.45 ACP Ball Ammunition?

[Skofnung]

Hey Folks.

I am almost out of surplus USGI ball ammo that I inherited for my .45 and I am looking to get a new stash.

The ammo I'm looking for does not need to be true USGI surplus, but I would like it to be around the same "potency level" as the old GI hardball.

So, what are my options?

Thanks

 

[JimC]

I've gone thru nearly 1500 rounds of the Federal NATO spec .45 ball from Natchez in my Wilson CQB and Brown Kobra Carry but, I see they are temporarily out of stock.

I recommend this ammo highly and hope they get more in.

Federal .45 ACP ball

 

[Bill Z]

Reload for about 2.50 a box.

Trust me, it's easier than most people think as long as you take your time and pay attention. Relaxing I might add.

 

[1911Tuner]

Ball?

BillZ said:

Reload for about 2.50 a box.

Word!

That's what I'm sayin! Reloadin' and 1911s go together like peas and carrots...Like Forrest and Jenny...Like baseball and hot dogs...like...like...

There's load data that will closely duplicate true USGI Hardball, if not duplicate it exactly. Reloading is also a pleasant way to add to your
gun experience.

Meanwhile...I've had very good luck with PMC and Winchester Q45 white box. (Not the same stuff as you get at Wally-World)

 

[cerberus]

Try it with someone first

I sure would advise trying the handloading thing with someone who is into it first. There is a lot more to reloading then just poping out the primers and sizing the brass adding some powder and craming a slug into the case. Many have no real idea just what they are getting into.. If you think you can just spend $50 bucks and then Wam Bam flash through 500+ rounds of 45s your going to get a BIG surprise.

 

[Skofnung]

Thanks guys.

I plan on getting into reloading soon, my next firearms related purchace (other than mags or ammo) will be a reloading setup.

For now though, I need to get a half case or so of hardball.

Oh and, uh, Tuner, 80% of that old hardball went through a Glock 21... I know, I know... I'm a sinner.



Thanks again fellas.

 

[1911Tuner]

Good Advice

From cerberus. Hook up with somebody who knows the ropes.
Get a good loading manual...Hornady...Speer...Nosler, etc. Put on a pot of coffee...sit down, and read the front part a couple of times. Then, proceed with all due caution. That's a miniature fragmentation device that you'll be
makin'.

Remember two things if you remember nothing else...and I borrow this from somebody else's wisdom:

There is nothing that you can prove with a handload that hasn't already been proven. Dont even think about trying to turn a .45 ACP round into a
.44 magnum wannabe.

The pressure required to accelerate a 230-grain bullet to 850 fps in 4 inches of rifled barrel is more than sufficient to blow your eyes through the back of your head...so work up to maximum load data slowly. The .45 is pretty forgiving in this respect, but other cartridges may not be so understanding.

Enjoy!

 

[JimC]

Reload for about 2.50 a box.

Trust me, it's easier than most people think as long as you take your time and pay attention. Relaxing I might add.

I reload my .45 ACP ammo on a Dillon 650 which turns out a lot of ammo in a short period of time but, I still like to keep a supply of factory ammo on hand for other uses and carry.

 

[Feanaro]

Ammoman.com has "MATCH GRADE AMMO U.S.G.I. 45 ACP ( XM1911 )." $129 for 500 rounds shipped. (I think ammoman is a rip-off, even with included shipping, but some people swear by them/him)

Ammunitionstore.com has USGI surplus(1940's production), 600 for $78.95.

 

[wally]

Ammunitionstore.com has USGI surplus(1940's production), 600 for $78.95.

Yes, but its corrosive ammo, and ~60 years old to boot!

--wally.

 

[nbkky71]

Trust me, it's easier than most people think as long as you take your time and pay attention. Relaxing I might add.

This is what can happen when you DON'T pay attention while reloading.

http://home.carolina.rr.com/nbkky71/images/kaboom.jpg

My first (and only) reloading mistake: an AA#5 powder overcharge. My Colt 1911 Govt Enhanced and I both survived with mild injuries.

I second the mentoring idea. Learn from someone that has lots of experience under their belt.

 

[Feanaro]

Yes, but its corrosive ammo, and ~60 years old to boot!

It's also what Skofnung ask for.

Anyways, corrosive ammo isn't as hard to deal with as most people make it out to be. Pour hot water on the offending parts and wipe them off. As for the age, I find it doesn't matter too much if the ammo was correctly cared for. I've fired ammo older than Tuner and it worked as well as the day it was made, though I can't say the same for our beloved Tuner.

 

[wally]

Much if not most, GI surplus ammo sold years ago was non-corrosive. Few people wanted to mess with anything else.

After ~60 years, assuing it was "correctly cared for" during all this time seems a leap of faith.

--wally.

 

[Feanaro]

Much if not most, GI surplus ammo sold years ago was non-corrosive. Few people wanted to mess with anything else.

If you can point the way to some of that ammo, I'm sure Skofnung would be glad to see it.

After ~60 years, assuing it was "correctly cared for" during all this time seems a leap of faith.

If you don't like that leap, by all means don't take it. But Skofnung asked for GI hardball, or something like it, and I pointed the way. For what it's worth all I shoot in my CETME and M48A is surplus, when I can help it. I can't afford to shoot commercial ammunition often. I've never experiance any trouble with surplus.

 

[wally]

I got a case of 1000 rnds Fiochi 230 gr FMJ at a gun show for $165. I've picked up PMC & UMC for $80/500 not too long ago. I shoot lots of Wolf at $120/1000.

The 40 year old GI ammo I shot 20 years ago didn't seem particularly potent or in any way special other than being a PITA to reload because of the crimped in primers.

PMP from South Africa is supposed to be good, but its 220gr Ball.

I rarley pass up brass cased reloadable 45ACP if I see it for about $8 a box of 50. Doesn't go bad, and doesn't seem to be getting any cheaper.

Try www.outdoormarksman.com www.kyimports.com www.wideners.com www.jgsales.com etc. and see what's available. I've also had good luck at certain gun shows -- these I tend to go back to when I'm getting low on ammo, but its hit and miss.

I'm happy to buy surplus ammo if its non-corrosive and cheaper than decent "value priced" ammo. My CETME, FAL & M1A have never shot anything but surplus ammo -- I've even had good luck with the "Indian" OFV 96 ammo that everyone else says to avoid, at $99.95/1000 I had to take a chance and see for myself. Since there does seem to be some bad lots of it out there I doubt I'll get any more, besides Portugese surplus at ~$140/1000 is pretty darn good stuff.

I shoot lots of my reloads too, but finding time to do it has been a problem lately -- reloading cuts in to the time I have available to go to the range these days.

--wally.

 

[Skofnung]

I appreciate the links ya'll posted.

I am actually considering getting the corrosive surplus stuff. I shoot corrosive ammo through several surplus rifles, and I have never had a problem with rust. Being that my .45 is a Glock, and they are famous for corrosion resistance, I should be fine if i clean it.

My only problem with the old surplus is the fact that it is steel cased. I have concerns about putting steel into my gun and wearing it out faster. Are my concerns valid?

Wally, about that Fiochi, is it good ammo?

 

[wally]

Wally, about that Fiochi, is it good ammo?

I like it. It tends to be loaded hot. Seems as accurate as any other ball ammo.

--wally.

 

[shep854]

Wolf, despite being steel-cased, is pretty much mil-spec as far as I can tell. There have been several threads on Wolf ammo, but the problems that were described appear to have been with older lots. Current ammo is very good; I have had no problems in my pistols.

 

[Alfadog]

I've had very good luck with PMC and Winchester Q45 white box. (Not the same stuff as you get at Wally-World)

Tuner, what differences have you noted between the regular Winchester Q loads and the Wal-Mart stuff? I presume you are referring to the 100-round value packs. I've fired hundreds of rounds of the value-pack stuff and not noticed any difference between it and the regular Winchester USA ball load (Q4170).