Possible to Interchange RN for RNFP?

[Wobbly]

Well... These arguments and the issue of so many different bullet shapes for lead and coated bullets is making me want to not use coated bullets at all. All the lead bullet data in my reloading book is for bullets with the cut out around the bullet for lube, but then coated bullets usually don't have that.

Look. The situation is simply not that dire. The load data for coated and lubed is the same, you simply need to: 1) Always begin at the Starting Load, and 2) Find a bullet which more closely approximates the load data that allows you to load at the stated length or longer.

I hate that you have a bullet source near you that is giving you trouble. Is there no way to find some 231 or WSF to start this off. This bullet can be loaded, you simply need have a better powder selection.

Shapes and lengths are different and now I don't feel like I'll have reliable load data. What a frustrating waste of time.

Frustrating, yes. Waste of time, no. You're learning and growing. There is no personal growth without having to conquer some hurdles.

 

[IDescribe]

All right, first, there's nothing wrong with those bullets.  This is not even a problem.  The absence of lube grooves for coated bullets is meaningless.  The other minor differences are not particularly significant.  And unless you are buying nothing but Sierra and Hornady match bullets, or Berry's, you aren't loading with load data for your exact components anyway.  This isn't just  coated lead where this happens.  It's everything.  You're making a fuss over something we all do all the time. 

You are also experiencing the classic CZFirearms Forum " I learned with a Berry's RN" transition anxiety that so many in this forum go through if they come here as new reloaders.  Everyone gets coached up with that Berry's 124gr RN, then as soon as they try a new bullet and see their OAL fall, it's  "OMG!  OMG!  OMG!  It's so short!  Danger, Will Robinson!"  It's nothing.  All you're doing now is reloading without the Berry's RN training wheels.

Here's the deal: You are somewhere between 0.00 and 0.04 off in seating depth from the nearest published data in terms of seating depth.  It's no big deal. 

As to powder, and whether or not other fast powders have the same issues -- I'd say the first thing you need to do is identify the problem.  For USPSA, you should find the most accurate load between maybe 131 and 137 PF with your chosen powder and bullet.  With a 124gr bullet, that's a velocity range of 1055 to 1100.  So I'll ask you, what's wrong with 700X for 9mm minor, especially for a new reloader? 

125 gr LCN	700-X	1.125" OAL
STARTING LOAD
2.9 gr	899 FPS	23,700 PSI
MAXIMUM LOAD
3.4 gr	1,003 FPS	31,600 PSI
Source:	Hodgdon Reloading Site

Did you guess "Max SAAMI load doesn't get me to the minimum velocity"?      If you guessed that, you'd be right.  700X is a bit fast for 9mm minor.  Look at powders that will get you in that range without going over max load.  That's the easy novice path.  Lots of action shooters tread just on the other side of max load data.  It's not recommended for new reloaders.  One thing you should be doing now is digesting all the published load data you can find.  Just get familiar with what various powders will do with what bullets.  It will give you some perspective.  It will give you a sense of why 700X is a little faster burning than what you want for 9mm minor and why BE-86 is a little slower than what you  want.

I have never loaded 700X.  I use a couple of other powders for applications where I want that burn rate.  My response earlier about 700X went like this in my head: "2.9gr to 3.4gr load window for a 124gr bullet?!?!?!!  Good lord, I shoot 3.4gr of Titegroup with 147gr coated lead!"  Basically, if your starting load with a 124gr bullet and a particular powder is 2.9gr, that's not going to make a useful 9mm minor powder.  It's too fast a burn rate.