.45ACP 200gr RNFP load data

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Hi all. This one wasn't in my load book so I am putting out some feelers. I have a ton of HP38 powder and want to load some lead. I will be using a 200gr RNFP hard cast. Need min and max, along with a recommended OAL. Going to shoot this in a plethera of 1911's and the occasional XD. Thanks in advance!
 
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Use the data for the 200gr SWC but back off about a half grain. Then work up to what you want. Start about 5gr and work up to about 5.3gr and go for it. Use a taper crimp as you normally would.
 
You can use the data for the 230 gr Lead bullet and just get more velocity. As mentioned the data for the LSWC can be used also.
Look at the Hodgdons web site and their is not a whole lot of difference between the two. I use 5.0grs HP38

AS for OAL it depends on your gun barrel around 1.200'ish

Load some dummy rounds a bit longer, drop them in the barrel and see if they "plunk" in and fall out easily. Adjust as need, light taper crimp.

Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com
 
5.0gr seems like a decent starting point in factory-style pistols. Now I have to pull out the auto disk chart and see if that lines up. Thanks!
 
5.0gr seems like a decent starting point in factory-style pistols. Now I have to pull out the auto disk chart and see if that lines up. Thanks!

They usually to not match exactly. Some are closer than others. On my batch of HP38 in my humidity it is disc # .49

HP 38 is usually pretty close.
 
They usually to not match exactly. Some are closer than others. On my batch of HP38 in my humidity it is disc # .49

HP 38 is usually pretty close.

^^^ This. I also use the Auto Disc. I would (and do) use a scale to check.
 
200 Grain RNFP is my favorite 45acp target and match bullet, loaded many thousands.
I usually go with 5.0-5.2 grains of Winchester 231. I have been told that HP38 and 231 are the same powder in different packages. Loaded kind of short at 1.185, they work perfect in my Kimber 1911. A great light load that always functions, good accuracy, and just plain works on paper or steel.

Lately I have been using 4.0 grains of Red Dot, only because I got a 4lb can of it for a great price. When it is gone, it's back to 231 or HP38 for me.
 
OAL is very bullet specfic, so w/o the actual bullet, that one is trial & error. Most any 200grLSWC midrange data will be fine. The bullet will likey seat a bit deeper, again, bullet specific, so expect a bit higher pressure & vel.
 
I always loaded to 1.165" for my Glock 21 with Bar-Sto barrel. Reliability was perfect for thousands of rounds and that bullet never let me down, unlike the sharp shouldered 200 gr. SWC which would often cause extraction problems with the second to last round in the magazine.

As reliable as this bullet and OAL combination was in the Glock, it would not feed at all in the 1911 platform.

Dave Sinko
 
I load Berry's version of that bullet (plated) over 6g of 231, which everyone claims is the same powder as HP-38. I have my progressive press set to load 230g RN at Ball duplication depth and leave the seating die in the same position for the 200g RS.

My load with the 200g delivers between 885-900 fps, depending on barrel length.

Dave
 
I had tried 5.4gn of HP38 with the 200 MBC RNFP and an OAL of 1.250. I did not get very good accuracy. Not nearly as good as I was getting with 6.4 of Unique.
In another thread someone reported having used 5.0 of HP38 with an OAL of 1.195 for several years. I loaded 100 of those and got very good accuracy and very clean burning.
I am looking forward to using this because I just bought an 8# jug of HP38, and am down to about 3# of Unique.
 
I had tried 5.4gn of HP38 with the 200 MBC RNFP and an OAL of 1.250. I did not get very good accuracy... In another thread someone reported having used 5.0 of HP38 with an OAL of 1.195 for several years. I loaded 100 of those and got very good accuracy and very clean burning.

dickttx - can you confirm that the OAL of 1.195 was for a 200gr RNFP or specifically for the MBC bullet? I have the 200gr RNFP MBC bullets as well and have found 5.0 grains W231/Hp38 at 1.220" OAL to work well, 5.3 grains not as accurate. If that 1.195 was for this bullet, I may have to give it a try.
 
Yes, 1.195 is correct. I had very erratic accuracy with 5.4gn. and 1.250.
The 1.250 seated just about even with the bottom of the crimp groove.
The 1.195 seats just about even with the top of the crimp groove.
This will vary a little, depending on the case brand. I have used GI WWC 71, RP, and tried a few new Starline so far.
I am using the Cowboy #4, 12 BH.
 
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