Dave T
Member
I used to have a source for 230g truncated cone, flat-point cast bullets. For a number of years I loaded them over 5.8g of Unique. When I finally got my own chronograph I was kind of surprised to see how much variation there was. I switched to 231 and have used it for the ACP ever since.
These days I'm down to two hand loads for both the semi autos and my 45 ACP revolvers. One is a duplicate of military Ball with Berry's 230g RN over 6g 231. It averaged 834 fps from a 5" Government Model the last time I tested it and that matches the specs for Ball when I was in the Army (Vietnam era).
For the revolvers I load Berry's 200g RS bullet over the same charge of 231. Depending on barrel length it runs from 885 fps to 905 fps.
I never saw the need for +P loads in the 45 ACP. It made its reputation with Ball and the guns last longer and most folks can shoot better with that level of recoil and blast. YMMV!
Dave
These days I'm down to two hand loads for both the semi autos and my 45 ACP revolvers. One is a duplicate of military Ball with Berry's 230g RN over 6g 231. It averaged 834 fps from a 5" Government Model the last time I tested it and that matches the specs for Ball when I was in the Army (Vietnam era).
For the revolvers I load Berry's 200g RS bullet over the same charge of 231. Depending on barrel length it runs from 885 fps to 905 fps.
I never saw the need for +P loads in the 45 ACP. It made its reputation with Ball and the guns last longer and most folks can shoot better with that level of recoil and blast. YMMV!
Dave
