Found some 45acp bullets need some data help

rtufixer said:

I found some 185 gr plated flat point I think maybe they are rainier. Obviously I bought em but never developed a load for it so I'm thinking 5.0 grs of 231 with as coal of let's say 1.215 what say you guys

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What caliber? Cartridge? Type of firearm?

I love finding things i forgot about.

CoalCrackerAl said:

I love finding things i forgot about.

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Me too! Unless it’s after a range trip, and I find bullets in the dryer…or worse, my wife finds them and I’m in trouble!
LOL

rtufixer said:

so I'm thinking 5.0 grs of 231 with as coal of let's say 1.215

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That should work, although it will probably be a little light... which is OK for a paper puncher.

My 45 ACPs have preferred closer to 5.5gr of W231, and a little longer OAL, 1.22" to 1.23", when using 185gr. and 200gr. plated bullets. Your results may be different.

Hodgdon thinks 5 gr W231 is a starting load for a 185 gr jacketed bullet and is way below the 5.6 gr starting load for a 185 gr cast.
Don't load a lot until you have shot the first magazine to see if they will function.

A lot depends on how much bullet sits down in the case and the weight of the recoil spring on your pistol. I'm loading 4.6 gr. HP38 (same thing as WW231) with 185 SWC's and everything functions, albeit the brass doesn't eject too far. If you're not looking for a light load then 5.something should be fine.

Jim Watson said:

Don't load a lot until you have shot the first magazine to see if they will function.

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That is sound advice for any new load in anything.

I would suggest a charge range between 4.0gr to 6.0gr W231/HP-38 with an OAL of 1.225" but of course, you should check any data you find on the NET for yourself.

There is oodles of data on Hodgdon for a 185 grain bullets, you may have to extrapolate a little.
COL is going to be up to your barrel

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=53

rtufixer said:

I'm thinking 5.0 grs of 231 with as coal of let's say 1.215

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I would think the COAL for that bullet would be around 1.195". Put together a few dummy rounds see how they cycle in the pistol.

FWIW; When plated bullets started getting popular some makers said "mid level jacketed data" and "lead bullet data" for reloading. I chose to use lead bullet data (for the same shape, same weight bullet). Worked quite well, but I never really liked plated bullets...