Rainier bullets

nwgunman · December 17, 2000, 12:43 PM

I'm experiencing problems with loading 45ACP Rainier bullets. About 1/3 of the rounds have a deformed bullet after being seated. I first tried the 200grJHP, and just now gave up on the 185FP. I'm loading on a Dillon 550B, Dillon dies, and yes, I am using the correct bullet seating stem for each nose configuration. And yeah, I opened up the "bell" on the case mouth a tad more...maybe not enough? But what's with that? By yanking open the case moth and then crimping it back tight again, you're overworking the brass. I've never had any problems like this with over a zillion other rounds, including regular hard-cast lead bullets, like from Bull-X or etc. Are the Rainier guys using pure lead under that thin copper plate? huh. But I see a lot of you guys talking about ok loads with Rainer...so what's up? Are you really belling out the case mouths? Thanks.

sw627pc · December 17, 2000, 01:02 PM

I'm not sure with the Rainier, but most the plated bullets are pretty close to pure lead. A lot softer than the hard cast bullets.

45Colt · December 17, 2000, 03:47 PM

First, let me say that I load Rainiers in my 650 without a hitch. Have loaded 200 gr hp, 230 rn, and 200 swc. A while back I had a concern about belling and called Dillon. The guy I talked with said to bell the case only enough that the bullet won't fall out when you set it onto the case at the seating station. Works well.
BTW I had a tool head set up for .357sig that I began using again after 6 or 7 months on the shelf. On a whim I looked at the sizing die mouth and saw some lead residue. Then I looked at all the dies and found (much to my surprise and chagrin) lead and bullet lube residue in large quantities in the seating and crimping dies. Just a thought, but maybe a look into the dies may provide a clue. 45Colt

WalterGAII · December 17, 2000, 05:07 PM

West Coast plated bullets are plated thicker than either Berry's or Rainier's. Rainier's are the thinnist. I use West Coast, exclusively, and their prices are usually less than Rainier.

Bill Daniel · December 18, 2000, 08:10 PM

nwgunman:
I second the recommedation for West Coast Bullets. When I used National Bullet Companies copper washed bullets I also occasionally had deformed noses. The thicker copper plate seems to have cured that for me.

http://www.westcoastbullet.com

All the best,
Bill Daniel

Bob C · December 18, 2000, 08:58 PM

I've fired about 1000 rounds of NBC copperized, with no leading, and with good accuracy. Velocities have ranged from 850 to 1300 fps. I'm very pleased with these bullets, particularly the .452 230 grain flat point for .45 acp's.

Ron Ankeny · December 18, 2000, 11:16 PM

I just posted over on the 1911 forum about problems I am having with Rainier bullets. Gas keeps blowing back around the case. Very frustrating...

45King · December 19, 2000, 06:40 AM

I've been using Rainiers in RN, FP, HP, and SWC configurations in .45ACP, .45 Colt, .38 Sp. & .357 Mag. for the last 5 years, and have had none of the problems described. I'm loading on a Dillon 550. My "bell" for the ACP is just enough to hold the bullet in place, but I do use a bit larger bell on the .45 Colt, .38 & .357.

December 17, 2000, 01:02 PM	#2
sw627pc Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2000 Posts: 453	I'm not sure with the Rainier, but most the plated bullets are pretty close to pure lead. A lot softer than the hard cast bullets. __________________ Bob C. NRA Patron USN (Ret)

December 17, 2000, 03:47 PM	#3
45Colt Member Join Date: December 2, 2000 Posts: 60	Rainier Bullets First, let me say that I load Rainiers in my 650 without a hitch. Have loaded 200 gr hp, 230 rn, and 200 swc. A while back I had a concern about belling and called Dillon. The guy I talked with said to bell the case only enough that the bullet won't fall out when you set it onto the case at the seating station. Works well. BTW I had a tool head set up for .357sig that I began using again after 6 or 7 months on the shelf. On a whim I looked at the sizing die mouth and saw some lead residue. Then I looked at all the dies and found (much to my surprise and chagrin) lead and bullet lube residue in large quantities in the seating and crimping dies. Just a thought, but maybe a look into the dies may provide a clue. 45Colt

December 18, 2000, 08:10 PM	#5
Bill Daniel Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2000 Location: Bowling Green, KY. Posts: 518	nwgunman: I second the recommedation for West Coast Bullets. When I used National Bullet Companies copper washed bullets I also occasionally had deformed noses. The thicker copper plate seems to have cured that for me. http://www.westcoastbullet.com All the best, Bill Daniel __________________ Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless. "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt 1903

December 19, 2000, 06:40 AM	#8
45King Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 1999 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,033	I've been using Rainiers in RN, FP, HP, and SWC configurations in .45ACP, .45 Colt, .38 Sp. & .357 Mag. for the last 5 years, and have had none of the problems described. I'm loading on a Dillon 550. My "bell" for the ACP is just enough to hold the bullet in place, but I do use a bit larger bell on the .45 Colt, .38 & .357. __________________ Shoot straight, stay safe, and have a blessed day. Regards, Richard Freedom is a consequence of the exercising of rights.

December 17, 2000, 12:43 PM	#1
nwgunman Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 1999 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 312	I'm experiencing problems with loading 45ACP Rainier bullets. About 1/3 of the rounds have a deformed bullet after being seated. I first tried the 200grJHP, and just now gave up on the 185FP. I'm loading on a Dillon 550B, Dillon dies, and yes, I am using the correct bullet seating stem for each nose configuration. And yeah, I opened up the "bell" on the case mouth a tad more...maybe not enough? But what's with that? By yanking open the case moth and then crimping it back tight again, you're overworking the brass. I've never had any problems like this with over a zillion other rounds, including regular hard-cast lead bullets, like from Bull-X or etc. Are the Rainier guys using pure lead under that thin copper plate? huh. But I see a lot of you guys talking about ok loads with Rainer...so what's up? Are you really belling out the case mouths? Thanks.

December 17, 2000, 05:07 PM	#4
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	West Coast plated bullets are plated thicker than either Berry's or Rainier's. Rainier's are the thinnist. I use West Coast, exclusively, and their prices are usually less than Rainier.

December 18, 2000, 08:58 PM	#6
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 1999 Location: St. Louis, MO suburbs Posts: 386	I've fired about 1000 rounds of NBC copperized, with no leading, and with good accuracy. Velocities have ranged from 850 to 1300 fps. I'm very pleased with these bullets, particularly the .452 230 grain flat point for .45 acp's.

December 18, 2000, 11:16 PM	#7
Ron Ankeny Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2000 Posts: 316	I just posted over on the 1911 forum about problems I am having with Rainier bullets. Gas keeps blowing back around the case. Very frustrating...