250 gr lead in 45 ACP?

[C5rider]

I hear that there are loads out there, but I've not been able to find any. A search of the forum and interwebs has turned up as many questions as has searching my manuals.

I reload for both 45 ACP and 45 Colt. I have a box full of LRNFP 250gr bullets that I use for my 45 Colt and I wondered about a load for the 45 ACP, as that one will be shot much more than the Colt.

IS there a load that anyone uses for Universal in a 45 ACP behind a 250gr lead bullet? All of the data that I've been able to locate only goes up to 230gr.

As always, any help would be appreciated.

 

[Kerf]

I think you're going to have to experiment your way there, since no one is going to publish that sort of esoteric reloading information. We did load some 300 gr RNL using Unique years ago. The first two rounds were stuck in the barrel and the next few wouldn't cycle the gun properly. We expected that to happen and came prepared to clear the slugged barrel. Eventually, through trial and error, we got everything running smoothly.
So, the only advise I can offer you is to start very low and go slow. I think we started about 30-35% below known safe levels with lighter weight bullets. And, I don't recall the powder charge.

One of the software loading programs available on the web may be of some service, so I would check them out and see what they have to say.

kerf

 

[41 Mag]

The thing with the 250's is that they will really put some pressure on your slide and frame with extended use. There are loads out there mainly listed as IPSC +P, or Bowling Pin loads, but it is a narrow band.

I have used Unique with some Laser Cast RFP's through mine and they functioned, and shot well, but I wouldn't want them to be a steady diet. They do seem to work the slide a bit more than the lighter bullets as is evident by where the cases land compared to other loads, but other than that they fed and shot well.

Like I mentioned I don't make a habit out of shooting the heavier bullets, but I also have a full box of home cast HP's which fell from the mold right at 260grs. They shoot just as good as any 230gr I have run, and hit with a LOT more authority.

Look around I know I found data from Accurate as well as in a couple of manuals for this weight bullet. Just use common sense and don't wreck your pistol having too much fun.

 

[cpileri]

Here is some data you might use. Most use in revolvers chambered to 45ACP, though. And some report increasd wear from the heavy bullets on the breechface.

.45 ACP - IPSC Heavy-Bullet Major Loads + P (Oregon Trail Handgun Data) Reloading Data Printable Version

Warning! Notes: test gun: Entreprise 1911 frame, 5" Bar-Sto barrel, WLP; OAL: 1.168; use these loads exactly as listed; these are MAXIMUM loads - do not exceed charges, or shorten overall lengths; do not fire these loads in pre-1950 revolvers; for use in pistols with fully supported chambers only
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.
Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
250 Round Nose Flat Point Hodgdon Clays 3.3 700
250 Round Nose Flat Point Hodgdon Titegroup 3.8 725
250 Round Nose Flat Point Accurate Solo 1000 3.5 733
250 Round Nose Flat Point Alliant Bullseye 3.9 735
250 Round Nose Flat Point Alliant Unique 5.0 745

.45 ACP Remington Enhanced Model 1911 R1 Reloading Data Printable Version

Warning! Notes: All loads used Federal Gold Medal Match 150 primers and Starline cases. Minimum cartridge OAL: 1.190 inches; maximum cartridge OAL: 1.275 inches; maximum case length: .898 inch; and trim length: .888 inch. Temperature was 33 degrees Fahrenheit during testing. (Handloader Issue #277 - April, 2012)
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.
Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
250 Oregon Trail cast RNFP Alliant Power Pistol 6.5 934

And some heavier data just in case you think you can work up some safe loads using this data…


.45 ACP Standard Loads Reloading Data Printable Version

Warning! Notes: case: Rem. primer: 300; barrel length (inches): 5 (Handloader Issue #172 - December, 1994)
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.
Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
260 Speer JHP Hodgdon HS-6 8.0 860


.45 ACP +P Loads Reloading Data Printable Version

Warning! Notes: Barrel length: 3 1/2 inches. Case: Win. Primer: WLP. Developed by Hodgdon, these +P handloads first appeared in that company's No. 26 Data Manual. The use of a heavier than normal recoil spring is recommended to prevent accelerated wear caused by the frequent use of these loads in autoloading handguns. (Handloader Issue #172 - December, 1994)
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.
Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
260 Speer JHP Hodgdon HS-6 8.9 917
260 Speer JHP Hodgdon HS-7 10.0 914


.45 ACP (Speer Reloading Manual #11) Reloading Data Printable Version

Warning! Notes: gun: Colt Gov't. Model; barrel: 5"; twist: 1-16; cases: Speer; primers: CCI-300; maximum loads listed should be used with caution
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.
Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
260 Speer Hollow Point IMR 800-X 7.2 864
Remarks: maximum load
260 Speer Hollow Point IMR 800-X 6.6 802

260 Speer Hollow Point Alliant Green Dot 5.8 819
Remarks: maximum load
260 Speer Hollow Point Alliant Green Dot 5.3 751

260 Speer Hollow Point Alliant Herco 6.9 847
Remarks: maximum load
260 Speer Hollow Point Alliant Herco 6.3 775

260 Speer Hollow Point IMR SR-7625 5.6 802
Remarks: maximum load
260 Speer Hollow Point IMR SR-7625 5.1 733

260 Speer Hollow Point IMR SR-4756 6.4 830
Remarks: maximum load
260 Speer Hollow Point IMR SR-4756 5.8 752

260 Speer Hollow Point Alliant Bullseye 5.2 788
Remarks: maximum load
260 Speer Hollow Point Alliant Bullseye 4.7 717

260 Speer Hollow Point Alliant Unique 6.4 822
Remarks: maximum load
260 Speer Hollow Point Alliant Unique 5.8 740

260 Speer Hollow Point Alliant Red Dot 5.1 817
Remarks: maximum load
260 Speer Hollow Point Alliant Red Dot 4.6 748

260 Speer Hollow Point Winchester W-473AA 6.1 803
Remarks: maximum load
260 Speer Hollow Point Winchester W-473AA 5.1 741

260 Speer Hollow Point Winchester W-452AA 5.0 786
Remarks: maximum load
260 Speer Hollow Point Winchester W-452AA 4.6 712

260 Speer Hollow Point Winchester W-231 5.9 824
Remarks: maximum load
260 Speer Hollow Point Winchester W-231 5.4 756

260 Speer Hollow Point IMR 700-X 4.9 794
Remarks: maximum load
260 Speer Hollow Point IMR 700-X 4.4 722

.45 ACP (Alliant Pistol & Revolver Data) Reloading Data Printable Version
Warning! Notes: primer: Federal 150; bbl length: 5.0; do not exceed powder weight shown
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.
Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
260 JHP Alliant Bullseye 4.5 725
Remarks: min. OAL (inches): 1.210; 19,400 psi
260 JHP Alliant Unique 5.4 760
Remarks: min. OAL (inches): 1.210; 19,400 psi
260 JHP Alliant Herco 5.9 750
Remarks: min. OAL (inches): 1.210; 18,600 psi
260 JHP Alliant Blue Dot 8.3 780
Remarks: min. OAL (inches): 1.210; 19,000 psi

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=102197

 

[horsemen61]

My question is why would you want to do that to your gun I feel like that is just ultimately unneeded wear and tear.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I would shoot the 250 in the revolver and buy 230 for the pistol. After the 250s are gone, start loading the 230 in the revolver.

 

[blarby]

My question is why would you want to do that to your gun

I'm not the OP, but I'm gonna go with "I want to" and thats always been good enough for me.

Good thread and data here..... I've been eyeing that 240g in .451 sierra offers, and hope that data might show up....

 

[SlowFuse]

I've loaded lead in 45 acp that dropped a hair over 240 grains. Used 230 gr lead data (10% below min listed) and went from there. Shot well enough for plinking.

As far as the extra slide battering that someone mentioned, how about just upping the recoil spring by 1 or 2 lbs? Seems like that would help. I use lighter springs for light 185 grain loads and go back to a 16lb spring for regular loads. My references are to the 1911 platform so you may not have a wide variety of options with a less common handgun.

 

[poco loco]

This is something I have wanted to try for a while

but with the 250g Keith wadcutter Lyman made for the 45 autorim...Alliant was forthcoming with data when I called them and as soon as I find it again, or call back, I am going to try them....:banghead:

I do think they should be shot sparingly though to protect the pistol esp in a 1911 but if your gun will load them, shooting them now and then should be fine and that would be a hell of a thumper for a acp.....

 

[41 Mag]

As far as the extra slide battering that someone mentioned, how about just upping the recoil spring by 1 or 2 lbs? Seems like that would help. I use lighter springs for light 185 grain loads and go back to a 16lb spring for regular loads. My references are to the 1911 platform so you may not have a wide variety of options with a less common handgun.

Your absolutely correct. The spring kits are out there as well as recoil buffers galore. IF I were going to shoot the heavies on a regular basis I would absolutely gather up a batch of the best I could get to do so and have a ball.

Thing is most folks aren't going to shoot more than a few hundred. Even so those COULD very easily effect a fine pistol with some premature wear or worse in areas not so often inspected.

Like I said in my previous post, I have shot some, not overly hot loaded heavy bullets in mine. It is simply a stock SS 1911 Govt. It rolls them right on through with no issues what so ever. BUT I don't do it on any sort of regular basis. I simply did some informal testing to see how they show compared to some other loads I had.

But yes to answer your question in a decent framed pistol, with the proper buffer and spring you should be able to run a decent amount of them through with no ill effects.

 

[orionengnr]

Yep, I will second the "why"?

I use the 250s for the .45LC and run the "correct" weights in .45acp...in my case, 200 gr SWCs. My 1911s work just fine with those loads, and my M25 works fine with the 250/255/260 gr lead loads.

Your gun, do what you choose. If you have waaaay too many 250 gr lead boolits to shoot through your .45LC revolver...that's what barter is for. Just my .02.

 

[Boxhead]

I load the 255 gr Lyman SWC (from Montana Bullet Works) in 45 AR for my Smith M25-2. Unfortunately my data is thousands of miles away. You should be able to Google John Taffin or Brian Pearce data for the AR with said or similar bullet and be good to go. How they would feed in a 1911 is a question of course.

 

[PapaG]

Shot lots of RCBS 45-250KT swcs over 5.4 grains of Unique in many, many pin shoots and show no excessive wear on my 1911. Tried it on a "found" deer carcass on our farm after hunting season and it penetrated both shoulders, both hams (different bullets), and is my "go-to" load when I need power and straight line penetration. Kicks, though. Found the load in a magazine dedicated to the 1911, title "Buffalo Stomper Loads".
Use at your wn risk. I lowered the charge weight from what they recommended.

 

[brownout]

I have loaded a 263 gr lee cast bullet over 4.0 gr of titegroup. it functioned well and recoil was very manegable. Not sure how hard it was on the gun. Would like to chrono some of these loads out of curiosity. I was recommended to run the heaviest recoil spring your gun will function properly with to help ease the force on the gun or possibly a buffer where the slide meets the frame. just dont try and push experimental loads too hard start low and work up slow and have fun with it.

 

[ghitch75]

i run MB 250gr PinBusters 5gr Unique from 5" 1911 with 19# spring.....no more wear than 230gr....

 

[roadliner]

Used to shoot 255 SWC out of my 1911 back years ago. Don't remember the powder or charge, but it would clock around 780-790 fps.

Just wanted to try something different.

The same reason I shoot 165 SWC on occasion.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree with the suggestion above to shoot a 230gr bullet in both instead of a 250gr bullet. Using a 250gr bullet in the 45 ACP just doesn't work very well, sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear.

When you can't find load data for a cartridge/bullet combination there's usually a very good reason.

 

[Muddydogs]

Whats the big deal here, My 230 grain mold drops 240 grain TC bullets which I worked up from 230 grain data and they shoot fine. I have shot 300 grain Hornady XTP's out of my 1911 with no problems. The gun can't handle a bullet over 230 grains is just nonsense, loads are tested in a pressure barrel to make sure they are not developing to much pressure to blow up a gun so if one stays in the published data and works up there load checking for problems along the way then there won't be any problems..

 

[ghitch75]

Using a 250gr bullet in the 45 ACP just doesn't work very well, sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear.

and why is that?......

When you can't find load data for a cartridge/bullet combination there's usually a very good reason.

here is some...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

and why is that?......





here is some...

In my experience the heavier bullets don't act the same in the pistol as 230gr bullets do. the POI is slightly different and the felt recoil is a little greater. Velocities are lower with the 250gr bullet making reliable expansion iffy at best. Those are just a few of my reasons. (and only my reasons)

Hey, don't get me wrong, use what ever bullet you want to use. If you want to use a 45 Colt bullet in a 45 Auto, have at it. If those bullets were meant for the 45 Auto they wouldn't be marked for the 45 Colt. Use what you want but my suggestion to the OP to use a 230gr bullet in both instead of a 250gr bullet IMO is valid.

 

[ghitch75]

in my guns both 230's and 250's have the same POI.....just little more recoil.....but the hitting power is quite better than a 230 on bowling pins.....sends them off the table with even a off center hit....the 250's i use are marked for 45ACP?

http://www.missouribullet.com/results.php?pageNum_rsCWResults=2&category=5&secondary=13