45 , swc

[chief99]

Going to start loading the 45, 185 gr. copper plated SWC . Can not find much info in my Lee or Lyman manuals. The Speer manual list a 185 gr. TMJ, SWC at 4.5 to 4.9 using Bullseye with an oal of 1.275. What do you think . Use low to mid charge for plated or simply start at 4.5 . Thanks.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Thanks for asking our advice.

Does the maker of your 185 gr copper platted SWC have any advice? From their web site or via email?

The powder maker might have load data for Bullseye.

The conventional advice for plated bullets (unless the plating is very thick and strong) is to use lead bullet data. I don't have any manuals here (I am at work right now, getting ready to head home).

SWC is not that much different from round nose (bearing surface and length of the bullet slug). If you have the dimensions, you can easily correct for differences in bullet length to ensure the base of the bullet is set to the same depth - thus use 185 gr plated round nose data if you can find those recipes.

If those inquiries fail to yield a suggestion, your plan of starting at 4.5 is sound.

Do you have access to a chronograph? I would load them up to the velocity of similar weight and construction bullets (regardless of shape) and go forward.

Good luck.

Lost Sheep

 

[Hondo 60]

45 what?

ACP, Colt, something else?

 

[chief99]

45, swc

Remington 1911 45 acp .

 

[kerreckt]

FWIW, I load 185 LSWC with 4.5gr of BE. Accurate load.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Plated bullets chrono nearly the same as jacketed, so I use jacketed data. The Speer 185 JSWC data is for target velocities, at least in my Speer #11 it is, so I would feel safe using anything listed there.

 

[Walkalong]

The Speer 185 JSWC data is for target velocities, at least in my Speer #11 it is, so I would feel safe using anything listed there.

Agreed.

 

[Lost Sheep]

How many to test?

To add to my first post on the matter.

Starting at the minimum load, I would load only a few, just to make sure the power level is sufficient to cycle your action.

It would be frustrating to have a hundred rounds that essentially turn your semi-auto into a manually cycled gun. Even worse, if the action is partially cycled (thus producing a jammed gun), a single shot pistol.

On the good side. If you find just the right load (where, if you hold the gun firmly, the action will cycle and if you hold it loosely -that is, "limp wrist"- you get a failure to cycle, you now have an excellent load recipe for practicing clearance drills.

Lost Sheep