No Name Bullets from T.J. Conevera

[JimKirk]

There was a thread a while back discussing .380 ACP bullets and more so 90 Grain bullets and in that thread there were numerous brands mentioned including my mention of the no name bullets from T. J. Conevera. I have zero knowledge who makes this bullet, maybe some of you know beyond a wild guess like I would also make. I did order a thousand of these 90 gr. JHP just to see how they would preform on paper, I have no intention of using these for a "carry" load.

I loaded up 30 rounds using three different powders, this was also a powder velocity "test" along with the sample firing of the TJC bullets....

I used the data I had used with the Hornady XTP 90 gr. bullets as they are fairly close in shape ... All of the data was published in various books or on powder or bullet maker web sites ... Use caution and work your way up to these loads ... they are safe in my three guns ... however they may not be in yours ....

The guns used in this section of this test are a S&W Bodyguard 2.75" barrel and a Ruger LCP 2.75" barrel ... these results show that no two guns will provide the same velocity when using identical loads.

The three powders used are AA#5, Tightgroup and Zip. With the 90 gr. TJC bullet

S&W Bodyguard
Zip Powder at 3.4 grs(Max Load) Velocity average 938 FPS
AA#5 Powder at 4.8 grs(Max) Velocity average 880 FPS
Tightgroup Powder at 3.4 grs(Max) Velocity average 1044 FPS

Ruger LCP
Zip at 3.4 grs(Max) Velocity 926 FPS
AA#5 4.8 grs. (Max) Velocity 838 FPS
Tightgroup at 3.4 grs. (Max) Velocity average 989 FPS

I was more concerned with getting these loads over the chronograph without shooting any part of it than accuracy, that segment will follow as soon as all the end of school activities get over and I have some time to sit down without being rushed to complete.... even without concentrating ...these bullets shot pretty dang well .... for a cheap load using the Tightgroup powder $18/lbs, S&B primers $21.40/1000($19.99+tax) & the TJC bullet $91/1000 shipped ... I can load these rounds at $0.122 each ... $6.10/box of 50 ....

Here is a photo comparing the T.J. Conevera bullet(L) ... the Hornady XTP(R) .... both 90 gr. JHP.

 

[Walkalong]

Since Jake is out of the 90 Gr JHPs he was selling, which shot great in a speedy 9MM loading, those would be one I would try for sure, if I needed some. Glad I bought plenty.

At $91 shipped the TJC bullet would be a good/very good value if it shoots well/really well.

I used the data I had used with the Hornady XTP 90 gr. bullets as they are fairly close in shape ..

That's what I did in 9MM as well.

even without concentrating ...these bullets shot pretty dang well ..

That's encouraging.

 

[hdwhit]

Jim Kirk wrote:
I was more concerned with getting these loads over the chronograph without shooting any part of it than accuracy,...

I do that with a new load, too. I'll load ten rounds and put them in a marked row of the ammo box. At the range I then fire five of them through the chronograph without regard to accuracy and then the second five I shoot for the target and not through the chronograph.

Since I don't get to the range very often, I will often have an entire ladder loaded in the box with loads of, say, 3.1 grains on the first row with 3.3 grains on the next, followed by 3.5, 3.7 and 3.9 (with a 0.8 spread, I would jump 2/10 grain) and shoot them in sequence until I either got pressure signs or reached maximum.

It's worked pretty well. My chronograph is 24 years old and while I have hit all four of the metal rods holding up the screens (I replace them with bamboo shish-k-bob skewers of the same diameter) and grazed the hinge, it still hasn't died of "lead poisoning". Yet.

 

[hdwhit]

By the way, I was not familiar with T.J. Conavera until I read your post. Thanks.

 

[JimKirk]

HD ... I have a big advantage ... my 100 yard range is is less than 50 yards out my back door ...my reloading shop in about halfway between the door and the range ! So I can go shoot a test load ... walk a few steps back to the shop and load a different load.

Bad part is I am surrounded by the same woods that have been on fire for the last month ... with a big wind shift ... I'd be dead in the path ... I sure hope they get it under control soon .... about 140,000 acres burned now...

The old Pact One had ... yes "had" survived unshot for 30 years ... About two years ago I clipped the skyscreen into ...then one of the screen holders ... as they say ... It is not if but when !!!