185gr 45 ACP Hornady Zmax load data

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Waterboy3313

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I've been searching most of this week for some published load data for 185gr Zmax projectiles in 45 ACP. I'm pretty sure from what I've heard and what I've seen the bullet is Hornadys FTX bullet. I can't seem to find anything on either bullet description. I needed some more defense ammo and I found a stupid good deal on 500 of these bullets.

I'm starting to think they were such a good deal because they are kind weird and I can't seem to find anything on them. I plan on using titegroup powder to load a work up for these if I can find a place to start.

I'm also a bit baffled at the fact this bullet has a cannelure. I've never loaded a bullet in 45acp with cannelure.

I would definitely appreciate anything positive you all have to offer in the way of advice.
 
Neat! I have not seen these for sale as a component, only loaded. They look like the FTX but those are for Colt speeds. I’m not sure they would work like a defensive round in the speeds the Auto makes. And some FTX bullets require short case trim lengths. I don’t know if these do.

Now, as far as loading, threat them like any other jacketed bullet of the same weight for powder charge. Be sure your seating stem only makes contact on the Ogive not the rubbery tip. Ignore the cannelure, you won’t be using it for a crimp in an Auto anyway.

Cool find! :thumbup:
 
They are definitely different. I carry Hornady critical duty in my 45 ACP and 9mm. The only thing I can see that appears different is the little polymer tip is green rather than red and I will not be loading these into nickel plated cases or attempting to load them +P unless I come up with +P brass.

Also these will be the first time I've loaded anything other than 230gr RN bullets. I loaded a dummy round today just for the fact I wanted to see how it would look with the cannelure and crimp.
 
@Waterboy3313
I would skip TiteGroup for this bullet. TG is great for 230s, but I found that youre leaving alot of velocity on the table with the lighter 45 ACP bullets, well over a 100 FPS.
Im running 7.8gr of CFE Pistol under a 185 XTP, its accurate, hard hitting, and isnt too hard on the pistol. I did test the 185 XTPs with TG and found that 4.5gr of TG worked the best.
 
Tight Group is a fast powder and while its economical for loading target ammo you need to use a slower powder to get optimal velocity of around 1,000 fps. For 185gr JHP's in the .45 acp I use 7.8 grs of Unique. This produces velocities of 1,050 fps to 1,090 fps from my .45's. I have always had good luck using Unique for loading ammo around 1,000 fps + in cartridges of medium pressure like with110 to 125gr JHP's .38 spl and 185 to 200 gr JHP's in .45 acp. Other powders with similar burn rate to Unique should do the same. Don't get too slow a powder for these low to medium pressure cartridges as you will just burn a lot more powder with little gain in velocity and get lots more dirt, smoke and muzzle flash. I have tried powders like Blue Dot, AA7 and HS6 and had those results in .38's and .45 acp's.

Powders slower than AA5, Herco, Unique and Universal are best used for optimum velocities in the magnum cartridges like .357, .41 and .44 mag,
 
I use unique.
Believe I used 7.5gr, shot several hundred of them and haven't blown up my 1911.
 
I'm starting to think they were such a good deal because they are kind weird and I can't seem to find anything on them. I plan on using titegroup powder to load a work up for these if I can find a place to start.
If TGs all you got, the Hornady 7 manual has XTP and FMJ SWC listed. Their 10 manual added HAP, but doesn’t include the FTX technology. They do have an app where you can then purchase load data for .99$, it may have the FTX.
They did change load data between 7 and 10 for TG. For the XTP, it went from COL 1.230” and max of 6.6gr, 1050fps TO COL 1.245” and max of 6.1gr, 950fps.
They do not give test fixture information or pressure, but I’m presuming with TG’s high impulse pressure curve they deferred to slower powders to achieve higher FPS. I have TG in my stable and do use it, but for SD higher power loads I have other preferred powders. Good luck!
 
That's all great info and I appreciate it.
I will have to see what powders I can find locally. I like Titegroup because it works great in all of my pistol loads for my usual intended use. I have been thinking about trying to find a better powder for 357. Again for my use titegroup works great but I think it's time to experiment a little. Since I started reloading I've only ever loaded 230gr RN bullets in my 45acp cases. The only downside to experimenting right now is the shortage.
 
The Zmax bullets are FTX bullets with a green tip instead of a red tip.

Hornady bullets have a cannalure to reduce setback, but they could also be used for rimmed .45 if desired.

I have the newest Hornady loading manual and they have data for the 185gr XTP, but not the FTX. I doubt there would be much difference, but Power Pistol and Longshot get the highest velocities. I'll take a picture of the data and post it here this afternoon.
 
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