Loading coated bullets for the first time

[ballman6711]

I've never loaded coated bullets but have been wanting to try some, so I added 500 acme 185gr swc's to an order I placed a few days ago for my 45acp.

From my research, I understand that I need to expand the case enough to not shave the coating. I've also read that I should use lead or plated data.

I'm planning to use lead data and work my loads up as usual, using W231 and vv n320.

Am I missing anything? Any tips?

I've been reloading for almost two years and find I still have a lot to learn.

Thanks in advance.

chris

 

[TonyAngel]

Just don’t try to crimp and seat with the same die at the same time. Do them in separate operations or stations.

You picked the right powder. Love 231 in .45. That and Accurate No. 2.

Next time, try some 200gr SWC. Been shooting those for a few decades and usually the preferred lead projectile for .45. Don’t bother with 155s. Not enough bearing surface for accuracy. Like trying to make a plate fly without tumbling.

 

[uzimon]

yeah i have a lee 4 die setup
#3 seats #4 crimps
i use a charge between lead and jackets.
try the plunk test. using that as a guage for your settings. also check how they fit in your mags then how they hand cycle

 

[George P]

Just don’t try to crimp and seat with the same die at the same time. Do them in separate operations or stations.

You picked the right powder. Love 231 in .45. That and Accurate No. 2.

Next time, try some 200gr SWC. Been shooting those for a few decades and usually the preferred lead projectile for .45. Don’t bother with 155s. Not enough bearing surface for accuracy. Like trying to make a plate fly without tumbling.

I seat and crimp my 38 158s swc in one step with zero issues.

 

[kmw1954]

I seat and crimp my 38 158s swc in one step with zero issues.

Many times the difference is that the revolver bullets have a crimp groove while the auto-load bullets do not. I too use just the seater/crimp die with Auto-load bullets but then I am also using next to no crimp with these loads. When I have pulled plated or cast bullets 90% of the time I see no marking on the bullet from a crimp.

 

[kmw1954]

I've never loaded coated bullets but have been wanting to try some, so I added 500 acme 185gr swc's to an order I placed a few days ago for my 45acp.
From my research, I understand that I need to expand the case enough to not shave the coating. I've also read that I should use lead or plated data.
Thanks in advance.

chris

Watching for shaving is about the only thing different you should find. Load a few and check if more flare is needed add it. At this point I think it more important to not shave coating or lead than to worry about over working a few pistol cases. I have found that I will usually lose a case before I split one.

 

[mdi]

I've been loading and PCing bullets for a few years and I load them just like I load cast bullets. I use the same methods, the same case prep, the same sizing procedures and most of the time I have used lead bullet powder data. I often tell newer reloaders to use as much case flare as you need to get good shootable ammo now, and worry about vase life later. Unless one cannot get more brass, ever, worrying about getting 5 or 8 more reloads per case isn't as important as getting good handloads now...

 

[TonyAngel]

I seat and crimp my 38 158s swc in one step with zero issues.

Take a look and see how many on here have had troubles due to seating and crimping with the same die for an auto.

 

[kmw1954]

Take a look and see how many on here have had troubles due to seating and crimping with the same die for an auto.

I can honestly say that I am not one of those. Load 380, 9mm, 38Spl, and 45acp and only use a 4th die for one 45acp load.

 

[AJC1]

I seat and crimp my 38 158s swc in one step with zero issues.

I would never go as far as to say that it doesn't work because I can make it work the issue is I get much better seating depth uniformity when I separate the procedures for more consistent ammunition

 

[George P]

Been reloading 9mm since the early 80s with no issues as well............................maybe folks need to pick one bullet style, pick it and adjust the dies accordingly

 

[TonyAngel]

I can honestly say that I am not one of those. Load 380, 9mm, 38Spl, and 45acp and only use a 4th die for one 45acp load.

Oh, I made it work too, when I had a three station press, but why do it if you don't need to. It makes setting up for a new projectile so much easier. Plus, it seems that MANY have had this problem.

If you're new, take my word for it...seat and crimp in separate stations.

 

[kmw1954]

, but why do it if you don't need to. It makes setting up for a new projectile so much easier.

If you're new, take my word for it...seat and crimp in separate stations.

Not going to argue this activity or advocate one way or the other. I was just Stating a fact. Just seems to me that one should know both ways and how to correctly do it either way.

 

[kcofohio]

I've never loaded coated bullets but have been wanting to try some, so I added 500 acme 185gr swc's to an order I placed a few days ago for my 45acp.

From my research, I understand that I need to expand the case enough to not shave the coating. I've also read that I should use lead or plated data.

I'm planning to use lead data and work my loads up as usual, using W231 and vv n320.

Am I missing anything? Any tips?

I've been reloading for almost two years and find I still have a lot to learn.

Thanks in advance.

chris

Are you only new to the coated bullet, and not the type (SWC) of bullet?
If you shave the coating, you would also shave the lead on the non-coated. The cast and coated bullets should be relatively the same O.D. size.
Data for cast and coated, as long as the bullets are the same, can be duplicated. Good thing about coated bullets, not worrying about leading and lube fouling.

 

[ballman6711]

Are you only new to the coated bullet, and not the type (SWC) of bullet?
If you shave the coating, you would also shave the lead on the non-coated. The cast and coated bullets should be relatively the same O.D. size.
Data for cast and coated, as long as the bullets are the same, can be duplicated. Good thing about coated bullets, not worrying about leading and lube fouling.

I've been reloading jacketed for the 45acp and 38/357. I do seat and crimp in seperate steps because it works better for me.

A few months ago I started loading Speer 185gr tmj swc's and found I really like them. They work well in my gun.

I have not loaded any bare lead or coated yet.

chris

 

[BCR#1]

Never again will I waste my money on acme coated bullets, they SUCK. I've been loading non coated lead bullets, ie, LSWC in 200 grain .45 for years and never have I shaved the lead off of one while seating the bullet, NEVER. I like steel plate shooting using my FN FNX .40 so I decided I would try some acme "new profile" non lube groove 180 grain coated bullets. I ordered 2K, big mistake. At least 60% get shaved during seating and yes, my belled cases look like the WIDE end of a funnel using the powder die on my Dillon 550B.

I only use Dillon carbide pistol die sets so the seat and crimp are separate. I'll bet if I had bought the coated, normal 180 grain LSWC WITH the lube groove, I wouldn't be having this problem. I bought the other style thinking that w/o the lube groove, there would be more surface area for the lands to bite into and maybe be a tad more accurate. I've decided to sell the second 1000 and be done with acme. I've already ordered 2K of Badmans 180 grain LSWC bullets as I know they'll work like they're supposed too, just like their .45 bullets I use for bullseye shooting.

The bullets are listed on the trader here if anyone wants them.

Bill

 

[Demi-human]

I bought the other style thinking that w/o the lube groove, there would be more surface area for the lands to bite into and maybe be a tad more accurate.

This is my exact experience. Straighter seating, improved accuracy and a neat little wooden box that says ACME on it, that I keep explosives in. (Small ones...)

I’ll look for your post, I’ve found none better.


I have to seat and remove the flare in two step for my Wesson Silverback. The chamber is tight and intolerant of case mouth variation. There must be a very small line impressed into the bullet at the case mouth or it will not chamber. This can not be done to coated bullets while under seating stem pressure. It will shave a ring off the bullet.

I have gotten a bad coating job on some bullets. I can’t remember if it was, well I won’t speculate, I can’t remember.
The coating was being pulled off by the case, not being shaved.
The bullets were contaminated and the coating didn’t stick. I called them up and they replace them.
Not a big deal. I gave the “bad” ones to a friend, he melted them into .44s.

Oh, dang. They’re .40s. Yuck.

 

[kidneyboy]

Never again will I waste my money on acme coated bullets, they SUCK.

Bill

Acme bullets are my favorites. Just picked up another 1000 yesterday. No issues reloading them on my LCT. I flare enough so the bullet sits about a 1/16" in the case.
I load the 200gr SWC over 5gr of 231.
Actually I also load their 230gr RN over 5gr of 231.

 

[kcofohio]

I have gotten a bad coating job on some bullets. I can’t remember if it was, well I won’t speculate, I can’t remember.
The coating was being pulled off by the case, not being shaved.
The bullets were contaminated and the coating didn’t stick. I called them up and they replace them.
Not a big deal. I gave the “bad” ones to a friend, he melted them into .44s.

Oh, dang. They’re .40s. Yuck.

It's good they made it right.
And that your friend got some alloyed lead to melt.

 

[BCR#1]

I flare enough so the bullet sits about a 1/16" in the case.

Mine sit double that deep and I measured the widest point of the flair and it is .420 so that is a difference of .19 I'll just load them up, scrape off the peeled lead and just stick with Badmans from now on. Lesson learned.

Bill

 

[drband]

Never again will I waste my money on acme coated bullets, they SUCK. I've been loading non coated lead bullets, ie, LSWC in 200 grain .45 for years and never have I shaved the lead off of one while seating the bullet, NEVER. I like steel plate shooting using my FN FNX .40 so I decided I would try some acme "new profile" non lube groove 180 grain coated bullets. I ordered 2K, big mistake. At least 60% get shaved during seating and yes, my belled cases look like the WIDE end of a funnel using the powder die on my Dillon 550B.

I only use Dillon carbide pistol die sets so the seat and crimp are separate. I'll bet if I had bought the coated, normal 180 grain LSWC WITH the lube groove, I wouldn't be having this problem. I bought the other style thinking that w/o the lube groove, there would be more surface area for the lands to bite into and maybe be a tad more accurate. I've decided to sell the second 1000 and be done with acme. I've already ordered 2K of Badmans 180 grain LSWC bullets as I know they'll work like they're supposed too, just like their .45 bullets I use for bullseye shooting.

The bullets are listed on the trader here if anyone wants them.

Bill

Acme bullets are my favorites. Just picked up another 1000 yesterday. No issues reloading them on my LCT. I flare enough so the bullet sits about a 1/16" in the case.
I load the 200gr SWC over 5gr of 231.
Actually I also load their 230gr RN over 5gr of 231.

I guess any manufacturer can have a bad batch, but I've yet to encounter one from ACME in 9mm or .45acp. Probably 10K+ loaded. I use 200gr LSWC, coated, and have used 230gr RN coated in the past. For 9mm I use 124gr RN-NLG coated. No shaving or bullet deformation.

Reloading is a funny thing with lots of variables: dies, seater stems, cases, chamfering (or not), cleaning cases (or not), bullets (weights, profiles, bases, lubes, lube grooves, coatings), chambers (ogive issues!), etc...

Good to have more info from all you guys... thanks for posting.

 

[rfwobbly]

I've never loaded coated bullets but have been wanting to try some, so I added 500 acme 185gr swc's to an order...

Chris -
Welcome aboard !

One of the differences that seems to really matter to the 45ACP is loaded OAL. However, the stepped shape of the SWC is the exception. During normal feeding the ogive of the RN or JHP strikes the hood and is guided into the chamber. But with the SWC, it's the shoulder of the bullet that strikes the hood so it's important to focus on the amount of bullet shoulder protruding from the case... rather than the OAL. This dimension seems to be around 0.035".



Different brand SWC will vary in external dimensions, thus affecting their OAL, but if you'll keep that same shoulder exposure dimension you'll be OK. That means the optimal seating method is to find a seating stem that seats by pushing on the shoulder... rather than the meplat.

Hope this helps.

 

[ballman6711]

Chris -
Welcome aboard !

One of the differences that seems to really matter to the 45ACP is loaded OAL. However, the stepped shape of the SWC is the exception. During normal feeding the ogive of the RN or JHP strikes the hood and is guided into the chamber. But with the SWC, it's the shoulder of the bullet that strikes the hood so it's important to focus on the amount of bullet shoulder protruding from the case... rather than the OAL. This dimension seems to be around 0.035".

Different brand SWC will vary in external dimensions, thus affecting their OAL, but if you'll keep that same shoulder exposure dimension you'll be OK. That means the optimal seating method is to find a seating stem that seats by pushing on the shoulder... rather than the meplat.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the welcome!

I've loaded the Speer 185 swc just as you described, and so far they shoot and function flawlessly. Feeding and ejection are 100% so far in my 3" 1911, which can be a little finicky with oal and crimp.

Since I liked the Speer bullets so much, I ordered some more a few days ago (I was just about out) and thought I would add 500 of the Acme coated bullets to try. They should be here in a couple of weeks, and I'm looking forward to loading and shooting them.

Besides the 0.035" shoulder above the brass, is there anything else I should look out for or pay special attention to? I'm always trying to learn something.

chris

 

[ballman6711]

Next time, try some 200gr SWC. Been shooting those for a few decades and usually the preferred lead projectile for .45.

I've been wanting to try the 200 swc as well in a jacketed bullet, but only recently got around to putting in an order due to a recent move, setting up my bench (third time in less than two years), etc.... I won't cry and say they aren't available, but I won't panic and pay stupid prices either. I have plenty of components to load for my shooting needs, as well as having plenty loaded.

chris

 

[TonyAngel]

Not going to argue this activity or advocate one way or the other. I was just Stating a fact. Just seems to me that one should know both ways and how to correctly do it either way.

Well, I can do an oil change with nothing but a pipe wrench, but there’s better ways of doing it. That’s all I’m saying.