Users of RMR's 115gr 9mm FMJs

[johnandersonoutdoors]

I am on my 5th case of 115gr FMJ bullets from Montana Gold. It has been a pleasure starting with and learning to reload with these bullets.

However, I have been thinking about changing in order to see a reduction in bullets costs. I have looked at some alternatives, including non fmj bullets.

Then I saw these from RMR, which will allow for a reduction in price but still an fmj. Click here for link to said bullets.

I would appreciate any feedback on these FMJs from RMR, especially on the quality and consistency. Can anyone who has used both the Montana Golds and these RMRs speak to their respective lengths?

Any other suggestions on quality 115gr FMJs that come in at less than 8.75 cents each (to my door price on the Montana Golds).

 

[Bullseye]

I ordered those same bullets from RMR and am just about ready to start loading them. I buy from RMR almost exclusively anymore and took a chance on these FMJ 115 gr 9 mm bullets to get a better projectile than the copper plated they sell.
I will keep an eye on this thread and update my findings on how they work out for me.
It has just been summer, and I don't want to sit and reload when I could be doing other outdoor stuff when time allows. I think I have 800+ cases tumbled, sized, primed and flared just waiting to get loaded. I have also been watching Montana Gold bullets on GB. http://www.gunbroker.com/item/571873145
and http://www.gunbroker.com/item/567596106
They cost 0.13258 cents each to the door though.

I do think I will end up getting one or the other to fill up the cases I have left over after I use the RMR FMJ.
I'll be using Unique powder.

 

[ReloaderFred]

According to the USPS website, my order of 2,000 RMR 115 gr. 9mm bullets is going to be delivered tomorrow. You're not going to beat the price, and the machine Jake purchased is designed specifically for making these bullets. He's been trying to get this off the ground for awhile, so he doesn't have to depend on outside vendors for some of his products. I for one am happy he's been able to do it.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[LeftyTSGC]

Same for me, I just ordered 1k of the 124gn FMJ from RMR and I am looking forward to trying them out.

Mine should get here Tuesday also.

LeftyTSGC

 

[bantam9]

I've loaded the RMR 9mm 124gr plated. Love 'em. I have more on the way. I'm sure it won't be my last shipment.
I'm almost exclusively RMR right now. They seem like really good guys too.

 

[bbqreloader]

Have loaded 500 of the RMR homemade 115 FMJ and have been very pleased with they way the load and shoot. Have another 500 on hand to use. Will switch fromt he 124 plated from another company to the RMR. Been very pleased so far, especially with the quick delivery. Wish they carried 155 or 165 gr 40's

 

[johnandersonoutdoors]

Thanks guys.

Can someone measure the length on these RMR 9mm 115gr FMJs?

I appreciate it.

 

[Bullseye]

0.567 - 0.568

Now you got me started since I had to cut open the bag. LOL

These pass the plunk test. I like this OAL and load. That's just for me and my preference.

 

[vaalpens]

According to the USPS website, my order of 2,000 RMR 115 gr. 9mm bullets is going to be delivered tomorrow. You're not going to beat the price, and the machine Jake purchased is designed specifically for making these bullets. He's been trying to get this off the ground for awhile, so he doesn't have to depend on outside vendors for some of his products. I for one am happy he's been able to do it.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Fred, Are you going to verify if these RMR FMJ's (even though they are RN) could work in 357sig? Looking at he pictures it seems the ogive is not that long.

I think Jake indicated that there are plans to bring out a FP bullet, but it would be great if the RN can be loaded in 357sig, especially at this price.

 

[ReloaderFred]

vaalpens,

I was intending to load these in 9x19 and .38 Super, but you bring up a good point. I'll give them a try in 357 Sig and see if they're squat enough. In the past, I've had to run 9x19 Round Nose bullets into a swaging die and make them into Flat Nose bullets to work in 357 Sig, particularly those with a NATO profile.

To tell you the truth, my one 357 Sig pistol, the Springfield XD, shoots best with 124/125 gr. bullets, but my Witness in that caliber shoots best (meaning more accurate) with 115 gr. bullets.

It won't be right away, but my bullets did arrive about half an hour ago, and it only took me about 10 minutes to get the packaging off. Innovative packaging job, Jake!

If they do happen to work in 357 Sig, then there's no reason they also shouldn't work for the 9x25 Dillon, since they both share a similar neck length. I need to get back to both of those calibers, anyway, since it's been awhile either of them have crossed my bench.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[ReloaderFred]

vaalpens,

I got curious and made up a dummy round for the 357 Sig. The ogive on these bullets is too long to work. When seated to an OAL of 1.135", the ogive is inside the neck.

Oh well, plenty of 9x19 and .38 Super cases for these. I may break out the swaging die and make some of them Flat Points, though. I may even add a cannelure, too.

They're a well made bullet.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[vaalpens]

vaalpens,

I was intending to load these in 9x19 and .38 Super, but you bring up a good point. I'll give them a try in 357 Sig and see if they're squat enough. In the past, I've had to run 9x19 Round Nose bullets into a swaging die and make them into Flat Nose bullets to work in 357 Sig, particularly those with a NATO profile.

To tell you the truth, my one 357 Sig pistol, the Springfield XD, shoots best with 124/125 gr. bullets, but my Witness in that caliber shoots best (meaning more accurate) with 115 gr. bullets.

It won't be right away, but my bullets did arrive about half an hour ago, and it only took me about 10 minutes to get the packaging off. Innovative packaging job, Jake!

If they do happen to work in 357 Sig, then there's no reason they also shouldn't work for the 9x25 Dillon, since they both share a similar neck length. I need to get back to both of those calibers, anyway, since it's been awhile either of them have crossed my bench.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Thanks Fred!

I prefer the 124/15gr bullets, but will be willing to start loading these 115gr bullets if they work, especially at this price. Can you send a link to the swaging dies you used to flatten the nose. It is maybe something I need to look at since I prefer to buy bullets that I can use in both 9mm and 357sig.

If Jake (RMR) can fast rack the FP's, then I will definitely be smiling and buying.

 

[ReloaderFred]

The swaging dies I use were made by CH-4D, but I don't think they list them anymore. They're for swaging jacketed bullets from cups and cores. By changing the nose forming stems in the dies, I can make either hollowpoint or flatnose bullets, or even reform bullets of the same caliber.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[johnandersonoutdoors]

Thank you for the measurement sigsmoker.

 

[egd]

What advantage would there be for changing from the RMR plated to the fmj? I don't see any, but I have been told that I don't know everything, so...

 

[vaalpens]

vaalpens,

I got curious and made up a dummy round for the 357 Sig. The ogive on these bullets is too long to work. When seated to an OAL of 1.135", the ogive is inside the neck.

Oh well, plenty of 9x19 and .38 Super cases for these. I may break out the swaging die and make some of them Flat Points, though. I may even add a cannelure, too.

They're a well made bullet.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Fred, thanks for the extra effort. It is a pity, but expected. The RMR 124gr JHP was also a tight fit in 357sig, but I now load it with a 1.150" COL. No feeding issues though through my P229.

I hope they work well in 9x19 and .38 super cases for you. Have fun and be safe.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

Egd,
Advantage for shooting at the range? None.
An FMJ is a bullet with a copper jacket that is both
thicker and harder than any plated bullet technology marketed so far.

Less deformation on hard targets when shooting over a plated bullet.

Jake is the man when it comes to hard cast plated.
I now load only his 124 gr. RNs in 9mm.
Still hoping he will get enough demand for a .41 Magnum bullet as well as a 300 - 350 gr. .50 for the 50AE.


JT

 

[ReloaderFred]

The advantage of FMJ bullets for me is I can drive them faster. Most plated bullets won't stand up to velocities of 1,450 to 1,600 fps in a handgun. I intend to push these bullets to 1,450 fps in the .38 Super, and later in the 9x23 Winchester. I'll convert some of them to FP configuration and run them at 1,600+ fps in the 9x25 Dillon, and at around 1,450+ in the 357 Sig. I've pushed plated bullets to 1,450 fps in the 357 Sig, but doing that makes the bullets tumble and hit the right sunshade bracket on your chronograph......

I do shoot a lot of plated bullets, but not in these first three calibers. I do use some plated bullets for velocities up to 1,250 fps in the 357 Sig, though. One has to use the right tool for the job.........

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[egd]

OK, thanks. That's about what I figured. All I use is the RMR 124 rn plated.

 

[LiveLife]

What advantage would there be for changing from the RMR plated to the fmj?

The advantage of FMJ bullets for me is I can drive them faster. Most plated bullets won't stand up to velocities of 1,450 to 1,600 fps in a handgun.

While regular plated bullets with around .004" thickness copper plating are rated to around 1200 fps, if you are comparing RMR "thicker plated" bullets rated to 1500 fps (with .012"-.014" plating), advantage would be less - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=10309500#post10309500

For my 9mm carbine loads, I was initially thinking I needed to use jacketed bullets due to higher velocities 16"/17" barrels would produce but when I tested RMR Hardcore Match bullets with thicker plating, I did not experience any plating failure even almost to 1500 fps and bullets stayed stabilized to 100 yard targets without keyholing/tumbling out of both 1:10 and 1:16 twist barrels - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=10286159#post10286159

I am planning to compare RMR's new 115 gr FMJ with 115 gr HM RN and will post my range test results.

 

[longdayjake]

I was wondering how long it would take to get a discussion going on these bullets. I've got a ton of information, pictures, and video that I would like to share.

First, after running the machine for about a month we have now settled on a target OAL of .565". Tolerances allow for a little variation but the vast majority of them are within one to two thousandths. This can vary based on the tolerances of the copper strip though. Our copper strip is .023" thick but it is apparent that keeping it perfect throughout an entire roll is impossible. When the copper gets thick our OAL increases a little. When it gets thin it decreases a little. So, it is possible that within the same lot the OAL could vary +/- .004 thousandths with the vast majority of them being perfect.


Here is a video of our machine running. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyBSdWsPtJg This video was from the initial runoff. We've increased the speed of the machine quite a bit since we received it. Right now we are getting about 45,000 bullets per 10 hour shift. It would be more, but we have to shut it down to change the copper when it runs out and to run minor inspections on the tooling and the gears and oilers and a hundred other things.

Here is a video of our core forming press and what kind of consistency we get from it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MfsQLAfP44
I've found that lead quality really matters in making a good bullet. We already had to send 10,000 lbs back because it had gotten oxidized a little bit in transit. I think we've gotten it figured out now and we should be able to keep a good supply of great bullet cores.

Here's just some fun pictures of what bullet production looks like.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Jake,

I'm amazed that you're getting that kind of consistency out of your core forming machine. I can't even get that close with my Corbin CSP-1 swaging press in core forming dies. I can get within a grain, or even half a grain, but you're holding them within tenths of a grain. I'm envious.

Fred

 

[longdayjake]

Fred, what kind of lead are you using though?

We buy our lead in an alloy at a premium cost. That may be the difference. I have a corbin core forming die and it makes perfect cores using this wire.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Jake,

For most core forming, I try to use the purest lead I'm able to procure, but I'm not buying it from a smelter, so I'm only going by what it tests with my Saeco Lead Hardness Tester. I try to keep it at Bhn 5 for cores.

Keep in mind that my press is hand operated, so the time I keep the pressure on the handle has a lot to do with the consistency of the cores. If I hold the handle down for 10 seconds one time, and then 15 seconds the next, the core will vary a small degree in weight.

Your core machine looks like magic compared to my manual swaging presses!

Fred

 

[LiveLife]

I was wondering how long it would take to get a discussion going on these bullets.

I was waiting to do some accuracy testing before starting a thread discussion of the new "in-house" 115 gr FMJ.