[bensdad]

230 gr. FMJ-FP (Hornady)

I loaded it with 5.2 of Bullseye (seated to 1.25"), but after thinking about it, I'm not sure it's o.k. - The bullets are conical, rather than rounded. Does this change the preasure?

[rcmodel]

Do you mean Flat-point or Truncated Cone?

Anyway, 5.2 bullseye is getting real close to a maximum load in the .45 ACP with a 230 jacketed bullet.

The bullet nose shape should not have any effect on pressure with that bullet as the actual bearing surface is the same, or very close to the same weight as a JRN 230.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[jaholder1971]

The ATK website doesn't have any load data for the bullet you have, but they list 5 grains of Bullseye the max for a 230 grain FMJ bullet and 5.4 for a JHP.

I'd drop the charge to 4.6 and check accuracy.

[bensdad]

Thanks guys. I'll call Hornady on Mon. morning. If they don't have a conclusive answer, I'll disassemble and drop it down to 4.6. Better safe than sorry.

[eldon519]

I checked my Hornady load manual, and it does not list Bullseye for any of their 230 gr. .45 auto loads.

The Hornady manual is kind of interesting, they do not make any differentiation between bullets of the same weight. They do that for both rifles and handguns. On the flip side, Hornady max loads are a little anemic, so maybe they limit pressure lower than max to account for this.

[campbell]

The charts in the Lee book list 5.0 grains of Bullseye as the max with a 230 grain jacketed and a minimum OAL of 1.19.

But, the pressure for that load is only 16,200 PSI. So 5.2 isn't a mild load, but I would guess it's not even +p (in excess of 21,000 PSI).

[Walkalong]

The bullets are conical, rather than rounded. Does this change the preasure?

I just measured a Hornady FMJ-FP (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=361236&t=11082005) at .619 long. It's an "encapsulated" bullet.

I also just measured a Magtech 230 FMJ at .653 long.

I load the FMJ at 1.265 and the Hornady FMJ-FP at 1.240. Doing the math tells me the FMJ-FP gives me .009 more space in the case, so there is no need to worry about that as far as pressure and since it is the same weight I would not worry about it running up the pressure as far as that goes.

The Speer #13 manual gives 5.2 to 5.7 Grs of Bullseye for 230 Gr. bullets in the .45 ACP (excluding the Gold Dot for which they show 5.0 as max)

Alliant gives 5.0 as max for the 230 FMJ and 5.4 as Max for the 230 JHP.

You are starting at the top. I would back off a tad to start, although you may find 5.2 OK in the end.

[rcmodel]

But, the pressure for that load is only 16,200 PSI. So 5.2 isn't a mild load, but I would guess it's not even +p (in excess of 21,000 PSI).

The thing is, there is no +P 230 grain load using Bullseye powder.

Bullseye is a very fast powder, and is not at it's best with 230 grain bullets.
Thus, the lack of loading data for it in most manuals.

A little bit goes a very long ways with heavy bullet Bullseye loads!
You can get in pressure trouble real fast with that combination!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[Chief-7700]

I like 4.3 grs of Bullseye with the 230 grn Flat Point. Very mild and nice to shoot.
Chief-7700

[Jim Watson]

For some weird reason, Hodgdon uses that bullet for their 230 FMJ data with an OAL around 1.20".

I load all .45 bullets the same... seat them until they chamber freely and then deeper only if required for smooth feeding.

Gen Hatcher said when USGI hardball was loaded with Bullseye that the charge was 4.6 grains.

[campbell]

A little bit goes a very long ways with heavy bullet Bullseye loads!
You can get in pressure trouble real fast with that combination!

Yeah, I should have mentioned that. I use a lot of Titegroup, which has a similar burn rate. Not good powders to be pushing the limits with.

[Walkalong]

Get some AA #5. Great all around powder for .45 ACP. :)

[JoeHatley]

I'm not sure it's o.k.

Hornady manual 3rd edition lists 5.5 grains Bullseye as max for their 230 grain FMJFP bullet. OAL 1.20", 850fps from a 5" 1911.

Joe