newbie cryin for help

dead i · March 2, 2002, 12:07 PM

Argh! After successfully loading 200 rds .45 (230 gr. FMJ) I thought I'd try some lead (230 gr. LRN). After finally getting the (Lee) seater die set to 1.260 & not much crimp, I took my Ruger
p-97 apart to drop the rd. in and compare it to a factory rd. My h-load did not seat as deep (+/- 1/32 ") as the factory rd. I had checked my first batch this way, they were the same. In other words both the 1st batch sample and my "dummy" lead rd. were set to 1.260". The lead nose won't seat as deep in the chamber. Next, I thought I'd try to cycle the rd. Seemed to cycle ok, but upon inspection, there is obvious contact on the nose from the rifleing, I guess. Shiney scratches on the lead nose. Won't that ruin accuracy? It seems the nose of the lead is "fuller", or "bigger" than the FMJ. ANY help would be greatly appreciated!

Steve Smith · March 2, 2002, 12:48 PM

Seat 'em a little deeper. A bullet touching the rifling could create an overpressure.

Next time you buy bullets, go with a different brand...sounds liek the bullets might not be designed well. (or the lead into your rifling is short)

dead i · March 2, 2002, 06:37 PM

Thanks, Steve. My Speer #13 calls for the rd to be 1.270 w/ 5.3 gr Unique. I'm at 1.260 now. I'll try a little deeper...worried about higher pressure.

Steve Smith · March 2, 2002, 07:08 PM

I looked up your load (I don't use Unique) and it looks like you're using a starting load...that's good. You can push them in a little more safely, just to see where it'll work.

Now, look at the bullet. See where the flat area of the side stops and the curve begins? There's a little ledge there before the round nosed part, right? You want that ledge to be above your crimp, no matter what. I hope I'm explaining this ok...not sure. You don't need a lot of the lead showing, but you need to see it. Make that your "shortest possible load" and see if that works. If so, you could try to go out some, but not really necessary if it feeds well.

Shoot it over a chrono and see if the speed is much higher...that would indicate a pressure rise because of the deeper seated bullet. Should be about 700 to 725 fps.

I haven't found a need to push .45's real fast anyway (825-850), so if you're the same way, you should be in the clear with that short leade.

Consider switching to 200 gr. SWC's. They give a better hole on the target, they're cheaper, and they won't give problems with the rifling like that.

Chemistry · March 3, 2002, 12:26 AM

Alliant's recommendation for 230 grain RN Lead is:

230 grain RN Lead bullet
5.0 grains Unique (max)
COAL = 1.190"

I never liked the 1.190" COAL, since the cartridges look very stubby. I generally use 1.250" as a COAL with their recipes (same powder charges) and have had no problems at all. With the longer COAL, I have used powder charges of 5.2 grains with no problems.

March 2, 2002, 12:07 PM	#1
dead i Member Join Date: April 12, 2000 Location: St. Augustine, Fl. USA Posts: 24	newbie cryin for help Argh! After successfully loading 200 rds .45 (230 gr. FMJ) I thought I'd try some lead (230 gr. LRN). After finally getting the (Lee) seater die set to 1.260 & not much crimp, I took my Ruger p-97 apart to drop the rd. in and compare it to a factory rd. My h-load did not seat as deep (+/- 1/32 ") as the factory rd. I had checked my first batch this way, they were the same. In other words both the 1st batch sample and my "dummy" lead rd. were set to 1.260". The lead nose won't seat as deep in the chamber. Next, I thought I'd try to cycle the rd. Seemed to cycle ok, but upon inspection, there is obvious contact on the nose from the rifleing, I guess. Shiney scratches on the lead nose. Won't that ruin accuracy? It seems the nose of the lead is "fuller", or "bigger" than the FMJ. ANY help would be greatly appreciated!

March 2, 2002, 12:48 PM	#2
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	Seat 'em a little deeper. A bullet touching the rifling could create an overpressure. Next time you buy bullets, go with a different brand...sounds liek the bullets might not be designed well. (or the lead into your rifling is short)

March 2, 2002, 06:37 PM	#3
dead i Member Join Date: April 12, 2000 Location: St. Augustine, Fl. USA Posts: 24	Thanks, Steve. My Speer #13 calls for the rd to be 1.270 w/ 5.3 gr Unique. I'm at 1.260 now. I'll try a little deeper...worried about higher pressure.

March 2, 2002, 07:08 PM	#4
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	I looked up your load (I don't use Unique) and it looks like you're using a starting load...that's good. You can push them in a little more safely, just to see where it'll work. Now, look at the bullet. See where the flat area of the side stops and the curve begins? There's a little ledge there before the round nosed part, right? You want that ledge to be above your crimp, no matter what. I hope I'm explaining this ok...not sure. You don't need a lot of the lead showing, but you need to see it. Make that your "shortest possible load" and see if that works. If so, you could try to go out some, but not really necessary if it feeds well. Shoot it over a chrono and see if the speed is much higher...that would indicate a pressure rise because of the deeper seated bullet. Should be about 700 to 725 fps. I haven't found a need to push .45's real fast anyway (825-850), so if you're the same way, you should be in the clear with that short leade. Consider switching to 200 gr. SWC's. They give a better hole on the target, they're cheaper, and they won't give problems with the rifling like that.

March 3, 2002, 12:26 AM	#5
Chemistry Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2001 Location: Central Alabama Posts: 158	Alliant's recommendation for 230 grain RN Lead is: 230 grain RN Lead bullet 5.0 grains Unique (max) COAL = 1.190" I never liked the 1.190" COAL, since the cartridges look very stubby. I generally use 1.250" as a COAL with their recipes (same powder charges) and have had no problems at all. With the longer COAL, I have used powder charges of 5.2 grains with no problems.