10mm With Plated Bullets

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Havok7416

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Does anyone have any load data they would like to share for 10mm plated bullets? I have or am in the process of getting a few 10mm guns but I haven't loaded for them yet. I'm looking for near-full power loads using Bullseye and my favorite plated bullets (Rainier).
 
I've loaded a few hundred 10mm rounds with Raniers, but you may not be able to get to "near-full power" without exceeding the velocity limits for those. Never used Bullseye, so I'm no help on specific load data. Just remember to keep the bullet subsonic, IIRC.
 
I bought some Rainier Total Copper Jacket bullets from Cabela's as a stop-gap but those are about $1.6 more per box of 50. Obviously the plus side is full power loads...
 
Most who load 10mm "full power" don't choose Bullseye, it's very fast burning. You need something much slower burning for higher end loads. Also, watch your crimp on plated bullets and use very very little, any kind of over-crimp will cause terrible accuracy and keyholing.
 
running them too fast will cause them to keyhole too.

HP-38 is a good powder for mid range 165gr plated 10MM.

for a few bucks more you can get the berry's thick plate and run them as fast as FMJ
 
I'll have to price out the Zeros and MGBs when their pages are back up. The 1000 Rainier jacketed bullets will be enough to start me off. I have reduced my powders down to three and Bullseye happens to be one of them which is why I will be making 10mm loads with it. 2400 is also listed in my Lee manual but it looks like it would be double the powder per load.
 
Bullseye is too fast burning for full power loads.

Look to AA7 or AA9 for 10mm full power loads.
 
The 1000 Rainier jacketed bullets will be enough to start me off. I have reduced my powders down to three and Bullseye happens to be one of them which is why I will be making 10mm loads with it.

I'm sure you can make some functional medium-light loads with plated bullets and BE, but those ingredients are going to cause accuracy and limb-count problems, respectively, for you if you try to load to real 10mm levels.
 
I reload Rainier too and don't exceed about 1,150 fps. My powder of choice is Blue Dot. My 135 grain Rainiers are loaded with 11.3 grains of Blue Dot for about 1,150 fps. In my DW PM7 they shoot straight and true.
 
I guess what I'm going to try for eventually (after my jacketed bullet supply runs out) is to get the highest performance loads using Bullseye. As a rule I never load to max anyway to allow for a safety margin.
 
If you are using published data for Bullseye powder, I don't think you will need to worry about exceeding the speed limit for plated bullets. The Speer manual has data for Bullseye in 10mm.
 
I see the Lee book lists plated 180 grain bullets at 1,235 max velocity using AA9 or 1,195 FPS with AA7. Maybe I will see if I can't find some of that...
 
Because although it may be safe for 10mm if one is extra vigilant, Titegroup (and to a similar degree Bullseye) are FAR from what is considered to be an optimum propellant for such cartridges.

It can be done, but you'll never launch a bullet at normal velocities and double-charges are always a possibility.

There are so many smarter choices out there.
 
Fair enough point I suppose. Another powder on my shelf means more equipment dedicated to it - namely a powder measure/quick-change kit. That means more money and trying to find all but nonexistent powder (for now).
 
Havok

Thank you for asking pretty much the same question as I was about to ask. I just picked up some plated bullets for my new 10mm and my 40's. I will heed the advice of these guys as it runs true with what I already thought and, they tend to get it right most of the time. I will be using 165's and 185's and will keep them around 1000 fps regardless of which powder I choose. I too have a lot of Bullseye and 231 which I may have to save for my 45's etc.
 
.40S&W 165 and 180s doing 1000-fps is pretty normal.

Nothing wrong with shooting 10mm 180s at reduced velocity for general shooting and practice. I've done it, and it's very pleasant to shoot. But I'm too weird about finding all my 10mm brass, and if I am going to shoot 180s in that velocity range I prefer .40S&W cuz i can do the backstroke in forty-cal brass........
 
1000 fps for 180 grain bullets is pretty tame for 10mm. Full power loads are in the 1200 fps range.
 
Turns out my order of "jacketed" bullets are actually plated bullets. So much for thhat plan...
 
Ive been using the 180 gr Ranier plated in both the 10mm and the40 Short. Ive got a big can of discontinued shotshell power that works very well for moderate power loads, but the best loads in both guns is the heavier loads of Longshot. Very good accuracy and good power. Good practice load without being as heavy as full blown hunting loads in the 10mm.
 
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