Discovered An interesting .45acp Load By Accident

[max]

I recently converted my 550 from 9mm to .45. This included changing all of the primer stuff from small to large. I did this over a couple of days and thought I had everything taken care of.

After loading a few rounds, I realized I still had the powder measure set for 4.3 (9mm) instead of 5.0 grains (45). This was with a 200gr lead swc. I checked and 4.4 is shown as the minimum load. I took my rounds to the range today and was impressed. Recoil is similar to a 9mm, they are accurate, they work the action of my Gold Cup, and the brass falls at your feet.

I have the measure set properly for 5.0 grains, but I may do some of these light load again in the future.

 

[TheTinMan]

What powder? Some behave OK with less than 70% case fill. Others may behave very badly.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

What powder? Some behave OK with less than 70% case fill. Others may behave very badly.

It certainly does make a difference...

I always get nervous with sub-MINIMUM loads: the potential stuck bullet is, for me, more dangerous than an extra bit of powder!

Cheers!

P.S. Thankfully, in MOST semi-automatics enough to work the action TYPICALLY is enough to clear the barrel!

 

[Sevens]

It’s been my experience that it’s safer to go low, whether you do this on purpose or by accident… with a pistol.

It’s because every revolver has a bleed valve for pressure in the flash gap. And if you are low in powder charge (TOO LOW) then you need every bit of pressure possible, and the revolver is going to let pressure escape absolutely every time no matter what load you’ve made.

Another (big!) factor in all of this is your bullet. A lead bullet offers much less resistance in the bore than a plated or jacketed one, so your light charge can spurt a lead bullet out where a jacketed one might be a nightmare.

 

[AJ]

What powder? For target shooting with my Gold Cup. I use 3.5 grains of Bullseye with a 185 gr SWC, works well for me.

 

[max]

I am sorry, it was 231.

What powder? Some behave OK with less than 70% case fill. Others may behave very badly.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

WW 231/HP-38 (same powder) has been my go-to powder since the 80's.

I have 9 semi pistols, 2 S&W revolvers and a Marlin Camp 45. My load is Mixed brass, Any LPP, ANY lead or coated bullet (185 to 230 grains) and 5.5 grains. Not a light target load, but the guns don't get beat to death either. I use the same bullets in 45 LC with 6.7 gr. of 231.

My identification method is: Different bullet weights have a different color of coating. The shape is still obvious when loaded, so weight is the only difference that needs indicated.

Loose 45 ammo is now too heavy for me to carry a full 50 cal. ammo can, so now 50 cal. cans are half full and 30 cal. cans are almost full. I also keep a can full of loaded full moon clips with a cardboard divider to separate the different weights for the 1917 BC and the 625 (and keep a set of loading & unloading tool there too).

I've been using a Dillon since 1984. It started life as a 450, but is upgraded to 550 b status, with a case feeder. I'll be getting one of my F-I-L's 1050's and it will stay large primer and the 550 will stay small primer (until another good progressive press falls in my lap.)

Ivan

 

[Yendor357]

I like my Dillon 550B other than the primer feed system. Changing from one size to the other is a pain in the lower back. So I’ve started priming Small with my new Frankfort Arsenal hand primer. I leave the large set up in the 550B. I know that kind of defeats the purpose of having a progressive. I can start to finish prime 100 9MM in about 8 minutes. I use a steel taper die in 9MM because it’s a tapered case. The carbide die I have doesn’t produce as accurate loads as the tapered steel die does. Loading to 9 is just a pain, period, but it sure is an accurate little cartridge.

I’ll continue to harp on handloaders getting a chronograph, and using it. You’re just shooting in the dark without it.

My gunsmith told me of a customer that blew a Model 52 with really light loads. I’ve never heard of that happening in a 45, but I suppose it could.

Big holes are simply a lot more satisfying than tiny ones. But I have a Model 41 for light work.

 

[Greyman50]

Loaded rounds for my Colt Mid Range with the lightest charge and no, zero problems. 2.7 grns of bullseye.

 

[venomballistics]

some powders will let you get away with a lot.
Blue Dot was, and largely still is, my go to for reduced cast lead in 30-06.
My starting load was 8 grains and work DOWN to subsonic.
With a fed magnum primer, uniformity is stunning with single digit standard deviations with any bullet from 150 - 200 grains

 

[gunbarrel]

Back in the 90's when I shot NRA Bullseye Pistol, my pet load for my softball gun was 4.3 grain of Winchester 231, with a 200 gr LSWC and WLP primers. It was a precise load with minimal recoil for a .45 acp.

 

[TheTinMan]

I am sorry, it was 231.

Win 231/HP-38 is very forgiving both in terms of light loads and powder position in the case. Some powders get very inconsistent if they don’t fill enough of the case and can move around.

That said, even 5.0 grains looks light based on a quick scan.

 

[Forrest r]

Glad you found a "target" load for your 45acp. A lot of people use that same load with excellent results.

A little off topic:
I always found it interesting/funny that a "target" load with a 45acp has a power factor in the +/- 160 range.

 

[gwpercle]

Sounds like with the 4.3 gr. powder charge / 200 gr. LSWC you have found your "Pet" Target Load ...

If It ain't broke ... don't fix it !

Keep On Keeping On !

Gary