Rainier Load Data for 45 ACP, 200gr SWC

[uf-engineer]

Rainier Load Data for 45 ACP, 200gr SWC

I started loading these using the “lead” bullet charts in my Lymans 49th edition manual. The manual has two load tables for lead 200 grain bullets and I want to make sure I’m using the right one.

I loaded 30 rounds of the following:
200 gr SWC Rainier
1.23 OAL
5.6 grains of Winchester 231 powder

I shot these in two pistols a few days ago with good results. The accuracy was good and I saw no signs of overpressure.

Does anyone have any more information on the Rainier 45acp, 200 grain SWC with Winchester powder? I haven’t been able to find any load data and want to make sure I’m in the safe zone.

Thanks in advance.
Mike

 

[Walkalong]

That is a perfectly good load right there, although 5.5 is kind of a standard folks have worked up independently of each other around here. (Lead or Plated 200 to 230 gr and 5.5 W-231) If 5.5 Grs W-231 ad most any plated or lead 200 to 230 Gr bullet won't shoot well, something else is wrong.

I load the Ranier 200 Gr SWC (and others) at 1.260 O.A.L., but whatever works in your guns is fine.

 

[Bailey Boat]

Check the WW powder site and see what they have for a similar weight lead bullet. The plated bullets can be driven a little faster than lead but not much!!!!

 

[uf-engineer]

so where does the OAL come into play? Whatever feeds? thx for the help.

 

[Mark whiz]

Here are my top 3 loads for 200gr Ranier SWCs out of my Springfield GI 1911-A1:

9.6gr AA#5 OAL 1.258"
4.7gr Win WST OAL 1.258"
5.3gr Win 231 OAL 1.258"

The 1.258" OAL is what my pistol feeds reliably.

BTW, that AA#5 load will cut sub-1" groups all day long for me at 15 yards, while the 2nd best with WST the groups open up to 1.5".

 

[DBR]

The lead core of Ranier and Berry's copper plated bullets is dead soft. They are the same diameter as jacketed bullets not .001 over groove diameter size like hard cast bullets. I have been told by people who should know that they have to keep the bullet diameter on the small side so the plating doesn't crack and spall off in the rifling.

The copper "jacket" is also much softer than a real gilding metal jacket. In my experience with these bullets it takes more powder than a cast lead bullet to get similar velocities.

I think the bullet companies advice to use load data for jacketed bullets is just a lazy, safe, CYA posture because they won't spend the money to develop real load data like the big guys do.

I have also noticed that even though plated bullets are more subject to setback when feeding in my semi-autos, they are also "stickier" on the feed ramp ie more likely to FTF.

I am not opposed to the plated bullets but in my experience over the past 15 yrs they are not as good as either hard cast or true jacketed bullets in accuracy and consistency of dimensions. When they were cheap and needed for indoor ranges I think they had a purpose. With today's prices I go the old fashioned way - cast or jackets depending on purpose.