M3Stuart
Member
Warning: consult your books, use all normal precautions, etc.
Apologize in advance that there are no chrono results. I tested at an indoor range. If anybody has any chrono data for either of these loads, please let us know.
When I started this project, I could not find any straight forward threads related to using titegroup behind either a Berry's 100gr HBRN or the MBC 95gr hitek coated "secret agent" bullets. So here goes:
Guns tested: LCP, Sig P238, Glock 42.
Powder: Titegroup
Bullets: Berry's 100gr HBRN & Missouri Bullet Co.'s 95 gr hitek coated RN.
Brass - mixed. Primers - WSP or cci500 - 'small pistol'.
Press and dies - all Lee, dies are carbide.
Results:
Note: all rounds cycled action normally. None of these rounds produced any apparent signs of overpressure.
First the MBC 95gr lead RN:
2.5 gr TG - accurate and mild.
2.7 gr TG - more accurate, best load. This is the bottom of the range for the jacketed data so, per published data, I stopped here. As far as I'm concerned this is the least expensive (12.5 cents ea.) practice load (lead bullets) that worked 100% of the time and met all published manufacturer's recommendations.
Second, the Berry's 100gr HBRN
2.6 gr TG - mild, accurate, clean
2.7 gr TG - Oddly unpleasant, less mild, accurate, clean
2.8 gr TG - mild, more accurate, clean
2.9 gr TG - accurate, clean, threw brass into the stratosphere which I took as a sign of overpressure - though there was no deformation of any kind.
This load is almost as cheap as the lead at 13 cents each, and has the advantage of not leaving any 'coating' residue in the barrel. This is the best deal IMHO.
OK - back to the 'books':
Lead bullets normally are loaded at the bottom range of the jacketed data when no lead data is available. 2.7gr TG is the bottom of the range for the 95 gr jacketed data and worked fine in testing with the MBC 95gr - check.
Berry's says, on their website, that their HBRN can be loaded with any jacketed data. Elsewhere on their website they also say that their jacketed bullets should be loaded at the bottom or midrange of the jacketed data. So I could have gone up to 3.0gr of TG behind the 100gr HBRN. Had the 2.9gr load not relieved me of my brass I would have tried it and felt safe doing so. But why? I have a solid practice load and don't like buying brass.
OAL on all of these loads is between .970 and .980 - not to exceed .980 or they'll jam up your magazine. You'll find suggestions below .970 - I did not test any OAL below .970.
Crimp = light (half turn per Lee instructions).
IMHO the best loads with these combos are:
Missouri Bullet Co. 95gr Hitek, 2.7gr titegroup.
Berry's 100gr HBRN, 2.8gr titegroup.
Apologize in advance that there are no chrono results. I tested at an indoor range. If anybody has any chrono data for either of these loads, please let us know.
When I started this project, I could not find any straight forward threads related to using titegroup behind either a Berry's 100gr HBRN or the MBC 95gr hitek coated "secret agent" bullets. So here goes:
Guns tested: LCP, Sig P238, Glock 42.
Powder: Titegroup
Bullets: Berry's 100gr HBRN & Missouri Bullet Co.'s 95 gr hitek coated RN.
Brass - mixed. Primers - WSP or cci500 - 'small pistol'.
Press and dies - all Lee, dies are carbide.
Results:
Note: all rounds cycled action normally. None of these rounds produced any apparent signs of overpressure.
First the MBC 95gr lead RN:
2.5 gr TG - accurate and mild.
2.7 gr TG - more accurate, best load. This is the bottom of the range for the jacketed data so, per published data, I stopped here. As far as I'm concerned this is the least expensive (12.5 cents ea.) practice load (lead bullets) that worked 100% of the time and met all published manufacturer's recommendations.
Second, the Berry's 100gr HBRN
2.6 gr TG - mild, accurate, clean
2.7 gr TG - Oddly unpleasant, less mild, accurate, clean
2.8 gr TG - mild, more accurate, clean
2.9 gr TG - accurate, clean, threw brass into the stratosphere which I took as a sign of overpressure - though there was no deformation of any kind.
This load is almost as cheap as the lead at 13 cents each, and has the advantage of not leaving any 'coating' residue in the barrel. This is the best deal IMHO.
OK - back to the 'books':
Lead bullets normally are loaded at the bottom range of the jacketed data when no lead data is available. 2.7gr TG is the bottom of the range for the 95 gr jacketed data and worked fine in testing with the MBC 95gr - check.
Berry's says, on their website, that their HBRN can be loaded with any jacketed data. Elsewhere on their website they also say that their jacketed bullets should be loaded at the bottom or midrange of the jacketed data. So I could have gone up to 3.0gr of TG behind the 100gr HBRN. Had the 2.9gr load not relieved me of my brass I would have tried it and felt safe doing so. But why? I have a solid practice load and don't like buying brass.
OAL on all of these loads is between .970 and .980 - not to exceed .980 or they'll jam up your magazine. You'll find suggestions below .970 - I did not test any OAL below .970.
Crimp = light (half turn per Lee instructions).
IMHO the best loads with these combos are:
Missouri Bullet Co. 95gr Hitek, 2.7gr titegroup.
Berry's 100gr HBRN, 2.8gr titegroup.
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