45 acp loads

[aljp497]

Hello People ....well I am a brand new member but very long time shooter and reloader .. I have gotten into the .45acp and have been tinkering with some loads but the info I have seems to be conflicting. I have some 185 grain LSWC
and want to use 231 powder.I have been using 5.1 grains and I am wondering if I should be loading hotter? Looking for acuracy and comfort..

Thanks all

AL

 

[lil ski]

I shoot indoors 50 feet and my load is 3.5 of bullseye. I use to shoot 4.0 of 231 and it shoots fine.

 

[cdrt]

I have an old Star reloader and the 3.5 BE slide throws 4.2 grains of 231 which is a very nice, pleasant load out of my .45 Wadcutter pistol...pretty similar to the velocity on the BE load. You may have to use a weaker recoil spring; guessing somewhere between 8 to 10 pounds rather than the 16 pound factory standard.

Navy Vet.

 

[molonlabe]

geesh, I must be a nut. I use an 18 lb recoil spring with 5.7gr of 231 with a 200grLSWC. Clocks about 860 880FPS. More than enough for self defense and no leading. BTW what weight are those bullets because the wadcutter pistor is probably pushing 750fps. Accurate but will not cycle with heaver springs.

 

[cdrt]

That's with the 185 SWC lead bullet. I use that load in my Clark Heavy Slide with an 8 or 9 pound spring. And if you want to talk light loads; I use a 148 HBWC with 3.0 grains of BE in my Clark .38 Special Heavy Slide conversion.

Navy Vet.

 

[benedict1]

Look here and remember he is talking about jacketed bullets--for lead/plated you should reduce charge by at least 10-15%.

http://www.reloadammo.com/45loads.htm

Go here, near the bottom of the page for a LSWC load with Win 231

http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/d...&Weight=185&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

If in doubt you can always call Hodgdon--they handle Winchester now as you may know.

 

[bsam4me]

sounds good

5.1 of w231 happens to be one of my favorites for light recoil with the 185 lead. My experience has shown it to be accurate and mild. My quick check of load book shows you can go up to 6.1 - slowly... I have loaded up to 5.6 with no problem- just a little snappier.

 

[byf43]

molonlabe wrote:

geesh, I must be a nut. I use an 18 lb recoil spring with 5.7gr of 231 with a 200grLSWC. Clocks about 860 880FPS. More than enough for self defense and no leading. BTW what weight are those bullets because the wadcutter pistor is probably pushing 750fps. Accurate but will not cycle with heaver springs.

That's the load!!!! 5.7 gr of W231 and a 200 gr. hardcast LSWC!
The recoil spring I use is either 18 or 18-1/2 lb. (can't recall) Wolf spring.

Out of my Gold Cup, the loads consistently run 900 - 907 fps., and the X and 10 rings are in REAL trouble with this load. Incredibly accurate load!
This truly is the only load that I use in my GC.

 

[byf43]

aljp497 wrote:

I have been using 5.1 grains and I am wondering if I should be loading hotter? Looking for acuracy and comfort..

I just pulled the reloading guide from the company that makes the LSWC that I use.
Here is the load range for W231 and the 185 gr LSWC that they publish:


.45 acp - W-231 185 gr. LSWC
Starting Load - 6.0 gr.- - - - -> Starting velocity - 704 fps

Max Load - 7.0 gr.- - - - - - -> Max velocity - 1017 fps
Max energy - 425

As for accuracy, I've always found the best accuracy in the mid to upper middle range of the loading recipe.

 

[aljp497]

Can any one tell me where to get the best buy on 185 grain LSWC or other .45 heads....


Al

 

[cdrt]

You might try www.keadbullets.com. I use them and have been very satisfied. He will ship 2K in a flat rate box so shipping is not too bad.

Navy Vet.

 

[kansas45]

Try [email protected] They have pretty good prices & usually have everything in stock & ready to ship.

 

[aljp497]

I am shooting a springfield stainless taget model............



Al

 

[aljp497]

In .45 caliber I see bullets .451 and .452 what size should I be using ? I do not crimp as i do do not have a tappered dye...

Thanks


AL

 

[BeJaRa]

jacketed bullets should be .451 and the lead/plated bullets will be .452 for a 45 acp

 

[molonlabe]

byfa3

I didn't want to say and start a series of thread drift but I use that in my series 80 1986 vintage gold cup too.