Arriving at the correct charge weight...

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Corner Pocket

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Seems like I've read this somewhere -- when you can't find load data for a cast lead bullet, can you take the data for jacketed bullets and reduce the charge weight by 10%, or am I confusing that with the way to find the charge weight for a plated bullet? (Or am I completely missing the proverbial boat?) Thanks for any help!

Corner Pocket
 
Is it possible to contact the bullet manufacture and ask for their loading data? The Lymans books have a lot of cast bullet data. As for the 10% I'd have to have more info.
 
Which bullet is it? And what's the weight? Unless it is pretty weird I can likely look it up in the Lyman Cast Bullet Manual.
 
More or less yes. What you'll find is that because the lubricated lead bullet is easier to push down the barrel of the gun, the maximum pressure loading will be slightly higher than the same weight jacketed bullet.

Of course though what you really should always do is using the starting load for the jacketed bullet and work you way up in increments like any other load. Do you want to be a little more specific in terms of what bullet and cartridge you are reloading? Technically, your plated bullet should be treated as jacketed, though it's likely to be softer than a traditional cup-style jacket.
 
Thanks for the replies. I like to shoot 147 grain Conical Flat Point cast bullets in my 9mm pistols. I have a couple of good loads that I use in loading these, and they shoot fine. However, I'd like to see if I can load all of the pistols that I shoot, using just 231. I don't find load data for that bullet with 231. Your help is appreciated. :D

CP
 
Do I hear the Sireen song of a convert to W231?
Click to expand...

Well, I'm not sure that I'm at the point of being fully converted, but I will confess that I have had my attention arrested by the contents of that dark blue bottle. :D (Since HS-6 is my absolute favorite powder at present, it may not be easy to convert me.)

I did pick up a jug of 231 this afternoon so that I can do some playing around with different loads. Thanks again for all the help that I've received from you in recent months, calaverasslim! You da man! (And if I'm lyin', I'm dyin'!") ;)

CP
 
MichaelK said:
More or less yes. What you'll find is that because the lubricated lead bullet is easier to push down the barrel of the gun, the maximum pressure loading will be slightly higher than the same weight jacketed bullet.

Of course though what you really should always do is using the starting load for the jacketed bullet and work you way up in increments like any other load. Do you want to be a little more specific in terms of what bullet and cartridge you are reloading? Technically, your plated bullet should be treated as jacketed, though it's likely to be softer than a traditional cup-style jacket.
Click to expand...
I am not sure I am seeing the logic here. You are saying that a lead round will be easier to propel out of the gun than a jacketed round, but are still advocating using the same starting charge for lead as for jacketed? If the lead bullet requires less pressure to propel down the barrel, then i would think your starting load would need to be lower than that for a jacketed round. (by how much I have no idea) Or am I missing something here?
 
If you use the starting load for the jacketed bullet, then the muzzle velocity will be higher for the lead bullet but still within safe limits. By working up gradually, you can look for signs of over preassure, but in a safe manner.

This is something that I don't do. With research or a forum like this, you can get loads for almost all bullets on the market
 
Doggone it, I just realized that I was in error and that I *do* have sufficient data for loading the 147 lead Conical Flat Point bullets for my 9mm. The one that I haven't found data for is the 145 grain cast bullet for the .40 S&W. (My mold is marked "145 grain", but they actually drop as 155 grain.) I am in your debt if you have the data for that bullet when powering the load with 231 powder. Thanks!

CP
 
Developed the right load

For the benefit of any interested reader, I did some testing yesterday, and I have found the sweet spot for my CZ .40 when shooting 145 gr cast bullets powered by 231. A load of 5.4 grains (seated at 1.155") gave good accuracy. At one point I had three holes touching when shooting freehand at 10 yards. I'm plenty satisfied with that. :D

CP
 
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