JLeeCZ Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 (edited) I tried doing a thread search but guess I couldn't word it correctly to get a hit. I just received my first order of coated lead bullets to try for 9mm. Getting close to ordering dies/caliber conversion for my 550 to begin .45 handloading. Have some 230 PD FMJ's but would really like to make a lighter coated lead bullet work for me. Thinking of ordering 200 gr .45 but was wondering if anyone can tell me if there is a disadvantage(other than feeding) with using the FN(or flat point, oxymoron) as opposed to RN. Thought I remembered reading here that putting the bullet weight center further back with the FN aids a little with stabilizing the bullet. Edited March 8, 2014 by JLeeCZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Use a 200gr Semi Wadcutter, several of the coating companies have them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLeeCZ Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share Posted March 9, 2014 (edited) I've looked at those but wanted to stay away from wadcutters so early in my loading experience. Guess I was wondering why some makers offer flat and round nose of the same bullet weight and why you would choose one over the other. If they are both just as accurate, why not just use the round nose to avoid feeding issue possibilities. Edited March 9, 2014 by JLeeCZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttownracer Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 (edited) I have never loaded wadcutter's, so I'm curious why you want to stay away from them. Are they more difficult to load than RN? I was planning on buying some on my next order. Many have said they are often more accurate than 230 RN. Wilson's match ammo is 200 gr SWC and the one mag full I was able to shoot was impressive. Edited March 9, 2014 by ttownracer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 230 gr round nose feed in most everything AND any good 200 H&G style semi wadcutter will feed at 1.250 COL . Very rarely in a decent gun will they give you problems 5.6 of 231 was a pretty standard load for ipsc for years, you can go lighter now since the PF is lower now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLeeCZ Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share Posted March 9, 2014 (edited) I have never loaded wadcutter's, so I'm curious why you want to stay away from them. Ignorance, I guess. I've only loaded round nose so far and want to make sure I'm not missing something. Edited March 9, 2014 by JLeeCZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttownracer Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 I have never loaded wadcutter's, so I'm curious why you want to stay away from them. Ignorance, I guess. I've only loaded round nose so far and want to make sure I'm not missing something. Roger that. If they presented a big challenge compared to RN I wanted to research more before trying them. Only difference I thought was the seeting profile, and i think on my dies i just turn the insert over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttolliver Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 If you're loading for accuracy or just fun shooting, I'll echo the comments to buy 200gr SWCs. For major PF in this sport, go 230gr RN for the slight advantage the greater weight gives you in recoil management. It's tempting to say the SWC design is a hair more accurate, but I've shot just as many impressive one hole groups with RN 230s as with 200 SWCs. I think SWCs are just permanently associated with accuracy because those who focus on accuracy also enjoy the nice crisp holes. That's the reason I suggest then for accuracy/fun shooting. That being said, I think Bullseye shooters do shoot SWCs as a rule. It would be great to get a perspective of one of those shooters if we have one lurking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLeeCZ Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share Posted March 9, 2014 Just seems like a round nose bullet would be more aerodynamic but what do i know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandabooks Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 I shoot a little Bullseye and all the guys that I shoot with load SWC bullets. I load 185gr S&S bullets. Really have to concentrate on keeping the OAL consistant to keep reliable feeding. They do make very nice clean holes in the paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 I used to shoot a little Bullseye, back then, if I remember correctly, 185 jacketed SWCs were the hot ticket. Most used lead for practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandabooks Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Yep. S&S lead for practice and Berry's copper plated for competition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 When I first started in USPSA in 86 I switched to 200gr as you didn't have to drive them as hard to make major (175 PF then). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordonm1 Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 A lot of guns have problems feeding SWC designs such as the XD45 and my Sig P220. Roundnose are their friends. However, a lot of the 200gr roundnose designs were originally for revolver use and come with a large crimping groove to prevent bullet set back in revolver use. I not sure of any negatives for semi-auto use of a bullet with a crimping groove but I migrated to the Precision 200gr RNFP because they don't have the crimp groove, the flat point is pretty small so its almost a roundnose, they are pretty soft but don't lead, and they seem very consistent and accurate when loaded by me. I shot a ton of Missouri Bullet Co.'s bare lead 200gr RNFP's too because they cost less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8ring Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Some semi-autos have trouble feeding the 200gr round nose flat point. Some Euro guns can gag on 200gr semi-wadcutters. Other guns will feed them but the OAL has to be perfect. For consistent feeding in an autoloader, you should try the 200gr round nose semi-wadcutter. I've never had a FTF in my 1911 or my CZ-97 with these bullets. Here is a picture from the SNS Casting site: http://www.snscasting.com/45-acp-200-grain-round-nose-500ct/ Which is more accurate in your gun? Who knows? Remember, IPSC isn't Bullseye and either one will be accurate enough if you do your job. Go with the most reliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 As pointed out by Guy Neil, if you place a drawing of an H&G 200 gr LSWC over a drawing of a 230 ball, you will see that it was designed so that the contact points of the two were identical. This lets it feed exactly like a 230 ball bullet. A lot of other LSWCs are not quite the same configuration and may not work anywhere near as well as the H&G 68. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLeeCZ Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) As pointed out by Guy Neil, if you place a drawing of an H&G 200 gr LSWC over a drawing of a 230 ball, you will see that it was designed so that the contact points of the two were identical. This lets it feed exactly like a 230 ball bullet. A lot of other LSWCs are not quite the same configuration and may not work anywhere near as well as the H&G 68. How do I identify a SWC as the original H&G 68 design? They all look the same to me. I checked a couple of the coated bullet sites. http://www.snscasting.com/45-acp-200-grain-semi-wad-cutter-coated-1000ct/ Edited March 11, 2014 by JLeeCZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 You can ask the company you buy them from if they use a H&G 68 style mold. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12113 http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=41589 http://thefiringline.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-100844.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLeeCZ Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 You can ask the company you buy them from if they use a H&G 68 style mold. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12113 http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=41589 http://thefiringline.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-100844.html Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtychemist Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 I'd consider the 225 grain flat point from xtreme bullets for competition. I shot semi wad cutters for a while and the hole they leave is very easy to see during shooting. The round nose, not so much. With the slight weight difference I am inclined to switch to them but I haven't had time money or POWDER to test them. I would consider making them closer to 1.200" overall length just like factory hollow points for feeding reliability and maybe slightly higher velocity compared to the 230s. I wouldn't even worry about the barrel feed ramp at that length. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLeeCZ Posted March 17, 2014 Author Share Posted March 17, 2014 I just saw where SNS is making a 230gr coated bullet without the lube groove. Didn't know that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLeeCZ Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 You can ask the company you buy them from if they use a H&G 68 style mold. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12113 http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=41589 http://thefiringline.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-100844.html Thread is a little dated but Jim at SNS confirmed they use the H&G 68 mold for their coated 200 gr coated SWC. Got a birthday coming up and kids are giving me BE gift certs that I am going to use for caliber conversion for my 550b. Will order 500 200gr and see how I do. Thanks and may get back to you when I start loading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasref Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 I shoot 45 very little. but have tried 185 JFN. Had some feed problems. These were Freedom reloads. I've since been reloading my own, and gone to 230 RN without a single issue. The only thing I can think of is the ramp on a 1911 is steep. And a shorter OAL could allow the round to stick. Or maybe not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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