Ready to load 45 ACP

[Magload]

Just got my Berry's 200gr plated SWC and now need to set up my dies in the 550 and crank out some test loads. Will be using CFE Pistol and WLP primers. Got to finish some 9mm first before changing out the press.

[Magload]

Ok I need a little advice before cranking out my first load. I haven't had any problems selecting a starting load for the Berry plated bullets with my 9mm or 40S&W but this data some how looks wrong.

Bullet Weight200 GR. CAST LSWC
CFE Pistol COL 1.225 Starting load 7.4grs Max 8.2

200 GR. SPR JHP
CFE Pistol COL 1.155 Starting load 6.3grs Max 7.2

Berry says use any 200 gr bullet loading data but the starting for the SPR JHP is higher then the Max for the Cast LSWS.

Berry says seat these 200gr plated at 1.180 they have me confused on this one. I was going to start with 6.3 gr and 1.180 but going to hold off till I get some advice.

[MichiganScott]

You usually load plated bullets using lead bullet data.

Pull the barrel off the pistol and use the following image to decide how deep to seat the bullet. I like to set the 200 grain LSWC like shown so it headspaces on the bullet. Just be sure that your handloads function the pistol and run 100% of the time through your mags before loading a couple thousand rounds.

[Magload]

Thanks Scott I did not use Berry's 1.180 COL as it seated the bullet so deep that the case mouth was even with the top of the SWC shoulder so I went with 1.225 was called for by Hodgdon for the LSWC. Plunked fine in my barrel. Will work with lengthening it later.

I am going to go with the 7.4grs then as called for in the data for the lead bullet. At least I might be able to see it in the Case as 6.3grs kind of disappeared in that big case.-

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[Calliope]

What type of gun?
Head spacing on the bullet is a technique best used with sharp shouldered lead SWCs, not a good general purpose technique.
The plated SWCs have much more rounded shoulder and getting consistent head spacing with those might be difficult.
I use 1.260" OAL with Berry's and Rainier plated SWCs and even at that length it's nowhere near the rifling in my guns. I would find a length that cycles in your gun and stick with it, adjusting the charge to get proper extraction and accuracy.
Also with equal charges, plated bullets generally give about the same velocity as jacketed, not lead, so jacketed data is what I use.
http://38super.net/Pages/How%20Fast.html

[Magload]

I will be shooting them in a new Remington 1911 R1. I would rather go with the jacketed data as the starting load is 1.1grs less powder. Not being cheap but when you shoot almost everyday the powder goes fast. well maybe I am cheap my girlfriend says so.

[scooter123]

I would also go with the Jacketed data, specifically I would look at the Hornady manual and use the load recommended for their 200 grain XTP. Because I've found that Hornady's data seems to work very well with plated bullets of the same weight. I've also found that while their data is a bit conservative it always seems to provide data that results in excellent accuracy.

Now, I've never loaded with the CFE Pistol but have been recently working up loads with the CFE223. What I've found out so far with the rifle version is that it seems to be a lot more pressure sensitive for ignition than Varget. Starting and mid ranges loads I tested initially were exceedingly dirty shooting in my AR and the accuracy was rather ho-hum. Tested some new loads today just 0.4 grains below the listed maximum and also leaned on the crimp a bit harder and that powder really came to life. Not only was it a lot cleaner shooting the accuracy for the Nosler 60 grain Ballistic tip now matches the Match Load I had previously developed using Varget and a 68 grain Hornady BTHP. The Nosler load also shoots to within 1/4 inch of the Hornady load. Unfortunately when I started testing the 68 grain Hornady bullet load the reticle on the cheap Barska scope I was used broke free on group 3. So, based on just one group the hotter load with the Hornady bullet was grouping at 0.625 inch at 50 yards, not nearly as good as the load using Varget. However, it's quite possible that was simply a failure on my part. I've now replaced that busted scope with a Nikon M-223 3-12x42 BDC600 and next weekend I plan on doing more testing once the scope is zeroed.

So, what's the point of this. It's simply that you may find that CFE Pistol is a bit pressure sensitive like the rifle powder. If so, step your load up as quickly as you feel save doing so. I expect that when you do you'll see a distinct improvement in the accuracy and a cleaner pistol at the end of your range session.

PS; I can also report that in the case of the Rifle version of this new class of powder that the Copper Fouling Eliminator actually seems to live up to the claims. Fact is that getting my barrel totally free of any copper fouling is much easier than it's been with any other powder I've used.

[m657]

Due to the incredible range of miseries I inflicted on myself decades ago striving to make all sorts of 45 acp rounds, my recipes and die adjustments have centered around a few basics that work well in everything I have.

I use 200 or 230 cast RN or FMJ. OAL @ 1.235+/- .05" never has feed issues.

Nearly anything off Hodgdon's list works fine, but currently I favor W231/WST/HP38/Bullseye/Universal. Undecided yet on CFE. Don't use the powders that meter poorly in my setup.

Every time I start exploring for 'better accuracy' I end up wasting a lot of time and nothing really better from the project......so I'm happy with the recipes that work well for my gear.

[Magload]

I ended up using the Hodgdon data for the 200gr SPR JHP and did 10 load each at 6.3, 6.5, and 6.7. If all is good I still got 6.9 and 7.1 with 7.2 being max. I went with 1.225 COL not the 1.155 they called for with the JHP as 1.155 put the shoulder of the Berry's 200gr Plated SWC below the top of the case. Will fire these off Monday. I don't know how they feed but they plunk good in my barrel.

[Engineer1911]

The shoulder of the bullet needs to be 0.020" to 0.035" above the case mouth. For most 200 gr SWC bullets, this gives an COL = 1.250" ± 0.008" . Lyman has a SWC mould that has a short nose that needs a shorter COL.

The taper crimp diameter measured at the case mouth is 0.469" to 0.472" . Your taper crimp doesn't care about brand of brass because it crimps the brass OD to the die setting. Using this case data, I have not had any feeding problems in my 45 ACP guns.

[Magload]

Thanks those are the measurements the bullets ended up at. I also dropped them in the barrel and let the slide slam shut 10 times like I read on another thread and the bulled didn't move at all. Passed the press on the bullet test also. I pulled the bullet and had no markings on the plating I think I am good to send them down range this morning. I thank everyone for the help. Will be starting on 38 Specials and 357 Mags next as soon as I get my new GP100 out of lay a way.

[Magload]

All went bang, all hit the target. Did not run benchrest group test as my back went out on me heading out the door for the range. I had to use my cane but made it into the range and was able to fire the 30 test rounds. Group test later.

[Bugkiller99]

Originally Posted by Magload

Did not run benchrest group test as my back went out on me heading out the door for the range. IGroup test later.

Ouch. You're a better man than me. I would have stayed home.

We'll wait on the group test. You get better.

[Magload]

Thanks I have had the back problem a long time but won't let them fix it. I told the GF no way I wasn't going to go try these loads. I got the Blue Bullets today they are the same as the plated so I can load them up with the same loads.

[Calliope]

I also dropped them in the barrel and let the slide slam shut 10 times like I read on another thread and the bulled didn't move at all.

With a 1911, and most auto pistols in general, you shouldn't chamber a round in the barrel and drop the slide on it. It's supposed to be hard on the extractor, especially in 1911s. I don't know what was in that other thread, but testing for bullet set back is generally done by chambering rounds from the magazine.

Load the mag, rack the slide hard to the rear, let it fly forward simulating the feed cycle. I do it with dummy rounds (no powder, no primer) so I can test at home without loading live rounds. I think it's more telling than the static 'press on the bullet test'. I make 3 dummy rounds and cycle each 3 times from the mag. You should get no more than .005" setback after 3 times. (they always set back just a smidgen the first time, then stop if everything is right)

[Magload]

You are right and I knew that doing that way wasn't good. I probably read it wrong.

I got to work with COL as with it at 1.225 the SWCs are to deep and the cases are not clambering. with the 200gr Blue Bullets the shoulder of the bullet is just at the case mouth the Berrys aren't much better. Will see if I can get COL longer.

Also the groups with 6.7gr of CFE Pistol are not grouping worth a hoot. The 6.9gr one tighten up a bunch. Will have to try the longer COL first before I step up another .2 grs as I know seating depth changes pressures.