Loading Data for Ranier Bullets

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TexasTed

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I am having difficulty finding loading data for Ranier bullets.
I normally use W 231 powder. My Speer Reloading data has no data for copper-plated bullets.
For 230 RN FMJ it recommends 5.6 to 6.2 grs of 231, so I loaded 6.0 grs. My XD expended the spent brass beyond my 6 x 8 ft tarp and I noticed that several of the primers (CCI Large Pistol) looked quite blackened where they were struck the firing pin.
I suspect I might have over loaded, but I can't find any loading for the Ranier and their web site offers no data.
Any suggestions?
 
I started between the book load for FMJ and LRN and ended up working up to a decent load with the same amount of HP 38 that I use for the bulk Winchester 124gr FMJs...I need to find some more of those.
 
I have the latest Lyman manual. What caliber are you interested in and I'll scan and post it.


We, at Rainier Ballistics, recommend using lead bullet load data when loading our bullets. There is no need for adjustment when using lead bullet load data. Our bullets are jacketed using an electroplating process and are softer than traditionally jacketed bullets; hence the recommendation to use lead bullet load data. If you only have access to traditionally jacketed load data, we recommend reducing maximum charge by 10%. A roll or taper crimp may be used with our bullets; do not over crimp. http://www.rainierballistics.com/mainframe.htm
 
I use 4.5-5.0gr Bullseye OAL 1.273 with a light crimp, right under max crimp diameter in Lyman manual. These work great out of all my .45ACP pistols. Lead data should be right on the money for these bullets.
 
Too hot--

According to my Midway Load Map you were pushin' it pretty hard with 6 gr. of Win 231. That is well into the yellow/red area on their chart and they advise extreme caution there.

I load 5.2 gr Win 231 with 230 gr Rainier or Berry's plated RN, OAL ~1.250 They shoot great in a Wilson, a Kimber and a Glock 21, all with normal factory recoil springs. Midway suggests this load is around 730-740 fps. If you go up to about 5.5 gr that would be around 780 fps, again according to the Midway book.

The load I like shoots nice and soft, always ejects and is kind to the brass and absolutely no flattened primers. I like it very much and have loaded and shot over 3000 of them in the last few months.

Edit: This all for .45 ACP with Win Large Pistol primers.
 
Last edited:
I normally use W 231 powder. My Speer Reloading data has no data for copper-plated bullets.
For 230 RN FMJ it recommends 5.6 to 6.2 grs of 231, so I loaded 6.0 grs. My XD expended the spent brass beyond my 6 x 8 ft tarp and I noticed that several of the primers (CCI Large Pistol) looked quite blackened where they were struck the firing pin.
Click to expand...

Like benedict1 says. It's a bit hot. I have Midways loadmap also and it goes to 6.5!!!! with the Midway 230 Gr. RN. which I always thought Ranier made for them. I could be wrong here of course.

I have shot up to 6.1 with 230 Gr bullets but recoil is sharp and pressure signs are starting to show. I won't reccommend shooting more than 5.9 W231 with them and 5.5 is much safer and pleasent to shoot as well as accurate. This is from personal experience with the Ranier 230 Gr. RN and W231.

I MUCH prefer the Berry's 230 RN over the Ranier. It is very accurate and feeds better.

6.2 Grs. Universal Clays works well here.

5.3 Grs. AA# 2 works well here also.

Both of these give Lo to Mid 700's FPS and are pleasent to shoot.

benedict1's 5.2 Grs. W231 should give Lo to Mid 700's FPS as well.

5.5 Grs. W231 will give Mid to High 700's FPS and be very accurate as well.

W231 is an excellent choice for loads in the .45. Accurate at any reasonable velocity. Not the cleanest, but very good and no suprises when you start getting hot with it.

WSF, AA# 5, & Universal Clays are excellent for full power loads in the .45.

These loads are safe in my guns with my load procedure. Reduce 10% to start.
 
Thanks all for the help.
Sorry for not mentioning the caliber i am loading - .45ACP.
I really appreciate the input.
 
plated

makers of the plated bullets,Rainer,Berry,ect. say treat as lead.if your plated bullet is 230gr round nose,any data for a 230gr round nose lead will work. jwr
 
I called Ranier and talked to them personally after not finding any plated load data.

As of now, I use 5.5gr of W231 under 130gr Berry's and Ranier bullets with no signs of overpressure. They are really accurate out of both my Kimber and XD .45
 
load 5.2 gr Win 231 with 230 gr Rainier or Berry's plated RN, OAL ~1.250 They shoot great in a Wilson, a Kimber and a Glock 21, all with normal factory recoil springs. Midway suggests this load is around 730-740 fps. If you go up to about 5.5 gr that would be around 780 fps, again according to the Midway book.
Click to expand...

I also use 5.2 or 5.3 gr Win 231 with the 230 gr Rainier - excellent results out of my Kimber, Nighthawk, and Springfield (all are full size 1911's)

On Rainier's website they say to use load data for lead bullets...

http://www.rainierballistics.com/mainframe.htm
 
I use 4.9 gr of W231 under the Rainier 230 gr RN bullets and this gives outstanding results in both my 1911 and my subgun. Recoil is light, brass lasts forever, and it is easier on the guns. I chrono'd this load out of my 11.5" barreled subgun at 725 FPS, I assume the 1911 would be a bit slower although I can't say for sure.

I also use 5.0 gr of Bullseye under the same bullets and get about 765 FPS out of that same subgun. I have read that 5.0 gr of Bullseye was the original Mil Spec load way back when. Whether that is true or not this is an excellent load.

To sum up:

4.9 gr of W231 -OR- 5.0 gr Bullseye
Mixed brass
230 gr Rainier RN plated bullets
CCI LP primers
1.267 OAL
Light taper crimp
 
You gotta be careful with the Midway LoadMaps. They show loads heavier than many other sources. I finally figured it out, they always loaded to the SAAMI maximum OAL (Unless the bullet is so stubby as to not allow it.) with no regard for feeding or chambering in a real gun. That left them more powder space to run up the loads, but they will be overloads with the bullet seated normally. For example the common long-nosed #68 SWC is listed at 1.271" OAL for their test barrel, but you and I have to seat it to 1.250" or thereabouts to shoot in a 1911.
 
You gotta be careful with the Midway LoadMaps.............they always loaded to the SAAMI maximum OAL
Click to expand...

BIG DITTO on this one. Like I said earlier, 5.9 is all I would go with W231 and 230 gr. and that is pretty sharp.

I like 5.5 for general shooting and 4.9 is what I shot for a lite target load with lead and 230 Gr. bullets.
 
45 ACP and Midway Load Map

I agree totally with Jim Watson--Midway Load Maps can get you into problems. I stay at the bottom, in the very "green" area on the charts and would never move past the middle because of the OAL situation.

Most of the SWC bullets I use have to be 1.250" to 1.255" to work well in a Wilson, a Kimber or a G21. Yet, the Midway Load Map for their old 200 gr plated SWC, which looks like a dead ringer for the Rainier bullet of the same shape and weight, the say OAL = 1.265"

I stay at 5.2 gr Win 231 which is in the lower third of their chart for the 200 gr SWC--no visible signs of high pressure exist--primers look nicely rounded, not flattened; no cratering of the firing pin mark; I use the brass over and over and have never had a split or failure. So I think this may be okay. But of course I have no actual pressure or velocity data.

I have searched lots of forums and looked at lots of reloading data on various websites and the Win 231 load I use above seems to be safe and comfortable to shoot. I wouldn't go any higher in charge weight without some measuring devices other than "eyeball" method.

Whatever, be very cautious going up past the green area in these books.
 
I also use 5.0 gr of Bullseye under the same bullets and get about 765 FPS out of that same subgun. I have read that 5.0 gr of Bullseye was the original Mil Spec load way back when.
Click to expand...

There's something amiss with that data...5.0 gr of BE is over 800 from a 5" government.

Issue milspec was 830 - 850 fps.

/Bryan
 
Sorry to jump in on you'r thread
But I am using Rainier Ballistics Total Copper Jacket Bullets 38 125gr. TCJ FP
With unique powder am I safe to just go of the jacketed bullet specs in my lee book and my hornady book using 5.0grains for starting.
 
Rainier "total copper jacket" is not the same as Full Metal Jacket at all. They are electroplated with a thin copper layer; FMJ is a band of thicker copper all around the lead.

Use cast lead bullet data for Rainier of same weight/shape as the FMJ. You can also start by reducing the FMJ charges by 10 %.
 
Yea after I reread the hole post I understand I didn't evan see that so I should be fine for what I am doing correct.
 
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