+P loadings and the loading manuals

Jeepmore,

1. .45ACP +P is rated at 23000 psi v.s. 21000 psi for .45ACP
2. MAX load for .45ACP, in a loading manual, is less than, or equal to 21000 psi.
Usually, there should be a separate +P section, if available
3. There should be a table somewhere for 45ACP +P. I haven't look, yet. I believe that it is SAAMI standard. The best thing is to call component vendors and as for information.

For number 4, I let someone answer that, since I usually don't load my ammo hot.

BTW, which Taurus is this? A 45ACP Tracker?

Good Luck,
-Pat

You always size your cases after firing. .45ACP headspaces on the case mouth so it's important that the case be the proper dimensions to fit the chamber.

I have not seen many manuals with a .45 ACP +P section. Accurate Arms had one in theirs but punked out by not publishing +P data for 230g bullets.

If you shoot a steady diet of +P loads in an auto it's a good idea to install a stiffer recoil spring.

Now, how to identify a load that's too hot. Measuring case expansion is an inexact art. The measurements are different for every batch of brass ever made. The best thing you can do is stick with the published max load data and getting a feel for what the cases look like after they've been fired. .45ACP primers have to survive in other much more powerful cartridges so I doubt you'll see a flattened primer. When you find some +P data cross reference it with regular data. It will be a wee bit hotter. In the AA manual mentioned above, the +P difference between Max loadings for a 200g XTP was 9.7 vs 10.0 grains using AA#5 so this data really didn't provide much. That small difference in powder is barely going to register at the chronograph.

Be paitent, load and shoot a couple thousand rounds without blowing up a gun and then you'll have enough experience to forage through the web sites looking for the sort of high performance data you desire.

Best way to load hot is to work your way up from suggested start data 1/2 grain at a time.Chances are real good you'll find your best load somewere before max.The big bonus though is all that practice.

Fyi I bent the cyl. crane on a model 1955 S&W a few years back with a slightly over max load in .45 acp.The 1955 is a large frame revolver.

Doug b said:

Best way to load hot is to work your way up from suggested start data 1/2 grain at a time.Chances are real good you'll find your best load somewere before max.

Click to expand...

1/2 grain? On a lot of loads 1/2 grain at a time will get you a kaboom.
If your definition of "best" is most accurate, you are correct. However, "best" for SD a lot of times is the fastest load. You could hardly tell the difference on paper between your "accurate" load and your inaccurate loads on paper at under 25 feet.

halvey maybe I should have put the emphasis on the "your" and not the "best".