Load to simulate Fed .45 230gr Hydra-Shok?

[FJC]

Does anyone have a load for a 4.25-5" barrel 1911 that simulates the 230gr Federal Hydra-Shok's? I'm basically looking for a load that seems to shoot to the same point-of-aim as the Hydra-Shoks. I don't really care about the bullet shape and such (i.e., FMJ load is fine).

Any suggestions?

 

[FPrice]

Why don't you look a the American Eagle 230 FMJ bullet. Made by Federal with the same muzzle velocity. Try both and if it works, you've got what you want.

 

[HSMITH]

Any load that will generate 800-850 FPS out of a 5" gun will be fine. Take a look in your loading manual, there are literally a dozen loads.

 

[Powderman]

I use a 230 gr FMJ with Alliant Power Pistol. I would start at 6.3 grains, and work up from there. I don't know about the short barrel, but I use 6.8 in a 5 inch barrel. Chrono'd out at 975 fps average. Start light, and work your way up slowly. I also highly recommend an 18 lb. recoil spring--the recoil is really snappy.

 

[MCNETT]

5.0 gr 700X 230FMJ
1.25" OAL
810fps from my P14.45

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Actually, not just any load that will generate comparable velocity will necessarily have the same characteristics. You can have faster or slower powders. You may get the same velocity out of two different rounds, but end up with one that has a milder recoil, such as a push and muzzle rise or have one with a sharp recoil that is a quicker slap sensation in the hand followed by a quicker muzzle rise. It all comes down to just how quickly the slug gets up to speed in the barrel, pressures, etc. You can have a round with a sharper felt recoil and less muzzle velocity or vice versa. It seems odd, but it happens. The key point here is that not all powders are the same and don't have the same burn rates.

For handling characteristics (recoil and rise) and muzzle flash, I think the best match for Fed 230 gr Hydrashok, Premium, is the Blazer 230 gr. ball loads.

 

[FJC]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll give them a try.

I really was looking mainly for something I can reload myself, not purchased ammo, as I enjoy reloading (something to do when I'm not at the range ).

 

[Johnny Guest]

Ah, a realistic shooter!

I long ago decided that I do NOT need to handload to "soup up" my guns--About the only ones I do that for are those for which the factories do not offer what I consider a suitable load for my needs--
.45 Colt, for many years, all you could get were 250 to 255 LRNFP bullets at levels safe for black powder era guns. Now, happily, there are some fairly brisk loads offered, but the main emphasis is still on the Cowboy Action loads, which are pretty anemic.

.44 Special - - similar to the .45 Colt loads--a 246 RNL at an optimistic 760 fps, while large bore, is too mild for hunting OR defense. Again, things have improved in the past 15 or so years, but my handloads are far better, though not screaming hot.

.257 Roberts used to be loaded only to very mild pressures.

Nowadays, I can buy good defensive ammo over the counter, so I load mainly to duplicate recoil and point of impact for the store-boughten stuff.

In .45 ACP - - -
230 FMJ with 6.5 gr. Unique pretty well duplicates the recoil and point of impact of the classic hardball .45.

230 LRN with about 6.2 Unique or 5.5 of W-231 does about the same thing. Actually, I load down to 5.3 of 231, which yields about 820 in a five-inch barrel. You have to shoot at pretty long range to tell the difference in POI between these loads and factory HydraShok or GDHP.

Good luck to you - - -
Johnny