very nice and the number is on their website.

You may also want to consider buying the full Hodgdon manual, hardcover edition.

[Pelon]

You can call Hodgdon and they will give you loads over the phone for lead bullets.

That was great advice. I sent them an e-mail and got a quick reply:

Loads using Titegroup:

38 Special - 158 GR. Cast LSWC: start: 3.2 GR. Max: 3.8 GR.

9 mm - 135 GR. Cast bullet: start: 3.2 GR. Max: 3.6 GR.

.40 S&W: They don’t have any data developed for .40 S&W using lead bullets.