First Load Check - 45ACP

[Triumph]

Just checking my first load.

45 ACP
W 231 - 5.3 Grains
Berry's 230 RN
OAL 1.259

 

[Triumph]

Bump - Anyone?

 

[SASS#23149]

according to my old Lyma's the oal is a tad short,but books vary,not short enough to be a problem load-wise,and some guns are very forgiving as to oal's.

 

[sexybeast]

Thats the max load. Is it what you really want to do?
Also a very nice scale!

 

[Conservidave]

I've loaded and shot hundreds of that same round, you'll like it!
I might seat the bullet a tad longer though.

 

[mulyhuntr]

I use 5.6 grains 231 with that same bullet at 1.260". You are good to go.

 

[Hondo 60]

5.3 grains of W231 is MAX for a JACKETED 230 gr bullet.

Berry's recommends using low to MID jacketed data.

If these are you first loads, why start with a MAX jacketed load??

The proper procedure is to start low & work up.
You should start with 4.2 grains & work up til the load consistently cycles the gun & is accurate.

I also think you're a bit short on the OAL.
Mine is at 1.265

Of course you do as you wish, but I hope you don't injure yourself or anyone else.

Please stay safe.

 

[Conservidave]

Hornady 9th...

Max 5.7 grn, Jacketed

Max 5.8 grn, Lead

 

[sexybeast]

Hogdon load data [powder manufacturer] 5.3 max!
You posted it and asked. Why shoot max with plated? Why start with max?
Your gun, your fingers! You will probably be fine but why start there.

Edit: 17,000 cup. But Hogdon posted it as max. I won't do max till I start lower and work up. Just me.

 

[Triumph]

Thanks guys - that's why I asked before starting. Thanks for the feedback.
I want to be conservative.

I checked a few other manuals after reading your responses.

45 ACP
Lee's
Lead 230 - 4.3-5.3
Jacketed 230 - 4.2-5.3
Lyman 49th 5.2-5.8 TMJ

I'll start at 4.4gr

Thanks much.

 

[mulyhuntr]

4.4gr is going to be a mouse fart. 5.6gr only gives me an average of 775 fps from a G21. I would agree with others that say to work up as I have, but I am confident that 5.3 is a perfectly safe load.

 

[sexybeast]

I agree that 4.4gr of 231 will be very light. May not cycle your gun. I use 4.5gr of Red Dot with a 200gr lswc and its light! Start around 4.8-5gr. You may like it. You may settle on 5.3 or more, but starting there is not wise.

 

[Walkalong]

Agreed, start at 5.0.

Many people load somewhere between 5.0 and 5.5 Grs W-231 with a jacketed or plated RN bullet loaded to 1.260 OAL or longer.

I used to use 5.0 with any 225 to 230 Gr bullet I used, lead or plated.

 

[Conservidave]

Just another unfortunate example of inconsistent load data.
Triumph, just do your part and follow the common loading practices of starting low and working up and stay with in published load data max and you'll be fine.

 

[LiveLife]

Agreed, start at 5.0.

+1. When I did my work up with X-Treme 230 gr RN plated bullet and W231/HP-38 at 1.260" OAL (Sig/SA 1911 and RIA Tactical), 4.8 gr cycled the slides but blew back some unburnt powder. 5.0 gr was better and I settled at 5.2 gr.

I would use the OAL/COL that work for your pistol/barrel and let the accuracy be the judge. Try 10 rounds at 5.0 gr and 5.2 gr and see which produces better accuracy - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=506678

 

[LiveLife]

For those that posted 5.3 is max for 230 gr FMJ, Hodgdon's max of 5.3 gr is for shorter 1.200" OAL/COL and Lyman #49 max of 5.8 gr is for longer 1.275" OAL/COL.

So if your pistol/barrel requires longer OAL/COL (I think most would load 230 gr RN longer than 1.245"-1.250"), 5.3 gr would not produce max chamber pressures.

When I did my work up for 230 gr X-Treme plated RN, I tested 1.255" - 1.265" OAL/COL and used 4.6 gr as my start charge. If you are using longer than 1.250", I would suggest 5.0 gr to start and see how 5.2 gr compares. If you are using longer 1.265" you may need to test 5.3-5.5 gr.