I'm stuck.

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Arkie

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Well I just picked me up some of those precision bullets for my .45 in 230 grain and I've read that you use the lead data for realoading. I cannot find a load data for these bullets either.

I got that, but every book that I have lists the O.A.L. completely different. Not a little bit, but a lot. From 1.190 to 1.275!

I still haven't gotten that part down yet.

Can I just pull the barrel out and check if they go in alright to check that way?

I'm using mixed brass with winchester primers and W231 powder.
 
First, make sure the cartridges will fit in the magazine(s).
IF they do. . . proceed to step 2.

Second, Yes, remove the barrel from the pistol.
With the barrel pointing down, carefully insert the cartridge into the chamber.
The casehead MUST be flush (or below flush) with the barrel hood.


Just for comparison, measure a factory round and duplicate it.

OR

Take a factory round and adjust your seater die to just touch the bullet on the factory round.

IHTH.
 
I have a similar problem with loading 9x18 rounds. The lead bullets I have are 93gr and all of my load data says 90 or 95gr. Split the difference, erring towards the safe side. Also remember that higher grain means longer bullet length, and less availiable volume in the case.

If you're doing a load work-up, you're likely using a less than max charge, so even the shorter of the Max-load OAL data should be safe, because the pressure is lower than max. If you're operating below a Max powder charge, everything else being the same as the max-load should result in lower pressure. Get a measurement off what ammo feeds nice in your gun and start there, maybe a little longer. I was doing some 40cal loads today and measured my CCI blazer factory loads, finding them shorter than what I've always set mine to!!! That's why this is an art.
 
What brand bullet are we talking about? That would help.
If they're standard lead bullets, a good starting load for a 230 grain RN in the .45 ACP is 4.0 grains of Bullseye. OAL is not a problem as long as they will fit in the magazine.

Navy Vet & SWIFT Boat OIC
 
ohhhhhhh,,, ok!

Now I think I can do this. lol.

I think what I do is over complicate things. So I will load up a few and see how they do.

I always load up on the safe side, sometimes a little too safe as a few of mine would not even cycle the slide but the did go down the barrel. Talk about a really soft recoil. lol.


I did try the barrel thing and I had a few too long as they wouldn't even seat. I'll go at it again.

Thanks everyone!!!
 
Arkie: Typical length range for 230 gr. FMJ is 1.250 - 1.260". Since your lead molycoated bullet has a small flat at the end, I would try 1.250" as a starting point and you can go a bit shorter later if you need to, when you get to fine tuning the load. The start charge I would use of 231 would be 5.1 grains. In a 5" 1911 this combination achieved 760 FPS in a SPEER case and a CCI-300 Primer. The load is for the Speer 230 gr. Lead Bullet.

BTW, I used to shoot at the Arkansas G&F Commission Range north of Little Rock while I lived in Jacksonville in the early 90s.;)
 
Hey Arkie. 1.240 to 1.245 O.A.L. and anywhere from 5.0 to 5.5 Grs. W231 will shoot very well with that bullet. Your choice of primers. I have used WLP, Fed 150 before that. :)
 
Ok, Just got back from testing out the new bullets.

I made up two different ones just to see what would work.

4.8 Grains and O.A.L. of 1.260 Not bad but all over the paper.

5.1 Grains and O.A.L. of 1.245 Shots tightened up and was able to keep them pretty well in the same group!

I think I will stick with the second one. :D

Thanks Guys, you've been a great help.
 
Great job Arkie. Keep tweaking. You'll find one you love in no time. Try 5.2 & 5.3 and see if it tightens up some more or not. :)
 
Sounds great! I'm glad WA jumped in because I have never used that particular bullet, and it saved you some time in load development.;)
 
Hey Arkie, I have finally gotten around to load some of these up. You should have called me since I have plenty of lead load data to compare with. Since this is a new bullet to me I started on the low side. That and my wife requested a little lighter target load as well. The first ones I loaded with 4.5 grains of bullseye at an OAL of 1.255 assembled in R-P +P nickle cases. My normal 230gr lead load is 5.0gr of bullseye Or 5.2gr of W231 seated to 1.250 - 1.260. I have never seated a lead 230gr as short as 1.245 but since reading this thread I have looked back in the manuals and have found several loads that seat lead 230s that low. I may go back to the bench and load a few more up at the length of 1.245 and give them a try as well. I will add that these bullets loaded very nice and clean. If they shoot as good as they loaded I will be wanting more of these.
 
Arkie, I load Precisions to 1.273"-1.265" OAL and work fine in all my .45's. As for load data, any powder manufacture will have 230gr lead data here are a few http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeDetail.aspx?title=Pistols%20and%20Revolvers&gtypeid=1&weight=230&shellid=1029&bulletid=99 I usually use Bullseye or Unique for .45 and 9mm. I load 230gr Precision bullets with 4.5grs of Bullseye or Unique. Less than 4.5 gr of Bullseye will not cycle the slide on my 1911's so split the difference between lead and FMJ to get a minimum load to cycle my pistol.
 
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