1,000 bullets and a pound of Bullseye now what?

[BossHogg]

Just got in a shipment of Berry's 185 HBRN 45 acp, new type for me. And a new to me, Bullseye powder.

Wanting a light load for "My Precious", Star PD, and a few others.

Any load info for this combo would be a help to putting that grin on.

 

[rcmodel]

4.0 to 5.5 grains.
Start low and work up until you get good cycling and the slide will lock open on the last round.

rc

 

[mdi]

What does you reloading manual say? Or has Berry's given any data?

 

[ambidextrous1]

I'm using the Berry's 185 grain HBRN plated bullets with 4.4 grains of Bullseye and a COL of 1.250 inch. It's a mild load, and cycles all of my 1911-style pistols well.

A friend who is a target shooter has good comments on the accuracy of the Berry's 185 grain HBRN.

I am not a target shooter.

 

[BossHogg]

Well I loaded 50 at 4.2 and 50 at 4.5 both with a COL of 1.255. If they cycle my auto's that will be great. If the auto's don't cycle I'll put them in my moonclips. Looking forward to trying Bullseye powder with these bullets. I'll let you know the outcome tomorrow.

I guess the glock 36 will be the one I have to worry about cycling as it's got stiff recoil springs.

 

[john16443]

I've shot the 185gr HBRN from Berry's using Titegroup (4.5-4.6), Bullseye (4.6-4.8) and W231 (4.9-5.1). Loads are indicated in parenthesis, and the usual cautions and disclaimers apply to internet load data. I have a notation to watch the COL on these as I ran into feed issues even though they all passed the barrel plunk test. Here's a link to interesting information related to COL that is posted on THR. http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=317893

It currently is about SWC bullet shapes, but could be applied to others just as easily.

 

[john16443]

I've shot the 185gr HBRN from Berry's using Titegroup (4.5-4.6), Bullseye (4.6-4.8) and W231 (4.9-5.1). Loads are indicated in parenthesis, and the usual cautions and disclaimers apply to internet load data. I have a notation to watch the COL on these as I ran into feed issues even though they all passed the barrel plunk test. Here's a link to interesting information related to COL that is posted on THR. http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=317893 It currently is about SWC bullet shapes, but could be applied to others just as easily.

 

[BossHogg]

Well they both cycled my guns but both loads also had a lot of soot blow back on my cases. I guess low pressure or bad crimp or both. May try 4.7 next time. I really couldn't tell any difference on accuracy as both shot well.

 

[LiveLife]

I loaded 50 at 4.2 and 50 at 4.5 both with a COL of 1.255 ... they both cycled my guns but both loads also had a lot of soot blow back on my cases. I guess low pressure

Looks like not enough powder charge - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7308322#post7308322

I am working up Bullseye and W231/HP38 in my M&P45 from 5.0-6.0 gr at 1.250" OAL.

2004/2011 Alliant Bullseye load data:

180 gr LWC 1.190" OAL 5.4 gr 985 fps
185 gr Speer GDHP 1.200" OAL 6.4 gr 986 fps
185 gr JHP 1.230" OAL 6.7 gr 995 fps

I didn't get to shoot last weekend but will be able to make it to the range Friday.

 

[BossHogg]

I've loaded 100 @ 4.8 Bullseye with a col @ 1.255. Waiting for a new set of grips to show up in the mail. When they arrive I'll go shoot these and see if that bump in charge cleans them up any.

Since I'm new to the plated bullets I think I may have belled the mouth to much not to shave the plateing off. Just didn't feel right even with my light taper crimp. These felt a lot better when I put them together so hopefully I want have as much soot with the blowback. If I do I guess I'll have to put it on the powder. If it does clean up I might have to try the 4.5 gr again.

 

[Overkilll0084]

I run 4.6 gr of Bullseye w/ 230 LRN. I get a little carbon gunk on the sides. The load shoots great, I'll just live with a bit of fouling. I've seen factory ammo do the same thing. I will continue to ignore it unless it creates some sort of problem.

 

[BossHogg]

Well, I'm new to Bullseye and just trying to figure out if it's me or the powder. I have no problem with cleaning up after dirty rounds. I'm really after light loads and that sounds like where Bullseye is at it's best. I'll know more about if it's me or the powder after a few more loads. Safe light loads is what I'm after.

 

[moxie]

I have a Star PD and it is precious! Never used Berry's but have reloaded many other 185s with 4.0-4.6 grs. Bullseye. Works great.

 

[jr_roosa]

I've given up on worrying about my scorched-looking .45 brass. I don't know if my chamber is a little generous or what, but I just polish a little longer. For me it's not powder-specific, at least it happens with both power pistol and bullseye.

-J.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm really after light loads and that sounds like where Bullseye is at it's best.

Actually, that's really not true. Alliant's older powders like Bullseye, Unique and even 2400 all clean up when you load them up near the top of the pressure range. (like a lot of powders) If you are looking for very light loads and a clean powder to produce them I highly recommend Hodgdon Clays. I'm a big W231/HP-38 fan but Clays will give you what you're looking for probably better than any other powder. Accuracy with Clays is also very good especially in the .38 Special and .45 Auto.

 

[TonyT]

Bullseye is probably the most universal of pistol powders. I have used it in 9mm, 38 Special, 40 S&W and 45 ACP. At the lowwer 45 ACP pressure levels you may find that a powder such as American Select, WST or Clays will burn a bit cleaner than Bullseye.