New to me 1911 and the 250gr hardcast load

[nastynatesfish]

Picked up a Springfield armory operator the other day I was at the range from a gentleman that was having issues.
I’ve never been a huge 45acp fan. It’s just always felt kind of anemic.
I got 2 mags ful of ammo with the pistol. Went about and shot them and remembered how do t like it.
I’ve got a box of .452 250gr for loading for my father in law.
I have cfe pistol and shooters world ultimate pistol.
Can’t really find data for the shooters world so I improvised my own off their 230gr data.
This is the part where I say don’t try and copy my data. Lose your fingers on your own. Or something like that.
Anyhow. I started with the bullets and seating depth. I seen them being loaded at 1.160 with the bullets I have.
Loaded them there it’s 6gr cfe pistol. They actually shot really well. Felt nice in the hand.
I ordered all the springs and gray bottom ding pin stop. But I’ve not got them yet. So after they all get here Thursday probably I’ll start pushing a bit more for the 45 super stuff. I don’t know if I’m interested in 1200fps. But I do want a solid 1000fps with the 250gr cast coated bullet. I won’t shoot a ton of them. But I want them as an option.
I started with the shooters world at 5.1gr and went up to 6.5gr. They all shot pretty well. I had one not chamber. I think the oal just got away from me on it.
After shooting thes I came home and load 3 more sets of 5 up to 7gr. Was raining today so didn’t get out to shoot. Tomorrow I will and I’ll update the post.
Also. His is with 45acp brass. Small primer.
Can’t post videos.
But I made it to 950fps with the 6.5gr load of ultimate pistol. I posted the brass to look over.
Ejection was all pretty nice. About 6’ away at my 4oclock or so.
To be continued

 

[drband]

I like the SP brass. It’s been really hard to find LPPs.

 

[Walkalong]

Is the 1911 rated for .45 Super?

 

[nastynatesfish]

I like the SP brass. It’s been really hard to find LPPs.

I’ve always prefered small primer being I’ve got so many small rifle primers for 223 and 65grendel. I use them in 9mm also. It makes it easier when buying primers

 

[jmr40]

I don't load for 45 ACP, but have some Buffalo Bore 255 gr hardcast loads advertised at 925 fps. That is a pretty stout load. Not sure I'd want to push it any farther.

 

[LV Gun]

Is the 1911 rated for .45 Super?

I had the same question you have I have a Springfield V-16 Long Slide 1911that was made for 45 super and 45 acp it is factory ported and came with both springs plus he will need 45 super brass if he goes that far . 45 super is a very stout load i use Triton reload data for mine. Mine is a little dirty was at the range today but this is my 45 super.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Again, is that pistol rated and set-up for .45 Super? You're well outside the capabilities of .45 ACP tossing 250 grain bullets at a chronographed 950-fps. 1000-fps? Shoot many of those and you'll start breaking pieces and beating up your slide and frame in short order. That's approaching .460 Rowland territory and you have to run those in a dedicated ported barrel to keep slide velocity down.

Don't bother trying to read pressure signs on straight-walled pistol cases. The .45 ACP is rated for 21,000 PSI; a 9mm Luger is rated to run around 33,000 PSI and uses the same small pistol primers. If the 9mm isn't showing pressure signs at 33k PSI, your .45 won't show pressure signs either, even being 50% over SAAMI maximum pressures.

If you want Magnum revolver performance without the expense of a dedicated set-up on a semi-auto pistol, get a Magnum revolver.

 

[kidneyboy]

But I made it to 950fps

That's concerning out of a factory 1911.

 

[doubleh]

Well, it's your fingers and other parts to worry about so do what you want. I won't exceed max loads listed in a reloading manual. I was was beat all to hell in an accident years ago from which I will never cease to endure some of the effects from. It wasn't firearms related but it certainly gave me a bleak outlook on tempting fate, especially things that can go BOOM in my hand. At the very least you will probable shorten your guns life a lot even if it does hang together.

 

[Double_J]

Be VERY careful playing with 250 grain loads in the .45 ACP. Every manual I have looked at stops at 230 grain loads for a reason.

20 odd years ago a friend loaded a few 250 grain bullets into .45 ACP cases using the starting load for 230 grain bullets. He blew the mag out of his pistol, sent shrapnel into his face, and destroyed his barrel. We pulled the rest of those down and melted the lead for re-use in our preferred 200 grain SWC bullets.

 

[LV Gun]

Again, is that pistol rated and set-up for .45 Super? You're well outside the capabilities of .45 ACP tossing 250 grain bullets at a chronographed 950-fps. 1000-fps? Shoot many of those and you'll start breaking pieces and beating up your slide and frame in short order. That's approaching .460 Rowland territory and you have to run those in a dedicated ported barrel to keep slide velocity down.

Don't bother trying to read pressure signs on straight-walled pistol cases. The .45 ACP is rated for 21,000 PSI; a 9mm Luger is rated to run around 33,000 PSI and uses the same small pistol primers. If the 9mm isn't showing pressure signs at 33k PSI, your .45 won't show pressure signs either, even being 50% over SAAMI maximum pressures.

If you want Magnum revolver performance without the expense of a dedicated set-up on a semi-auto pistol, get a Magnum revolver.

You are 100% right that is why i have 357 magnums 44 magnums, 454 Casull and A Magnum Research BFR in 45/70 the 45 acp is only capable of its limitations going beyond without a dedicated setup very dangerous.

 

[Walkalong]

Be VERY careful playing with 250 grain loads in the .45 ACP. Every manual I have looked at stops at 230 grain loads for a reason.

20 odd years ago a friend loaded a few 250 grain bullets into .45 ACP cases using the starting load for 230 grain bullets. He blew the mag out of his pistol, sent shrapnel into his face, and destroyed his barrel.

Dang, that's bad. That said, I had a bunch of 250 Gr .452 bullets left over and shot them in .45 ACP with 4.9 Grs W-231 and had no issues.

These old Midway Load Maps have some 250 Gr .45 ACP data. In general, these old Load Maps go too hot, so y'all be careful out there.

 

[nastynatesfish]

Is the 1911 rated for .45 Super?

I seen a few posts about it and the operator being fine to use for it. It’s suggested to upgrade springs when chasing the higher velocity. I guess I’m really only gong for +p or +p+. I don’t need 1200fps with a 230/250gr. But I do want it over 1000fps. I’ve got a 10mm to push and run for that if I want. But I like the idea of a 45acp with a bit more balls than basic 800fps ball ammo you know?

 

[nastynatesfish]

The 250gr isn’t blowing things up. It’s right there with buffalo bore ammo. I don’t plan to shoot thousands of them. But I do have all the springs coming I need to beef things up for the heavier recoiling loads. 460roland is pushing 1400fps with a 250gr. 45 super is 1000 give or take depending on the load and what you’re doing with it.

Well, it's your fingers and other parts to worry about so do what you want. I won't exceed max loads listed in a reloading manual. I was was beat all to hell in an accident years ago from which I will never cease to endure some of the effects from. It wasn't firearms related but it certainly gave me a bleak outlook on tempting fate, especially things that can go BOOM in my hand. At the very least you will probable shorten your guns life a lot even if it does hang together.

There’s a lot of load data out there for the 250/255. How do you plan to stay under a book max when just about no book has the same load? I use Richard Lee data in a lot of my stuff. I know how to start low and work up. And I understand the limitations of 1911. That said. This isn’t a 1980s colt. It’s a pretty modern gun. And they can handle stiffer loads. This one comes with a 25lb main spring and a 18lb recoil spring. I got 28 and 30lb main springs. And recoil springs from 14-24lb so I can try different loads with. Flat bottom firing pin block, new firing pin and extra power spring

 

[nastynatesfish]

Todays venture. Finished the chrony data with the 250s. And then worked on 230s that will be my general load to shoot

 

[nastynatesfish]

That's concerning out of a factory 1911.

It’s not. No difference than buffalo bore or underwood

 

[Walkalong]

Depends on how you get there.

 

[nastynatesfish]

Carefully. After talking to a balistic rep for shootersworld powder. It doesn’t produce as much pressure as the underwood loadings do. I ordered a box of the underwood 230gr +p load to run over my chrony and compare brass to.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Wow!
I’m still trying to figure out what a “gray bottom “ding” pin stop” is on a M1911!

That’s a new one on me.
I thought my 900fps 250gr RFN loads using a published max load of LongShot for my Wyoming trip were “stout”.

Ok, got it! in post 14 he called it a “flat bottom FIRING PIN STOP.
That!, I’m familiar with.

Nate (OP);
I’d bet that somewhere between 500 and 1500 rounds, either that slide is going to crack at the locking lugs, or the frame is going to crack at the recoil spring plunger/buffer recess.
Your 1,100 fps 250gr loads are approaching “Ruger Only” .45Colt loads.
I load my S&W 625 Mountain Gun .45Colt loads to 1,000fps.
BTW, the .45Colt case volume is roughly double that of the .45acp.
But a new Tisas M1911is about $400 “all in “, so have at it!

But I’d prefer not to try to catch a busted slide in my teeth.
Seems a U.S. Navy Seal did that with a slide from a Beretta M9 circa 1990 after about 5,000rds of IMI “black tip” Uzi SMG loads. (115gr FMJ @~1,350fps from 5”bbl).
Beretta was sued by US DOD, and was forced to redesign the slide/frame so that a broken slide rear would be captured and prevented from exiting the frame.

Nate, I suggest ernest use of the “edit” button.
And; here is a link to Hodgdons Silhouette data for the 250gr bullet

Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

hodgdonreloading.com

 

[Walkalong]

All +P data

 

[Rodfac]

I’d bet that somewhere between 500 and 1500 rounds, either that slide is going to crack at the locking lugs, or the frame is going to crack at the recoil spring plunger/buffer recess.

Yep...IMHO. that's asking for a lot of premature wear and tear on the gun...take care, and wear good shooting glasses. Best regards Rod

 

[Snowdog]

Excellent post, thank you. I'm getting back into reloading (reloaded for 15 years, took around 5 years off, now in my 40's) and have a ton of lead, molds and brass (as well as old-but-sealed powder and primers). I probably have 5k+ rounds of reloads in .45acp alone, but I find reloading cathartic and reload a hell of a lot more than I shoot. Good info here, thanks again!

 

[halfmoonclip]

For the OP, not sure why you're doing what you're doing. Hardball has always had a great reputation as a manstopper, or even a horsestopper. Ballistically, it's not much different than .45 Colt. It's a punkin roller; short, fat and slow gets it done.
If you really have to have horsepower, get a 10mm or a magnum wheelgun.
Shooting hardball is nothing like kissing your sister. Take the win, and be satisfied.
Moon

 

[Rodfac]

it's not much different than .45 Colt. It's a punkin roller; short, fat and slow gets it done.
If you really have to have horsepower, get a 10mm or a magnum wheelgun.
Shooting hardball is nothing like kissing your sister.

Gotta agree with Moon; his advice above is 1st rate...My 2 cents: The .45 ACP in a 1911 has a formidable reputation as a fight stopper with most any loading. Accuracy is there, recoil is manageable for the average Joe with some dedicated practice, and you can find all types of loads and gun models about anywhere in the US. Best regards, Rod

 

[nvcdl]

Stout 255gr cast loads were popular at bowling pin shoots. I wouldn't worry about shooting any published load that uses them.