45acp 230 vs 225gr

I have some Win 231 powder and some 45acp 225gr LRN's. I have always used 230gr and have never used 225gr. I can't find too much load data for 225gr so would I load them about the same or would 225gr need a little more powder

Use the same data.

5.0 grains differance is nothing in a lead bullet, assuming the shape & bearing surfce is about the same.

rc

I would just load them the same. Five grains in a 45 isn't enough to worry about, different alloys will give you a larger variation.

I would use the data for 230gr, start at the bottom, and work up.

The 225gr bullets that I have are flat point. The only 225gr listing I can find is in Lymans 49 and it is for RN. THey are suggesting 1.272 for 225gr RN, so I am wondering what the OAL should be for 225gr FP.

I figure using the same OAL for FP that is used for RN might produced added pressure. ANy thoughts

You will most likely have to reduce your COL for the FP bullets. If you don't, there's a good chance your rounds won't chamber. There are several ways to determine what COL you need for any bullet, the second is the preferred, but the first may get you there.

1) Measure your RN and FP bullets. Since the FP's are going to be shorter, whatever difference in length you measure should be subtracted from the COL you use for your RN bullets. That should allow the completed FP rounds to pass the plunk test in your barrel.

2) Make a dummy round (no primer/powder) at the COL of your RN. Remove your barrel, turn it upside down (muzzle pointing to the ground) and drop your FP dummy round in. If it "plunks", rotates freely, and falls out easily when you turn the barrel around, you're good to go. If it fails any one of the 3 items above, you're COL is too long and you'll have to shorten it until it passes all 3 elements of the plunk test.

THR members Walkalong and bds use great photos of what you should be looking for, see this post.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=8472049&postcount=39

You will most likely have to reduce your COL for the FP bullets. If you don't, there's a good chance your rounds won't chamber. There are several ways to determine what COL you need for any bullet, the second is the preferred, but the first may get you there.

1) Measure your RN and FP bullets. Since the FP's are going to be shorter, whatever difference in length you measure should be subtracted from the COL you use for your RN bullets. That should allow the completed FP rounds to pass the plunk test in your barrel.

2) Make a dummy round (no primer/powder) at the COL of your RN. Remove your barrel, turn it upside down (muzzle pointing to the ground) and drop your FP dummy round in. If it "plunks", rotates freely, and falls out easily when you turn the barrel around, you're good to go. If it fails any one of the 3 items above, you're COL is too long and you'll have to shorten it until it passes all 3 elements of the plunk test.

THR members Walkalong and bds use great photos of what you should be looking for, see this post.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=8472049&postcount=39
The difference between the RN and FP is .05. I had been loading the RN's at 1.235 so 1.185 should be about right for the FP's. I loaded them at 1.19 and they pass the plunk test just fine. I'm using the same powder weight (4.6 gr of 231)

Good info to know

The key is where the curve of the flat nose bullet falls, in relation to the round nose. If the curve is markedly ahead of or behind the round nose, you'll have feeding problems. Make up a dummy and compare it to a loaded round nose. when the curves match, you have the correct OAL.

The difference between the RN and FP is .05. I had been loading the RN's at 1.235 so 1.185 should be about right for the FP's. I loaded them at 1.19 and they pass the plunk test just fine. I'm using the same powder weight (4.6 gr of 231)

Good info to know

I'd start with a little longer COL and see if it drops into and out of your barrel. Maybe 1.22" to start?

In most cases you want to minimize the distance the bullet has to travel from the case to reach the rifling in your barrel.

The key is where the curve of the flat nose bullet falls, in relation to the round nose. If the curve is markedly ahead of or behind the round nose, you'll have feeding problems. Make up a dummy and compare it to a loaded round nose. when the curves match, you have the correct OAL.

Vern Humphrey got it right.

I'm using the same powder weight (4.6 gr of 231)
Do you know what velocity those rounds are generating with such a light charge of W231?
I charge almost 1 full grain higher than that charge. (5.5gr W231)

I can't find too much load data for 225gr so would I load them about the same or would 225gr need a little more powder? 5.0 grains differance is nothing in a lead bullet, assuming the shape & bearing surfce is about the same.

Use the same data.
rcmodel is correct. Most 200-230 gr commercial lead bullet weights can often vary by 3-5 gr+ on average.

The bullet nose may be shorter, but the bearing surface length is comparable and the bullet base will be seated to similar depth in the case neck. If you compare the lengths of bearing surface below, you'll see that the bearing surface of the TC bullet is slightly shorter and the bullet base will be seated a little shallower. Just conduct your powder work up using 230 gr load data. BTW, I am using 5.0 gr W231/HP-38 with 1.200"-1.220" OAL depending on the pistol/barrel used.

Current Hodgdon load data
230 gr LRN W231/HP-38 .452" OAL 1.200" Start 4.3 gr (699 fps) 12,200 CUP - Max 5.3 gr (834 fps) 16,900 CUP

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=174141&stc=1&d=1351904965

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=174142&stc=1&d=1351904965

Do you know what velocity those rounds are generating with such a light charge of W231?
I charge almost 1 full grain higher than that charge. (5.5gr W231)
I'm starting to think this may be part of my problem