Ranier Plated Bullets...lower grain charge?

[aka108]

I load the plated bullets same as lead. Not concerned about a few feet per second one way or another at 15 and 25 yards.

 

[Jumpin4Joy]

ArchAngelCD;

Why is W231/HP-38 or Clays more suitable for Rainer bullets? Also, do you lube Rainier bullets or do they come pre-lubed? I'm careful not to overcrimp and have been setting the bullet about .21 since I have no cannalure to judge the seating depth. The COL is just under the 1.455.

Jeff

 

[evan price]

No lube required for Rainiers- they are plated with copper like a FMJ.

 

[glockgod]

Loading 9mm 147 Rainiers. Started with 3.5gr Unique and stopped at 4gr testing each batch with the Chrony. At 4grs I'm getting about 950 fps with reliable function. Thats as close to factory velocity as I'll ever need.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Originally Posted By Jumpin4Joy:
ArchAngelCD;

Why is W231/HP-38 or Clays more suitable for Rainer bullets? Also, do you lube Rainier bullets or do they come pre-lubed? I'm careful not to overcrimp and have been setting the bullet about .21 since I have no cannalure to judge the seating depth. The COL is just under the 1.455.

Jeff

Like already mentioned, no lube needed on a Plated or Jacketed bullet.

Like I said in my post, Plated bullets are soft like Lead bullets so powders that work well with Lead bullets will also work well with Plated bullets. Clays and W231/HP-38 are good powders for Lead .45 Auto rounds so they will also work well with Rainier bullets. That holds even more true for .38 Special rounds IMO since I think W231 is a great powder for the .38 Special and Lead bullets.

Jeff,
If you charge 4.0gr W231 under that 125gr Rainier bullet for a light target round I think you will be very happy. If you want something with a little more velocity you can always jump the charge up to the 4.8gr Max. For the .38 Special I shoot 125 LRN bullets with a 4.0gr charge of W231, 148gr DEWC bullets with a 3.5gr charge of W231 and 158gr LSWC bullets with a charge of 3.4gr W231. All those loads will work well for light target ammo with a Rainier bullet. (by light I mean under 900 fps)

 

[Jumpin4Joy]

ArchAngelCD;

Thanks for your time in responding. Good information.

Jeff

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You're welcome, I don't mind at all. I learned a lot of what I know from asking questions. I'm still learning every day and don't mind sharing since that's how I and many others have gotten much of their information. That's what this is all about!

Just one more note.... Make sure you keep good records of everything you do. There's no need to do something this year, forget you did it and do it again next year. You will find that your best source of data will be your own notes.

 

[Jumpin4Joy]

I loaded 1 box of Rainer FN 125 grn with 6.5 grn HS-6 per recommendation. The entire box shot flawlessly.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Good work, I'm glad that charge worked out for you...

 

[Urbana John]

I've been using Rainier bullets lately because of the cost factory. Usually would buy Speer for pistol bullets, but I use the same amount of Unique for both 9mm loads.
In fact----I load 9's for a friend, and he wanted them a little "hotter".
My load is 5.5 grs. of Unique and his is 5.8 grs. AND he shoots them in his GLOCK!!!! Probably has shot 2 to 3 K rounds of reloads in IDPA matches, with NO problems.
I run my reloads thru a Beretta 92 and Beretta Storm and I can't tell any difference between the Rainier 115 HPs. and the Speer 115 JHPs.
Rainier makes a "pretty" good "plated" bullet IMHO

UJ

 

[bobotech]

I loaded up 50 Ranier 158 grain bullets for 357 mag last week. I loaded them up hot too, 15.3 grains of H110. My 357mag Desert Eagle won't cycle with anything less than hot loads.

They shot fine and functioned fine in the gun and the accuracy didn't appear to suffer.

I'm not so sure I will load them that hot again.

 

[twodawgs]

This thread looks like it's been dormant for a long time. Does anyone know if the data in that PDF file is still legit.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=317439

Thanks

 

[Chief-7700]

I still used the PDF data for reloading. Never had a problem.
Chief

 

[Steve in PA]

I've been using the same data for my Rainier bullets that I do for regular FMJ's bullets for years.

7.0gr of HS6 for 115gr 9mm and 6.0gr of Unique for 230gr .45acp.

 

[RustyFN]

I have only used them in 9mm but have always loaded with the same load as jacketed. Damn Quickdraw you need to put up a warning before you post pictures like that, I almost had a heart attack.
Rusty

 

[Walkalong]

It is good data. As always, start low and work up.

 

[Blind Bat]

Why does the PDF list FMJ and JHP bullets? Is this just MW's nomenclature for plated round nose / plated hollow point or did Rainier used to make jacketed bullets?

Edit:
I think Archive.org's version of the old data is easier to read than the PDF:
http://web.archive.org/web/20050502124831/http://www.rainierballistics.com/loaddataMW.htm

From that I'm guessing they used the jacketed terms as not to confuse people who weren't familiar with the differences between a plated and a jacketed bullet.

 

[D. Manley]

"...Oh but it is. When Accurates data for Raniers was still available on Raniers site it was plain to see."

Its still around, just have to dig a bit nowadays. "CLICK"

 

[rockhound758]

Wow, this site continues to impress me! Just been on here over a week now and I keep finding great stuff!

Chief, thanks for posting that load data for the Raniers. Much appreciated.

Take care all.

 

[easyrider604]

Just for fun, I loaded Rainier 125 grain .357 plated HPs over 13.0 grains Blue Dot in .357 magnum brass. Fired from my 18.5 inch barreled Marlin 1894, they were probably zipping along at least 1,600 fps. Unimpressive 5 inch groups at 50 meters using the stock iron buckhorn sights, not as bad as I expected considering Rainier's warnings to keep velocity below 1200 fps. Bullets seemed to be somewhat stabilized because the holes were still round.

Next range trip, I will try 158 grain Speer JHPs over 14.0 grains 2400, for accuracy comparison purposes.

 

[rfwobbly]

Just look closely at your targets. When you load too hot with plated bullets, the target will be speckled all around the bullet hole like you had double tapped with a "shot shell".

 

[easyrider604]

When you load too hot with plated bullets, the target will be speckled all around the bullet hole like you had double tapped with a "shot shell".

Negative on "speckling". Could be because the target was 50 meters away.
I'll look for speckling at 7 meters next time.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Rainier recommends using Jacketed bullet data and not exceed 1200 to 1250 fps. Nuff said...

I load Rainier plated HPs with great results. They make a great practice substitute for my hunting and self defense ammunition. Excellent accuracy and much more inexpensive.

 

[tkrick]

Rainer 185gr HP (45ACP) and Hodgdon Titegroup Powder

Does anyone have any suggestions for recipes for the above combo? I'm just getting started reloading and would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

 

[skeetbum]

what load would you use for 165 grain rainier looking to push a 40 s&w in the 900-1000 fps range? i use clays powder for all my 12 ga shotgun reloads and have plenty of it hanging around. i appreciate all input.

thanks,

skeet