Does anyone have any loads using Unique, 231 and Bullseye with 250 gr cast bullets in the 45 Auto Rim? Both my S&W and Colt 1917s shoot 'way low with the 230 gr RN, and I'd like a bullet with a longer barrel time to lift the groups up a bit.
45 Auto Rim Heavy Bullet Loads
- Thread starter Cyrano
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
OFT II
US Veteran
Try 5.2 to 5.7 grains of Unique with a 250 grain slug. It makes a nice easy to shoot load. I prefer 5.7 grains myself.
Wayne Dobbs
Member
I've worked up to 6.5 Unique in the .45 ACP with a 250 Keith SWC using Starline AR brass. It's not as hot as you think and it kills the snot out of TX deer.
Dale53
Member
I load the NOE clone of the Lyman 454424 bullet (250 gr Keith) with 7.0 grs of Unique. The velocity is 900+ fps. It is safe in a modern Model 25 or 625. It shoots extremely well. Elmer Keith recommended 7.5 grs of Unique but I decided to stop at 7.0.
It makes the .45 ACP a truly effective cartridge for hunting at reasonable ranges. These loaded in .45 Auto Rim cases to keep them out of my 1911's:
Dale53
It makes the .45 ACP a truly effective cartridge for hunting at reasonable ranges. These loaded in .45 Auto Rim cases to keep them out of my 1911's:
Dale53
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
No, but I have some with SR4756, 2400 and AA#9! 
They will raise the groups a bit, no problem there. It just won't be because of barrel dwell time!
(These loads are in 45ACP brass but they are distinctive enough they aren't going to end up in a semi auto!)
They will raise the groups a bit, no problem there. It just won't be because of barrel dwell time!
(These loads are in 45ACP brass but they are distinctive enough they aren't going to end up in a semi auto!)
In my 1917 S&W with AR brass I get about 790 fps with 4.8 grs BE or
5.1 grs 231 with 250gr cast bullets. With 5.3 grs 231 I get 815 fps.
6.1grs Unique clocks 800fps. The BE and 231 loads are more consistant.
I also have a 1917 Colt that shoots well with these loads. I like to see
point of impact just a bit high at 20-25 yds. These loads also work well
with the 255gr very hard cast bevel base sold at gun shows
5.1 grs 231 with 250gr cast bullets. With 5.3 grs 231 I get 815 fps.
6.1grs Unique clocks 800fps. The BE and 231 loads are more consistant.
I also have a 1917 Colt that shoots well with these loads. I like to see
point of impact just a bit high at 20-25 yds. These loads also work well
with the 255gr very hard cast bevel base sold at gun shows
David Sinko
Member
I've gone a few tenths of a grain higher than 5.1 grs. with 231 and 255 gr. cast bullets and gotten over 900 FPS in my 3" 625. It's a very accurate and consistent load and I hope to use it soon to hunt feral hogs. But work up carefully in the older revolvers; 231 is the fastest powder I care to use with 255 gr. bullets.
Dave Sinko
Dave Sinko
revolvergeek
Member
Thanks for sharing the info. I have been pondering working up some heavy bullet loads for the .45 AR. Has anybody tried the 270 Thunderheads from Penn Bullets? One of those going around 800 fps should be plenty strong medicine for any of the critters we get around here.
Penn Bullets
Penn Bullets
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Well, they aren't thunderheads from Penn Bullets BUT they do weigh just a smidge over 270gr.
The ones all the way to the right.
The ones all the way to the right.
fredj338
Member
I load the RCBS 270LSWC that has been HP to weigh 250gr. It makes 820fps w/ 5.9gr of Unique in my 4" M625. The solid LSWC would weigh 280gr & definitely shoots higher.
Those figures sound about right. Wish I'd had that info before I went to the range with my 625-8 (5" barrel) last week. I was shooting very hard 255 gr SWC (about 25 Brinnell). I had read of various loads with 231, even up to a frightening 8.0 gr. but a couple of sources that seemed reliable (info is on another computer so I can't check at the moment) suggested that somewhere in the mid 6's should give me around 925 so I loaded up three at 6.6. According to my Chrony, those averaged 1020, which was rather higher than I had planned to go (or need). Primers looked OK but based on that I think 6.1 or even 5.7 (as I use a Lee Auto-Disk) should provide all the "whump" I need.
Stuart- Joined
- Aug 9, 2005
- Messages
- 9,228
- Reaction score
- 11,448
While the velocities are lower, I've realized better accuracy with 231 and #454424 than with other powders including Unique, Power Pistol, and HS-6.
Been loading my 255 LSWCs over 5.0 of Green Dot.
They chronograph at 812 FPS out of my 4" 625-3.
I use the load for bowling pin shoots. Really slams the pins.
Just got a new order of the bullets, so its time to try out the 231 load as discussed above.
They chronograph at 812 FPS out of my 4" 625-3.
I use the load for bowling pin shoots. Really slams the pins.
Just got a new order of the bullets, so its time to try out the 231 load as discussed above.
Last edited:
The highest I have gone with 231 and the hard cast 255 gr SWCs is
5.6 grs for 835 fps out of my 4" S&W 25-2. I don't think this is an
excessive load but I don't shoot them in my old 1917 guns.
5.6 grs for 835 fps out of my 4" S&W 25-2. I don't think this is an
excessive load but I don't shoot them in my old 1917 guns.
I've been using some machine cast 255gr SWCBB with 6gr PP, very mild and clean.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
LOL, I would think after a little over 3 years the OP had figured it out of has given up already!
Last edited:
ghitch75
Member
270gr Penn thunderhead over 5.8gr of Unique in a AR case....
djh1765
Member
I have been loading a 250gr. Cast RNFP bullet for my 4506-1 for years. I use 5.3 grs. of HP-38 or 231. loaded at 1.35 OAL.
Gives me 805FPS with good accuracy.
Cheeper then loading FMJ bullets for sue.
djh
Gives me 805FPS with good accuracy.
Cheeper then loading FMJ bullets for sue.
djh
ElmerKeith
Member
I load the NOE clone of the Lyman 454424 bullet (250 gr Keith) with 7.0 grs of Unique. The velocity is 900+ fps. It is safe in a modern Model 25 or 625. It shoots extremely well. Elmer Keith recommended 7.5 grs of Unique but I decided to stop at 7.0.
It makes the .45 ACP a truly effective cartridge for hunting at reasonable ranges. These loaded in .45 Auto Rim cases to keep them out of my 1911's:
Dale53
Dale53,
it's some time back but I found this post while searching for the 45 AR.
What brand of die set did you use to roll crimp the 45AR cases? I always thought that the 45 ACP/45AR die sets only provide dies for taper crimping.
What is the exact diameter of the bullets? 451, 452 or even 454? How large are the chamber throats of your m25-2?
Last edited:
