Load check....

[SSN Vet]

9x19
125 gr LRN, (cast with the Lee TL356-124-2R mold, 75% WW : 25% Pb)
.357" dia
tumbled with LLA
Fed 100 primers
4.3 gr W231
COAL = 1.1"

Does this sound like a hot load to you?

It's below max in most tables I have available to me....

but I just discovered that it is above the max. listed in Modern Reloading II

 

[LiveLife]

When I used current Hodgdon lead load data for Cone Nose bullet for various 125 gr lead bullets and 4.2-4.4 gr of W231/HP-38, I got leading.

125 gr Lead CN W231/HP-38 OAL 1.125" Start 3.9 gr (1009 fps) 25,700 CUP - Max 4.4 gr (1086 fps) 31,200 CUP

When I used 1999-2005 Winchester load data for 124 gr lead RN (which listed 4.0 gr as max charge), I did not get leading at 3.8-4.0 gr of W231/HP-38 and at the most, just a light smearing at the chamber end.

Lyman #49 lists for 120 gr lead RN - Start 3.0 (1010 fps) 20,000 CUP - Max 4.1 gr (1148 fps) 30,200 CUP

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8589386#post8589386

 

[SSN Vet]

BDS, thanks for the link to the December thread.... lot's of great info. in that one.

The Lee mold has a step similar to the 125 gr. Dardas boolet in your photo.

I've been cleaning the LLA off of the exposed nose of the Boolits after loading, as I don't want a lot of mess on the feed ramp and it doesn't (in my mind at least) appear to do anything.

Good idea? Bad idea?

 

[LiveLife]

I have been shooting 200 gr 45ACP SWC LLA tumbled lubed bullets I traded from blarby without cleaning off the lube and they have worked well for me with very good accuracy.

I found that Kleenex Viva paper towel I used to wipe off Hoppes #9 solvent from cleaning barrels/guns do a good job of removing lube off loaded rounds. 1-2 twists and clean/shiny bullet nose!

Free repurposed use before I toss the paper towel in the trash.

 

[SSN Vet]

BDS, thanks also for making reference to the two Win load tables....

That explains why Modern Reloading II (2003) lists 4.0n gr W231 as a max. as does the table that came with my original Lee die set, and why the load table that came with the new Lee die set lists 4.4 gr.

I wonder if Ohlin has changed the HP38/W231 formulation. Or if they simply did add'l testing.

As a side note.... it is always stated on the boards that HP38 and W231 are the exact same powders with different brand names applied, but the HP38 load data always seems to be a little hotter. I wonder if it has anything to do with the historical HP38 testing, as the max. pressure for the HP38 loads are always given in CUPs, while the W231 data lists the max. pressure in PSI.

 

[LiveLife]

Since 2006 when Hodgdon got licensed by Winchester, W231 and HP-38 load data have been the same, verified by Hodgdon customer service.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've been loading a 125gr LRN bullet over 4.0gr W231/HP-38 and I like the load which does not produce any leading in my pistols.

 

[SSN Vet]

thanks again for the replies....

hoping I can sneak out tomorrow and shoot some test loads.

 

[SSN Vet]

Finally got out yesterday to test these.... 18 deg. and snowing. I left the car idling with the heater on so I could load mags and thaw out my hands in the heat.

After shooting a box, I had two light streaks of lead deposited about 2/3 the way down the barrel.

Going to drop down a disk size and try 3.9 gr.

Unfortunately, I got ants in my pants and was itching to use my new progressive press.... So I loaded up a lot of these. I knew better.... But let my impatience get the better of me.

I cut up a Chore Boy and wrapped strands of the copper around a 9 mm bronze brush to clean he barrel.... it took a half a dozen or so passes down and back to get it all.

This is my first experience ever with leading.