chris93555
Member
Ok, I picked up 1000 rds of 9mm 125 gr. .356 truncated flatpoint lead cast bullets from bear creek today and was wondering if I can use the same reloading info for 125 gr. fmj load data. ie, powder, grain, and OAL
Absolutely not. Usually, lead bullet loads use less powder than jacketed loads. OAL is determined by the bullet profile and will be different for all bullets, not just lead bullets. You can usually use the same powders unless the powder you're using is known to be a problem with lead bullets.Ok, I picked up 1000 rds of 9mm 125 gr. .356 truncated flatpoint lead cast bullets from bear creek today and was wondering if I can use the same reloading info for 125 gr. fmj load data. ie, powder, grain, and OAL
It's not a good idea to go below the starting charge for any load. I would ignore the Lee data because the Hodgdon data is current. A charge weight of only 3.0gr sounds very light. What OAL did the Lee manual list? As a matter of fact, I loaded a lot of 125gr LRN bullets over 4.0gr W231/HP-38 and they were very light and very accurate. My OAL for that load is 1.090". Also, if you load the lighter charge the rounds might not cycle the slide reliably. That 4.0gr load would not cycle a friends Beretta 92 because of it's slide weight.16in50calNavalRifle said:I'm thinking of starting below the Hodgdon starting load (say, 3.5). Maybe another loading at 3.8, and one at 4.1. I am cautious about going any closer to the Hodgon max. load of 4.4, considering that my OAL is 1.065, vs. 1.125 in the Hodgdon data (forget the Lee OAL but it's also longer than my "apparent" ideal OAL).
Question: does this seem like a prudent margin of safety in terms of a lower ceiling for max. powder load given that my OAL looks to be shorter than those given in the data?
+1. Most Moly coated bullets start out as regular lead bullets. Since the lubrication comes from Moly coating, the typical lube that gets applied into the lube channel is omitted, hence the empty groove.john16443 said:The groove is normally where bullet lube is applied.chris93555 said:The bullet has a grove about half way down, what the grove for?
You should find plenty of lead load data in Lyman #49 and on these links - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7666953#post7666953Where can I find a reloading book, website, etc for cast lead bullets?
You shouldn't use the OAL listed on the published load data that was obtained using test barrel fixtures as it won't ensure proper feeding/chambering in YOUR pistol/barrel.chris93555 said:when I seat the bullet as per there oal, it just a hair above the lube groove, its does cover the groove but barely, is this ok?
I use Lee dies and .376" taper crimp for .356" sized bullets and do not have any issues with the bullet sticking in the taper crimp/bullet seating die. I use slightly more case neck flare than jacketed bullets sized at .355" when seating larger sized MBC 9mm bullets but not by much. Make sure the base of the bullet seats flat inside the flared case mouth, but use the minimal flare that works for you.Tomcat53 said:Has anyone had trouble with the Missiouri Bullets 9mm 125 gn .356 dia sticking in the seating die ?
plunge, with any new bullet, especially for lead bullet, you should always determine the Max OAL first using your barrel so the bearing surface of the bullet will engage the start of rifling sooner to build chamber pressure to deform the bullet base to seal the bullet to the barrel (obturation) and minimize high pressure gas leakage (gas cutting/bullet base erosion/blowing off liquefied lube/lube smoke). Then you should determine the Ideal OAL next so the finished rounds will reliably feed/chamber from the magazine in your pistol.plunge said:I am getting ready to load some cast lead bullets for the first time and have a question about seating depth. Do you want the lube rings to be hidden in the case mouth? or is it ok if they are sticking out of the case mouth? I haven't found anything on this topic, i just wasnt sure. I have a bullet with 2 lube rings.