Montana Gold .45 230g JHP

[dcbridgwater]

Any one use Montana Gold .45 230g JHP? I was wondering if any one has a good starting point for setting C.O.L., they will be fired from a 1911 and a 4566 using Bullseye or 231 powder. I have been through my reloading manuals and it seems that there is a lot of different lenths for a 230g JHP. I know I have to work up my loads to find which lenth feeds the best and pay attention to minimum C.O.L.. Any advice on what seems to be working for this bullet is appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Dale

 

[8emem]

Generally I find that I need to keep the 230 JHP loadings at or below 1.220 OAL for them to feed in my Rock Island, Ballester Molina, and Argentine 1927. Most recently I loaded up some Zero 230 JHP at 1.215 and they seem to run fine. I have not used the Montana bullet. The 230 JHP will sit fairly deep in the case at this length, so I would not go past mid-range powder loadings with Bullseye or 231 to keep pressures down until you can check fired cases for signs of pressure...

 

[Birddog2]

Best way I have found to check OAL/headspace is to diassemble your pistol and have the barrel at your bench so that you can drop a round in the barrel to make sure it fits.
This ensures that both the OAl and the crimp will be right for your pistol. When I have a good fit, I measure COL and make up a dummy round so in the future I can easily adjust my dies.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

Originally posted by Birddog2:
Best way I have found to check OAL/headspace is to diassemble your pistol and have the barrel at your bench so that you can drop a round in the barrel to make sure it fits.
This ensures that both the OAl and the crimp will be right for your pistol. When I have a good fit, I measure COL and make up a dummy round so in the future I can easily adjust my dies.

PLUS 1!!!!

Also you should note that the base of the case head should be either flush (or just slightly below flush)with the hood of the barrel/chamber.The extractor can hold the case against the breech but it's not the proper way to achieve headspace.

 

[sza]

I've loaded and shot most of a case of the Montana Gold 230gr JHPs. I use 1.230" OAL and 5.4gr of 231.

This load has worked for me in 2 Colt 1911s, a S&W 1911, a 625, and a SIG P220. Seems fairly accurate as well.

 

[uzisandfloozies]

ditto to sza. i load my 230gr .45acp's to COL of 1.23 to 1.235, using 4.7gr bullseye. they feed fine in my 1911s, sig220, HK45, SW4506, glock 21, etc.

 

[flash60601]

Originally posted by uzisandfloozies:
ditto to sza. i load my 230gr .45acp's to COL of 1.23 to 1.235, using 4.7gr bullseye. they feed fine in my 1911s, .

THAT is my all-time favorite factory equivalent round for the 230 CLRN in 1911A1's. As cast from a Lyman mold, sizes .452, luibed w/50/50 Beeswax/alox. Just about equals factory performance in every way: POI, recoil, pressure, velocity, and where I find the brass.

Flash

 

[growr]

Great projectile.......have used at least 10,000 of them. Can't say what my OAL is as i simply try to replicate factory measurement. I've been using 6 grns of Unique for many years and been quite happy with it.
Randy