[Ceemack]

I need a new .45 ACP recipe.

I've been experimenting with loads for West Coast Bullet 230-gr. plateds. I'm trying to duplicate the velocity of factory ball ammo.

I'm looking for factory velocities without excessive snap or bark, good accuracy, and clean burning. I also like to use fairly bulky loads, so a double-charge would be easy to spot. No light or target loads, please--I'm trying to duplicate the recoil and point of impact of standard-velocity 230-gr. defensive loads.

I've got Power Pistol and Blue Dot on hand, but I can always try something different.

Anybody got any good recipes?

 

[Peter M. Eick]

In my guns, 4.9 grns of bullseye with a 230 grn normal FMJ bullet and cci300 primers with starline brass, 1.272 COL gives me 830 FPS. I have shot some plated with similar velocitys and the same load, but I do not shoot plateds anymore. I had bad luck with them.

 

[tsp45acp]

Unique- 6.0 gr 895 FPS, 16000 PSI, 1.190 OAL. 230 gr Jacketed. Lee load manual. I use 6.5gr with 1.250 OAL. Using plated bullets you can use the lead recipe's.

6.0 with lead or plated bullets should be real close to factory specs. Tracy

P.S. Power Pistol shoots cleaner with hotter loads and has lower pressure for similar velocities. Alliant lists 7.2 gr fmc power pistol 1.190 OAL 895 FPS 20,000 PSI stick with Power Pistol. I pefer it for hotter loads.

 

[Condo45]

850 fps is about what most HardBall loads are SUPPOSED to go.
I have attached a photo of the data from Sierra Bullets for their Jacketed RN 230gr. bullet. I would start low and work up to 850 as it is near max load for several powders and ALL guns are different. I would suggest you buy a good loading manuel that deals with 45acp. Sierra Bullets is a great one.

 

[JiminCA]

AA#5 will get you there with ease. I tried 231 and had pressure signs. Bullseye seems too fast for this application, and the Sierra data above show how tweaky it is (.2 gr gives you 50 fps)

Start with maybe 7.8 grains of AA#5 at 1.260" and work your way up from there. I use a Montana Gold jacketed 230 ball bullet at 8.3 gr, which chronos at 837fps out of a 5" kimber.

Since yours is plated I'd back off to 7.8 grains or so and see what you get. My guess is that you'll end up about 8 to 8.1 grains for 850 fps.

FWIW I shoot at 3000' elevation, so that may impact my results somewhat.

 

[doctor j]

Here are a couple of loads with 230gr plated bullets.

Berry plated 230gr RN, 5.8gr W231, mixed brass, CCI 300 large pistol primer, OAL 1.269 - 1.271, 3/4 turn on Lee Factory Crimp die. Average speed = 856 feet/sec.

West Coast plated 230gr RN, 5.8gr W231, mixed brass, CCI 300 large pistol primer, OAL = 1.268 - 1.271, 3/4 turn on Lee Factory Crimp die. Average speed = 837 feet/sec.

These are reasonably close to the 850 feet/sec range, which appears to be the accepted norm for 230gr RN projectiles.

 

[BerKim]

I shoot USPSA with mine, where the Power is lower, but I like the load

4.6 of TightGroup with a 230 FMJ RN Zero Bullet - fps ~ 740 - PF170 - feels light, good control.

6.0 of Unique was giving me 858fps(avg) (PF 197)

Never loaded the TG that high, it would be overkill for competition