Personal Protection .45 loads with Bullseye powder - question on flash

[dandean316]

I am working on a couple self defense loads for my Para Carry .45 (3" 1911).

185 gr. Hornandy hp/xtp
5.5 Bullseye

and

230 gr. Hornancy FMJ-RN
5.0 Bulleye

I have not chrnographed the loads yet, but have gotten a decent ammount of flash when shooting both loads. Since most shootings happen in low or no light, I am afraid the flash will be too much.

Can anyone recommend a load (powder) that may reduce this flash a bit. Or because of the short barrel, will I pretty much get flash with whatever I use?

I am sure I will go with the the 185 gr Hornandy in the end.

PLEASE do not tell me not to reload self defense ammo! I like to practice with what I carry, and practice a lot with it. Let's save the should I or should I not carry reloads for SD ammo for another thread please! Thanks.

Otherwise...
Any help is appreciated!

 

[Cal4D4]

Accurate Arms #5 is very low flash.

 

[HSMITH]

For that short barrel #5 is too slow but in a 5" it works well, Hodgdon Clays will be the lowest flash you find. It will also make as much velocity before high pressure as most anything else in your gun. Load for pressure signs and then back off a tad, that would be a good carry load in my book.

If you are not the faint of heart give Universal Clays a try, and load for pressure signs. I would give an educated guess that it will clean up and burn well at max published loads and be just what you are looking for a grain or so over max.

When you see ANY pressure signs with Universal you must STOP. It becomes spikey with changes in load when pressures are at or above max pressures in max listed loads. I have not experienced the spikeness
with Universal but have been told by trusted sources it will spike pressures and soot up primers ETC with minor changes in OAL and load charge weight.

If you can live with a little (ok maybe a lot) of flash Power Pistol is the KING of 45 ACP powders. More power and less danger than any other powder known. You have to try Power Pistol to move on, it is clean, accurate, meters well and is AMAZING in 45 ACP. Power Pistol is where the BS stops in 45 ACP, but flash is pronounced.

 

[Cal4D4]

Half the fun with Power Pistol is the flash and boom! I like it in 10MM. I've used Clays for 10mm loads and flash is very low there also.

 

[dandean316]

I think I will give Clays a try. I wanted to try this out for some clean target loads for a long time, so this will push me to do it.

I had some Federal 185 gr +p's factory loads that flashed a lot, so maybe it's just something I have to deal with.

One other question: since I am pushing the upper limits here, would it be a good idea to use +p brass since its case wall is thicker? I was going to get some from Starline.

 

[moxie]

I'd recommend you try Unique. The new batches are somewhat cleaner burning and have less flash than before. Unique is a really good powder for the purpose you're talking about. 8.2 grains with a 185 JHP will give you 1,030 fps according to the Alliant website. That's just about right for the use you indicate. You should get at least 900 out of that 3" barrel. Probably more. Take it from there for the perfect load.

Re +P brass. I usually use used (!) +P Rem brass that I've gotten from once-fired new cartridges for hotter loads. Plain and nickeled. For what it's worth, Glaser uses Rem +P brass (used to be brass, now nickeled) in their .45 ACP ammo which is pretty zoomy.

 

[HSMITH]

Standard 45 acp brass is plenty strong. Use good quality once fired brass and you will be fine. The barrel in your Para supports the brass fully. You will not blow a case even with drastically over pressure loads, you will blow primers out way before the case has problems.

When working up with Clays keep an eye on the primers and case expansion just above the web, Federal or Winchester primers show pressure earlier than the others IME. You will be surprised how far past listed data you can go before you see any sign of pressure, but you must stop when you see pressure signs as the Clays powders get spikey when pushed. Work up slow and pay attention.

 

[Sunray]

When the pucker factor is high the last thing you need worry about is the muzzle flash. Especially at night.
"...even with drastically over pressure loads..." Do not load beyond what your manual says. It ain't the $.50 case that explodes. It's the $1,000 pistol.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Agree with the Unique idea - - -

I used to shoot a lot of Sierra 185 JHC bullets with max loads of Unique in an old National Match, a Government Model, and a 1955 S&W. I took three or four deer with this load and it worked fine. Even shooting varmints at night, the flash wasn't bad.

That was back in the days of the "Old Unique," and there was no problem with "dirty burning." Then again, I never had any particular complaint about the residue when using lead bullets, once I got away from the old Lyman Ideal black lubricant.

Best,
Johnny

 

[popbang]

I have used Unique and Universal quite a bit, but the lowest flash powder I have found have been VihtaVouri powders. Right now I am using N340 for .45 Colt carry loads.

 

[Khornet]

Unique, 7.7 gr, 185 JHP

in my P90 shoots fine and not much flash. Plenty of boom, though. Gonna try it in my new Para.