I Don’t Like Sport Pistol for 45ACP

[CQB45ACP]

Not really asking a question here just sharing an observation.

Last year in the below thread, I complained about Alliant Sport Pistol being dirty:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/do-you-find-sport-pistol-to-be-dirty.895493/

Based on lots of great comments I (we) concluded I was probably loading a little light and should bump it up for a cleaner burn.

I’ve now done that and yes I got a cleaner burn but with an uncomfortable kick.

Using Speer & Alliant data:

The old load was 4.4gr of Sport Pistol with Acme coated 230gr RN @1.265”. It was fairly soft and I liked it except for the residue and smokiness. Yesterday I shot 5.0gr and it was as clean as one could expect but too stout for my old hands. After about 50 rounds I actually put on a golf glove to shoot the remaining 50.

When I got home I broke down a couple of rounds and sure enough—5.0gr exactly.

5.0gr is the low end of Alliant’s data so as for too powerful, it’s got to be my hands and my lack of conditioning not the powder nor load.

Unfortunately, I have 4lbs of this stuff and nearly 1000 rounds loaded in a range from 4.4gr to 5.0gr. I think I’ll use the reminder for 9mm (everything feels soft in a 9mm government model 1911) and shoot the remaining 45ACP in smaller doses.

 

[lordpaxman]

It’s a good thing there are a lot of powders that make .45 sing.

I am pretty close to that load for making comfortable major PF. 4.7gr of SP at 1.230 with a plated RN is 170 out of a 625. I have a few other test cases with different bullet profiles at longer COL but still need 4.7 to 5 gr. Do you have any idea on MV? I found the recoil impulse very close to N320.

I’ve also found SP in .40 with a coated bullet is nice.

 

[CQB45ACP]

It’s a good thing there are a lot of powders that make .45 sing.

I am pretty close to that load for making comfortable major PF. 4.7gr of SP at 1.230 with a plated RN is 170 out of a 625. I have a few other test cases with different bullet profiles at longer COL but still need 4.7 to 5 gr. Do you have any idea on MV? I found the recoil impulse very close to N320.

I’ve also found SP in .40 with a coated bullet is nice.

May just be me as I said.

MV?

 

[FROGO207]

I like 700X in my 45ACP ammo burns clean and easy to get back to a followup shot. Plus I have several kegs of it on hand. Might want to try a pound if you can find any.

 

[BBarn]

I use Sport Pistol in a 185gr plated load and a 215gr cast SWC load. But I too have been a bit disappointed with the powder in the 45 Automatic. I was hoping for something a bit cleaner than other powders, but such hasn't been the case with the loads I've tried. Not sure I'll buy another bottle given so many powders that work as well in the 45 Automatic.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Might do that after I use up what I’ve got. No longer in the accumulation phase of life

 

[Soonerpesek]

5.0gr is the low end of Alliant’s data so as for too powerful, it’s got to be my hands and my lack of conditioning not the powder nor load.

.........well...............................................this could be the excuse for you to get a new, heavier gun...................................wink wink nod nod.............!

 

[CoalTrain49]

Never used Sport Pistol but I moved away from Bullseye because it was too dirty. I've loaded at least 4 lbs of American Select using 230 gr bullets and I'm very happy with it. Clean as a hounds tooth. Funny thing, originally it was sold as a shotgun powder. Alliant started publishing load data for it because people told them it was an excellent pistol powder.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I like 700X in my 45ACP ammo burns clean and easy to get back to a followup shot. Plus I have several kegs of it on hand. Might want to try a pound if you can find any.

I’ll second IMR 700X and add Red Dot, Bullseye, Ramshot Competition, and Accurate No.2 to the list of good-to-very good.45ACP powders for those with less than young hands. Of course, I could be wrong and some experts will disagree but those powders at manufacturers recommended minimums work for me. YMMV.

 

[FROGO207]

I also use Promo/Red Dot for a lot of handgun ammo as it is really cost effective and works well. Pretty much unobtainum presently though as far as I can see. Promo, 700X, and HP38 are my most used non magnum handgun propellants and what I purchase buy the keg. Just sayi'n.

 

[CQB45ACP]

.........well...............................................this could be the excuse for you to get a new, heavier gun...................................wink wink nod nod.............!

Provocateur!

 

[CQB45ACP]

I’ll second IMR 700X and add Red Dot, Bullseye, Ramshot Competition, and Accurate No.2 to the list of good-to-very good.45ACP powders for those with less than young hands. Of course, I could be wrong and some experts will disagree but those powders at manufacturers recommended minimums work for me. YMMV.

In 45ACP/9mm, I use Bullseye, BE-86, W-231, AA2, 5, and 7 and like them all and have plenty on hand so I’m not looking for a new powder. Why I bought so much SP I don’t know. I think it was the advertising pitch that it was designed for coated bullets.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Provocateur!

I think technically that makes him an enabler since you know down deep inside you want a .45 PCC but can’t justify the cost.
I agree. Get a PCC for all of that carbine ammo you have on hand. It’s the only logical conclusion.

 

[Otto]

SP is the poor man's N320 but it doesn't do as well in 45acp (at least not for me). I only use it in 9's.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I think technically that makes him an enabler since you know down deep inside you want a .45 PCC but can’t justify the cost.
I agree. Get a PCC for all of that carbine ammo you have on hand. It’s the only logical conclusion.

I guess, but a true enabler would help defray the cost too, no?

Either way, you’re sounding like a co-dependent or co-conspirator.

I used to work for a guy whose wife was a psychologist (or was it psychiatrist?) and I heard this all day long.

 

[CQB45ACP]

SP is the poor man's N320 but it doesn't do as well in 45acp (at least not for me). I only use it in 9's.

Well that’s me—poor man.

 

[Otto]

^^That makes two of us.

 

[Soonerpesek]

I guess, but a true enabler would help defray the cost too, no?

I could hook you up with all the WIN .45acp brass you could use..........?.......or Herter's.........or S&B........or......?

I could even send some SNS cast Hi Tek coated 230 RN for you to try......Sport Pistol was designed to work well with coated bullets....

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I could hook you up with all the WIN .45acp brass you could use..........?.......or Herter's.........or S&B........or......?

I could even send some SNS cast Hi Tek coated 230 RN for you to try......Sport Pistol was designed to work well with coated bullets....

See? I was right. A classic enabler.

Bless you, Mr. Sooner! He REALLY needs a PCC and knows it. He's just temporarily living in da Nile.

Oh, and I'll raise the ante 250pcs of mixed HS .45ACP brass and 100 or so 200gr. Extreme plated RN.

A friend bails you out of jail. A real friend is in the cell next to you screaming, "WE WAS FRAMED!!!"

 

[FROGO207]

I could hook you up with all the WIN .45acp brass you could use..........?.......or Herter's.........or S&B........or......?

I could even send some SNS cast Hi Tek coated 230 RN for you to try......Sport Pistol was designed to work well with coated bullets....

It works excellent for full power loads that is agreed but the OP wants a softer shooting load and it appears SP is not as clean burning as others when used in light loads.
I'll go along with the gang and agree that a PCC is just the ticket to use up that keg of Sport Pistol.
I'll do my part and do some price shopping to help you if that is OK OP.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I could hook you up with all the WIN .45acp brass you could use..........?.......or Herter's.........or S&B........or......?

I could even send some SNS cast Hi Tek coated 230 RN for you to try......Sport Pistol was designed to work well with coated bullets....

Thanks…you are yet another fine citizen!

Im in good shape on brass and I did buy the Sport Pistol for Acme coated—got them all loaded and ready to shoot. We had a thread on that issue—SP for coated bullets and the consensus was no one here had seen damage to coated from other powders (like BE-86 for instance).

 

[CQB45ACP]

Youse guys is da best! But I have three pistols I promised to sell before I bought anything else. But that would be awesome to have a 45acp carbine.

 

[CQB45ACP]

See? I was right. A classic enabler.

Bless you, Mr. Sooner! He REALLY needs a PCC and knows it. He's just temporarily living in da Nile.

Oh, and I'll raise the ante 250pcs of mixed HS .45ACP brass and 100 or so 200gr. Extreme plated RN.

A friend bails you out of jail. A real friend is in the cell next to you screaming, "WE WAS FRAMED!!!"

Sounds like first hand experience to me.

I’ve actually bailed out two people in my life. Both DUI.

One was a friend in college and the other a neighbor’s adult son several years ago. The former wasn’t phased by it. The latter was mortified and couldn’t look me in the eye ever again. That’s what jail SHOULD do to you!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Sounds like first hand experience to me.

I wasn’t there, nobody saw me, you can’t prove a thing.
You know, a lot of times you get a better deal on a trade than you do for a purchase. Especially these days when smaller stores are having supply issues.
Just sayin’. No pressure.

 

[.45Coltguy]

CQB45ACP, "Clays" and Universal work well in .45 acp. Hopefully, you can find some. Clays is super clean, soft shooting. Regular Clays.