Can I see some CFE Pistol reloads with 45ACP?

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Josh45

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I'm making some 45 ACP with Hornady XTP JHP 230. I'm using the data from Hornady 10th edition.

Its calling for 5.6 Gr and COAL 1.230 with CFE Pistol. It looks a little...loaded to me?
I havent shot any yet nor have I ever used this powder before so was hoping to get info before I finish this up.

I guess I have yet to figure out how to upload photos here without a service lol.

To put it into perspective, It looks like the case is 3/4 full. Kinda concerned...

Thanks to all!
 
Well, I just looked over at my scale and saw that it was set to 15.6!

:eek::oops:
I'm pretty happy I caught it to say the least.
Gonna need to pull a few rounds to make sure there not loaded down like that. I'm pretty sure there not but I rather be safe.

Double check your scales guys! Be safe!
 
Good thing you caught that overcharge on your scale. Go to the Hodgdon.com reloading data. You will find their data for .45 ACP loading a 230gr Hornady FMJ flat point bullet with CFE Pistol to be 6.0gr start for 815 FPS and 6.8gr maximum for 934 FPS.

If you want to load 230gr JHP bullets to a velocity that is close to what most factories use, I'd use the Hodgdon data and start at 6.0 grs and work up to 6.8gr. Most factory loaded 230gr JHP ammo for .45 ACP is loaded around 850 to 900 fps+ from a 5" barrel.
 
I use alot of CFE-P for 185gr bullets in 45 ACP under both HiTek coated and jacketed bullets.
You might find that a faster burning powder such as Titegroup will give you a smoother and lighter recoil impulse than a longer burning powder such as CFE-P with the heavier bullets.
 
Funny enough, I was using the Hodgon data for some RN bullets I had and using 6.0 with 1.200. I'm gonna pull those as well for safety sake.

The 5.6 grains and 1.230 are per Hornady reloading 10th edition. I will be using a 1911 5 inch.

Figured titegroup would be better overall for this lol!
Guess I'll pick some up eventually!
 
Do you know how you loaded such an over charge? I think knowing what you did wrong is “almost” as important as catching the mistake.

If you don’t know what went wrong , you will likely make the mistake again . I like-ish CFE-pistol , it gives good velocities and burns kinda clean I mean it’s not Unique.

I will say this , it burns hot IMO . Meaning using it as a plinking load and shooting rapid fire or multiple mag dumps . Your barrel will get smoking hot not to unlike Titegroup does .
 
Metal God said:
Do you know how you loaded such an over charge? I think knowing what you did wrong is “almost” as important as catching the mistake.
Click to expand...

If using a Lee scale the OP's ball was maybe in the "10" slot vs the "0" slot it should have been in since it was an exact 10 grain increase...
 
Hodgdon data is weird. Apparently they used a flat pointed bullet to get such a short OAL.

I don't load full charge ammo much; power factor stuff for IDPA and USPSA is my standard.
If I change a component, I start low and "work up" over the chronograph. There are some combinations where 9mm minor or .45 major IS full charge, though.

I will occasionally run off a batch of factory equivalent for defense gun practice but am wondering if it might not be simpler just to buy a box of hardball every quarter and not change my press setups.
 
Jim Watson said:
I will occasionally run off a batch of factory equivalent for defense gun practice but am wondering if it might not be simpler just to buy a box of hardball every quarter and not change my press setups.
Click to expand...

Maybe just do a big run of the hardball practice ammo, enough to last you a few years at a time and keep it set for your normal 185gr load the rest of the time.
 
I have been using the following 2 loads and have been very happy with both in a 5" 1911.
230 gn FMJ RN
6.1gn of CFE Pistol
Coal 1.24

185gn Jacketed HP competition style
7.0gn of CFE Pistol
Coal 1.22
 
Jim Watson said:
Hodgdon data is weird. Apparently they used a flat pointed bullet to get such a short OAL.

I don't load full charge ammo much; power factor stuff for IDPA and USPSA is my standard.
If I change a component, I start low and "work up" over the chronograph. There are some combinations where 9mm minor or .45 major IS full charge, though.

I will occasionally run off a batch of factory equivalent for defense gun practice but am wondering if it might not be simpler just to buy a box of hardball every quarter and not change my press setups.
Click to expand...
They list a 230gr LRN with 1.200" OAL. If you get rid of your powder brand/type specifications, it will give you load data for 22 different powders with that LRN, all at 1.200".
 
Josh45 said:
Funny enough, I was using the Hodgon data for some RN bullets I had and using 6.0 with 1.200. I'm gonna pull those as well for safety sake.

The 5.6 grains and 1.230 are per Hornady reloading 10th edition. I will be using a 1911 5 inch.

Figured titegroup would be better overall for this lol!
Guess I'll pick some up eventually!
Click to expand...
I really liked CFE-P for 9mm and .40S&W. Meters well in the Dillon powder dispenser and I just found it really easy to use.
 
Josh45 said:
Well, I just looked over at my scale and saw that it was set to 15.6!

:eek::oops:
I'm pretty happy I caught it to say the least.
Gonna need to pull a few rounds to make sure there not loaded down like that. I'm pretty sure there not but I rather be safe.

Double check your scales guys! Be safe!
Click to expand...

When I reload I always have two scales. My main scale is my Lyman beam scale and I also have a small frankford arsenal electronic scale. I check powder weights on both scales to make sure I'm not screwing up.
 
Last edited:
SlowFuse said:
I'm surprised 15 grains of CFE didn't fill it all of the way up!
Click to expand...

It almost did. Very little left. Like the bullet itself would sit on top of the powder had it been seated.

Metal God said:
Do you know how you loaded such an over charge? I think knowing what you did wrong is “almost” as important as catching the mistake.

If you don’t know what went wrong , you will likely make the mistake again . I like-ish CFE-pistol , it gives good velocities and burns kinda clean I mean it’s not Unique.

I will say this , it burns hot IMO . Meaning using it as a plinking load and shooting rapid fire or multiple mag dumps . Your barrel will get smoking hot not to unlike Titegroup does .
Click to expand...

To be honest, I do not know who moved my scale or if I had was moving the measure at the time. It is a RCBS scale. I also use a trickler. It was very weird to me seeing I had to add so much compared to other loads. I hope I will not make this mistake again. Importance of being diligent in this.

SlowFuse said:
If using a Lee scale the OP's ball was maybe in the "10" slot vs the "0" slot it should have been in since it was an exact 10 grain increase...
Click to expand...

Using RCBS 505, You are correct tho, It was in "10", "5" and ."6" where it should have been in just "5.6"
 
Demi-human said:
I can’t imagine a triple charge to be much fun!:what:
Did it look like the bullet would seat?
Click to expand...

It look like it would have compressed the powder honestly. Thats what caught my attention of seeing how much was in the pan from the scale. It just didnt "look" right. So it had me stop and go over everything. Thats when I realized.
 
I recommend you get yourself a set of check weights , that way you can check your scale for the proper zero before you start every time . Just yesterday my check weights told me my scale was set 5gr too high before I started

They have changed the design but here is a set
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101868171
 
Last edited:
Some body either need eye glasses or a clearer mind. yesterday’s problems or tomorrow’s schedule needs to be set aside. 10 grains heavy in a pistol is a trip to the hospital at worse ruined gun at least.

OP who would be in your loading area messing with equipment. That’s an off limits place to other folks.
 
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