OAL for 147 gr Campro RNFP Copper Plated for Shadow 1

[ambishooter]

It was tumbling with a shorter OAL. But with a slightly longer OAL, passing the plunk test, it cuts clean into the paper target. With the Lee Factory Crimp Die, I have not seen bullet swaging with 135 gr and lighter bullets. With 147 gr, the shape is a factor. I only remove the flare caused by powder drop die after seating the bullet. I’ve seen some reloader over crimping, not in my case. I will post a follow-up when I get a chance to shoot my test loads. Both 135 and 147 grs Campro Cu Plated.

Your 125gr load improved in accuracy, but it didn't go from tumbling to not tumbling, correct? Because I can't begin to understand how or why OAL would make your bullet tumble. Maybe, although not likely, one could crush swage the bullet!?

FYI...your Lee Factory Crimp die is swaging the entire round, including the bullet. Normally, this isn't an issue, but god knows what's going on with your rounds.

Anywho, it sounds like you've got this all figured out. Let us know what conclusion you come too.

P.S. No one knows what 1 mm means, lol, and I don't care to look up the conversion.

 

[UR2X3M4ME]

The more I read the more I think your rounds are overcrimped. No need to crimp much here, you should barely see the crimp ring on a pulled bullet. Your crimp should essentially just remove the belling of the case, maybe just a tad more to ensure proper feeding but not enough to firmly print a crimp ring on the bullets.

 

[Mangun]

My guess is that your hard cast bullets are not true. Ovel in shape
I had a new Lee 6 cavity mold that put out “oval” cast bullets
Keyholes like crazy & accuracy was terrible
I contacted Lee & they gave me every excuse except a problem with the mold
I purchased another ( at my own expense) problem solved

 

[ambishooter]

Update. Tried few test rounds for both 135 and 147 grs Campro CP bullets, no issue at all. 3.2 grs TG for 135 gr bullet, and 3.0 grs TG for 147 gr bullet, soft recoil and clean hits. No tumbling/keyholing. I will give the 147 gr hardcast to a reloader for reuse/casting

 

[Scott_N]

Update. Tried few test rounds for both 135 and 147 grs Campro CP bullets, no issue at all. 3.2 grs TG for 135 gr bullet, and 3.0 grs TG for 147 gr bullet, soft recoil and clean hits. No tumbling/keyholing. I will give the 147 gr hardcast to a reloader for reuse/casting

Maybe it's too early to ask you, but have you noticed a difference between the 147gr and 135gr loads in terms of accuracy? I also have a Shadow 1 and I'm just about to start reloading for it. I want to load some IPSC loads, and trying to decide which bullet weight to try first.

 

[ambishooter]

I am transitioning from Hardcast 135gr to Campro Copper Plated 135 or 147 gr. Also testing 147 hardcast. So far, I like the 147 gr copper plated with softer recoil. POI is dead on @ 3.0 gr Titegroup, slighlty lower with 135 gr copper plated, 3.2 grs TG. Yes, it is too early to say as to which bullet weight I will go. I will have to make some test loads with a powder weight adjustments. I will post some results as soon as I get a chance, possibly after the holidays.

Maybe it's too early to ask you, but have you noticed a difference between the 147gr and 135gr loads in terms of accuracy? I also have a Shadow 1 and I'm just about to start reloading for it. I want to load some IPSC loads, and trying to decide which bullet weight to try first.