45 ACP HORNADY 185gr JHP/XTP

[ferggie]

I tested some reloades using the Hornady 185gr XTP's that came with my L-N-L press and I must say I was a little impressed. I shot using a rest off of a picknic table at a distance of 15 yrds.

Dan Wesson Heritage, 5", 45 ACP
Powder: Win 231
Bullet: Hornady 185gr jhp/xtp
Case: Winchester
Primers: Fed 150 LPP
O.A.L: 1.225"

shot 10 rounds of each ( 6.6, 6.7 & 6.8gns) and found the 6.7 to work the best for this gun.

 

[Walkalong]

If one load groups better the first time around, shoot another round of groups, and another round, and another, and see if the one load repeats its self by continuing to shoot better than the others. If all you shot was those three groups, you have proven nothing.

On the other hand, if you shot all three loads several times and the 6.7 worked the best overall....never mind...

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I doubt if you will find a nickel's worth of difference in a tenth of a grain in any direction.


On a related note, I still have my 1k of those free XTPs on my bench. They've been sitting there for 3 years. They are too pretty for me to blast away at paper with.

 

[jr_roosa]

I found that I was getting some nasty setback with the 185s and now I shoot the 230s.

Maybe if I get a 3" 1911 I'll go back to the 185s if the recoil with the heavy bullets is too stiff.

I also got a custom seater plug made by rcbs for the xtps since the stock ball and wadcutter seaters would deform the hollow point.

 

[ferggie]

shoot or save

You are probably right. It makes a lot more sence to shoot the ugly lead SWC that I paid $70 /1000 for then to shoot the pretty ones I got for free. I should keep them on my bench taking up space so my wife will have something else to throw away when I die.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I don't recall anyone knocking your choice to shoot your free bullets....The reason I haven't the reason I haven't shot mine is one day, I will probably sell them and buy 2k lead ones with the money I make.

 

[ferggie]

Not busting your chops, just having fun

That is probably a lot smarter move. I just know I probably wouldn't spend the $ out of my pocket to try them so I figure why not use them since Honady gave them to me. Have a good one.