.45 acp loads

[PRE 64 JOE]

Hi everyone: I have been using Bullseye with 230 gr. LRN for a while and was wondering how fast they are using 4.5 gr. Bullseye in 41/4 1911 barrel ? they function fine and was thinking of trying 5.0 gr. I guess I need to invest in a chrono. Thanks for any help.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

IIRC 5gr BE and a 230gr ball jacketed slug is the factory ammo load. so that cast slug will be moveing along a bit faster than the factory load.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Don't take this wrong but are you guessing on those charges or using a manual? Lyman #49 lists a charge of 5.0gr as Max with a 225gr LRN bullet in the .45 Auto. It will be slightly lower for a 230gr bullet. (or maybe the same but not higher) Alliant doesn't list Bullseye for a 230gr LRN bullet on their site, only with a 200gr LRN bullet with a charge of 4.6gr Bullseye. I'm not talking at you, I'm just suggesting you approach Max charges carefully.

BTW, I have a PACT Model 1 XP which is a great chrono for the price. It can be found for under $120 when on sale. I like the fact the actual chrono sits on the bench next to you while only the sensors are in harms way.

 

[PRE 64 JOE]

Thanks Marlin 45 carbine that kinda says for me to stick with 4.5 gr. BE for target etc. I appreciate it thanks.

 

[PRE 64 JOE]

Thanks ArchAngelCD, my old #44 Lyman manual says the same thing, I will stay with 4.5 gr max. Thank You.

 

[atomd]

5 grains of Bullseye behind a 230 grain bullet is an absolute CLASSIC load. It is also listed as a max load also so extra care is needed. If the 4.5 works well for you...then heck, it works. As they say...if it ain't broke...

 

[PRE 64 JOE]

Thanks atomd, I appreciate your input and will heed everyones advise, again thanks.

 

[rcmodel]

Lyman #49 lists a 225 LRN (230 with lube) and:
4.0 Bullseye giving 680 FPS @ 10,100 CUP.
5.0 grains Max gives 815 @ 14,400 CUP.

Speer #10 lists the 230 LRN with 4.7 Bullseye as giving 778 FPS.
5.1 Max giving 844 FPS.

5.0 grains has been considered a factory duplication GI hard-ball lead bullet load for as long as I have been reloading.

rc

 

[PRE 64 JOE]

Thanks rcmodel and everyone for your help.

 

[Slamfire]

I don't know what a

41/4 1911 barrel

might be. However in my Kimber Custom Classic, this is what I got when I developed loads with 230 gr Lead bullets and Bullseye. I stopped at 4.5 grains.

I also had three different lots of Bullseye, estimated the dates by the cans the powders were in. So I also have same gun, same bullet, same mix of cases, same primer, but different lots of Bullseye. I found it interesting the older lot gave a slightly higher velocity.

800 fps is all I want for a practice load. 800 fps was the specified velocity for the original 230 FMJ load, way back in 1910.

[SIZE="3"]
230 LFN Bull-X [B]3.5 grs Bullseye[/B] Mixed Brass WLP OAL 1.20" taper crimp .469"	


8-Jan-06	T = 61 °F

[B]Ave Vel =	643.6[/B]				
Std Dev =	14.07			
ES =	63.63			
High = 	679.9		 		
Low =	616.3				
N =	32

shot a little high, Pistol cycled each shot



230 LFN Bull-X [B]4.0 grs Bullseye[/B] Mixed Brass WLP OAL 1.20" taper crimp .469"		
8-Jan-06	T = 61 °F
[B]
Ave Vel =715.9[/B]				
Std Dev =11.45			
ES =	48.32		 		
High = 	742.9		 		
Low =	694.8				
N =	32				 
shot a little low


230 gr LRN [B]4.0 grs Bullseye[/B] Mixed Brass WLP OAL 1.250" taper crimp .469"

29-Jan-06 T = 68  °F	
	
	
[B]Ave Vel =698.8[/B]				
Std Dev =10.19		
ES =36.33		 		
High = 713.5				
Low =677.1				
N =28
				 
V. Accurate
		
230 gr LRN  [B]4.5 grs Bullseye[/B] Mixed Brass WLP OAL 1.250" taper crimp .469"		
21-Jun-06 T = 97  °F	
	
[B]Ave Vel = 805.2[/B]		
Std Dev =11.4		
ES=54.08		
High=836.9		 
Low=782.8		 
N =32


230 gr LRN  [B]4.5 grs Bullseye[/B] lot 827 [B](60's/70's powder)[/B] Mixed Brass WLP (brass) OAL 1.250" taper crimp .469"

16-May-09	 high 83  °F	
					
[B]Ave Vel =822.9	[/B]			
Std Dev =14.14				
ES =	55.24				
High = 	853.7				
Low =	798.4				
N =	26				



230 gr LRN  [B]4.5 grs Bullseye [/B][B]lot BE532 (80's mfgr)[/B]  Mixed Brass 
WLP (brass) OAL 1.250" taper crimp .469"
16-May-09  high 83  °F	 
					
[B]Ave Vel =	782.7[/B]				
Std Dev =	13.41				
ES =	52.05				
High = 	815.5				
Low =	763.4				
N =	28				
					
					
230 gr LRN  [B]4.5 grs Bullseye[/B][B] 99' & 2005 [/B]mixed lot Mixed Brass 
WLP (brass) OAL 1.250"  taper crimp469"

16-May-09  high 83  °F	.
					
[B]Ave Vel =805.2[/B]				
Std Dev =38.07				
ES =	136.9				
High = 	912.4
Low =	775.5				
N =	24				
	


[/SIZE]

 

[Shrinkmd]

5.0 grains has been considered a factory duplication GI hard-ball lead bullet load for as long as I have been reloading.

I know I keep asking this question in different ways, but since we're on a specific and time honored load...

Is there any problem making a 5.0 Bullseye 230 LRN your standard plinking load? Are you going to wear out the brass or risk yourself getting a kboom with a near max load, or is the low pressure nature of the round going to save the day? Would you load only new or once fired brass with a load that hot, and otherwise stick with 4.4 or 4.5 of Bullseye for a softer target practice round?