3.5" 45ACP Accuracy Load

[GMT210]

I'm looking for next step recommendations on a reasonable target load for a Colt MK-IV Series 80 Officer 3.5" 45ACP.

I've started with W231 5.0gr to 5.4gr without much consistancy, random 6" groupings at 7yds, without any signs of key-holing, leading or jams though.

Current Components to play with:
Cast WW + 1% SN, air-cooled, Alox & JPW tumble lubed.
Lee 200 grain SWC, Sized .0015 over bore size.
Measured Bhn 15.8 hardness, avg of 5.
W231, Tightgroup, Universal Clays, H110, SR7625.
Wolf LP primers
Sufficient quantities of multiple case brands
Hornady LNL
Hornady New Dimension Carbide dies & Lee FCD

Thanks GMT

 

[Walkalong]

Don't flame me, but just for S&G's, try skipping the FCD. A lead SWC and W-231 should shoot well.

 

[243winxb]

Start at 4.4gr of 231, work you way up. Bullet diameter should be .452" When working up loads for accuracy, start with brass of the same make, headstamp, lot. Try skipping the FCD.

 

[The Bushmaster]

W-321 is an excellent powder to work with. If it doesn't pan out for you I have found that WSF works better in my 3" Kimber.

Instead of using the FCD. Use the seating/crimping die and just remove the bell and no more. You mouth diameter should end up anywhere from .469 to .472.

 

[Jeff H]

Just because no one has actually stated it yet, the reason that people are suggesting skipping the FCD is because it can very likely squish that lead bullet, especially if some of your brass is a little thick.

 

[JDGray]

5.8gr 231 makes one hole groups at 7yrs for me, shooting 230gr Zero fmj. Are ya shaky?

Never tried loading lead, so the FCD may be squeezing ya down to far, but a non issue with fmj. I had a SA loaded once that had such a sloppy bushing, that it grouped very bad at 30' I fitted a new one and it started shooting one holers. Does your Colt shoot factory ammo good for you?

 

[MichaelK]

Here's my .45 ACP load.

Lyman 452460 200 grain SWC cast in Lyman #2 alloy (WW+5% tin)
10.5 grains Blue Dot
any brass
WSP primers
OAL 1.175"
Hornady taper crimped to 0.470"

I expect better than 4" groups at 25 yards!

My loads would not feed properly with the Lee crimping die. Slide would always stop about 1/8" before locking into battery. Hornady however saved the day.

 

[GMT210]

Answers & Clarifications:

Bore had previously slugged out to 0.4512, I size my cast bullets to 0.4528. I am very familiar with the Lee FCD, crimp just barely removes the flare & pulled bullets measure 0.4525. I recheck and pull the first couple every time I change headstamps.

7yd reference was done indoors with 2 hands, did not have factory ammo with me to try. I usually do not have any trouble holding my CZ-75D or GP100 to well under 1.5" at those distances off with my cast reloads with medium and full power loads.

I don't consider the recoil to be out of the ordinary, and surely less than the medium to full power 357 loads.

I agree that the Officer should do better than this at the short distance. I need to pickup some factory ammo and see how it shoots from a rest.

 

[GMT210]

It appears that I have a sloppy housing/bushing/barrel fit. I can wiggle the assembly without much effort.

Any 1911 gunsmith recommendations for Northeast Ohio?

GMT

 

[JDGray]

Call EGW, and give them your barrel diameter, slide inside diameter, and they can send you out a custom fit bushing. I went with the angle bore thick flange, with the matching plug. The bushing should fit tight in the slide, but not so tight that you need a bushing wrench, and .001"-.002" bushing to barrel fit. My Springfield had .012" total slop, and shot terrible groups before the new bushing.

http://www.egw-guns.com/

 

[LiveLife]

200/230 gr with 5.0-5.5 gr W231/HP38 has been my reference 1911 match load for years.

Just this past Saturday, I got 1"-1.5" at 7-10-15 yards off hand even with the short barreled Taurus Mil Pro PT145.

I would not ditch the W231/HP38 load yet.

 

[GMT210]

Well I finally had some time to take down my Colt Officer's ACP and here are the numbers.

Housing ID = 0.765
Bushing OD = 0.759
Bushing ID = 0.703
Barrel OD = 0.694

Based on these numbers I would have a total stacked clearance of 0.0075 if I'm thinking about this correctly.

Looks like I need to order a bushing from EGW, while I'm ordering has anyone tried EGW's reverse plug and guide rod kit?


GMT