Lee Data Incomplete

Caboclo · April 25, 2010, 03:09 AM

The data sheet that came with my Lee dies shows 11 grains max of AA7 for 45 acp jacketed 230 gr bullet with a COL of 1.25. The catch is it doesn't specify if the bullet is JHP or RN. Pretty sure you don't want to use the same COL for both types, especially at max load. I'm trying to load JHPs, so I guess I'm on the safe side; if I were to try a RN bullet with that load, should I stretch out the COL to the max 1.275?

ScottRiqui · April 25, 2010, 03:16 AM

Never mind - misunderstood the question.

darkgael · April 25, 2010, 05:18 AM

Quote:

if I were to try a RN bullet with that load, should I stretch out the COL to the max 1.275?

I use the magazine as a guide and load the max COL that I can and still have the cartridge fit it the magazine.
Pete

Jim Watson · April 25, 2010, 07:34 AM

Lee has only generic data based on powder company literature. If you want a "recipe" for your brand of bullet, you must go to the bullet manufacturer. What works for Sierra might not do for Speer.

Otherwise you can do a little testing, bearing in mind that your cartridges must go in the magazine, must go in the chamber, and must feed reliably from magazine to chamber. Very few bullets will let you load .45 ACP to the industry MAXIMUM of 1.275". Not all bullets can be loaded to the Internet Expert All Purpose OAL of 1.250", either. You either have to have manufacturer's data, actual same component user advise, or be prepared to do some testing on your own.

By the way, do I understand you mean to start out with the MAXIMUM powder charge? Not a good idea.

jaguarxk120 · April 25, 2010, 08:07 AM

Go to the powder mfgr. or the bullet mfgr. for your loading data. All the tooling makers provide is a general guide, and many do not provide any loading data with their tooling. You will get tested load data from the bullet/powder makers thats proven in their labs.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · April 25, 2010, 08:12 AM

Lee's data is not incomplete..it is actually very simple. As long as you start at the starting load and work up (given any COL as long as you stay above the minimum listed) you should have no problems. Just be sure to look for signs of overpressure as you work your load up.

April 25, 2010, 03:09 AM	#1
Caboclo Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2009 Posts: 212	Lee Data Incomplete The data sheet that came with my Lee dies shows 11 grains max of AA7 for 45 acp jacketed 230 gr bullet with a COL of 1.25. The catch is it doesn't specify if the bullet is JHP or RN. Pretty sure you don't want to use the same COL for both types, especially at max load. I'm trying to load JHPs, so I guess I'm on the safe side; if I were to try a RN bullet with that load, should I stretch out the COL to the max 1.275?

April 25, 2010, 08:12 AM	#6
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	Lee's data is not incomplete..it is actually very simple. As long as you start at the starting load and work up (given any COL as long as you stay above the minimum listed) you should have no problems. Just be sure to look for signs of overpressure as you work your load up. __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

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April 25, 2010, 03:16 AM	#2
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	Never mind - misunderstood the question.

April 25, 2010, 07:34 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,528	Lee has only generic data based on powder company literature. If you want a "recipe" for your brand of bullet, you must go to the bullet manufacturer. What works for Sierra might not do for Speer. Otherwise you can do a little testing, bearing in mind that your cartridges must go in the magazine, must go in the chamber, and must feed reliably from magazine to chamber. Very few bullets will let you load .45 ACP to the industry MAXIMUM of 1.275". Not all bullets can be loaded to the Internet Expert All Purpose OAL of 1.250", either. You either have to have manufacturer's data, actual same component user advise, or be prepared to do some testing on your own. By the way, do I understand you mean to start out with the MAXIMUM powder charge? Not a good idea.

April 25, 2010, 08:07 AM	#5
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	Go to the powder mfgr. or the bullet mfgr. for your loading data. All the tooling makers provide is a general guide, and many do not provide any loading data with their tooling. You will get tested load data from the bullet/powder makers thats proven in their labs.