45 acp powder selections

ed.griffin123

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Because of the powder shortage, and I just bought a 45 acp and I have winchester 231 and IMR Pb on hand. I want to load copper coated Campro projectiles, but I can't seem to find what to use with the various weight projectiles. It might list a weight/volume for one weight bullet in 231, but not in another....I use a Lee system and noticed the dipper in the $5 die is a.5. Please help
 
There is plenty of load data for .45ACP using W231. Just check out the Hodgdon website.

Question: Do you have a scale and reloading manual?

I looked at the Hodgdon site, but which data would you select for a copper plated projectile...It list FMj...jhp etc and there is a significant difference re load of powder and type of projectile?
 
You'll be okay with 231 and the .5 scoop for 200 or 230 grain projectiles (lead, plated or jacketed). In fact, if you weigh the charge, it will very likely come in at around 5 or 5.1 grains, even though it says it will measure 5.4 grains.

Thank you! What about IMR PB?
 
I've never used PB but my Lee Manual shows it as being okay for 230 grain lead and the .5 dipper. From what I can see, if you wish to use it for any other bullets, you'll need another way to charge your cases.

As an aside, it's good that you have a scale, so now, you need to get a manual. Lots of guys have personal preferences and some manuals are more "specialized" or brand specific than others. I have used the Lee Manual for many many years because it is simple and generalized.
 
I looked at the Hodgdon site, but which data would you select for a copper plated projectile...It list FMj...jhp etc and there is a significant difference re load of powder and type of projectile?

For copper plated, you use lead bullets data or low end of FMJ data. Like Chuckbuster wrote, a good manual will serve you well. I also use the LEE (lots of data) but I have a slight preference for the Hornady.

Happy reloading :)
 
I've never really understood copper plated vs lead especially on target loads ..bullet weight is bullet weight no?

Yes, 230 gr Lead round nose, and 230 gr FMJ are both 230 gr. Jacketed bullets will have a higher powder load while the lead will have a lower load.
it has something to do with the lubricity of lead vs jacket, and the fact that lead seems to seal the bore better too since it's more malleable. It's softer, but there is more friction against the barrel than copper, which leads to more pressure, which makes the bullet go faster. Therefore, you have to load down your lead bullets to get the same velocity of the jacketed bullets. Treat "plated" bullets like lead as it does NOT have a true copper jacket.
 
Yes, 230 gr Lead round nose, and 230 gr FMJ are both 230 gr. Jacketed bullets will have a higher powder load while the lead will have a lower load.
it has something to do with the lubricity of lead vs jacket, and the fact that lead seems to seal the bore better too since it's more malleable. It's softer, but there is more friction against the barrel than copper, which leads to more pressure, which makes the bullet go faster. Therefore, you have to load down your lead bullets to get the same velocity of the jacketed bullets. Treat "plated" bullets like lead as it does NOT have a true copper jacket.

Thanks K.. makes sense but often the manuals are not all that specific about lead / plated / jacketed..
 
Interestingly if you go onto Berry's website and take a look at their 185g HBRN bullet for example, they state "...you can load these bullets using any published load data for a jacketed bullet as long as it is the same weight bullet."
 
Campro recommends that jacketed bullet data be used with their bullets. Other manufacturers may have different recommendations.

If you go to the Hodgdon website, you will find data for both 231 and PB powder with both 200 and 230 grain bullets.
 
Got to do with the resitance and pressures in the barrel. I noticed that when loading ipsc loads with 115grn lead and copper clads with the same powder charge.
 
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