Cast Bullets

I just received my 200gr 45 LC/ACP RNFP bullets today and was wondering what weight tolerance I should expect.   I am trying to pick a good brand to stick with.  This is my first time loading cast bullets as I have always used coated lead or plated.  Looking at starting loads for BE powder in my manuals I opted on 4.0gr as the starting was 4.6grs.  After I see how these do on the chrono and my wrist I might back them down some.  The manual called for 1.225" OAL but I had to seat to 1.190" to get a good plunk test in MY LB Wadcutter.  These bullets are by SNS and look real nice but I noticed a couple went 201.6 on my scale but most fell in at 200.2 to 200.4.  Don

The high ones came from a hot mold.  Use them for practice.  Weight variation up to a half grain was considered good.  So if the bulk are at 200.3 anything above 200.8 or below 199.7 will do fine for 25 yards.  

4.0 is in the range.  I'd load 20 at 3.8 and 4.2 to see if they might be better accuracy wise. 

Most guns are set up for SWC but if the RNFP work they should be fine.

If the recoil is too sharp, drop the weight to a 185.

Load 'em up.

Shoot 'em up.

Watch the front sight.

Squeeze the trigger.

john bickar wrote:Load 'em up.

Shoot 'em up.

Watch the front sight.

Squeeze the trigger.

"That's a fact Jack"

Jon Eulette wrote:

john bickar wrote:Load 'em up.

Shoot 'em up.

Watch the front sight.

Squeeze the trigger.

"That's a fact Jack"

^^ That!
I guarantee that if you take the time you would spend sorting by weight and dry fire instead you will get more points from the dry firing.

- Dave

There will be some variance owing to the lube. More than 2gn is bad 

If u want zero variance then go to a swagged bullet or JHP.  

+1^

john bickar wrote:Load 'em up.

Shoot 'em up.

Watch the front sight.

Squeeze the trigger.

Always pay attention to advice given by a high master...

Wobbley wrote:The high ones came from a hot mold.  

Heavy bullets come from a cold mold.

Scott

I ran 3.8, 4.0 and 4.2grs of BE today and the 4.2 was the tightest group with the Ransom Rest.  Next I will do 4.1, 4.3 and see what those do.  I did order a thousand cast 185gr SWCs that are SNS.  Don

Unless you are shooting closer to 100 yards than 50 yards, the only thing that REALLY matters is a completely filled-out bullet base. I have gotten great groups with ugly wrinkled bullets, as long as the base was perfect.
Dry firing is so much more important.

I will agree that dry firing is very important but you will never shoot better then your gun and ammo.  Testing loads and bullets is what I really enjoy.  I like knowing that my flyers are caused by me and not what I am using.  The rounds I was using before hadn't been shot at 50yds and i thought they were great at 25yds.  Well off the ransom at 50 they would all stay on a piece of typing paper.  What kind of score would you say that would get me?  Switched to the 185 Zero JHPs and now feel like I might be able to do this Bullseye stuff.  I have been getting a lot of pointers on this site and like to try them out.  Don