load data for Hensley & Gibbs #115

[forestswin]

How do you correlate a commercially cast bullet to the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, or other handbooks for their load data? A general answer is fine, I'd expect to run into this question again or please point me to good reference material.

Specifically, what I have are 9mm 124 gr RN BB, they are similar to a Hensley & Gibbs #115 mould. The were cast using a Magma Engineering mould, also similar to RCBS mould # 82062. Bearing surface is 0.254" and total length is 0.612"

Lyman lists 8 different cast bullets, yet none of their profiles seem the same as this mould.

 

[USBP SW]

I'm sorry that nobody has responded to your question, I'll be happy to respond and help in any way I can. I like to keep older reloading manuals and will gladly look up anything I can find to help you out. If you have a preferred powder or powders, let me know and I'll check my manuals for loadings. I have the Lyman # 45, RCBS cast bullet manual and about three Lyman cast bullet manuals that I can refer to. Let me know and I'll check them.

Steve

 

[Smithhound]

A general rule of thumb is to use the data you have for a similar shape, weight etc. and back off about 10%. Before loading anything, load a dummy round to check fit and function in your pistol, adjust OAL and crimp as needed. Then load three rounds or so, fire them, and check function. If they are underpowered and won't cycle the slide or jam then up the charge 2 or 3 tenths and repeat. Do this untill they cycle and lock back the slide, at that point I generally go up another 2 tenths or so and call it good for a practice round. Also I have a crono so can dial them in more precisly so the above is assuming you do not.
Check the diameter of an unfired factory round at the case head about 1/8th" above the extractor groove and check against your fired cases for excessive expansion compared to a fired factory round, also watch for other pressure signs as well.
Rainier bullets recommends a starting load somewhere in the mid range of similar weight factory jackected bullets, I've found it closer to 2/3rds powder charge or a bit more. Each gun and load vary tho' so use caution.
RD

 

[Texasflyboy]

Specifically, what I have are 9mm 124 gr RN BB, they are similar to a Hensley & Gibbs #115 mould. .

I run the Hensley & Gibbs Bullet Mould Reference website. Hensley & Gibbs design #115 is a favorite of mine. I had to develop my own load data. At the moment, the only load I can recall from memory is 4.0 grains of Nobel Vectan AO gunpowder, a large quantity I purchased from Graf and Sons in the late 90's. To develop the load what I did was to use a power burn rate chart and extrapolate from where Vectan AO was listed and see the powder charges to similar powders near the burn rate of Vectan AO. Since Vectan AO was near Unique, I used Unique load data for my Hensley & Gibbs #115 BB bullets, loaded as cast (not sized) and tumble lubed with Lee Liquid Alox. I reduced the suggested load for Unique by 10% and worked my way up to a load that performed well and chrono'd about 1,000 fps, which is right where I wanted to be.

If you are just looking for a load to start with, you can use any similar load profile for a lead round nose bullet in the 120 to 125 grain range as a starting point. Use a 10% reduced load to start with (so if the manual says 4.0 grains of Bullseye, multiply 4.0 x 10% = .4 so your load start weight would be 4.0 less .4 = 3.6 grains. Monitor the primers for high pressure signs and other signs of high pressure as you work up your loads. I would use a chronograph to establish a good measurement of velocity and stop when I hit 1,000 fps which is plenty fast enough for a lead round nose bullet in 9x19mm.

Hope this helps.

Tom in VA

 

[boatbum101]

These are for the RCBS bullet that's similar : Max loads W231 / HP38 5grs. , Unique 5.5grs. , 700X 3.6grs , SR7625 4.1grs , HS-5 6.2grs , Red Dot 4.2grs , BE 4grs. , all with CCI 500 primer , OAL didn't record . Velocities were from just shy of 1000fps to 1150fps . I think for others you could take same weight jacketed starting load ( minus 10%+/- ) to be your max with lead same weight . With that long tapered ogive it ought to shoot OK in older milsurp guns that won't feed HP's .

 

[forestswin]

Wow Texasflyboy and boatbum
thanks for tracking that down and the advice - yep it matches the H&G #331 exactly - the added info certainly will help. I keep a stock of 231, Unique and BE

that thread was from a year ago yesterday, it seems I posted another one 2 weeks later and received some good help

Back then I used the starting load of 5.0 gr of Power Pistol with a COL of 1.13"
it shoots great out my S&W Model 59, and shoots nice little tight groups < 1" @ 25 feet on a rest and it ejects the cases over my shoulder and about 2-3 feet behind me
so I haven't changed the load since

 

[Nevada Ed]

Finally looked at this thread......
Thought you were loading an English pistol.... I see now that
it was about a bullet mold. Glad to see that you finally got some information.
Those bullets sure are long................
my factory plated 115gr RN (FMJ) have an length of only .55 inches.
Hope to see a target in the future if you ever find the time with those new bullets for the 9mm.