Load data on Rainier .45 bullets

[Sam Adams]

I recently purchased some Rainier bullets from Midway for my .45 Gov't Model clone. I got the following:

1) 185 Gr Plated Flat Point

2) 200 Gr Plated RN

3) 230 Gr Plated RN

My question is: What C.O.A.L. do you use on these? I used 1.27 inches on the 230 grain, since the Sierra book used that for the Sierra 230 RN. However, neither it, nor Speer nor Hornady had any data for 200 Gr RN or 185 FP bullets. I hesitate - greatly - to use data for similar looking bullets, especially when the COAL listed is significantly shorter (i.e. under 1.2 inches). Can anyone with any experience help?

Oh, BTW, I am using Titegroup. I've found it to be accurate, clean and economical for both .45 and 9mm. If anyone loaded the Rainier bullets also uses Titegroup, I'd love to hear about your experience with different powder weights.

Thanks, in advance, to all who reply back.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

I have only loaded and shot the 230 grain Rainiers with 5.4 gr of Winchester #231 at an AOL of 1.268"-1.270". I've had really good results with these in my 5", 4.25", and 3.5" 1911 handguns. They are quite accurate. I don't have a chrono, but another member here was loading 5.5 gr #231 and getting about 825 fps.

 

[whitebear]

Check out the Rainier Ballistics page:

Rainier Ballistics

Click the button that says "Loading Data".

"Wal-lah!", as the magicians say...

That being said, I have had good luck with 5.5 gr of W231 with an OAL of 1.272" - 1.275" out of a Springfield Champion (4").

 

[antarti]

The midway load map for Rainiers has very long OALs that wouldn't chamber for me (jammed into the rifling).

Go to the Accurate Arms powder site, and download their .45ACP load data, it will list the various rainier bullets, with good OALs as for feed/function.

I'll make it easy, here are the COALs I used (pdf): http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Handgun/Standarddata/45Cal(11.5mm)/45%20ACP%20pages%20137%20to%20139%20revised.pdf

 

[TooTaxed]

I also use #231...after LOTS of use of other powders, I've standardized on #231 for everything from 9-mm Mak through .45 Colt...and saved lots of money and space by buing in bulk, besides avoiding any possible confusion about what powder is in the measure.

One tip...for loading Raniers or any other thinly-plated bullets, you must slightly bell the case mouths the same way as for loading lead bullets. Otherwise you will occasionally get shaved bullets.

 

[Sam Adams]

Too Taxed

I've standardized for .45 and 9mm with Titegroup for the same reason. I've fired other bullets in the .45, and it is accurate, cheap and clean compared to W231. I'll use up my 231, and then deal with 4 or 8 lb. kegs of Titegroup.

As for belling my cases, I routinely do that with all of my handgun cases. Right now I've got a plastic pretzel barrel (2 gallon or so capacity) filled with sized, belled and reprimed .45 cases, just waiting for powder & bullets.

Thanks for your advice, and to everyone else, as well.

 

[azredhawk44]

Titegroup is a great powder for 45acp, 38 special or 9mm. Especially with the Rainier line of bullets.

Keep the charge far from the high pressure/high velocity line, since the bullets are most definitely NOT hardcast and NOT jacketed. Generally, rainier bullets should be kept below 1000fps.

I use Rainier/Titegroup for my 38specials and 45acp. It's a great combination. I still use the Titegroup for 357mag too, but I go to a hardcast lead semiwadcutter at that point and get excellent accuracy with minimal to no leading.

 

[Lennyjoe]

W231 under West Coast plated 230gr bullets out of my .45's as well.

Be careful on the crimp cause they deform easily.

 

[Khornet]

My practice load

is the Rainier 185 gr flat-nose plated bullet (looks like what others call a 'truncated cone') with Accurate #5 9.5 gr and a CCI 300 large pistol powder loaded 1.219" OAL. Accurate #5 because I can use it for .40 S&W also. Meters very easily.

I used to load these longer, up to 1.250 or more, but then they tend to cause 'nose-up' jams on chambering.

 

[Khornet]

I should add

that though people warn against over-crimping, I crimp these fairly firmly and they work fine. In fact they are phenomenally accurate out of a Ruger P90 but work well in my other .45s. Chronos at about 950 fps if I recall.