Advanced .45 ACP Loading Question

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

dmftoy1

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2003
Messages
2,212
Location
Lexington, IL
Ok, so imagine that you just had a mould customer cut so that you can reload LSWC's in your .45 XD. The bullets were originally to come out about 225 grains but are actually dropping at 242 . . .

Where would you start in terms of AA#5 loads? I'm just looking for nice accuracy practice groups and I'm not sure how much difference 230 LRN's vs 242 gr LSWC's will be. I'm thinking that a "starting" load for a 230 LRN over the chrono to watch speed would be a good way to go . . . . what are your thoughts? I might also play with some Trailboss . . .

Regards,
Dave
 
I think you have a good game plan, Dave. Using the 230gr LRN minimal load should work fine. Since your new bullet is a LSWC, which I've found tend to like a tad less velocity than LRN, you could even drop that starting load by .1 or .2gr and still be in the ballpark.
 
yep im thinking that you should drop the load .2gr for starting then check to see how they are with the chrono
 
I used to shoot Ranier 250 Gr TrFP's in my .45 all the time with 5.5 Grs of W-231. They shot just fine. Keep them at around 800 FPS and you will be fine.

I would suggest 8.0 Grs of AA #5.
 
Really? 8 grains of AA#5 under that load isn't up near max?

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll have to give it a play. I'm pretty excited because I think this bullet profile will feed well in my XD's . .at least that's the plan.

Have a good one,
Dave
 
dmftoy, go here: http://stevespages.com/451p_1_240.html

If I did the link right, it has data for 45acp using 240 grain bullets with various powders, including AA#5.

I can't personally vouch for the info and I've never used AA#5, but this site has good info.

Be safe and be careful out there, dmftoy.
 
Good luck with your lead loads, Dave. I was never able to find a good OAL for SWCs in my XD-45. I tried OALs from setting them flush, out to max. I believe a TC would work OK, but SWCs hung up badly.
 
Steve, thanks for that page. I did some playing today and 7.4 grains of AA#5 gave me an average of 857fps for two 10 shot strings with std deviations of 9.9 and 14.7. They were grouping pretty well but they're still not feeding right in my XD45. I DID find the problem finally in the XD45 though . .what happens with SWC's is that when it cycles to eject the empty the barrel drops down and the edge of the case head that's being extracted contacts the shoulder of the SWC on the next round in the mag . .this has one of 3 results:

1. Works
2. Pushed the next round "nose down" and jams
3. Tears a small chunk out of the brass rim of the next round in the mag

I think I'm going to give up on SWC's in the XD45 . . . .these booltis do look to have promise in my 1911's though. The first 4 rounds cut a single cloverleaf at 25 yards.

The next batch I'm going to try at 7.2 . .I think that might be the sweet spot.

Have a good one,
Dave
 
FWIW, I found a Lee 6 gang 230g TC mould that I like a lot.

They feed great, shoot straight and the metplat and shape makes them a great hunting/SD round.
 
You wouldn't have a part # for it would you? Is it one lube groove or those nasty little lube grooves that Lee likes? :)

Regards,
Dave
 
those nasty little lube grooves that Lee likes? :)
Click to expand...
The tumble lube design bullets work quite well, actually. You can lube them with a lubrisizer or just tumble lube wlith Lee Liquid Alox or Rooster Jacket if they do not need sizing.
 
7.5gr of AA#5 is the "Match" load that Federal Match uses in their 45acp 185gr loads....super accurate...I'm not a big fan of AA#5, but I do load some from time to time..do a search, and you'll find several guys using this in Bulseye matches.
 
The 230TC works great in the XD45. I also use it in my 1911 and SAA. It's one of the only bullets I cast anymore.
I did have to play with the OAL because of the tight throat in the XD. So use your barrel as a guide.

rc, your the reason my posts count is so low. No need to repeat the right answer.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top