Do you find Sport Pistol to be dirty?

[CQB45ACP]

It was absolutely filthy this AM.

I shot 110 45ACP 230gr Acme coated RN rounds today with about 4.5-5.0gr Sport Pistol and the cases are as dirty as any I’ve ever seen. Even looks like unspent powder residue. Can this be?

I learned here a while back that Accurate 7 is very dirty when used in light loads. Maybe Sport Pistol is the same? It is also fairly smoky load with the Acmes.

 

[MifflinKid]

https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloa...wderlist.aspx&type=1&powderid=42&cartridge=35

The Alliant Reloader's Guide show's 5.6 grains as the max for a 230 grain LRN. So the suggested
starting load would be about 5.0 grains. Perhaps you could try bumping up your load a few .1 grains
to get a better burn.

 

[AJC1]

45 is a low pressure case so the faster powders seem to run cleaner for me. Shot a lot of TG.

 

[CQB45ACP]

https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloa...wderlist.aspx&type=1&powderid=42&cartridge=35

The Alliant Reloader's Guide show's 5.6 grains as the max for a 230 grain LRN. So the suggested
starting load would be about 5.0 grains. Perhaps you could try bumping up your load a few .1 grains
to get a better burn.

Yes I use theirs and Speers and other prominent sources. I’ll try the higher load and see what happens. Thanks

 

[CQB45ACP]

45 is a low pressure case so the faster powders seem to run cleaner for me. Shot a lot of TG.

Didn’t realize Titegroup was faster than Sport Pistol.

I think I’m just loading too close to start load regardless of its relative burn rate.

 

[AJC1]

Didn’t realize Titegroup was faster than Sport Pistol.

I think I’m just loading too close to start load regardless of its relative burn rate.

Honestly dont have a chart in front of me but tg burns hot and fast. Never had carbon even below minimum

 

[CQB45ACP]

Honestly dont have a chart in front of me but tg burns hot and fast. Never had carbon even below minimum

Okay so what do I do with my 4 lbs of Sport Pistol?

I bought it expressly to use with coated bullets because I fell for the advertising.

 

[CQB45ACP]

https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloa...wderlist.aspx&type=1&powderid=42&cartridge=35

The Alliant Reloader's Guide show's 5.6 grains as the max for a 230 grain LRN. So the suggested
starting load would be about 5.0 grains. Perhaps you could try bumping up your load a few .1 grains
to get a better burn.

I just checked and only speers has anything as low as what I loaded these at. I definitely need to bump it up several grains. Thanks

 

[AJC1]

Okay so what do I do with my 4 lbs of Sport Pistol?

I bought it expressly to use with coated bullets because I fell for the advertising.

Add more fuel batman.

 

[Bcwitt]

That might have been the coating making that mess.

 

[CQB45ACP]

That might have been the coating making that mess.

Good point

 

[Charlie98]

I know people gush on about Sport Pistol... I didn't care for it, and I'm thankful it's gone and off my bench.

5.8grn SportPistol, with a 230grn Speer TMJ, seated at 1.26", only gave me 780fps out of my 4" Kimbers. While the accuracy was reasonable, it had an odd recoil and report, just like it did in the .45 Colt test loads that I tried. I was disappointed with the velocity, as it was a max load from Speer's exact recipe.

 

[lordpaxman]

Okay so what do I do with my 4 lbs of Sport Pistol?

I bought it expressly to use with coated bullets because I fell for the advertising.

SP is my go to powder for my competition 9mm loads with coated bullets. I just cracked the next 8#er. I had good luck developing a .45 200gr SWC load at 5.2gr 1.245”, or a 230gr plated at 4.8gr 1.255” out of a 625 that make comfortable major (170). I did find that a WLP produced a small increase in V over a CCI 300.
All chambers are different - do you have any chrono data? I agree you may want to bump up the charge, and try again.
I’m obviously a fan of SP, and am developing a .40 load for a limited gun, again with a PC bullet. It produces good groups, meters well, burns relatively clean for me, and isn’t that smoky. If you’re unhappy with it, there are those out there that are willing to trade greenbacks for it, hint hint. Good luck.

 

[CQB45ACP]

SP is my go to powder for my competition 9mm loads with coated bullets. I just cracked the next 8#er. I had good luck developing a .45 200gr SWC load at 5.2gr 1.245”, or a 230gr plated at 4.8gr 1.255” out of a 625 that make comfortable major (170). I did find that a WLP produced a small increase in V over a CCI 300.
All chambers are different - do you have any chrono data? I agree you may want to bump up the charge, and try again.
I’m obviously a fan of SP, and am developing a .40 load for a limited gun, again with a PC bullet. It produces good groups, meters well, burns relatively clean for me, and isn’t that smoky. If you’re unhappy with it, there are those out there that are willing to trade greenbacks for it, hint hint. Good luck.

Thanks

I have no chrono nor other data only observations. It shot and felt fine, excellent actually, but just really dirty cases.

Do you get any residue from coated v. Non-coated bullets?

 

[CQB45ACP]

I know people gush on about Sport Pistol... I didn't care for it, and I'm thankful it's gone and off my bench.

5.8grn SportPistol, with a 230grn Speer TMJ, seated at 1.26", only gave me 780fps out of my 4" Kimbers. While the accuracy was reasonable, it had an odd recoil and report, just like it did in the .45 Colt test loads that I tried. I was disappointed with the velocity, as it was a max load from Speer's exact recipe.

I shoot government model 1911s and yesterday was actually a very accurate day. Ive never noticed anything out of the ordinary with recoil with SP and with the 45ACP it’s kinda hard to tell relative accuracy these days as I’m only getting out once a week during pandemic and with the 45 100 rounds or so is my upper limit because my hand starts getting sore—Age and lack of conditioning.

Anyway, thanks for the input.

 

[AJC1]

<

Thanks

I have no chrono nor other data only observations. It shot and felt fine, excellent actually, but just really dirty cases.

Do you get any residue from coated v. Non-coated bullets?

By coated you mean PC mine run as clean as jacketed.

 

[CQB45ACP]

<

By coated you mean PC mine run as clean as jacketed.

Yes that’s what I meant.

BTW, do you find my difference between SP and coated and, say, Bullseye or any other and coated? Alliant made a big deal about SP being formulated for coated bullets. Or Titegroup of course.

 

[Charlie98]

Anyway, thanks for the input.

Actually, I lied. Buried at the back of the powder shelf is about 1/3# of SportPistol left over... it's BE-86 that's done and gone... although I feel the same about BE as I do SP.

It's likely I'll burn that leftover SP up in .45ACP rounds, I might take a little time and see if I can get it to do something. Those 2 powders, as well as W244, were part of a powder test I was working on, trying to find a suitable powder for both 9mm and .45ACP. The newer powders are supposed to be All That, and a bag of chips... I, basically, had nothing but frustration or disappointment with them. I've never had to work so hard to try to get results out of pistol powders, and particularly compared to Unique, or even W231. Even TiteGroup worked up easier, and I hate TG.

 

[AJC1]

Yes that’s what I meant.

BTW, do you find my difference between SP and coated and, say, Bullseye or any other and coated? Alliant made a big deal about SP being formulated for coated bullets. Or Titegroup of course.

I havent and dont run SP. My first choice now a days is siholloette and have TG and unique as backups. Power pistol is close but I hated that powder.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Actually, I lied. Buried at the back of the powder shelf is about 1/3# of SportPistol left over... it's BE-86 that's done and gone... although I feel the same about BE as I do SP.

It's likely I'll burn that leftover SP up in .45ACP rounds, I might take a little time and see if I can get it to do something. Those 2 powders, as well as W244, were part of a powder test I was working on, trying to find a suitable powder for both 9mm and .45ACP. The newer powders are supposed to be All That, and a bag of chips... I, basically, had nothing but frustration or disappointment with them. I've never had to work so hard to try to get results out of pistol powders, and particularly compared to Unique, or even W231. Even TiteGroup worked up easier, and I hate TG.

Interesting. I like BE-86 and am working through a bottle as we speak (once I open a bottle of anything, I use only that powder till it’s empty).

 

[Charlie98]

My first choice now a days is siholloette

I can't wait until Ramshot and Accurate powders are back in regular circulation... I want to give some of them a try.

Interesting. I like BE-86 and am working through a bottle as we speak (once I open a bottle of anything, I use only that powder till it’s empty).

I'm not a big explorer when it comes to reloading... I work up a load with a specific powder, and once I find a good result, I just load that forevarrrr. I don't really have the time or wherewithal to test 10 different powders in .45ACP trying to find some magic mix. Being quite truthful, my shooting skill wouldn't be able to tell the difference... The BE/SP/W244 trial was about as adventurous as I get... I was actually trying to find a valid replacement to Unique. All these new powders are supposed to be better, and BE is ballyhoo'ed as being The New Unique, but I only found tears and disappointment.

 

[AJC1]

I can't wait until Ramshot and Accurate powders are back in regular circulation... I want to give some of them a try.
You probably have used it, it rebranded Winchester action pistol, WAP. My dad liked it a lot and I have come to appreciate the lack of flame throwing.


I'm not a big explorer when it comes to reloading... I work up a load with a specific powder, and once I find a good result, I just load that forevarrrr. I don't really have the time or wherewithal to test 10 different powders in .45ACP trying to find some magic mix. Being quite truthful, my shooting skill wouldn't be able to tell the difference... The BE/SP/W244 trial was about as adventurous as I get... I was actually trying to find a valid replacement to Unique. All these new powders are supposed to be better, and BE is ballyhoo'ed as being The New Unique, but I only found tears and disappointment.

 

[Soonerpesek]

I shot 110 45ACP 230gr Acme coated RN rounds today with about 4.5-5.0gr Sport Pistol and the cases are as dirty as any I’ve ever seen. Even looks like unspent powder residue. Can this be?

The data from Alliant for Sport Pistol lists a load for the Acme 230gr RN-NLG coated pill
1.265" col - 5.5gr max - 916fps........-10% = 4.95gr starting
1.265" col - 5.7gr max - 947fps........-10% = 5.13gr starting +P

Indicates that your highest load is right at the listed starting loads from Alliant, not including possible slight variations in col with your loading and theirs.

I would agree with those that previously stated to increase the charge a bit.
I hope that would help you in your quest, as I use ASP for a lot of MY loads with coated bullets and it works well for ME....

 

[CQB45ACP]

The data from Alliant for Sport Pistol lists a load for the Acme 230gr RN-NLG coated pill
1.265" col - 5.5gr max - 916fps........-10% = 4.95gr starting
1.265" col - 5.7gr max - 947fps........-10% = 5.13gr starting +P

Indicates that your highest load is right at the listed starting loads from Alliant, not including possible slight variations in col with your loading and theirs.

I would agree with those that previously stated to increase the charge a bit.
I hope that would help you in your quest, as I use ASP for a lot of MY loads with coated bullets and it works well for ME....

Yes I have their data. Speer’s has a lower load range for 230gr LRN (4.4gr-5.6gr & 1.240”) and that’s what I was using.

I’m still bumping it up next time though.

 

[Soonerpesek]

Speer’s has a lower load range for 230gr LRN (4.4gr-5.6gr & 1.240”) and that’s what I was using.

But you're loading the ACME bullet.......is that correct...?