Power Pistol & 115gr coated lead bullets

[redbaron]

I just got a box of 100 115gr RN coated lead bullets from Acme. Have only loaded jacketed bullets before this, first time loading for lead. I've got a few pounds of PowerPistol, but the only book I have that specifically lists loads for lead bullets doesn't have any data for PowerPistol powder.

Anybody use this powder with lead bullets and have a good load?


[Mods corrected title to aid future searches]

[Wobbly]

Welcome Aboard !

What manual are you using ?
What is their Max OAL ?

[redbaron]

I've got Hornady, Lee and Lyman manuals. I think it's the Lee that is the only one with lead bullet loads at all, but none of them for PowerPistol powder. The others have PowerPistol loads but for jacketed bullets. Max OAL seems to be around 1.15 if I'm averaging between all the books.

[Wobbly]

So I've taken a look too, and find the exact same thing. As a new reloader, I highly suggest you go spend ~$20 and buy some powder that is more popular with 115gr lead. Powder is really cheap and plentiful right now. There's really no good reason to take chances.

Hodgdon shows data for Win 231 (aka HP-38), CFE Pistol, and Clays. All 4 of those powders are highly available, inexpensive, and have load data on the Hodgdon web site for 115gr lead RN. Plus they are all slightly "faster" and will help fill out your powder spectrum. They also have application in  many, many other pistol calibers, so they won't sit around.

Who knows, you might like them better !

 

[jameslovesjammie]

Is this the bullet you are using?

http://www.acmebullet.com/bullets-reloading-brass/HiTek-Coated-bullets?product_id=425

Max OAL seems to be around 1.15 if I'm averaging between all the books.

You're going to have to do a push test on YOUR pistol to see what OAL you will be able to use.  Judging by the looks of that bullet, I don't think you will be able to load it that long.

Lyman lists data for a 120 grain round nose bullet in its Cast Bullet Handbook #4.  It has an OAL of 1.065 and runs from 5.0 at 1107 to 5.6 at 1190.  After your push test, compare your OAL.  If they are close, you should be good to go with this data.

That being said, I agree with Wobbly that there would be more suitable powders for this bullet.  I am willing to bet that at the low end of the spectrum you are going to have quite a bit of unburnt powder that will clean up as you go up the ladder.

[redbaron]

Is this the bullet you are using?

http://www.acmebullet.com/bullets-reloading-brass/HiTek-Coated-bullets?product_id=425

 Yep, that's the one

 I tried loading a few up the other day just to see. I ended up with a OAL of 1.10" if I remember right. I tried out 4.8 gr of the PowerPistol and then 5.2 once I saw those weren't giving me any dangerous signs. There was a distinct difference between the two in terms of muzzle flash and recoil. Nothing bad, and still not quite what the factory Wolf I was using as a comparison was doing, but still noticeable.

The gun shop near me that has powder has Clays and Unique. I've heard good things about Unique, would that be a good one in this application?

I'll keep playing around with the PowerPistol since it's what I have at the moment. Probably won't go any higher than 5.2 gr. since the whole point of this was to get a  light recoil, cheap load

[IDescribe]

Alliant data for that with a 115gr GDHP maxes at 6.7gr.  115gr plated maxes at 7.1gr.   

Seriously, if you knocked 10% off of the GDHP data for the the difference in bullet type plated to lead, you'd get 6.0 for the max load, and if you knocked off another 10%, you'd get 5.4gr for starting load.  That's a VERY conservative load window of 5.4gr - 6.0gr, and I suspect even that isn't going to take you particularly close to SAAMI max standard pressure.

You're not scratching the surface at 5.2gr.  Keep in mind that max load for a 147gr GDHP with Power Pistol is 5.0gr.   5.2gr isn't even a decent starting load.   

Power Pistol is loud and flashy.  Don't let that trick you into thinking that load is stouter than it is.

[copemech]

I guess he fails to understand the fact that this combo is not recommended, yet can it be done, well yes, if you must. Do they have one of those smiley things that just keep beating its head against the wall on this forum.
I do try to be polite, yet I am usually the one to give up after the first two warnings and decline from there.

[painter]

I guess he fails to understand the fact that this combo is not recommended, yet can it be done, well yes, if you must. Do they have one of those smiley things that just keep beating its head against the wall on this forum.
I do try to be polite, yet I am usually the one to give up after the first two warnings and decline from there.

You can use this one... ...

[IDescribe]

I guess he fails to understand the fact that this combo is not recommended...

What are you talking about?  What do you mean by 'not recommended'?  What does it mean for a combo to be recommended or not?  Not recommended by whom?

[Sunkist]

Lyman has a PP load for the Lead 120grRN- 5.0gr@ 1107fps with the max load at 5.6gr @1190fps OAL for both is 1.065". That extra 5gr bullet wt. only means yours may be slightly faster. This is in the "Lyman Load Data" booklet for Auto Pistol Calibers. Published 2011.

[Wobbly]

Lyman has a PP load for the Lead 120gr RN- 5.0gr@ 1107fps with the max load at 5.6gr @1190fps OAL for both is 1.065".

Well, there you go. Mr Baron can use that data directly. 5.0 to 5.6gr at 1.065" (or longer) for 115gr Lead RN. Perfect !!

 

[Sunkist]

Lyman has a PP load for the Lead 120gr RN- 5.0gr@ 1107fps with the max load at 5.6gr @1190fps OAL for both is 1.065".

Well, there you go. Mr Baron can use that data directly. 5.0 to 5.6gr at 1.065" (or longer) for 115gr Lead RN. Perfect !!

I would agree about going longer. How long would be a matter of running ladders but you have a starting point from a trusted manual.

 


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[Wobbly]

I would agree about going longer. How long would be a matter of running ladders but you have a starting point from a trusted manual.

 

You should make up the incremental loads (aka "ladders") anyway. The longer OAL will account for some changes, but the gun and composition of the bullet will contribute plenty of others. There's simply no getting away from the incremental loads.

At least he has a published starting load and load range.

 

[redbaron]

Thanks for the replies guys. This weekend I'll start up a new batch with the Lyman data and see how that works.