Load for Titegroup and plated bullet

[TX1911fan]

I bought a bunch of Berry's copper plated 9mm bullets (115 gr RN) but can't find a load using Titegroup. I can always get another brand of powder if that's what I need to do, but I'd prefer to limit the different types I have. Lee has a load for a 115 grain jacket bullet with a starting load at 4.5 grains. Can I use the same load, or are plated bullets dramatically different? Hodgdon's website is no help. They only have loads for LRN and Speer Gold Dot hollow points using Titegroup. Maybe I just need to get a different powder.

Any thoughts on v-N350 or Accurate #7?

 

[Walkalong]

Speer #13 shows 4.1 to 4.5 Grs Titegroup with 115 Gr bullets. I would try 4.2 to start. That should work fine and cycle most autos.

No, plated are not drastically different than jacketed. I have routinely shot Ranier 115 gr RN bullets with max jacketed loads of WSF, AA #5, N330, and N340 with no case head expansion or primer problems.

You can't just carelessly use jacketed data for all calibers weights etc, but you will be fine with 90% to 100% loads of Titegroup and your 115 gr Berrys.

Of course, it's your load technique and your guns, so start low and work up as always.

 

[easyrider604]

I use Rainier not Berry's. Rainier recommends using same load data as recommended for lead RN.

Copper plated bullets are swaged from soft lead, then copper plated. The plating is only a few thousandths of an inch thick, unlike true jacketed bullets which could have approximately .030 inch jacket.

 

[TX1911fan]

Thanks for the quick responses. Hodgdon shows 3.9 to 4.3 grains for LRN, so I'll probably start with 3.9 and see how it goes. This place is the best.

 

[RustyFN]

Same as jacketed. I load them with 4.2 grains of Titegroup.
Rusty

 

[DWARREN123]

Start at the lower end for jacketed bullets and work up slowly to where you want to be. I use Rainier 165gr plated hollow points in 40 S&W and Longshot powder, I use a medium jacket load and it works for me.

 

[The Bushmaster]

And when I called Rainier they told me to use Jacketed data, but keep them under 1200 fps. I was loading 124 grain Plated HP.

Recovered a few at the target that I loaded to 1050 fps and the lead still wasn't exposed.

 

[D. Manley]

TG is not on my list of "favorite" 9MM powders but that aside, from my log notes I find 4.3 grains under a plated (Rainier) RN @ 1.156 OAL/.377 crimp shot well, was accurate & shot right on the sights.

 

[ants]

You don't have to make assumptions. Go to the Berry's web site and get it straight from the manufacturer.

Cut and pasted from their FAQ:

How do I load Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets?
Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads.

How fast can I shoot these bullets?
Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1200 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps. 45's are generally good at 850-900 fps. Our bullets are not recommended for magnum velocities.

 

[ants]

I get excellent performance with 4.1 to 4.2 grains TG using that 115g round nose Berry's plated bullet at 1.130" overall length. That load meets minimum power factor for IDPA and USPSA Minor. It is a very economical load. It is consistent and shoots the same in all my 9mm pistols.

I buy 8 pounds of Titegroup at the gun show for $109 plus sales tax. I buy 9mm 115G bullets direct from Berry's at $75.39 per thousand shipped, including their lead surcharge. With Win SP primers, I load 9mm for about $10.30 per hundred.

I also use Titegroup in 12 ga shotgun, 45acp, 45 Colt, and 40S&W.

 

[Navy joe]

I was at 4.4gr of Titegroup, 115 Berry's, WSP, and 1.150" OAL and the load worked good for me. 1130ish velocities, good accuracy. Start at 3.9 like you said but don't be suprised if it is light. Watch the crimp, accuracy goes south if you crunch the bullet. Just enough to take the bell out of the case.

 

[philbo]

I was at 4.4gr of Titegroup, 115 Berry's, WSP, and 1.150" OAL

I've run thousands of this exact load with success. I worked up from 4.0 grains and settled on this as being the most accurate.

 

[evan price]

I load 4.4gr Titegroup with Rainiers 124-gr, but that's max for FMJ 124's. In a 115 that would be good.

 

[jes]

I use 4.4 gr of TG with all my 115 gr loads. Seems fine.