185gr. LSWC info needed--------------

[MADDOG]

I picked up some 185gr. LSWC for 45acp. My books don't have much data for them. I want to use Unique or Red Dot. Want I do have list the OAL from 1.135 to 1.222. Are those two numbers the shortest to the longest? If you have any info loading these bullets with the two powders listed please advise me. The box says Hustler Bullets 185gr LSWC. I believe the company was around here in the 80's. Thanks

 

[rikman]

Maddog,

I just loaded a couple of Missouri Bullet 185gr SCW's. My go to reloading mentor suggested I use the 200gr data. I'm going to be shooting these out of my S&W 625, so set the bullets to where it just went past the lube ring and my lengths are around 1.21-1.22". 5.5 grs Win 231

I ordered some 200gr 45acp LSCW from Zcast. Good price should be here soon.

Good Luck,
Rikman

 

[LightningMan]

Sorry, I don't have anything using those powders. I have been using Suter's Choice bullets of 185 gr. SWC in my Kimber, using 4.8 grs. American Select with my OAL at 1.165. Its a fairly mild load, and I will shoot very accurately, IMO.

 

[rcmodel]

Are those two numbers the shortest to the longest?

No, those are for Brand X's design and brand YZ's design.
LSWC OAL depends on the mold's bullet design they came out of, nothing else.

OAL is meaningless unless you can find the exact bullet shape listed.

Seat to a thumb-nails width of the front shoulder being inside the case mouth and taper crimp lightly on the front driving band.
Whatever that OAL is, it right for that bullet.

Typical 185 charge weights:

Red Dot
4.0 Start for around 700 FPS.
5.5 MAX for around 1,000 FPS.

I'd suggest 4.5.

Unique
5.0 Start for around 685 FPS.
7.5 MAX for around 995 FPS.

I'd suggest 5.5.

Both MAX loads will be too hot and lead with softer alloy target bullets.

rc

 

[LightningMan]

rcmodel is right about OAL, "is meaningless unless you can find the exact bullet shape listed." The data I found was in Alliant's powder reloaders guide, but it listed for a 185 gr. LWC ( brand X ) to have a min. OAL of 1.190. Well this was not going to work for the Suter's Choice 185 gr. Semi-Wadcutter, as they would not chamber. So I kept seating them .01 deeper at a time till I could drop them in the chamber of my pistols barrel, then tip it upside down and it would fall out. 1.165 OAL is what I settled on for my OAL, as for charge weight the data only listed 5.1 grs. so I backed down to 4.8 grs. which worked out real well. LM

 

[rikman]

No, those are for Brand X's design and brand YZ's design.
LSWC OAL depends on the mold's bullet design they came out of, nothing else.

OAL is meaningless unless you can find the exact bullet shape listed.

Seat to a thumb-nails width of the front shoulder being inside the case mouth and taper crimp lightly on the front driving band.
Whatever that OAL is, it right for that bullet.

Typical 185 charge weights:

Red Dot
4.0 Start for around 700 FPS.
5.5 MAX for around 1,000 FPS.

I'd suggest 4.5.

Unique
5.0 Start for around 685 FPS.
7.5 MAX for around 995 FPS.

I'd suggest 5.5.

Both MAX loads will be too hot and lead with softer alloy target bullets.

rc

RC,

How does this length look? I kept seating the bullet deeper by .001 until I went past the lube ring. I Looked up Federals FMJ 185 gr SWC and it looks a lot shorter. These do fit into my 625 Chambers.

Rikman

 

[Twiki357]

I seat LSWC's so that the step of the bullet only extents past the mouth of the case by a few thousands regardless of the length or shape of the bullet nose. The OAL is meaningless. Drop the loaded round into the chamber. It should FALL all the way in, then out without any pushing/pulling on your part.

 

[Canuck-IL]

That looks too long ... re-read RCs post ... conventionally you want just a thumbnail's thickness of the bullet shank out of the case. See sample pics...and notice all the different nose shapes for so-called SWCs.



I don't use either of your powders but, given burning rates and what I know a few BE shooters around here use, I'd try 4.2 - 4.5 Red Dot and 1 grain higher (5.2 - 5.5) Unique to start with. Those would be on the low end of the velocity scale to begin with.
/Bryan

 

[MADDOG]

Well I got some of these loaded. I had to go with a very thin "fingernail". In order to pass the plunk test the shoulder was about .009 from the rim of the brass. I started out above the .025 and went down to the .009. I haven't had an opportunity to test fire yet so I don't know how they are going to work out. Hopefully the outcome will be good.

 

[Fishslayer]

Well I got some of these loaded. I had to go with a very thin "fingernail". In order to pass the plunk test the shoulder was about .009 from the rim of the brass. I started out above the .025 and went down to the .009. I haven't had an opportunity to test fire yet so I don't know how they are going to work out. Hopefully the outcome will be good.

My RIA 1911 doesn't like too much .452" bullet forward of the case mouth either. From what I've seen on the forums that is not unusual. My 230gr & 200gr LRN bullets have a pronounced step at the front of the bearing surface. Much more than a thumbnail of bearing surface exposed = no "plunk."

It varies from gun to gun. .452" rounds that "plunk" in my KP90 will stick in the RIA.

 

[Hondo 60]

How about emailing the powder mfg?

I've emailed Accurate several times & their ballistician was very courteous & prompt with replies.

 

[TheTinMan]

Cannuck-Il

Thanks for that great pic! That demonstrates very well why it's best to get a recommended COAL from the bullet manufacturer if possible.

My RIA 1911 doesn't like too much .452" bullet forward of the case mouth either. From what I've seen on the forums that is not unusual. My 230gr & 200gr LRN bullets have a pronounced step at the front of the bearing surface. Much more than a thumbnail of bearing surface exposed = no "plunk."

It varies from gun to gun. .452" rounds that "plunk" in my KP90 will stick in the RIA.

I figured this out the hard way this afternoon. Although Penn recommends a COAL of 1.250" for their 200gr LSWC, they won't drop past the barrel hood of my Les Baer until COAL is about 1.235". I even used Dynkum to see what part of the cartridge was stopping forward movement.

 

[Canuck-IL]

Quite welcome ... kudos really to Neimi on the m1911.org forum for the pic.

That demonstrates very well why it's best to get a recommended COAL from the bullet manufacturer if possible.

True, BUT, also depends on the chamber and how it was finished ... I've seen a number of "drop-in" barrels that were not finish reamed, including Karts. Can't hurt to swirl a reamer you trust once or twice...
/B