Need a light load for .45ACP in a SSA

What’s an SSA?

CQB45ACP said:

What’s an SSA?

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Pretty sure he meant to type SAA, since he talks about his Uberti Cattleman in the first sentence.

gobsauce said:

Pretty sure he meant to type SAA, since he talks about his Uberti Cattleman in the first sentence.

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You give me too much credit. What’s SAA?

Same loads in LC and ACP?

CQB45ACP said:

You give me too much credit. What’s SAA?

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I believe it is short for "single action army"

6gr of green dot in 45acp sounds pretty hot.
If you put the same load and bullet in 45acp and 45colt the 45acp will produce far higher pressure due to the much smaller case volume of the 45acp.
For greendot in a 45acp with a lead 230gr bullet my old speer manual is showing 5.3gr as the max.
I got a nearly full keg of greendot at a yard sale, I never loaded with GD before. I was going to try more like 4.5 to 5gr under a 230gr bullet.

deadeye dick said:

My LC load for 230 Gr, is IMR 7625 8.3Gr.

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That sounds a bit hot but should be fine.

I would expect HP-38 to be promising, it's got a long standing good reputation in the ACP cartridge but Titegroups "claim to fame" is small charges in large cases (fast burning and not position sensitive) would probably be a good match too.

Never used Autocomp, Green Dot or SR7625

I'm supposed to hit the range with my BIL and my new .45 Colt Smoke Wagon and 255 rnfp handloads using 231 (HP-38), Unique, Universal, Accurate #5, Sport Pistol and Titegroup: all "cowboy" type loads, nothing "hot".

IF I get to go (I have my doubts, my BIL isn't the most reliable guy I know) I'll report back with any relevant observations.

Green Dot from Alliant's current info. is Max. 5.3 grains. Hornady's Tenth Powder Manual lists HP-38 5.1-6.0 grn. w/LRN 230. If it were me, I would load HP-38 just high enough to re-cycle the cartridge as a starting point.

I use about 5.5gr of hp38 in my 230gr 45acp loads.
Try between 5 and 5.5gr with that much bullet. Less than 4.8gr slowly cycles my 1911 with a boosted silencer. It may not cycle a normal gun.

Somewhere around 4.5 grains of hp38 should do.

The major restriction for downloading 45 acp for a pistol is having enough juice to cycle the action. A revolver doesn't have that problem. I've used 4.5 gr. HP-38 with both 185 and 200 SWC's and 230 FMJ's in my Range Officer and they sound softer that what you are using now. You might be able to get by with even softer loads but I'm hesitant to say that because they are probably below book minimums and I don't know what it takes to stick a bullet in your revolver.

deadeye dick said:

Uberti Cattleman but ... 45 ACP they kick really hard.

230 gr. RNL 6.5 Gr. Autocomp, LSWC, 6.0 Gr.Greendot Both kick like a mule. Any recomendations? I was thinking 185 Gr. Berrys plated with min. load. Any help would be appreciated

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My experience with 45ACP/40S&W to produce lightest recoil loads is to use heavier bullets with lighter charge of fast burning powder.

Y-T71 said:

I would expect HP-38 to be promising, it's got a long standing good reputation in the ACP cartridge but Titegroups "claim to fame" is small charges in large cases (fast burning and not position sensitive) would probably be a good match too.

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Moderately faster burning HP-38/W231 is better for producing light recoil target loads than slower burning Auto Comp meant for max gas production to work compensators that will burn poorly at lower powder charges.

N555 said:

I use about 5.5gr of hp38 in my 230gr 45acp loads.
Try between 5 and 5.5gr with that much bullet.

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I have and they are "thumping" heavier recoiling loads than my lighter target loads with faster burning powders.

Laphroaig said:

Russ57 said:

Somewhere around 4.5 grains of hp38 should do.

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The major restriction for downloading 45 acp for a pistol is having enough juice to cycle the action. A revolver doesn't have that problem. I've used 4.5 gr. HP-38 with both 185 and 200 SWC's and 230 FMJ's in my Range Officer and they sound softer that what you are using now.

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We are getting milder but not the lightest recoil loads.

Laphroaig said:

You might be able to get by with even softer loads but I'm hesitant to say that because they are probably below book minimums and I don't know what it takes to stick a bullet in your revolver.

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That may be the determining factor for OP.

My lightest recoil 45ACP target load that is still accurate yet reliably cycle the slides of my pistols is with fast burning Red Dot/Promo (Sig/SA/RIA 1911, M&P45, PT145). 4.0 gr of powder charge with thumbnail's thickness of 200 gr LSWC shoulder above case mouth is a dream to shoot even in subcompacts like PT145. (I use 18 BHN MBC IDP #1 200 gr LSWC and 14-16 BHN Z-Cast 200 gr LSWC but if your barrel is oversized at .453"+, then softer 12 BHN MBC Bullseye #1 200 gr LSWC will bump/expand the base well enough to produce accuracy).

BTW Speer load data for reference - https://reloadingdata.speer.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/handgun/45_Auto_200_LSWC.pdf

• 45ACP 200 gr LSWC Red Dot COL 1.190" Start 4.1 gr (749 fps) - Max 4.5 gr (831 fps)

I've shot tg in just about everything I've had and it's a great light target load powder. Somewhere in the 4-5 grain area to get function is plenty. Just like Bullseye and red dot.

He has a revolver. Function means getting the bullet all the way to the target.

Too bad he doesn't have Bullseye, more flexible.

For a soft shooting 45 acp Revolver load , use a 185 gr. cast lead or plated SWC bullet .

4.6 grs. Green Dot = 703 fps (starting load Speer #9 - 185 gr. lead SWC)
4.1 grs. Red Dot = 728 fps (starting load)
3.8 grs. 700X = 726 fps (starting load)
3.8 grs. Bullseye = 685 fps (starting load)

All loads , except the first , are from the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual ... starting loads
These can also be used in 45 Auto Rim cases for revolver shooting .

All of these loads will give much less recoil .

My reloading manual that has Green Dot Data (Speer #9) shows a MAX. Load of 5.7 grains Green Dot with a 225 gr. jacketed hollow point bullet in 45 acp ...
that load of 6.0 grains is pushing the line ...
Be Careful with that one ... it's Smoking !

Gary

Try 3.5 green dot.
I use that with a 230 gr in 45 acp case in my cut webley mk VI.
Very soft and just flattens on my steel target.

deadeye dick said:

Any help would be appreciated

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The lightest coated bullet with the minimum fastest powder to clear the barrel. Since you’re not trying to achieve a PF, you’re free to use lighter bullets. I’d start with TG, but just be sure of the charge and no setback. Let us know what you come up with.

deadeye dick said:

My 45 LC loads shoot fine in my Uberti Cattleman but when i shoot 45 ACP they kick really hard. This is what i shoot: All 230 gr. ,RNL 6.5 Gr. Autocomp, LSWC, 6.0 Gr.Greendot Both kick like a mule. Any recomendations? I was thinking 185 Gr. Berrys plated with min. load. Any help would be appreciated

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If you are loading ONLY for your revolver, you can load way under min loads for 45 ACP. Pick your favorite 45 ACP load, and knock 15% off the min charge, then work up until it's where you want it. Don't expect it to run in a 1911. Schofield and C45S data will also give you a good starting point for a downloaded 45 ACP load.

Oh, and take a brass rod to the range with you...in case you go just a tad to low.

I've used 4.5gr of 231 behind a 200gr SWC for years in my Gold Cup it's a soft shooting and extremely accurate load.

I was gifted most of a 8lb keg of Green Dot. I’m using it in my .45acp with 5.3gr. Was shooting that yesterday!
Yes it duplicates the Hardball milspec load. It thumps good!

I would suggest switching to a faster burning powder at lower pressures. A lighter bullet will shoot lower, so that can be an issue.
I find reduced loads of Green Dot to leave a LOT of old-maids.... powder granules that didn’t completely combust. Like it’s close sibling, Unique, it needs sufficient pressure to burn clean. My 5.3gr loads with a 230gr Powder coated are surprisingly clean burning.
4.5gr loaded my gun and hands with grit!

The .45Colt requires enough pressure to obturate the case to seal it against blow by. So the Green Dot load sounds reasonable in the .45LC.

I really like Clays in the .45acp with a 200gr SWC. (3.9-4.3 depending on gun). A Springfield Armory M1911 Custom and a Tisas “Duty” both gobble up this load and shoot satisfying groups at 25yds. It shoots “soft” too.