help. need load data

[sako_75]

does any body have some good starting load data for .40 s&w using Rainier Ballistics 155gr TCJ's with either winchester 231, Unique, or red dot powder.
I was given a box of 500 of these bullets and am having trouble finding data for them. they are copper plated so I am a little leary of using data for jacketed bullets. Thanks for your input.

 

[sako_75]

I'm starting to thing no one here loads 40 s&w

 

[Kamicosmos]

Well, your powder choices are interesting.

I have loaded 155 grain rainers in .40 for a long time. I use Power Pistol and hodgdon's universal clays. I think I even used some blue dot once.

Best bet for you is to hit the manufacturer's site, both powder and bullet, and see what they say for those powders...

 

[sako_75]

these are the powders I have on the shelf right now that would work for 40. I went to Rainier Ballistics web site and thy dont give data for winchester or alliant powders.

 

[Jayman]

Alliant has load data for Unique:

http://recipes.alliantpowder.com/rg...idgedescr=S&W Auto&bulletdescr=Laser Cast 155

 

[Sunray]

"...leary of using data for jacketed bullets..." Good for you. Copper plated and jacketed ain't the same thing. Load 'em the same as you would cast.
Have a look here. http://www.nationalbullet.com/loaddata.html

 

[Jayman]

FWIW, plated bullet manufacturers recommend you use jacketed data, but the LOW END of it. They claim their bullets fall somewhere in between cast and jacketed, and based on my experiences with the velocities I see from plated, that makes good sense.

I've used jacketed data as they specify, always low end of the load spectrum, and had excellent results.

 

[sako_75]

jayman.

I'm getting confused You say use jacketed data. Sunray says cast data. The link you gave me was for cast data.

plated bullets - cast or jacketed????

 

[Murphster]

It's my understanding you have to pretend plated bullets are lead bullets when reloading. Think of them as lead bullets that don't lead your barrel. Plating doesn't equal jacketing. I presume it has to do with the thin plating permitting the bullet to obturate more, thus increasing pressure more than a more rigid, jacketed bullet would with the same powder charge. (Guys with more knowledge, chime in here and correct me if I'm wrong.)

Here's the load I used in a Glock 22C using Star 155 grain plated bullets:

5.4 grains Win 231
CCI primer
Sized to 1.125 OAL.

My Glock didn't shoot this lighter bullet to POA, however, and I eventually settled on 180 grain FMJ bullets (with 6.0 grains of Unique) as my favorite range load.

 

[armoredman]

I used jacketed data with Ranier plated 115gr in 9mm, and got pretty darn good results. Good bullets. Go to the powder manufacturers' websites for your load data, and have fun!

 

[Jayman]

Sako, you can use either lead data 100%, or you can use the low end of jacketed data. This from the guys at Berrys. Don't push a plated bullet to the upper end of jacketed data, accuracy goes south in a hurry when you do that.

 

[sako_75]

Thanks for the info. I worked up to 5.6 gr of 231 behind the 155 gr plated bullets and I am getting good results.