load data for 185gr montana gold 45's with 231/hp38

[Reefinmike]

I went to the gun show today and was surprised to see reloading components were pretty well stocked, powder and primers were there but ~$10 more, and there were more $1,500+ AR's than you can shake a stick at

Anyways, I bought a hundred pack of Montana gold 185gr JHP in 45 to roll me up some defensive rounds. I got back home and what do ya know, the lee manual has no data for a 185gr HP and win231/hp38. they have data for a 185 grain jacketed bullet calling for a minimum of 5.0 and max of 5.9 with a min OAl of 1.135

how do you guys roll yours? preferred powder charge? best oal?

thanks

 

[rcmodel]

Hodgdon website has data for 185 Hornady XTP.
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

best oal?

Who knows.
You got the gun and the bullets, and they are not Hornady XTP, so 1.135" is probably wrong.

Use the barrel out of your gun and "plunk test" them while seating shorter until they miss the rifling leade.

rc

 

[TonyT]

I do not believe that the MG 185 gr. HP is designed for self defense. They are great bullets for the popular pistol games - IDPA, USPA etc.

 

[Reefinmike]

Rc- I didnt see anything for a jacketed hp. Im assuming hdy jswc means hornady jacketed semi wad cutter. and yes, plunk drop!

 

[rcmodel]

My mistake.

I thought sure it said XTP.

rc

 

[Reefinmike]

No problemo rc, your help is always appreciated here! From a bit of digging, I see a lot of people like 6.5 grains with a hornady xtp. I'll wait around and see if anyone has any input, if not, I guess I will start em out at 6.0 and work up to 6.7 checking for pressure signs. OAL will be the longest that'll still plunk.

 

[joneb]

I find the point that the cartridge plunks, and seat .005" deeper to give the bullet a little breathing room.

 

[LiveLife]

Montana gold 185gr JHP in 45 to roll me up some defensive rounds

I do not believe that the MG 185 gr. HP is designed for self defense. They are great bullets for the popular pistol games - IDPA, USPA etc.

+1. Montana Gold jacketed bullets are for match shooting and are not optimized for expansion. If you want expanding jacketed bullets, I suggest Remington Golden Saber or Hornady XTP (but not HAP which is also for match shooting). I usually get my GS bullets from MidwayUSA and they come in 185 gr JHP and 230 gr JHP. They also carry Hornady 185 gr XTP JHP.


Current Hodgdon load data lists the following:

185 gr Hornady JSWC W231/HP-38 OAL 1.135" Start 5.0 gr (762 fps) 12,000 CUP - Max 5.9 gr (906 fps) 15,800 CUP

Lyman #49 lists Hornady 185 gr XTP/HP at 1.175" OAL:

Start 4.4 gr (640 fps) 7,500 CUP - Max 6.1 gr (937 fps) 15,700 CUP

1999 Winchester load data (which didn't change until 2006) lists the following:

preferred powder charge? best oal?

When I conduct my powder workup, I first determine the charge that will reliably cycle the slide and extract/eject the spent cases. Then I monitor the accuracy trend. My preferred powder charge is one that reliably cycles the slide while producing best accuracy. BTW, for full-power loads/back up defensive loads, I prefer to use WSF which produces higher velocities for better JHP expansion and terminal energy.

As to best OAL, do a barrel drop test to determine the Max OAL first and feed/chamber from the magazine to determine which OAL works reliably with your pistol - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=506678

 

[Reefinmike]

thanks for the data bds, I loaded up 5 each of 6.0gr, 6.3gr, 6.5gr and 6.7gr to an oal of 1.232". the proof will be found within the pudding