Lead Bullet Loads

[dickttx]

As a background, I started reloading in the late 60's, but almost entirely for rifles. When I wanted to work up a load I reviewed several manuals, found a specific bullet, tried powders specified for that bullet and went from there.
I did not shoot or reload very much from the early 70's until about a year ago, when I retired and got involved in reloading for handguns. Now I am somewhat lost, as the information for any particular load is pretty much lacking.

I have been using MBC 200gn RNFP's for 45ACP.
When I look in the Lyman manual I find two 200gn lead bullets for the 45ACP:
#452630 (2 bands, 1 groove) 200gn #2 Alloy 1.235 OAL--W231 5.4/6.1gn, 12,700/16,300 pressure
--Unique 6.0/7.5gn, 11,400/17,400 pressure

#452460 (3 bands, 2 grooves) 200gn #2 Alloy 1.161 OAL
--W231 4.0/6.0gn, 9,200/18,000 pressure
--Unique 5.0/7.5gn, 7,700/16,200 pressure

Lee shows one 200gn lead (no details as to configuration):
--HP38 4.4/5.6gn 16,900 pressure 1.225 OAL
--Unique 5.1/5.1 9,600 pressure 1.190 OAL

According to Lyman, the second bullet with Unique develops less pressure than the first, with a significantly shorter OAL, while the opposite is true for W231.

Lee shows only one loading with Unique that is 1/3 less powder than Lyman, but with significantly more pressure (9600 vs 7700+.)

Any attempt to interpolate any of that to apply to my 200gn RNFP would be pure guesswork on my part.

I would speculate that the amount of bearing surface the bullet had would directly affect the pressure and thus the OAL and amount of powder, but, again, that is speculation. And I do not know how the bearing surface would be measured. There does not seem to be any correlation to bearing surface in the two Lyman bullets. I would presume that the one with three bands would have more bearing surface than the one with two and yet the pressure is higher for one powder and lower for the other.

I would appreciate any insights, comments or speculation anyone could provide, because I continually read and hear that you should obtain reloading manuals and follow them.

 

[GP100man]

dickttx

We all have the same problem !!! & I think the more ya research either via web or manuals the more confusing it gets !!! ????

With my cast shooting I tend to follow Lymans manual as they have more available for lead boolits .

Another thing to watch is some pressures are CUP & some PSI , also some are from a vented test barrel & some are from actual firearms , just another factor to add to the confusion !!!

 

[LiveLife]

Good news!


We have done the hard work for you and here's the happy result:

Missouri Bullets 200 gr RNFP (IDP #4-XD) works well with 5.0 gr W231/HP38 at 1.195" OAL. Yes, I have tested the bullet from 1.195" to 1.250" OAL and the shorter 1.195" produced the most accurate shot groups, comparable to the 200 gr SWC accuracy.

Here's the thread where we discussed it - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=545996

 

[Hondo 60]

bds

While that load works well in YOUR gun,
it may or may not work as well in another gun.

Unfortunately every gun is different.
dickttx's barrel maybe .0005 larger or smaller.
or the chambers might be tighter or looser, etc, etc.

While it sounds like a very good load to start with,
there are no guarantees that it'll produce the same results.

 

[LiveLife]

I have been using MBC 200gn RNFP's for 45ACP.

I would appreciate any insights, comments or speculation anyone could provide, because I continually read and hear that you should obtain reloading manuals and follow them.

Apparently the OP HAS been using the IDP #4-XD bullets and asked for ANY insights/comments/speculation ANYONE could provide. I am assuming that he/she has been trying different powder/charge/OAL combos and looking for some direction.

I simply offered one insight/comment based on personal experience that worked for several to help out another THR poster.

Peace.

 

[ljnowell]

While that load works well in YOUR gun,
it may or may not work as well in another gun.

Unfortunately every gun is different.
dickttx's barrel maybe .0005 larger or smaller.
or the chambers might be tighter or looser, etc, etc.

While it sounds like a very good load to start with,
there are no guarantees that it'll produce the same results.

No, it will not shoot the best in every gun, but it gives the OP a place to start and work from. A reference point if you will. Sometimes those loads do work across a large range of guns though. I bet that if we took a poll on 158gr LSWC with 2400 you would find more poeple loading 14.5gr than anything else. Not saying that its always that way, just saying that its good info for someone who is needing some help.

 

[dickttx]

Thanks for the ideas and the reference to the prior thread. Read through it also. I came to the same conclusion I started with--handgun loading data is not near as precise as that provided for rifles. It seems you pick a place and start.
I have pretty well settled on 6.4 Unique seated at the bottom of the crimp groove (1.235) because I am getting clean burning, clean cases, and good accuracy--and, that is what my Pro Auto disk throws.
I had previously tried 5.2 HP38 (disk 49) and the accuracy was much less than the Unique.
While sitting here writing I just realized that last week and yesterday I was loading some 9mm with disk 49 and was VERY consistantly getting 5.0 grains. As someone mentioned, apparently the humidity as it had been dry as a bone all winter until the last week. Another variable.
I think I will also try some more HP38 and shorten the case length.
I received a copy of the new Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, #4 yesterday. It has only the same two 200gn lead as the #49.
The differing loads and pressures with the same powders on the two Lyman and the Lee loadings do not provide a lot of guidance.