Are all booolits created equal?

[dwa12479]

So I'm nearing the end of the first bulk load of projectiles that I bought last spring to start reloading. I started out with Hornady 9mm(.355) 115gr FMJ-RN If I was to buy another brand name, such as Berrys or Rainier, can I use the same load recipe and be ok as long as it's the same bullet weight and shape? Most of the manuals say only use the brand name that is specified, but I have a feeling that's more of a CYA or marketing gimmick than anything else. I like the Hornady's ok, but I paid around 13 cents a piece, where as the Berrys I can get for around 8 cents.

[EvilD]

Barrys and Rainier are plated, not fmj, use lead data.

[VARMINT223]

The secret grasshopper is in not maxing out the powder in the load and inspecting for signs of high pressure.

Copper in Barnes bullets is proprietary and specific load data should be used.

Oregon trail bullets should never be loaded to a minimum but mfg prints a great load manual.

Remington Gold Dot bullets require proprietary data.

I've loaded Hornady, Winchester, Speer, Remington; FMJ, JSP, JHP........ NOT maxing out loads and have not experienced high presume or overloads.

[dwa12479]

Barrys and Rainier are plated, not fmj, use lead data.

So I come up with this data for cast bullets from loaddata.com, I'm using SR-4756 at the bottom. Do the lead cast bullets not have a specific shape, such as RN or HP? From what I search on the cast# listed they are a flat nose. And are they normally shorter than the listed COAL min? 9mm COAL min is supposed to be 1.095", and the data calls for 0.997".

[dwa12479]

The secret grasshopper is in not maxing out the powder in the load and inspecting for signs of high pressure.

Copper in Barnes bullets is proprietary and specific load data should be used.

Oregon trail bullets should never be loaded to a minimum but mfg prints a great load manual.

Remington Gold Dot bullets require proprietary data.

I've loaded Hornady, Winchester, Speer, Remington; FMJ, JSP, JHP........ NOT maxing out loads and have not experienced high presume or overloads.

I haven't even flirted with maxing out any loads yet.

So if I was to go with Speer, Winchester, or Remington FMJ-RN, then I could use the same load data as Hornady?

[Meketrefe]

Hornday bulk pack with 3100 fmjs is $320 so I see no point in plated bullets. Perhaps with some of the heaviest ones 147 to shoot subsonic even with shotgun powders.
And not all the bullets are consistent, even in the same brand and type, specially in the cheaper plated department. But for pistol practice should be fine, IMO the heaviest ones so you can
run them milder still create enough back pressure to cycle more reliably. And there is a benefit of shooting lead colder, plated or not.. less fouling. But this also depends on the rifling.
With the FMJs you can use the std. recipes more consistently even across brands. Always start slow.

[EvilD]

So I come up with this data for cast bullets from loaddata.com, I'm using SR-4756 at the bottom. Do the lead cast bullets not have a specific shape, such as RN or HP? From what I search on the cast# listed they are a flat nose. And are they normally shorter than the listed COAL min? 9mm COAL min is supposed to be 1.095", and the data calls for 0.997".

This is what I would do, I like 1.130 oal for 9mm, dont' care what gun it is, I use it for 115 and 124 plated, lead and jacketed bullets, why, dunno, did it for a reason 25 years ago and don't remember the reason. I than use the minimum load data posted and work from there, unless the load data call for a longer oal, if it does i reduce teh staring load by 10%. Than you can load for accuracy or a certain power or both depending on what you are doing with it.

[dwa12479]

With the FMJs you can use the std. recipes more consistently even across brands. Always start slow.

This is kinda what I figured, I'll be running low on .224" FMJ-BT projectiles soon as well. Been using 55gn Hornady FMJ-BT, just want to have options if I should switch to a different manufacturer. Now if only powder was more widely available I'd have a lot more options. Thanks fellas.

[thughes]

This is kinda what I figured, I'll be running low on .224" FMJ-BT projectiles soon as well. Been using 55gn Hornady FMJ-BT, just want to have options if I should switch to a different manufacturer. Now if only powder was more widely available I'd have a lot more options. Thanks fellas.

http://shop.rmrbullets.com/223-556mm...m1plqscsfapp03

Hornaday 55gn FMJ $94/1000 free shipping

RMR 55gn FMJ BT $79/1000 free shipping

[dwa12479]

http://shop.rmrbullets.com/223-556mm...m1plqscsfapp03

Hornaday 55gn FMJ $94/1000 free shipping

RMR 55gn FMJ BT $79/1000 free shipping

I was browsing around there last night. Thanks.

[VARMINT223]

I haven't even flirted with maxing out any loads yet.

So if I was to go with Speer, Winchester, or Remington FMJ-RN, then I could use the same load data as Hornady?

That's my practice. I have Speer, Hornady, and Sierra load data to compare. I go 80% max and have had no problems. I start at 50% max and never go above 80%.

I've seen guys with stuck cases, split cases, case head separation no reason to max loads out like that for range practice loads. Save the testosterone for the bedroom.

[Meketrefe]

If you want something in the same budget with more accuracy potential than a pulled bullet look into these priv. budget bullets. You cannot compare with a hornady for competition but for the price do very well and will allow you to work in much better groups than the 55gr fmjs. 62gr or 69gr will run a bit slower with a bit more drop in the first 200 yards but almost identical and they retain energy and speed better than the 55gr and will show in the accuracy. Also better defensive rounds. And the couple of bucks extra you spend you save in powder anyway as these use less powder....

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...roductId/12601

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...t/productId/86

[dwa12479]

Be hard to beat those 62gn rounds at 11 cents a piece, thanks Mek.

I'm not loading for accuracy quite yet, I'm still getting my feet wet. I mainly took it up to "save" a little money, but mostly due to the unknowns on the supposedly coming BGC for ammo and the near cutoff of online ammo orders. Figured I'd stay ahead of the tsunami a little as I already had plenty of ammo stashed up for my own personal needs so a steady supply of brass wasn't a problem. Just wish that powder was a little more readily available.