.45acp reloads ok for a .45 M&P FS

[George9]

I had some handloads given to me. The guy that gave them to me had them given to him by someone who was reloading more than 40 years. He's old school and loads by manuals then shoots his loads. Ok they supposed to have a 255gr hard cast lead bullet that is flat on top the bullet. It is seated deep but they chamber fine.. Ok now for you who reload. The total weight is 23.2 g all loads are the same right on the money. How hot could this load be? I nor the loader has a chronograph.. Do you think it's safe to shoot a few to see how hot they are loaded? I was always told with a .45acp you can't go that wrong as there is only so much room for power in a .45acp round.. I was told they should be heavy hitters..Said to be a good load for black bear if a .45 auto is what you carry.. Does the total weight give you any clues? Is it safe to shoot a few? Thanks! George

 

[Lost Lake]

I wouldn't shoot them.

Weight isn't everything. The powder used can make a WORLD of difference.

It wouldn't be worth my gun or my hand.

.

 

[Dean1818]

No no no no no.......

I would NEVER shoot someones reloads who I didnt know

 

[blujax01]

Listen to what was said above. Your well-meaning friend doesn't even have to know. Quietly dispose of them and thank your buddy for the freebies.

Now if you want to drop down a few forums and join us in the Reloading Brotherhood, I guarantee you'll have more fun than the law should allow!

 

[Arik]

There's only so much room for powder but there are many many different powders. Some are tame others are HOT!

If they came from someone wgo knows someone i wouldn't shoot it

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[Sansho]

Another voice to let them be.

 

[bubbajoe45]

Bad idea. To be certain no one else is potentially at risk with this ammo, you should soak the primers in oil (used motor will work) for a few months to be sure they become inert. A quarter inch in the bottom of a bucket or plastic bin or tray and you can stand them up with only the primers in the oil (less messy).

 

[Mike_in_VA]

Bad idea. To be certain no one else is potentially at risk with this ammo, you should soak the primers in oil (used motor will work) for a few months to be sure they become inert. A quarter inch in the bottom of a bucket or plastic bin or tray and you can stand them up with only the primers in the oil (less messy).

Or break them down and reuse the cases and bullets. Dump the powder.

 

[George9]

I didn't know that there would be people that would want to hurt someone they didn't even know or would ever know if I got hurt using them. He would have no way to know! The person that gave them to me sounded honest and sincere. I don't know this person other than internet contact.. He said they were given to him by someone that was honorable and and had a career in law enforcement. Seemed like he was really just trying to help me..George

 

[Autococker07]

it is kinda like a chamber check on a firearm we may K-N-O-W its "unloaded" but we check anyway...... same for reloaded ammo... it may be perfectly fine and serviceable (I bet it is), and if you were a reloader you would have broken a few samples down to try and ID powder/amount/etc..... THEN shoot em, if you agree with the load.... if you cannot positively ID the powder, and weigh it, shooting em is a fools errand.

I had a good friend try to blow up my SCAR with "hand loads from a reputable buddy" they were loaded with very slow powder, and were burning still when the action opened.... it blew the magazine out of the gun, and apart...... they were fine in a bolt action rifle, but not the semi.

Find a knowledgeable reloader around and ask him to help you tear a few down to see if they are viable..... or thank the buddy and dispose, or offer to a knowledgeable hand loader...



Also was going to say, 255 is a little heavy for ACP, usually 230 is tops.... not to say a 255 could not be safe, BUT, most >230gr bullets are sized .452 or .454 your 45 ACP would really prefer .451, and will manage .452 in cast, but will not like (read overpressure) .454

good luck... keep yer fingers, we like your type!

 

[JimM_PA]

Or break them down and reuse the cases and bullets. Dump the powder.

Pretty good advice here.

 

[George9]

Autococker07,
Thank you! Yes I measured the bullet diameter but it was .440 in size. if shake them near my ear I can't hear anything so I know the case is full. Also the flat nose hard cast bullet is seated deep. I'm not a loader but I can buy a bullet puller and at least pump the power out maybe get a known power and go by some known good reloads I have that are marked bullet type power charge and power brand..Primer type. From what I see on my known good reloads power is Herco 6.2 and bullet is PMC 230g Diameter is .447 RN FMJ Primer F150..
I was going to break them down and load new power but maybe the best thing is to just get rid of them even though bellet size looks ok. Nice hard cast bullets though..Anyway a none loader to ID the power or down load the charge that in there by a safe number? George
I do have some factory reloads with SWC lear bullets that measure .451

 

[Arik]

I didn't know that there would be people that would want to hurt someone they didn't even know or would ever know if I got hurt using them. He would have no way to know! The person that gave them to me sounded honest and sincere. I don't know this person other than internet contact.. He said they were given to him by someone that was honorable and and had a career in law enforcement. Seemed like he was really just trying to help me..George

Has nothing to do with people trying to hurt you. However you dont know if his powder measure was malfunctioning and gave him a double load ir not enough. You dont know the powder that was used. Was he paying attention when loading or distracted by something? Did he accidentally mix up powders? Did he seat the bullets to far? (This would cause excessive pressure). There's a lot that goes into reloading and problems can occur even with the best intention

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[scattershot]

I wouldn't use them. 255 grains is a .45 Colt bullet, and heavy for the .45 ACP. Iif the case is full of Bullseye, you could be in for an interesting shooting session. I've been reloading as long as the alleged reloader, and I still catch mistakes from time to time. This ammo is now third hand, and you don't know how it was loaded to begin with.

Pulling the bullets and salvaging the components is the best advice so far.

 

[Fkimble]

The fact that he said they were "heavy hitters" for bear makes me think they are loaded hot. How hot no one apparently knows. This fact alone prevent me from even thinking of shooting them.

Don't shoot them. Don't throw them away. Give them to a reloader who understands that they need to be broken down to salvage the case and maybe the bullets. How many of them do you have?

 

[George9]

Thank you all!! Ok, Going to buy a bullet puller and pull the bullets and dispose of the power.. Maybe get a cheap lee hand loader kit or something.. At least any mistakes will be my mine! Glad I posted this question! I was anxious and excited to hit the range and try one out today! Thank you all! George

 

[George9]

The fact that he said they were "heavy hitters" for bear makes me think they are loaded hot. How hot no one apparently knows. This fact alone prevent me from even thinking of shooting them.

Don't shoot them. Don't throw them away. Give them to a reloader who understands that they need to be broken down to salvage the case and maybe the bullets. How many of them do you have?

Thanks! I only have a hand full not enough to worry about! George

 

[M29since14]

The fact that he said they were "heavy hitters" for bear makes me think they are loaded hot. How hot no one apparently knows. This fact alone prevent me from even thinking of shooting them.

Exactly. No one who knows and understands 1911s loads "heavy hitters." It's possible these cartridges were intended for a .45 revolver like a Ruger Blackhawk.

 

[Lost Lake]

Thanks! I only have a hand full not enough to worry about! George

If you had a couple thousand I'd take the time to pull them and reuse the parts, but for just a few, I'd toss them or give them to someone who can disassemble them.

For all you know these could be loaded for a rifle. It's just not worth the chance.

.

 

[George9]

If you had a couple thousand I'd take the time to pull them and reuse the parts, but for just a few, I'd toss them or give them to someone who can disassemble them.

For all you know these could be loaded for a rifle. It's just not worth the chance.

.

I agree! My mind is made up thanks to you guys! Safety first! They will get disassembled and tossed.. Thank you all! George