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Old 08-15-2017, 10:13 PM
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Default Rainier plated bullets

I have been loading for my 40 S&W Shield for a while now. I load Nosler 135gr JHP over 7grs of Unique. They shoot very well out of my Shield without a lot of recoil. I was looking for a less expensive bullet to load. Can I load the Rainier 135gr plated bullets over 7grs of Unique without burning away the plating and leading my barrel?
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Old 08-15-2017, 10:51 PM
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Welcome to the Forum

135gr plated projectiles will be safe with 7grs of Unique

Though 7grs of Unique sounds a bit on the light side for 40S&W, that probably accounts for the low recoil.

As long as that light load is functioning your Shield keep using it
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Old 08-16-2017, 02:59 AM
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Originally Posted by CJP1 View Post
Can I load the Rainier 135gr plated bullets over 7grs of Unique without burning away the plating and leading my barrel?
The Rainiers are rated to 1250fps. Sierra's Reloading Manual v5.6 shows a 135gr JHP & 6.9gr/Unique at 1150fps from a 5" bbl. (7.7gr=1250fps)

Show be okay but as always, when in doubt, work up the load & look for problems.

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Old 08-16-2017, 04:46 AM
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Depending on where and how you source your bullets, it might be worth ordering from Xtreme. They should have a Labor Day sale coming up--usually free shipping and 10-15% off. Plus there's a first-time-customer code around someplace for $5 if you want to try out 500 or so.
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Old 08-17-2017, 07:02 PM
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I should also mention that I recently purchased some Federal Guard Dog 135 gr expanding JHP rounds. When I get the time and money I want to load some Rainier and Nosler 135 gr rounds. Then I'll run them over a chrono along with the Guard Dogs and try to match their velocity.
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Old 08-17-2017, 07:32 PM
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I load TiteGroup and 231 with my light practice loads, 9mm and .40 S&W. You can get more of the same info at the Brian Enos reloading forums.


10mm/40 Caliber - Brian Enos's Forums... Maku mozo!

Make Right With a ".40 Lite"
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Old 08-17-2017, 10:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CJP1 View Post
I have been loading for my 40 S&W Shield for a while now. I load Nosler 135gr JHP over 7grs of Unique. They shoot very well out of my Shield without a lot of recoil. I was looking for a less expensive bullet to load. Can I load the Rainier 135gr plated bullets over 7grs of Unique without burning away the plating and leading my barrel?
I use Rainier and am pleased with their performance. The important thing you need to look at is shipping costs. It's not an issue for me because Rainier is local to me. Xtreme and Rocky Mountain both have free shipping so that may be a better option. I've used both and they are equal to Rainier in performance. I use Rainier because I like supporting local company's.
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Old 08-18-2017, 11:08 AM
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I have been looking and as far as I have found, Rainier is the only company to make a 135 gr 40 cal plated/coated inexpensive bullets for the indoor range.

Last edited by CJP1; 08-18-2017 at 11:14 AM.
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Old 08-22-2017, 09:33 PM
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I currently use RCBS carbide dies for reloading my 40S&W rounds with jacketed bullets. Can I use the RCBS seating die with the plated bullets or should I purchase a Lee Factory Carbide Taper Crimp die? I was also wondering if I should also purchase a case gauge since I have multiple brands of brass and two types of bullets?

Last edited by CJP1; 08-22-2017 at 10:48 PM.
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Old 08-23-2017, 07:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CJP1 View Post
I currently use RCBS carbide dies for reloading my 40S&W rounds with jacketed bullets. Can I use the RCBS seating die with the plated bullets or should I purchase a Lee Factory Carbide Taper Crimp die? I was also wondering if I should also purchase a case gauge since I have multiple brands of brass and two types of bullets?
The RCBS die should work fine, the Lee crimp die is for when you're using a 4 die setup (seat and crimp in separate operations) This is (IMO) a better setup than seat and crimp in the same die. The bullet difference won't matter when talking about a case gauge, it only measures the case length and diameter. If you get a case that doesn't pass the gauge, throw it out. You can also use the barrel from your gun as a case gauge (it's actually a better gauge for ammo that you're going to shoot from your gun).
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Old 08-31-2017, 11:43 AM
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Bkreutz,
Thanks for the info. I bought the Lee 4 die set as you recommended. I tried my RCBS dies but couldn't get the proper crimp on them. Used the barrel as guage. Thanks for the tip.
CJP1

Last edited by CJP1; 08-31-2017 at 12:40 PM.
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Old 08-31-2017, 12:34 PM
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I do not know where a "max" velocity FPS came from? but from Rainers own website they say to use regular FMJ data and a regular taper crimp, even mentions the LFCD for those Lee bashers.

Load Data - Rainier Ballistics


Load Data

Rainier recommends using commercially published jacketed bullet load data when loading our projectiles. There is no need for adjustment when using jacketed bullet load data. Our bullets are completely encapsulated in copper, creating a “Total Copper Jacket” (TCJ) through a specialized electroplating process, and are softer than traditionally jacketed bullets.
We recommend a starting powder charge between the listed minimum and maximum load found in various published and reputable reloading manuals.
A slight taper or minimal roll crimp may be used with our bullets. Over-crimping plated bullets may result in decreased accuracy, and can result in the fragmentation of copper plating.
We recommend the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die. This die will not seat the bullet. The bullet should be seated with your regular seating die. The Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die sizes the case after crimping , trim length is not critical. Impossible to buckle the case, crimps bullets with no cannelure. This will eliminate the frustration with adjusting dies that seat and crimp in the same cycle.
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Old 08-31-2017, 10:30 PM
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I'm happy with Rainiers and also like supporting an outfit in my state even if it is on the wrong side. I like them in my .45 Handguns better than lead, I know I can get lead to work but I don't care to fool around with it when I can get Rainiers reasonably priced and they work so well. The guys told me you can push them to the high end of lead speeds, I stay well below that and find them hard to beat. I tried the painted or coated bullets and did not get the same favorable results as I did with plated. I was also told that if there was anything I needed to be careful of it was maybe overcrimping, they told me that was a problem for some guys that liked to put on a real heavy crimp, it had a tendency to cut the plating and if pushed to hard could cause the plating to peel. It usually shows up on the target.
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Old 08-31-2017, 11:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rule3 View Post
I do not know where a "max" velocity FPS came from? but from Rainers own website they say to use regular FMJ data and a regular taper crimp, even mentions the LFCD for those Lee bashers.

Load Data - Rainier Ballistics
It's mentioned in their FAQs:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q3. Do your bullets have any velocity restrictions?

A. In general, our bullets typically perform their best when shot at velocities no greater than 1,200 to 1,250 Feet per second (FPS).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | Rainier Ballistics

.

On Rainier's .44 caliber 240gr & .50 caliber 335gr bullets, I've bought in the past, their website used to list the recommended max as 1500fps in the bullet's details. They changed the website & now no details are listed. MidwayUSA still states that speed in their product details.

Rainier LeadSafe Bullets 50 Cal (500 Diameter) 335 Grain Plated Hollow

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Old 09-01-2017, 12:37 AM
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I shoot with a number of Rainier sponsored shooters. I also use their bullets. I load 9 major which is a 124 bullet at 1400 fps. The regular 9mm bullets tumble and don't work at all (they work great for minor power factor at around 1050 fps). I use Rainiers' 38 super bullets and couldn't be more pleased, plus I'm supporting a local company?
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