How to load these bullets

GTNMUDY · February 10, 2017, 10:14 AM

OK, got a question.

I have some DRT bullets that are 55 Gr.

Want to load up some for varmit shooting.

With the powder I use and the charge using this bullet will cause a compressed load.

I need to seat the bullet further into the case to make the COL measurement.

A normal 55 Gr, FMJ is .74 inch.

The DRT's are .94 inch.

Shooting in AR-15.

m&p45acp10+1 · February 10, 2017, 10:40 AM

Length is close to a 77 grain so I would use a starting load for a 75 to 77 grain bullet. Due to the DRT being lead free it makes a bullet longer than that of one that has a lead core.

Longshot4 · February 10, 2017, 11:11 AM

You should be able to read one or two loading manuals to find out what a save load is for your rifle.
You should be aware of what your rifle is built to shoot.
Loading data should tell you weather your loads should be compressed. If you need to compress the powder. It seams to me that you are not starting at the min. load and working it up. Are you firing a 5.56 load data in a rifle chambered for a Rem.223 only. That would be a mistake. You don't mention your specifics on load and rifle.

GTNMUDY · February 10, 2017, 12:23 PM

My loads for 55 Gr is 20 Gr , H4198 or 25 Gr, IMR4895.

Even with 19 Gr of H4198 it appears that it will be a compressed load just by looking at the powder level in the case.

I have always been told that the bullet should always be seated at the cannelure line but doing so makes the overall bullet too long.

Any thoughts

ShootistPRS · February 10, 2017, 07:59 PM

Compressed loads are usually listed that way in the data with a "C" with the data. Since you are using a bullet that is not a cup and core bullet it may take less or more powder to load. If the bullet manufacturer has load data use that and if they don't offer load data call the Sierra hot line for a load. The Sierra number is 18002238799 and they can usually give you a load for any bullet make with any powder that is appropriate.

noylj · February 11, 2017, 01:01 AM

STOP.
You can not load monolithic or frangible bullets with lead-core data.
For a given weight, you need a LOT less powder—often at least 15 gn less powder.
Contact manufacturer or powder company for data.

GTNMUDY · February 11, 2017, 06:02 PM

Well, DRT's website states 21.2 Gr, of H4895.

Reloading book shows 25.2 Gr, H4895 for 55Gr FMJ

That comes out to a 15% reduction.

So a 15% reduced load for the same 55Gr with 19.9 gr of h4198 would be 16.9 GR.

Sound about right???

If only I had some H4895, but all I got is IMR4895 and H4198

jersurf101 · February 11, 2017, 07:37 PM

Yes. That does sound right. I would go with the bullet manufacturer. I had to do this with a barnes tsx 140 In .270 win. There was less powder in the case than a standard 140.

GTNMUDY · February 11, 2017, 07:40 PM

OK, now that were over the powder issue...

How would you seat these bullets in the case.

I have been use to crimping at the cannelure line, but doing this would make the COL to long.

jersurf101 · February 11, 2017, 10:16 PM

COAL is a suggestion. I try to stay .020 off of the lands. You want to know where you are relative to where your rifling starts. At the least you will know you not have the bullet jammed in the rifling. I have used a fired case that I cut with a dremmel to hold the bullet or there is the Hornady OAL guage.

February 10, 2017, 10:40 AM	#2
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	Length is close to a 77 grain so I would use a starting load for a 75 to 77 grain bullet. Due to the DRT being lead free it makes a bullet longer than that of one that has a lead core. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

February 10, 2017, 11:11 AM	#3
Longshot4 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2014 Posts: 868	You should be able to read one or two loading manuals to find out what a save load is for your rifle. You should be aware of what your rifle is built to shoot. Loading data should tell you weather your loads should be compressed. If you need to compress the powder. It seams to me that you are not starting at the min. load and working it up. Are you firing a 5.56 load data in a rifle chambered for a Rem.223 only. That would be a mistake. You don't mention your specifics on load and rifle.

February 10, 2017, 12:23 PM	#4
GTNMUDY Member Join Date: February 16, 2016 Posts: 66	My loads for 55 Gr is 20 Gr , H4198 or 25 Gr, IMR4895. Even with 19 Gr of H4198 it appears that it will be a compressed load just by looking at the powder level in the case. I have always been told that the bullet should always be seated at the cannelure line but doing so makes the overall bullet too long. Any thoughts

February 10, 2017, 07:59 PM	#5
ShootistPRS Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2017 Posts: 1,583	Compressed loads are usually listed that way in the data with a "C" with the data. Since you are using a bullet that is not a cup and core bullet it may take less or more powder to load. If the bullet manufacturer has load data use that and if they don't offer load data call the Sierra hot line for a load. The Sierra number is 18002238799 and they can usually give you a load for any bullet make with any powder that is appropriate.

February 11, 2017, 01:01 AM	#6
noylj Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2007 Location: Between CA and NM Posts: 858	STOP. You can not load monolithic or frangible bullets with lead-core data. For a given weight, you need a LOT less powder—often at least 15 gn less powder. Contact manufacturer or powder company for data.

February 11, 2017, 06:02 PM	#7
GTNMUDY Member Join Date: February 16, 2016 Posts: 66	Well, DRT's website states 21.2 Gr, of H4895. Reloading book shows 25.2 Gr, H4895 for 55Gr FMJ That comes out to a 15% reduction. So a 15% reduced load for the same 55Gr with 19.9 gr of h4198 would be 16.9 GR. Sound about right??? If only I had some H4895, but all I got is IMR4895 and H4198

February 11, 2017, 07:37 PM	#8
jersurf101 Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 553	Yes. That does sound right. I would go with the bullet manufacturer. I had to do this with a barnes tsx 140 In .270 win. There was less powder in the case than a standard 140.

February 11, 2017, 07:40 PM	#9
GTNMUDY Member Join Date: February 16, 2016 Posts: 66	OK, now that were over the powder issue... How would you seat these bullets in the case. I have been use to crimping at the cannelure line, but doing this would make the COL to long.

February 11, 2017, 10:16 PM	#10
jersurf101 Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 553	COAL is a suggestion. I try to stay .020 off of the lands. You want to know where you are relative to where your rifling starts. At the least you will know you not have the bullet jammed in the rifling. I have used a fired case that I cut with a dremmel to hold the bullet or there is the Hornady OAL guage.