Looking for some 45 ACP loads...

A

acl864

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I'm helping a good friend of mine get started reloading 45 ACP. I'm casting him some 230 gr. TL LRN from a Lee mold using straight wheel weight alloy, letting them air cool then using 45/45/10 tumble lube. He's got a Sig P220 and is looking for some practice/target loads. He'll be using my powder supply to develop the loads before buying his own supplies so the powder selection is pretty diverse. I have Clays, Bullseye, HP-38, SR-7625, Power Pistol, SR-4756, Unique, Universal, IMR-4227 and 2400 on the shelf for handgun loads. I've got a couple of manuals and of course online data but if you guys have any pet loads you'd be willing to share I'd appreciate it.
 
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My favorite .45 Auto round is made with a 230gr LRN bullet over 5.5gr W231/HP-38. It's almost all I ever shoot now in my 1911. When I load a 230gr FMJ bullet I use the same charge and powder.
 
I use HP-38, load varies from 4.6 to 5.3, with 5.0 being the usual. This with 230 grn LRNs. My 4566 has never coughed the slightest with any of these. My Glock 30, on the other hand...
 
I use 5.0 grains of Bullseye with either a 230 gr JRN, 200 gr JRN, 200 gr LSWC or 185 gr JHP. I have used this with the LSWC for over 20 years. Before that I loaded 4.8 grains of Bullseye with the 200 gr LSWC. In both of my 70 series Government Model Colts, the 4.8 grain load was a tad more accurate for Bullseye sooting, but was marginal on making Major for IPSC. Since the PF was dropped to 165 for IPSC, I have not gone back to the 4.8 load. I just haven't bothered to do so.
 
That would be this bullet (boolit) right here:

PHOT0032-2.jpg


4.0-4.7gr of Bullseye. Cat's meow!

4.0gr Clays OK.

5.6gr SR4756 Ehh. Nothing special written about this load.

5.1gr HP-38 My notes say "accurate"

My favorite for the 45ACP and a 230gr bullet, plated or lead is 5.3gr AA#2. Dirty, smoky, but "muy" accurate!

Hope this helps, Andy!
 
Lots of great info!!! Just what I was looking for. Thanks everyone. I'll post a range report when I get done.

Nice batch of boolits Skip. I see you are using Xlox. I've been meaning to order some. Are you using it straight or blending it with Johnson's Paste Wax?
 
Andy,
This was the first bullet I ever cast and have since moved on. I have a Saeco #496BB that has a conventional lube groove. It is a really nice bullet (boollit)! :)

In this picture, I believe there was a mixture of 50/50 Xlox/Mineral Spirits and this was the second application. Since I bought 5 bottles of Xlox, that's what shipped in a full order, and then stopped using it, there is still enough here to do thousands of boolits! For a short time I even made my own conventional lube with it and bees wax and paraffin. That stuff really worked! Got lazy and now buy the White Label Lube 2700 Carnuba Red.

Never tried the paste wax/Xlox mix. Sounds interesting though! Anyone else use that?
 
I take Johnson's Paste Wax and cook it over low heat for about 30 minutes to flash all the solvents off. Then mix in an equal amount of Alox/Xlox and blend. I use a small amount of Mineral Spirits (about 10%) to thin it down slightly. I use it on just about everything- tumble lube or conventional lube groove designs. It's much less messy than straight Alox/Xlox and for me it just plain works better. There's alot of info about this 45/45/10 blend over at the Cast Boolits forum. A gentleman that goes by the handle of Recluse developed it. Lar's that does the White Label Lubes is in the process of developing a commercial version of it too.
 
My target load for a while has been 4.8gr bullseye under a 230gr missouri bullet LRN. very accurate and chroneod around 830fps in a 5" barrel and 760fps in a 3", duplicates standard hardball
 
+1 on 5.0 gr Bullseye with 230 gr. bullet. Approximates .45 hardball load. Has given good results with flat point lead 230 gr bullet on bowling pins/plates. 4.0 gr Bullseye with same bullet is very reliable and accurate in my 1911 and Glock 30. May be too light to function in some pistols. If so, 4.5 works,just not quite as hot as 5.0 gr.
 
3.8 gr of clays under that 230gr lead head and he'll be in lust. Light kicking, clean burning, prints POA and plenty accurate. It's all my shooting crew uses these days.
 
I agree with the 5.0 grains of W-231/HP-38. I have been using that load with a 230 gr. pill for a very long time. It is a nice target load that cycles all the .45 guns well, and it will not beat up you or the gun!


WG840
 
Well, my buddy brought his Sig 220 over yesterday. I had prepped and primed 50 cases with Federal LP primers and loaded 10 of them with 4.5 gr. Bullseye under the 230 gr tumble lube LRN bullets. The plan was to see how that load shot then make adjustments from there. It shot so good I just ended up going back in the shop and loading the other 40 cases with the same load. I'm sure at some point in time we might try some other powders or work up to the 5.0 gr. Bullseye load, but for what we wanted, 4.5 gr. worked just fine. In fact they shot so good I forgot to chrono any of them. My buddy shot some great groups with this load and was tickled with the performance and accuracy. Thanks for all the suggestions and help.
 
Another satisfied Bullseye user! :D

The only reason you wouldn't be one and still be a reloader is: You just haven't tried it yet! :D

Glad it went well for you! Now, get that friend loading for himself, Andy!
 
I'll help!

acl864 said:
Most definitely. I've got an extra press, powder measure and scale cleaned up and waiting for him to set up a reloading bench. ;)
Click to expand...

Tell you what Andy. I'll donate the calipers. They may be Harbor Freight, but that will get him started.

Let me know through a pm where to send them.

I love this part of the hobby! Gettin' someone else addicted!

:D
 
acl864 said:
Well, my buddy brought his Sig 220 over yesterday. I had prepped and primed 50 cases with Federal LP primers and loaded 10 of them with 4.5 gr. Bullseye under the 230 gr tumble lube LRN bullets. The plan was to see how that load shot then make adjustments from there. It shot so good I just ended up going back in the shop and loading the other 40 cases with the same load. I'm sure at some point in time we might try some other powders or work up to the 5.0 gr. Bullseye load, but for what we wanted, 4.5 gr. worked just fine. In fact they shot so good I forgot to chrono any of them. My buddy shot some great groups with this load and was tickled with the performance and accuracy. Thanks for all the suggestions and help.
Click to expand...

Yes he did, and was.:D


smith crazy said:
Tell you what Andy. I'll donate the calipers. They may be Harbor Freight, but that will get him started.

Let me know through a pm where to send them.

I love this part of the hobby! Gettin' someone else addicted!

:D
Click to expand...

Well thank you.
 
I use 5.4 of Clays International (still have around 12 lbs to use up) under a 230 MC and load to 1.24-1.25 with a Lee carbide taper crimper (0.469 crimp OD), Works in every 45 I have (645; 745 (2x); Norinco 1911A; Walther/SW 99 and Glock 21). Clean and accurate. One of these days I will chronograph it but it should run around 800 fps. Dave_n
 
ArchAngelCD said:
My favorite .45 Auto round is made with a 230gr LRN bullet over 5.5gr W231/HP-38. It's almost all I ever shoot now in my 1911. When I load a 230gr FMJ bullet I use the same charge and powder.
Click to expand...

I've seen this posted more than once.

I am currently loading for a new to me Dan Wesson 1911 and have been gathering data, or trying to at least.

I am loading 230gr Oregon Trail laser cast bullets and have data that shows a max chrge of HP38 to be 5.3 grains?
Is it safe to assume older data showed the max at 5.5 or?

Also, If I seat the bullet at 1.260, Oregon Trails data, it won't chamber every time but if it is seated at 1.255 it chambers no problem.

Will seating to this depth dramatically change the pressure?
 
peppercorn said:
I've seen this posted more than once.

I am currently loading for a new to me Dan Wesson 1911 and have been gathering data, or trying to at least.

I am loading 230gr Oregon Trail laser cast bullets and have data that shows a max chrge of HP38 to be 5.3 grains?
Is it safe to assume older data showed the max at 5.5 or?

Also, If I seat the bullet at 1.260, Oregon Trails data, it won't chamber every time but if it is seated at 1.255 it chambers no problem.

Will seating to this depth dramatically change the pressure?
Click to expand...
Much of that data including the Hodgdon data using a 230gr bullet lists a Max charge of 5.3gr HP-38/W231 but with an OAL of only 1.200". Like you I can't load a bullet that deep for my pistols and I get the best results with an OAL of between 1.255" and 1.270". With an OAL of that length I'm sure the pressures are the same or lower with a charge of 5.5gr HP-38/W231 than with the 1.200" OAL and a charge of 5.3gr HP-38/W231...

If you look at the CURRENT Lyman load data for the 230gr FMJ .45 Auto they list a Max charge of 5.8gr W231 using an OAL of 1.275". They are reporting only 16,200 CUP pressures which is FAR less than the 21,000 PSI limits for that caliber... They also list a Max charge of 5.8gr W231 with a 225gr Lead bullet.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
Much of that data including the Hodgdon data using a 230gr bullet lists a Max charge of 5.3gr HP-38/W231 but with an OAL of only 1.200". Like you I can't load a bullet that deep for my pistols and I get the best results with an OAL of between 1.255" and 1.270". With an OAL of that length I'm sure the pressures are the same or lower with a charge of 5.5gr HP-38/W231 than with the 1.200" OAL and a charge of 5.3gr HP-38/W231...

If you look at the CURRENT Lyman load data for the 230gr FMJ .45 Auto they list a Max charge of 5.8gr W231 using an OAL of 1.275". They are reporting only 16,200 CUP pressures which is FAR less than the 21,000 PSI limits for that caliber... They also list a Max charge of 5.8gr W231 with a 225gr Lead bullet.
Click to expand...

OK, great information, thank you.


I am new to this caliber, have been loading for revolvers up until now, so the whole length/charge/pressure/powder and will it chamber combo is giving me a headache. Especially when things get jammed.

It sounds like 5.5 gr of HP38 at a length of between 1.250 and 1.255 will be well within spec.

I do have another question related to data.

Is it ok to use FMJ data when I am loading hard cast lead?
 
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peppercorn said:
OK, great information, thank you.


I am new to this caliber, have been loading for revolvers up until now, so the whole length/charge/pressure/powder and will it chamber combo is giving me a headache. Especially when things get jammed.

It sounds like 5.5 gr of HP38 at a length of between 1.250 and 1.255 will be well within spec.

I do have another question related to data.

Is it ok to use FMJ data when I am loading hard cast lead?
Click to expand...

In general yes. Not only should the weight match but the bearing surface of the bullet also. Begin at Starting loads naturally and chrono or compare case expansion.
 
peppercorn said:
Is it ok to use FMJ data when I am loading hard cast lead?
Click to expand...
Generally you need less powder to generate the same velocity from a lead bullet than a jacketed bullet. It's not always safe to use FMJ data with lead bullets although in the 45 Auto with heavier bullets there is very little to no difference in charge weights.

In some calibers and powders the Max charge weight for a lead bullet will be the starting charge weight for the same weight FMJ bullet. (like W231 in a 158gr .38 Special)
 
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I just started a different thread asking for opinions on WST powder for reloading 45 acp with LSWC's and replies all came back very positive. On this thread no one mentions WST. What's up?
I really am enjoying this new hobby of mine - but its these inconsistencies that make it all a little confusing.
 
Forestswin, just saw your post here. Wst is great for 230 grain round nosed bullets. Which one of the posters had showed at the beginning of this thread. When I first started shooting the 45 a good shooting buddy donated a bunch of loaded ammo, about a 1000 230 grain hard cast bullets some primers. I started with his load which if memory serves was 4.2 gr wst. 17 years later still shooting the same powder charge and the 230 grain round nosed bullet. Just as JMB would have wanted. Frank
 
Not a fan of ALox lubed bullets, especially w/ HP38 or BE, pretty smokey & leaves lots of crud behind. With 5.2-5.3gr of HP38, you'll get ball equiv loads. A better powder IMO, is WST. Less smoke, better volume per wt & tremendous accuracy w/ any bullet type.
FWIW, using jacketed data for lead bullets will give you a higher pressure load, so always load lead bulelts using lead bullet data or at least use STARTING jacketed data & work it up.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
Much of that data including the Hodgdon data using a 230gr bullet lists a Max charge of 5.3gr HP-38/W231 but with an OAL of only 1.200". Like you I can't load a bullet that deep for my pistols and I get the best results with an OAL of between 1.255" and 1.270". With an OAL of that length I'm sure the pressures are the same or lower with a charge of 5.5gr HP-38/W231 than with the 1.200" OAL and a charge of 5.3gr HP-38/W231...

If you look at the CURRENT Lyman load data for the 230gr FMJ .45 Auto they list a Max charge of 5.8gr W231 using an OAL of 1.275". They are reporting only 16,200 CUP pressures which is FAR less than the 21,000 PSI limits for that caliber... They also list a Max charge of 5.8gr W231 with a 225gr Lead bullet.
Click to expand...

I settled on three loads for my first 45ACP trial.

5.5 grs Unique
5.5 grs HP38
5.1 grs HP 38

This was all loaded over a 230 gr Oregon Trail Lead hardcast round nose bullet.
The gun was a new out of the box Dan Wesson Valor 1911.

Loaded to 1.275 the bullets would not chamber. As a result I keprt pushing till they chambered reliably.
Final COAL ended up at 1.255.

All 150 rounds chambered and fired without incident.

The 5.5 grs of HP 38 and 5.5 grs of Unique had the same POI and very sinilar kick which was mild.

The 5.1grs of HP 38 seemed almost too mild for my taste and feedback likes.

Accuracy was top notch with all of these loads. Since the gun is new it to me, as is the caliber, I couldn't have asked for any better outcome.



Thanks to everyone and, ArchAngel especially, for posting that 5.5 grns of HP 38 more than one time for myself and others to ponder.
 
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