Phone convo with Hodgdon and some info on my plated bullet blues
I was asking a few questions about some particulars to a Hodgdon rep and he filled me in on a few things.
First, Winchester 760 and H414, they are the same powders..."the same exact powders."
Second, Hodgdon prints info on Hornady because "that's what the tester just decided to use."
Third, Longshot is not recommended for plated bullets, as the velocities are too high and when used in a revolver, the kickback causes the bullets to move within their cases (I just bought a pound of the stuff).
Third, I just bought 750 plated bullets (Berry's). I was saddened to know that they needed to be loaded as leads as they needed less pressure and velocity to avoid bullet movement in the cylinder--as you can't crimp their bullets (according to Hodgdon). If I had known about the Berry's thing, I would not have gotten them. Oh well.
Last edited by thaddy1978; 11-10-2009 at 06:13 PM.
Reason: Misprint in title
try to find Lee factory crimp die for your caliber. you can adjust the amount of crimp even without a cannelure on the bullet. you,ll have to shoot a bunch of different crimp settings for accuracy and pressures ,which is a good excuse to go shooting anyway. thanks for the tip on the powders.
You can shoot the Berry's up to 1200 fps with no problems,I generally keep mine down around 1100 fps. You can either get another powder and a Lee FCD and load the plated bullets or just buy some different bullets.
The LongShot just want allow you a min. load to keep the velocity down low enough. HP-38 would be good,just looking over there load data for lead bullets in the weights you have.
For what it's worth, I shoot plated bullets (Berry's and X-Treme) in my .41 mag all the time. I keep the velocity around 1,200 fps and have had real good luck with them. I had been just giving them a light roll crimp with the seater die, but I switched to the Lee FCD and do think it is the way to go. Either way, just don't crimp so much you cut through the plating.
I just always figured a plated bullet should be loaded like the equivalent lead. I look at the plating as a better looking and cleaner alternative to sticky lube, but definitely not like a jacket.
__________________ Teach
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I use Longshot for 40 S&W. Load anywhere from 7.0gr to 7.5gr for lead, plated and jacketed with no problems but this is in semi autos. The weight of the bullets is from 165gr to 180gr.
I have used plated bullets in .45 auto. I worked up a load that was pretty light, and crimped them using a Lee FCD. I could see problems using a roll crimp on a plated bullet, which a revolver round would normally use, but the Lee FCD will solve that. Just keep the speeds down and plated bullets should be fine for some plinking.
Gee, I didn't know that! My best bowling pin loads are with Rainier plated ullets and Longshot. I use the `80 gr. flat points in both 40 S&W as well as 10 mm in my Smith 610. Shoots very well. Also like 230 gr. Rainier over Longshot in 45 ACP. Again, a killer pin load. Don't have all the data here at work but all of the above are at or near max loads for the particular amo. I just gotta get the 610 out with the crono to see what those bullets are doing out of the 6 1/2" barrel. Absolutely no problems with bullet setback or copper in the bore. I do use and recommend the Lee Factory Crimp Die for plated bullets.
Teach
