231 in 45acp

[JDGray]

I want to use this powder in my 45, but I have to many books, saying way different loads. I'm going to be loading 230gr Winchester fmj bullets. Winchesters new web site gives 5.3gr, max load, 832fps @ 16,800 cup
Speer#12 says 5.6- 6.2 max, 858fps
Lee's 2nd says 4.8- 5.1 max,785fps 20,000 psi
I loaded up some 230gr Rainiers, with 4.8gr and only saw 690-720fps.
Whats a good load for this powder? Thanks, John

 

[NVMM]

"I loaded up some 230gr Rainiers, with 4.8gr and only saw 690-720fps."
Work up slowly from the 4.8grs till you find what works for you.
Also depends what you want the load to do.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

I've been loading my 45ACP topped with 230 gr Rainer and 230-gr Speer TMJ with 5.4 gr or #231 without any issues. I want to say it chrono'ed around 825-840 fps out of both a 4.25 Commander and a 5" Government 1911. I believe LennyJoe has been using 5.5 gr with good results in his guns, too.

 

[ball3006]

Start at the bottom of the powder chart...

and work up to see which load works best in YOUR pistol........chris3

 

[The Bushmaster]

Thank you Mr. ball3006. You said it all. JDGray...You listenin'??

 

[TonyT]

I always favor the powder manufacturers reloading data.
The WW 14th Edition reloading manual list the following loads for W-231 with the 230 gr. FMJ:
4.9 gr. W-231 = 695 fps = 14900 ps1
6.7 gr. W-231 = 830 fps = 19200 psi
Hope that help.

 

[JDGray]

Yeah Bushmaster, I lisnin, thanks for the info guys! I want to duplicate a factory load, at around 830fps. And using my Lee book, I wasn't gonna make it with only .3gr of powder. It looks like I'll work up to 5.3, as a max, and see how it goes. I really liked the accuracy, and consistant fps, I was getting with the plated bullets, but I'd like to start shooting the jacketed. Tony T, how current is that data? Thanks again.

 

[RobZ71LM7]

Funny I just posted the same thing yesterday:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=207493

Here's the data I pulled up on win231 with 230 grain .45acp (one is 240 grain):

http://www.robmeadway.com/45acp231.xls

I'm just going to start at 4.8 and work my way up.

 

[KIMBER45TLE]

W231

I've been using W231 since January in the 45acp with great success using Rainier or West Coast 230 grain round nose FMJ. 5.4 grains behind a Win.West. Large Pistol primer with an OAL of 1.260 and Crimp of .469. Out of my 4" it clocks out at 745 and out of my five inch 45's it clocks out at 757. Nosler manual says 4.8 to 5.8 grains of 231. Speer manual says 5.4 to 5.9 grains of 231. Hope this helps. BTW, I get good accuracy out of this load as well.

 

[bigsarg99]

I have been using 5.4 grains of 231 with 230gr Berry bullets with great success in the accuracy dept. I have not had a chance to chrono them yet but they seem to be screaming as the lauch from any of my .45's ( 4.25in commander, 5in GM and USP Tactical and wifes Glock 36). 231 is a pretty versatile powder and seemingly reliable.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Same here.

5.4gr under Rainer 230gr plated for range plinking.

 

[Johnny Guest]

About the same - -

I've been loading 5.3 gr. of 231 with 230 gr. bullets for the past four or five years - - Ranier or Berry's plated, Laser cast lead, Montana Gold or Remington jacketed. They run fine in Colt Officer's ACP, Commanders, Government Models, Kimber 5", and a 1928 Thompson SMG. Any of those arms could take hevier loads, but why increase the wear and tear?

Best,
Johnny

 

[KIMBER45TLE]

Loads in

Been using the 5.4 load in two Kimbers. ProCarryII and Custom TLE II also in a Springfield MilSpec. They run fine in all three pistols. When we finish shooting the in close combat type targets and we're about to head home for the day, we take some 8" balloons down and tie them up on the burm at 130 yards. After we bust them, it's home, the brass tumbler and a cold beer.

 

[model 649]

I use 5.8 gr. 231 under 230 gr. bullets for pin killin' with excellent results in both my S&W 745 and Commander. I like having a load that works well in both guns.
Josh

 

[robertbank]

5.4 Gr 231 gave me avg. 803 fps out of my Para SSP. 5.7 gr shuold get you where you want to go. I load 5.7 gr under 220 gr LRN and have observed no pressure problems.

Take Care

 

[JDGray]

reload results

I loaded up some 230gr JHP, 20 each at 5.2 & 5.4gr 231.

5.2gr average 720fps
5.4gr average 810fps

Thanks for all the help, both loads shot great groups at 25yrds, and the 5.4gr load gave me what I was looking for.