Question in 45ACP bowling pin load

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ljnowell

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As the title says I'm looking to load some rounds for a bowling pin match. This is the first our club has had.

Bullets I have available:
230gr FMJ
200gr RNFP
230 LRN
255ge SWC

I know many people have loaded the 255 SWC in 45 acp but I have not and have no data for it.

Powders on hand that are suitable for 45 ACP:

Power Pistol
AA#2
AA#5
WST

I would love suggestions from those of you who reload and shoot pin matches and from any of you that just want to weigh in on it. I'm truly open to any suggestion.
 
go to accurate powders and look at there metallic load data they show AA#2 and AA#5 loads for 250 grain plated. i would start with these. Hodgen did not show data for 250 gr bullets. here is the website.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/node

http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/

if you want any load this is the one i would use with the 255 gr. bullets. Start at min. and work up like always.

AA#5- min: 6.0 grains - 718fps--- max: 7.1grns - 838 fps. 1.200 COL
 
BigBore45 said:
go to accurate powders and look at there metallic load data they show AA#2 and AA#5 loads for 250 grain plated. i would start with these. Hodgen did not show data for 250 gr bullets. here is the website.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/node

http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/

if you want any load this is the one i would use with the 255 gr. bullets. Start at min. and work up like always.

AA#5- min: 6.0 grains - 718fps--- max: 7.1grns - 838 fps. 1.200 COL
Click to expand...


I have their PDF downloaded. I have been looking at their data and I am going to try them. I'm hoping someone who has loaded some would have some hands in data.
 
For years I used the RCBS 45-255KT over about 5.4 grains of unique. Seated to a depth that left that thumbnail thickness showing. If your ramp is polished, extractor tuned, and throat correct you'll have no feeding problems if you use a wadcutter magazine. Load came from an old "1911" publication by himself, Mas. Approach with caution. It doesn't seem hot but takes pins off like a sledgehammer. Penetrates well on flesh(tested on a couple of "found" deer carcasses on my farm after deer season).
 
sorry thats all i can help. the load i use is a 250 grn. lead flat nose sized to .454. with 3.5 gr. of titegroup. it puts the pins down fine.
 
I have shot a lot of pin matches and I always used store bought 230gr FMJ. I won my share of these matches and with clean hits the pins will leave the table. I have shot matches with lighter faster rounds and the results were not as good as big & slow.
 
Of the 4 powders you list I would use AA#5, after all it was developed around the 45 ACP.

IMO there is no need for a 255gr bullet, a 230gr bullet will do just fine. I would use the 230gr LRN bullet you list. Go with the highest powder charge which is still accurate and you will be fine. Many bowling pin matches are shot with a .357 Magnum loaded with a 200gr bullet, you are shooting a 230gr bullet.

I like a 230gr LRN bullet over 8.0gr to 8.5gr AA#5...
 
ArchAngelCD said:
Of the 4 powders you list I would use AA#5, after all it was developed around the 45 ACP.

IMO there is no need for a 255gr bullet, a 230gr bullet will do just fine. I would use the 230gr LRN bullet you list. Go with the highest powder charge which is still accurate and you will be fine. Many bowling pin matches are shot with a .357 Magnum loaded with a 200gr bullet, you are shooting a 230gr bullet.

I like a 230gr LRN bullet over 8.0gr to 8.5gr AA#5...
Click to expand...



NGIB said:
I have shot a lot of pin matches and I always used store bought 230gr FMJ. I won my share of these matches and with clean hits the pins will leave the table. I have shot matches with lighter faster rounds and the results were not as good as big & slow.
Click to expand...


I thank you both for your input. It's interesting you mention the. 357 Arch, as in thinking about shooting revolver and semi-auto class.

In revolver I have a few 357 mags but I was also considering my 45 colt Blackhawk. I have a soft shooting 300gr lead load that would clear them easy. Reloading would end it though so I would have to be perfect.

Many opinion on that? Go with easy to reload vs. more power?
 
When I shot bowling pins in the early 1980s, I used 230 RN at nominal military load levels in the 45 ACP and 158 Jacketed hollow points in the 357 magnum.

A good hit with the 45 would clear the pin from the table.

In hind sight, I shot full magnum loads in the 357, a slower, heavier bullet probably would have worked better but they were few and far between back then.

But, in 30 years, I sure things have changed. When I stopped shooting some fellows were experimenting with the 38 Super to be able to get two more rounds before a reload was needed. I do not know where the 38 Super thing went as I lost track of pin shooting.
 
I spent a long cold winter experimenting with different bullet shapes and weights and their effects on pins. Roundnose bullets will surely take them off the table but on a hit outside "the patch", the area surrounding the center of gravity, they tend to fall and not fling back. Semiwadcutters and sharp edged flatnosed bullets bite a bit better and, imo, impart more of their energy on the marginal hits.
It is, after hitting them, all about how fast you can clean the table. Anyway, enjoy and have fun.
We added a new twist to our matches. Two tables of pins, a post between them with a can of expired soda. Ammo capacity limited to the lowest capacity gun. Clean your table and be first to bust the can. Double elimination so everybody has a second chance. Amazing how many times someone shoots the can and realizes there is still a pin on the table, spinning around (and laughing).
 
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