Newbie jitters, critical comments welcome

[Five of Clubs]

This weekend I'll be taking my first batch of reloads to the range and I would like the opinion of more experienced reloaders about my game plan. I have loaded the following 45 ACP rounds:

Magnus 230 grain lead round nose bullets
Mixed brass (range pickups)
OAL 1.264 (the avg length of my guns favorite factory ammo)
Diameter .471 (enough crimp to avoid compression while feeding from mag)
Unique powder in increments of 5.0, 5.2, 5.4, and 5.6 grains
CCI 300 Large Pistol Primers

I have loaded 16 rounds of each weight of powder and was figuring to single-fire the first 6 rounds. I would check each case after firing and measure the ejection distance, noting any FTEs. Then I wanted to do two 5 round groups for accuracy, note any problems with feeding, and then possibly move up to the next higher powder charge. (BTW, I measured every charge on a scale for this first batch).

I really am looking to develop a target load that will just be hot enough to cycle the action on my SA1911 reliably. The typical load most people have posted on this site with Unique is around 6.0 grains, but a few are using significantly less. Using the lead bullets, I am hoping that I have gotten high enough regarding powder charge to make my old Springer cycle.

If it matters, loading was performed on a Lee single stage press and charges were measured with a Lee scale.

All thoughts/comments are welcome. Thanks.

 

[cdrt]

My Lyman manual has a starting load of Unique with a similar bullet starting at 5.5 grains for a velocity of 695. That velocity is very similar to the load I use: 4.0 grains of Bullseye with a 230 grain lead bullet. That load functioned fine in my Series 70 Govt Model with the factory std 16 pound recoil spring.

For your lighter loads (5.0-5.2) to function in your SA 1911 you might need to go to a lighter recoil spring, but the only way to find out is to try them and see if the slide will function.

The max load for Unique with that bullet in the Lyman manual is 7.3 grains at 905 fps which is slightly hotter than military hardball.

For a comparison, I still shoot the old load of 3.5 grains of Bullseye with either a 185 or 200 grain SWC bullet in my Series 70 Gold Cup. As light as the load is, it functions just fine because the recoil spring is a ten pound.

Also, I taper crimp my .45 ACPs to .472 so you're dead-on with your .471 measurement.

 

[Five of Clubs]

Thanks for the response. The Lee manual lists a starting and max load of 5.0 grains Unique for that bullet, so that's where I started. I knew that other THR members were using significantly higher charges than that, but I really want something soft to shoot. My 1911 has an 18.5 pound Wilson recoil spring that I would like to leave in there. That pistol doubles as a nightstand gun and my defensive ammo runs 100% with that weight spring. Hopefully I can find a charge that will cycle that relatively heavy spring that still shoots fairly soft. Currently I only have this pistol plus a carry piece. When my arsenal increases in size (soon I hope) I will be able to specialize and try some target related options as you have suggested.

Plus, thank you very much for the load data from your manual. At least I'm in the ballpark, and not being too aggressive for the first time out.

 

[lordgroom]

Everything looks fine to me, but what do I know.

Just remember to point it away from your self and keep your eyes open.

You asked for advice and I didn't want you leving empty handed.

 

[The Bushmaster]

All your rounds, from the light loads to your heaviest loads, will function in your .45 ACP. I keep an 18 lb recoil spring in my Colt Series 80 (modified) and it eats all I feed it. Even very light loadings...

Give us a range report upon your return...And please. Try to hold down your enthusiasum...We've all been there...

 

[snuffy]

Magnus 230 grain lead round nose bullets
Mixed brass (range pickups)
OAL 1.264 (the avg length of my guns favorite factory ammo)
Diameter .471 (enough crimp to avoid compression while feeding from mag)
Unique powder in increments of 5.0, 5.2, 5.4, and 5.6 grains
CCI 300 Large Pistol Primers



I really am looking to develop a target load that will just be hot enough to cycle the action on my SA1911 reliably. The typical load most people have posted on this site with Unique is around 6.0 grains, but a few are using significantly less. Using the lead bullets, I am hoping that I have gotten high enough regarding powder charge to make my old Springer cycle.

The parts in bold are incompatible. Mixed brass will NOT lead to a target load. It WILL lead to a fun-plinking load, that will function test the pistol. So go shooting, have fun, you should be fine. THEN go buy some new brass preferably winchester or federal, stay away from remington, they're thinner.

Another thing is seldom do you see target shooters using 230 gr. round nose bullets. Most go with a 200-225 semi-wadcutter. Not so much for accuracy, but for the nice clean hole, makes scoring easier. Just my .02.

 

[Jayman]

I've never seen appreciable accuracy differences with mixed brass vs. single headstamp brass for anything I've done, although I must admit, I do IDPA and not bullseye level shooting. I'm betting that for 99% of all pistol reloaders, brass headstamp plays very little into the accuracy. I think bullet selection and powder type/level are MUCH more critical.

 

[snuffy]

I too use mixed headstamped brass. But I too shoot IDPA and IPSC, so the group size is unimportant,(to a point). BUT as I said, remington brass is generally thinner than PMC, win, federal, most others. When loading with the same dies, the rem brass will have less neck tension on the bullet if all other components stay the same. That MAY allow the bullet to be pushed deeper into the case, or result in the bullet moving sooner at ignition. Not good for "target" ammo.

When I'm testing a new load combo, I make sure all the brass is the same headstamp. Then I live with the slight reduction in group size.

 

[GaryL]

Unique is a good safe powder to play with (a double charge is obvious).

I get better accuracy with 185gr and 200gr bullets. I use 230gr bullets for blasting ammo.

 

[redneck2]

I suspect your loads will be pretty dirty with low levels of Unique. If you want to switch to something cleaner in the future, you might consider Accurate #5.

 

[nhlivefree]

good luck at the range I was nervious as you first time I reloaded, which wasent that long ago, now I cant wait to shot go home and try diffrent loads.I also like unique 5.6 grains with 230 fmj.

 

[Five of Clubs]

Wow guys, thanks for all the responses! The good news is that it sounds like I haven't done anything hugely stupid (so far).

Regarding bullet selection, I chose the LRN because that shape in factory ammo feeds well in my 1911. Plus, everyone carries it. Since purchasing those bullets, I have found that the apparent majority of reloaders of 45ACP like the 200grain LSWC and it may be something I would like to try in the future.

My previous competitive shooting experience was USPSA-style matches at my local club (the last one being a couple years ago before my daughter was born). I don't plan to do any bullseye shooting because I would likely be even worse at that then I was at practical pistol. I may start shooting USPSA again, but my club doesn't chrono our rounds so major is no issue, I just want a soft load that will be pretty reliable and somewhat accurate to 25 yards.

Unique powder was chosen because several people in this forum said it was good for beginners. That sounded good to me, even though it may be dirty.

About Remington brass, I had no idea that they were thinner and may lead to problems. I actually don't have many Remington cases in the 500 or so cases that I have, so I may separate them out. I appreciate the tip. BTW, about one third of them are FIOCCHI. Any issues with those? I ask because I had several failure to feeds the one time I tried their factory ammo.

Thanks again for all the responses, and I will try to take a few pictures and give a range report.

 

[Win52D]

Snuffy highlighted a good point though I would like to raise another. Using range pick up brass is never a good idea...you don't know its history so you can't be sure if the previous shooter considered it worn out and that is why it is on the ground. I have had one case rupture on me (45 ACP) and don't ever want to experience it again. My brass from new but it was worn out and the web blew. I trashed all that I had on hand and bought a new batch of 45 Super brass.

And, as Snuffy so aptly puts it in his signature, TANSTAAFL!!! (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch)

Other than that your loads look good...My favorite load with that weight is 8.4gr of HS-6 behind a 225gr lead bullet. Great load for bowling pins