I'm looking for some suggestions for loading 45ACP to GI/Mil spec. I believe that would be 230gr FMJ at about 830-850 fps. out of a 5" barrel.

I have Winchester 230gr FMJ bullets, Winchester LP primers and several powders (HP-38, Bullseye, Winchester 231 and Unique).

I was going to try 5.5gr of Winchester 231 to start.

Any suggestions?

At one time 5.0 grains of Bullseye was considered the GI ball load. 231/hp38 will equal it with a little over 5 grains and Unique will also do it, don't remember the amount off the top of my head. Check a couple different manuals to get a starting point and work up to it.

Howdy kci-mia.

I have loaded the 230 grain pill pretty much exclusively ofer the years. I, for the most part, have always used W-231/HP-38. My pet load is 5.0 grs. which delivers approx. 720 fps out of my 1911s.

Go to the Hodgdon load data site here.

Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com

The velocities listed may or may not be what you will get out of your firearm. I have found that I get different velocities when shot over a chronograph than what is shown in their charts.


WG840

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I use 6.3 grains of Unique for hardball equivalent.

5.0 gr of Bullseye. If you read Hatcher's notebook you will get a lot more information about the load, and how it varied by a couple tenths plus or minus. You will see 4.6 and 4.8 in a couple places. But to keep it simple, 5 grains. It is not just the GI ball load but also very accurate in my guns.

I just about duplicate factory performance witha 230 gr LEAD cast RN with 6.4 gr Unique, for less money than jacketed.


Flash

The 5.0gr load of Bullseye is the go to load for GI ball duplication. Only one caution, as you don't mention what firearm you are shooting them from, watch your OAL. Use the longest that will reliably function in your magazines and chamber.

A friend here on the forum had a KB in a Glock with factory ammo, if I remember correctly. I know he had the KB, just cannot remember the exact ammo type.

The longer OAL will give you less pressure if the bullet isn't jammed into the rifling.

FWIW

I recently ran into a situation in which my ball loads were binding in my 625. I was seating them to 1.260 OAL and causing a slight bulge in the brass at the base of the bullet. They shot fine in my 1911, but just would not fit in the 625's cylinder in moonclips. I went to 1.270 and the problem went away.

Yogi Berra

"It's like deja vu all over again"

45 ACP original loads

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Still Running Against the Wind

samewith me, when i first started on my dillon, Brian Enos said for 1911's load as long as possible on the OAL, it will go into the feed ramp very smooth and lessen the % of ejection probblems, I load 1.274 for my 625PC and and Kimbers..No problem. with 5.1 w231 230g LRN..

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Here ya go!

Encyclopedia of Bullseye Pistol

While it's true 5.0gr Bullseye was considered to be the original military load you can also duplicate it with 5.5gr W231/HP-38. (W231 & HP-38 are both the same powders) I get very good results with W231 but nothing wrong with Bullseye either. Load up 15-20 rounds of each and see which your pistol likes better.

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