Penn 115gr LSWC - What COL?

[john16443]

Anybody ever loaded the Penn 9mm 115gr SWC bullets? (9mm Bullets Available From Penn Bullets)

My question before I load some test rounds is what COL you may have used. If I set them to the depth that you normally set a SWC bullet design to, the COL is a low 1.03", which is pretty short. That puts alot of the bullet body in the case as well. My typical load for 115 LRN is 4.3 grains 231, but with the decreased case capacity as a result of the SWC seating depth, I'm a little leary to start there.

Thanks

 

[Rule3]

That's a tough question to answer. It depends of your gun and barrel. The best way to get a starting point is do the drop and plop in the barrel test.

Take out your barrel and load one at max length and gently taper crimp. Drop it in the barrel and see if it seats correctly and will fall out when you turn it upside down. If not, seat the bullet a little more and repeat until it does so, Now check your OAL and see if it OK.

Test some inert rounds for fit in the magazine and for dry chambering. If you need to load them short, reduce you powder to minimum.

I only shoot a few SWC in 45 and never have in 9 or 40. For me they are a PITA to tune to every different gun. Some guns like the original SA XD will not feed them, the XDm will.
I would rather use FN or plain RN they make fine holes for me.

Edit: On the 45 ACP I load them with just a bit of the driving band exposed. a fingernail width or so.

 

[john16443]

They easily pass the plunk test (already did that) at 1.03", feed from the mag and don't set back. They will work, but man, there is a whole lot of bullet body in the case. If I set them to 1.08", I just cover the lube band. I'll try a couple mags with a COL of 1.08" and another couple mags at the normal SWC seating (1.03"), both at 4.0 grains W231 and see if there are any overpressure or excessive velocity issues. Won't have a chance to test them until Monday at the soonest.

 

[Rule3]

I looked in Lyman cast bullet manual and a similar shaped 120 gr bullet was seated at 1.110 OAL, if that is any help.

If they easily plunk in and out perhaps try a little longer untill they do not, then shorten a bit.

What is "Normal" 1.03???

 

[john16443]

What is "Normal" 1.03???

I consider normal for a SWC bullet to be when about a thumbnail thickenss (.025") of the body of the bullet shows above the top of the case, just as you indicate for a 45ACP round.

I sent an email to Robert Palermo, Pres. of Penn Bullets, he forwarded to his expert for additional information.

Yesterday I loaded some with 4.0 grains W231 at 1.035" and 1.08". The 1.08" just covers the lube and leaves lots of body showing. They still feed and chamber just fine. I'll try to get to the range tomorrow to see if there are any pressure or velocity issues.

 

[PDL]

Bob's a member of the forum. If he doesn't answer your post, or even if he does, drop him an email. Lot safer that way.

 

[john16443]

Received Response from Penn

Robert Palermo, President of Penn Bullets referred me to another individual that uses boatloads of these 115 SWC bullets. He indicated he loads them to 1.074" in his CZ80 and has developed a good load using 5.0 grains of Unique. The picture of the target he provided shows he wasn't kidding!

Looks like my loading them at 1.075 will be how I move forward. They feed and chamber just fine, now on to fine tune a load with them using AA#2 and W231. I'll shoot ONE of the rounds I made to 1.035 and see if there are any pressure signs or high velocities before shooting any more of the short ones.

 

[Rule3]

CZ's have a much shorter leade (chamber) than other guns other the say the Browning HP.

When shooting lead RN bullets in mt CZ or BHP that is the OAL I need to use. I do not know what gun you are using unless it is the Ruger you list in your signature.

 

[john16443]

Yes, I am shooting them out of the Ruger SR9. The range session yesterday went well with these SWC's. Those loaded to 1.035 with 4.0 grains W231 fired fine with no drama or issues of any kind. Groups were inconsistent, most likely because I was more focused on what the recoil might be (it felt like a factory American Eagle round) and if there'd be a pressure spike (there wasn't). Those loaded to 1.075" with 4.0 231 shot better, will bump up in small increments to 4.3 and see how it groups. I may also increase the COL to about 1.10 max as this is what it takes to cover the lube groove.

 

[noylj]

You have to determine what works in your gun. Your gun is unique and is chambered slightly different than others.
I used 1.025-1.117" for various guns. YMMV.
You need to start by loading a couple of inert (no powder or primer) dummy rounds to set-up your dies.
With the barrel out of the gun, you can determine when you have removed enough bell/flare from the case mouth to permit easy chambering.
Start with the bullet out far enough that the bullet contacts the lede/rifling and the case head is flush with the barrel hood. This would be the COL for minimum head space and will be very close, in most cases, to the most accurate COL.
Then, determine if that COL fits your magazines and feeds. Adjust COL down until the dummy rounds fit the magazine and feed and chamber easily. This will be very close to your optimum COL for that particular bullet. Save the dummy rounds in case you need to re-set the seating stem later and record the average COL it produces.