[Burrito]

Hey guys. I'm new to reloading. I'm loving all of the information and attitude of everyone on this forum to help one another. Not every forum is like that. Maybe we subconsciously take "the high road" in our conversation. ;)

Anyways, I'm looking for a light target load in 45acp for my 5" 1911 using the curent components that I have. I have 230 gr fmj bullets and Unique powder. My Lee reloading manual says the minimum charge is 6 grains and the maximum is 6 grains. Can I charge with less than 6 grains? If so, what's the lowest charge acceptable? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm still learning.

[rcmodel]

You can safely go down to 5.0 grains Unique with a 230 grain jacketed bullet.
Any less then that and you stand the chance of sticking a bullet in the bore.

Depending on your gun, it may or may not cycle the action reliably every time.

5.0 grains will give you a little over 700 FPS.

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

[SlamFire1]

I prefer Bullseye to Unique in the 45 ACP, Unique was not as popular among the 45 ACP target shooters as Bullseye. Bullseye gives a very sharp and consistent kick, even at low charges. Now I like to have my 230 grains bullets come out my M1911’s at 800 fps. Most factory ammunition is closer to 900 fps, but the original 45 ACP spec was 800 fps with Bullseye, and ammo hotter than that kicks more than I like.

I did some load testing with Unique and came to the conclusion that I could have cut my starting load by at least a half grain, to 5.5 grains, and I might have been close to my self imposed velocity limits.

You will not have any dangerous issues if you were to start at 5.0 grains and work your way up, if the ammunition does not cycle the gun, that will be about the most trouble you will have. And with Unique, I doubt you will have any cycling problems at all. Unique really knocked the cases out of my Kimber, which indicates to me that there was more residue barrel pressure going on than with Bullseye.

Unique is about the most flexible of all the pistol powders and should give you excellent results.


Kimber Custom Classic M1911

230 gr LRN 4.5 grs Bullseye Mixed Brass WLP
21-Jun-06 T = 97 °F OAL 1.250" taper crimp .469"
Ave Vel = 805.2
Std Dev =11.4
ES=54.08
High=836.9
Low=782.8
N ==32


230 LRN 6.0 grs Unique lot UN387 6/21/93 Mixed brass WLP
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469 "
18-Mar-07 T = 62 °F

Ave Vel =898
Std Dev =21.44
ES 75.58
High 944.3
Low 868.7
N = 25
accurate lots recoil15' foot ejection


230 LRN 6.5 grs Unique lot UN387 6/21/93 Mixed brass WLP
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469 "
18-Mar-07 T = 62 °F

Ave Vel =926.4
Std Dev =16.64
ES 71.16
High 963.4
Low 892.3
N = 32
light leading accurate centered hard recoil, 20 foot ejection

[rg1]

I would start no lower than 5.5 grains of Unique with the 230fmj which is a very mild load. My results show that 5.7-6.3 grains to perform best in my 45's with a few different 230gr bullets. Starting low and working up in your gun is the safe way. 1.260" overall length for the 230gr fmj bullets work well in my 45's.

[buenhec]

I had great luck in my 1911 this weekend with 5.0 of Unique and 200 LSWC. Ejected about three feet, cycled reliably and good groups at 25 feet. At 5.5 and 6.0 it had much more of a kick.