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Old September 11, 2011, 09:25 PM   #1
mako8551
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Hollow Base .45 ACP?

Just picked up some molly coat "hollow base" 200Gr .45 cal pistol bullets for cheap. Never seen them before and was surprised how deep the cored out base was. They really look just like a little civil war mini ball. Any special concerns I need for these, or just load um regular?? Anyone used them with good results?

Shooting a 1911
Usual Load:
5.5 Gr Unique


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Old September 11, 2011, 09:45 PM   #2
dunerjeff
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load them as usual ,just remember the moly usually requires a little more powder to get to non moly equivolent.I stress USUALLY . Work up as normal.
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Old September 12, 2011, 12:42 AM   #3
noylj
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Do they weight 200gn? Are they 0.452" or larger diameter?
A hollowbase like that means you have to keep the velocity down. You go much about 850fps, and you will often get a 9-10 hole group from 5 shots or you'll stick a skirt and ring the barrel with your next shot.
Start low and stay low. You are aiming for very accurate loads at the 700-775fps range, so use a fast powder.
3.5-3.8gn N310
3.2-3.8gn Clays
3.1-4.0gn Bullseye
3.2-4.2gn AA2
3.5-4.2gn 700X
3.9-4.9gn 231/HP38
or such...
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Old September 12, 2011, 01:20 AM   #4
Geezerbiker
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Could you load them backwards and shoot them as hollow points?

Tony
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Old September 12, 2011, 08:59 AM   #5
Waldog
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Those 200gr RNHB, moly-coated, black bullets are my primary 1911 bullet. I have shot about 5 or 6 thousand. VERY accurate bullet in my Kimber and Springfield 1911's. Loaded with HP-38/Win231. I think you will like em'! Good luck working up a load.
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Old September 12, 2011, 10:50 AM   #6
azphx55
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I've shot a couple of thousand of Berry's 185gn plated round nose hollow base, and just picked up 500 of these 200gn moly-coated bullets yesterday (maybe we were at the same gun show). I loaded up a few test rounds and they seem to like the same load of Bullseye that I use with 200gn SWC.

The hollow base allows them to be longer, so they have more surface area on the rifling, without taking up more cartridge volume.
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Old September 12, 2011, 11:04 AM   #7
Berry's MfG
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We've been making the 185 HB's for over 12 years now, one of my favorites.
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Old September 12, 2011, 03:28 PM   #8
carsinc
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Berry's 185 gr plated RN Hollow Base Bullets

I can attest to the quality and accuracy of Berry's plated RNHB 185 gr bullets. Very accurate. The only down side for me is they don't punch a clean hole in paper targets for bullseye and 2700 matches. If you like to shoot a bullet that looks and feeds like 230 gr FMJ ball ammo, or if your gun has trouble feeding HPs or SWC, this the bullet for you.
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Old September 12, 2011, 05:42 PM   #9
Berry's MfG
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.45 200gr HB SWC, Hmmm?
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Old September 12, 2011, 10:48 PM   #10
R.Ph. 380
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The Berry's RNHB 185 grn are my favorite plinking load with W231. They load easy and shoot easier.

Bill
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Old October 9, 2012, 08:18 AM   #11
Turbo6ta
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This is my first post, so a big hello to everyone.

Sorry to bring back such an old thread, but doing a Google search, I found this.

I have a Gold Cup that performs very well with the following:

Bullet Type:
230 gr Lead RN

Cartridge Overall Length (COL):
1.25"

Primer:
Winchester Small Dia.

Powder Brand:
Winchester 231

Powder Load:
5.3 grains

Velocity:
Approx. 840 fps

The problem is ... This ammo is just a little too stout for my wife to shoot. I am looking for something that will have less recoil for her to shoot.

I stumbled on these Bear Creek RN (Hollow Base) / 200 gr bullets, but I know nothing about them.

The reason I like these 200 gr Hollow Base bullets is that I believe they have the same overall dimensions as a standard 230 gr RN lead bullet, but are lighter in weight because of the hollow base ... This will allow me to use the same 1.25" COL as I use with the 230 gr RN lead bullets, and the lighter weight of the bullet will give the gun less recoil.
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My question is ... How much W-231 to load in this bullet to make it "soft" for my wife to shoot?

I am thinking maybe 4.8 grains?

Because the base is hollow, that will make for less case pressure than a standard bullet of the same size ... so that should also decrease the velocity / recoil somewhat.

Anyway ... Any ideas as to how much W-231 I should start with in order to make for a real light load ... but that will not cause problems with the gun cycleing. (I can also change my stock factory 15 Lb spring to maybe a 12 lb spring if that's necessary)

Thank's ..
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Old October 9, 2012, 03:58 PM   #12
RickB
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The pictured bullet looks like the 200gr RNHBs from Bear Creek, which I've been shooting for the last few years. I'm sure I've shot 10,000 of them. They DO require slightly different handling, under some circumstances. My load of choice is a max charge of Clays, and while I never had any issues with 200gr bullets loaded at 1.26"-1.265", I was get very erratic velocities with the HBs. I'd increase the charge weight, and get no increase in velocity, or the slowest rounds would be slower than the slowest rounds with a lower charge weight. By decreasing the OAL to 1.22", I would get the velocities that I expected for the charge/bullet combination.
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