Is Winchester white box .45 ACP down-loaded?

[sigp220.45]

I've never really noticed a difference in shooting WWB and Golden Sabers (both 230 grain) in my Sig P220, sometimes mixed up in the same magazine. Then the other day I was trying my new-to-me Colt LW Commander, with this variety of loads:



I shot a few magazines of the white box, then tried it with the hollowpoints to be sure it would feed. Wowzers, those Rangers got my attention - significantly more recoil. It was an indoor range, and a few heads turned when I touched them off. The Golden Sabers were next and seemed a little more stout, but it may have been some residual Ranger effect.

I had always just assumed all non+P 230s were about the same in velocity. I don't have a chronograph, and I'm leery of manufacturers published figures.

I've been qualifying with my 220 for 25 years, so its not like I'm not used to shooting relatively lightweight .45s, but I think I'll stick to the WWB in this little Colt.

Anyone else have a similar experience with the SXTs?

[Bat99]

In my experience, such that it is, hollow point defensive rounds have always felt a little stouter than most ball rounds. Of course the manufacturers have different recipes for their own rounds and can differ. WWB has always felt 'middle' of the road in recoil to me. As of the last couple of years, it does seem that they're less consistent than they used to be. Possibly you got a box from a lot that was barely in spec?

[kaaskop49]

IMHO, the 1911/.45 hard ball combo is sublime. With hard ball, you don't have to feel guilty about using a FMJ round for serious social purposes: the great thing about this round. I would stick with ball in the Commander.

I was not aware of any MV irregularities in the many brands of hard ball out there, US and imported. Would make for an interesting comparison. Stay safe, partner.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

[Rpg]

^^^^^^^ what he said.

45 ball is great stuff.

It's already the caliber everyone with a 9 mm, 40 cal, 357, 38 special, or 380 wants to attain.

The 45 always makes the grade.

Everything else, not so much.

[alwslate]

I have no experience with any of the 230 JHP 45 ACP loads and it has
been several years since I've chronographed any factory 45 ACPs. But
in chronographing 230 gr ball ammo of different brands, military and
commercial, I recorded velocities of just under 800 fps to just over
850 fps out of my 5" Colt. That's enough to make a difference in
recoil out of your lightweight. Published figures from manufacturers
will usually be in line with industry standards regardless of what their
ammo actually achieves. I would stick to the softer loads with an
older lightweight Commander if it belonged to me. A really worthwhile
investment would be $99 for a Competition Electronics Pro Digital
chronograph. DON'T buy a Chrony.