45 ACP load for 185 gr JHP + Red Dot?

[196scoutmaster]

First a note: I'm getting ready to load my first rounds - I'm a newbie.

The brass is cleaned, trimmed, all within specs, primed. I've set 4 bullets to just below the O.A.L. in blank brass and hand cycled them through my 1911. All is good so far.

I have 230 gr FMJ and I have a good receipe there - everyone seems to agree on a powder load there (Lee, Lyman, Hornaday, Alliant). All agree to a starting range of 4.9 - 5.1 grains using Red Dot

I also have 185 gr JHP for plinking and I'm very confused. I'm using Red Dot also but checking various receipes for this bullet I'm finding a variety of recommended loads. For this bullet here's what I find for starting loads:

Lee 2nd Ed. - 5.6 gr
Lyman 49th - 3.5 gr
Hornaday - 5.3 gr
Alliant - no info on their site for this bullet

Reading that too little powder can be as bad as too much - how can there be such a difference? The Lyman load is 35% smaller. Please correct me but that seems like a HUGE difference. Comparing different powders listed for this bullet Lee and Hornaday seem to basically agree and Lyman seems to a good deal lower on some and a bit higher on others.

And I want to be clear - I'm NOT trashing or questioning Lyman. I don't have enough experience to do so. Its a great book and I've learned a lot from it. I have some wonderful Lyman equipment - I'm very happy with it.

I'm looking for some feedback from all the wisdom out there. I want to keep all my fingers, eyes and my gorgeous 1911 from harm.

 

[Mark whiz]

Well, my best 185gr JHP load (using Remington Golden Saber bullets) with Red Dot powder is with 6.0gr with the round OAL of 1.245". I can shoot this load into a 2" group at 15 yards offhand all day long with my Springer 1911-A1 GI Model.

 

[Steve C]

Attached is the prior on line Alliant data page for the .45 ACP with load data for 185gr JHP and Red Dot.

Since JHP's are a defense and hunting bullet I use Unique and a charge of 7.8grs that with the Remington bulk 185 gr JHP leaves the muzzle of my .45 ACP's at around 1,050 fps. In general a slower powder like Unique will give you better velocities but Red Dot is fine for target loads and may do OK for standard factory defense load equivalents.

 

[rcmodel]

Alliant used to list 6.1 grains Red Dot/200 JHP as a max load.

A 10% reduction would give a starting load of 5.5 grains.

rc

 

[196scoutmaster]

Wow...thanks. THR is truly a great place to get smarter about everything firearms.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I have used R Dot with good results for .45acp jacketed but it really shines with cast slugs IMO. cheap too.
I've had better results with jacketed over a mid-range powder like Power Pistol or Unique and such.
good luck and good shooting.

 

[JRiddle]

45 acp load data HElP

New to reloading !
Im looking for reload data for a 45 acp using hollow points cci 300 primers, and alliant bullseye powder.
Im having a problem with my OAL , for the bullet to work in my ruger p97 the oal has to be 1.212, anything longer and it doesnt work, jams everytime.
I think 6.4 grains will work but would not sure .
Help me if you can,I dont want to lose a few fingers
THANKS

 

[Potatohead]

...

 

[Reefinmike]

jriddle- what bullet weight and type are you using? if using a 185gr hollow point, my lee book lists 6.4 as the MAX with bullseye. start at 5.6 and work your way up .2 gr at a time and note accuracy, recoil, reliability etc to find your best load. better yet, go buy a reloading manual or two so you dont blow your fingers off...

 

[Shmackey]

The Lyman data might be for a target JHP (like the excellent Nosler) and might be going for far lower velocity. Might even require a light spring to get the gun to function.