LiveLife
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I have used lead load data for plated/coated bullets with good results. And if you can't find load data for same bullet weight, you can always reference load data for slightly heavier bullets.Beretta PX4 full size ... I couldn't find any data for my 180 gr lead bullets and powders I have (CFE-P, HP38, Titegroup, 700X) ... just reloading practice ammo here.
Can someone remind me how to start with "copper plated" data for use with coated lead? I'm thinking 4.2 gr 700X and 4.4 gr HP38.
40S&W 180 gr TCFP/FN bullets have long bullet base and produce good neck tension to produce accuracy (consistent chamber pressure build) even when using longer than SAAMI max OAL of 1.135" (Many match shooters will use longer 1.180"+ OAL depending on the barrel. But most 165/180 gr FP/FN profile bullets will reliably feed with shorter OAL of 1.125"-1.135"). For MBC 180 gr TCFP, testing incrementally longer OALs from 1.135" to 1.143" produced smaller groups with longer 1.142" OAL (M&P40/Glock 22/Lone Wolf barrels produced 1.149" max OAL with 1.145" longest working OAL due to magazine restriction) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-for-lead-plated-bullets.743416/#post-9363753
In general, for mild target/practice loads with lower velocities, faster burning than W231/HP-38 powders tend to bump/deform the lead bullet base better to seal/obturate with the barrel to produce greater accuracy. So from powder choices, I recommend you start with W231/HP-38 (Yes, they are same exact powder).
For USPSA match/practice loads using Montana Gold 155/165/180 gr FMJ/JHP and Berry's 165/180 gr plated bullets, I referenced 1999 Winchester load data for W231/WSF minor/major power factor loads (I tested Bullseye/Clays/WST/Titegroup/W231/Universal/WSF/HS-6) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...lead-bullet-data-needed.874760/#post-11635963
- 40S&W 170 gr Lead W231 (No OAL) Start 4.0 gr (850 fps) - Max 5.2 gr (1030 fps)
- 40S&W 200 gr Lead W231 (No OAL) Start 3.0 gr (700 fps) - Max 4.0 gr (850 fps)
- 40S&W 180 gr Berry's FP W231/HP-38 COL 1.125" Start 4.4 gr (872 fps) - Max 5.1 gr (984 fps) 33,500 PSI
Full size Beretta PX4 may reliably cycle the slide and extract/eject spent cases and still produce acceptable accuracy with lighter powder charges. So you may consider going below 4.4 gr of W231/HP-38 and test 4.3 and 4.2 gr as start charges and see if you get reliable slide cycling before working up higher powder charges while watching accuracy trend towards 5.0 gr as suggested by @Walkalong.
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