Just got my last order of hi-tek coated bullets in from one of the big three casting companies.

In spite of the fact that I specifically ordered the traditional "GROOVED" H&G #68 200 grain SWC, they shipped the new style groveless that everyone is making because it's cheaper to manufacture.

Given that it took 14 weeks to get ANY bullets, I'm going to use them anyway.  Most reports say they are slightly less accurate, which makes sense.  Even though they have a longer bearing surface, the ends of the bearing surface are closer together.  They also are a slightly slower with the same powder load for obvious reasons.

I'm thinking I will probably need to add a tenth of a grain to keep my load in the major category, maybe 0.2 ?

Anyone else who has switched over care to share how their load changed.

EDIT: Corrected above.

No groove and grooveless mean the same thing.

It shouldn't make any difference. The only different would be if you are using a heavier crimp which would increase case pressure, thus possibly increasing your PF. Do a small latter load and use a chrony to see what changes are present using these groove-less bullets and different crimps. I prefer groove-less for my match grade ammo for 1911's. Mostly they are all 200gr groove-less SWC's, but they are coated as well. What makes the big difference for me is the brinell of the cast bullet.

this

and

this


Also,...I don't think they are any cheaper to manufacturer

use them, and enjoy

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I would swear the grooved bullets (200g. SWC .45acp) is more accurate. Testing the grooved and non velocities were identical (4.4g Bulleye)

Um, yeah...

I ordered the traditional grooved  H&G #68 shape.

Well, if they are 20 fps slower then there is a risk of not making major depending on the vagaries of temperature and the match chrony no?

0.020" shorter and more bearing surface = slower.



All the big companies have acknowledged that these are cheaper to make (faster to mold/remove from mold)

Now that I took a photo side by side I see the profile is different as well.

You can send them back or use them.

Make a decision and get on with it.

There is some velocity data at the link below if that helps.

lube-groove-vs-no-lube-groove

Since bullets are running 12-16 weeks to get anything, I'll use them.

Just means getting to the range with my chrony and verifying that they meet power factor before a match, which is an extra PITA.

Thanks for the link.  That .231 load though... (almost 10% above Hodgdon's max) , still, that data only shows a 10fps drop, so I should actually be fine, I don't cut it that close to the power factor floor.

Hodgdon is not the only source for load data with lead/cast bullets in 45 Auto. See Lyman, Speer and Hornady.

True, but they do make the powder.  I also have two other manuals that show max at either 5.5 or 5.6.

My Lyman 49 does show 6.0 max though.

And for a bullet with a profile like the one you're using, Lyman's max with 231 is 6.1 grains (50th edition).

Hodgdon does not make 231. They just sell it.

Winchester 231

I dont shoot .45 anymore but I have lots of components.  In this case I have sample pack of SNS 200 swc that do indeed have the groove, You can have them for free.

Might be nice to see your range report to see how they group side by side.