As I got to the (current, as of 8 January 2010) end of this thread http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=77063 , I couldn't help but agree with the statement that things would be a lot easier if we had the length of the bullets available to us. I recently read a comment by someone (I don't recall which thread it was in) to the effect that he started loading to the same overall length as Winchester USA. In fact, that's exactly what I did. My first 100 rounds were loaded using once-fired Winchester brass, Winchester primers, Winchester 231 powder, and Winchester 230-grain FMJ bullets I found on a back shelf at the range store. So matching the overall length of Winchester factory ammo seemed to be a no-brainer.
After that first 100 rounds, however, I changed over to using Berrys plated lead bullets, because they were (and are) significantly less expensive than "brand name" FMJ bullets. The bullet shape appeared the same as for the Winchester bullets, so I used the same COAL. And, as I have commented in a couple of other threads, the resultant velocities at what some books consider near-maximum charge are VERY much slower than should be expected -- like 100 f.p.s. or more slower than expected.
One reason might be the bullet (as opposed to the cartridge) length. So, since that information is not being provided to us ...
Why don't we compile it ourselves? If everyone would measure up the bullets they're currently loading and post the information, someone (and I guess that means me) can compile it into a table that we can run as a sticky in the "Ammo & Reloading" forum area.
Subject to suggestions for what else you might want to see, I would think we would want the data to include
- Manufacturer
- Bullet name, if any (such as Remington Golden Saber, as opposed to their generic JHP bullet)
- Bullet weight in grains
- Bullet type (i.e. FMJ, JHP, LRN, PLRN, LSWC, etc)
- Bullet length
- Base diameter (typically .451" or .452" but there may be variations)
Anything I've overlooked?
Anyone loading lighter weights that have hollow bases should not that, because a hollow base effectively increases the case volume. I'm not sure how to treat those, other than to be sure we recognize them when they occur.
{EDIT}Thanks to niemi24s, we have compiled the data received as of 25 February 2011 into a spreadsheet and posted the spreadsheet to a Google Docs account, which can be viewed from the following link:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?...FE&hl=en#gid=0
As more data are submitted, we'll periodically update the spreadsheet so please keep those cards and letters coming in.
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