xtreme .45acp bullet

[Dmaxboy08]

hey guys. Found some xtreme 230g RN plated bullets at a good price. I was wondering if anyone is loading these, and if so, what are you seating them at and how much powder? These are almost the same length as hornady 230g bullets(two i measured are .001 in difference). Could i possibly use hornadys load data for these bullets?

 

[tappedandtagged]

Plated bullets are a different critter. They should (rule of thumb) be loaded between cast and jacketed. If you use Hornady data for the same weight bullet and keep the charges on the mid to lower side, you'd be fine.

Accurate Powders do have data specifically for the plated bullets on a downloadable PDF. Might see if your bullet is on there and compare the OAL on that to the Hornady OAL.

Edit to add: I just checked their PDF. No mention of plated bullets for the 45. Sorry. But, Start low and work up to a max of a mid level charge and you should be fine.

 

[90crvtec]

I load these exact bullets with 230grn FMJ load data from the Hornady 8th edition manual. I have them worked up to a load that functions well in my guns and the bullets themselves are very accurate.

I'm a bit confused by your question though. If you have Hornady load data, doesn't that list how much/what type of powder and the OAL? Is there something in the Hornady load data that you are looking to change?

 

[Dmaxboy08]

I load these exact bullets with 230grn FMJ load data from the Hornady 8th edition manual. I have them worked up to a load that functions well in my guns and the bullets themselves are very accurate.

I'm a bit confused by your question though. If you have Hornady load data, doesn't that list how much/what type of powder and the OAL? Is there something in the Hornady load data that you are looking to change?

No I have the 8th edition as you do. I was just wondering bc these bullets are not hornady and I have never messed with plated bullets before. Like i said i measured the hornady bullets and these xtreme and they are very VERY close to each other.

 

[MarkDozier]

plated bullets generally use lead load data. I load 200 grain exterme and use 5.7 grain of HP-38 for a XD-45

 

[Fishslayer]

Low to midrange jacketed data should be fine. Plated bullets are softer than a true FMJ. Using cast lead data works, too. Plated bullets aren't really meant for loading fire breathing maximum loads.

I've found the Berry's start to spread out at about 4.6gr to 4.8gr of Bullseye. 4.2gr works pretty well.

1.25" is my default OAL for a 230gr round nose.

 

[rodell]

It's changing a bit as some of the plated companies offer a thicker plated version.

In the 45 you can't push them fast enough to matter. Lead to mid-jacketed data works fine.

 

[AzRedleg]

It's changing a bit as some of the plated companies offer a thicker plated version.

In the 45 you can't push them fast enough to matter. Lead to mid-jacketed data works fine.

My experience as well. The .45 ACP just doesn't generate enough pressure or velocity to worry about with plated bullets. Just use the jacket data and you will be fine.

When used in magnum applications are when I've ran into accuracy problems with some of the thinly plated bullets.

 

[Fishslayer]

When used in magnum applications are when I've ran into accuracy problems with some of the thinly plated bullets.

I run the X-Treme plated 158gr SWC over 14gr of 2400 with good enough results for the $$$. I think the XTP & Nosler SJHP are definitely better though.

 

[scooter123]

Your powder weight can vary due to the diameter of the bullet. Berry's 230 grain LRN have a diameter of 0.452 inch and it's recomended that they be loaded at low to mid range data for jacketed bullets. Some of the other plated bullets feature a 0.451 inch diameter and the usual recomendation is to load to dat for lead bullets.

I recently picked up some HSM bullets from Midway and as they are 0.451 diameter as stated by the manufacturer and confirmed with micrometers I've been using data for lead bullets. Initial test loads were tried at 5.1 and 5.3 grains of Unique with an overall length of 1.265 inch. While they functioned just fine in my 1911 they were noticeably soft shooting so I stepped it up a bit. My final load is 5.5 grains of Unique and an overall length of 1.260 inch. It's still a bit soft shooting when compared to Federal Champion but the accuracy is quite good and I don't see any need to go any hotter. One reason for not going any heavier on the charge is a warning from HSM to not exceed 800 fps with their 230 gn plated bullets, apparently if you push them too hard you can strip the plating off. Another reason is I'm cheap, it's a very economical load and my brass will last for many many cycles at this low pressure.

BTW, I dropped the length to 1.260 specifically because the 1.265 length was a VERY tight fit in my recycled Federal Champion boxes so I shortened them up to match Federal's OAL length. I'll also note that I've broken down a round of that Champion that had a sideways primer and found that Federal is actually using plated bullets that appear to be identical to the HSM bullets I'm currently loading. As for results at the shorter length, there are absolutely zero indications of excess pressure and the blowby stain on the fired hulls is basically a match to the lighter loads at 5.1 and 5.3 grains.