.45 ACP w/ 230gr Rainier and Remington Primers

[Sherri]

I'm getting ready to work up a .45 ACP load. I have 230 gr. Rainier plated round nose bullets, once-fired Winchester brass, Remington #2-1/2 large pistol primers, and Unique, Power Pistol, and Bullseye powders at my disposal.

Based on load data gathered from Speer #14, Lyman 49, Alliant's website, and Midway's RainierBallistics document (Speer TMJ RN, Rainier RN, and Speer LRN bullets), I conclude that the following ranges are a conservative place to start:

Unique 5.5 - 6.5 grains
Bullseye 4.0 - 5.0 grains
Power Pistol 6.4 - 7.2 grains

Does this seem reasonable? With Bullseye and Power Pistol, the loads with Remington primers call for quite a bit less powder.

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[rcmodel]

I would not call the top loads you listed exactly consertive.

To match GI mil-spec or commercial 230 grain FMJ-RN:
4.6 Bullseye.
Or:
6.5 Unique.

With plated bullets, I would probably go 6.0 Unique, or 4.5 Bullseye and call it good.

Can't say about power Pistol, as I have never used it.
But I would guess 6.8 - 7.0 grains would be about right.

The brand of primers you use will have no bearing on what powder charge to use.
Lg Pistol primers is Lg Pistol primers as far as I can tell.

rc

 

[Sherri]

Here's what I find for 230gr Speer TMJ RN bullets and Bullseye:

Speer #14 with CCI primers 5.2 - 5.7
Lyman #49 with Remington primers 3.8 - 5.3
Alliant website with CCI primers 5.1 - 5.7​

And for 230gr Speer TMJ RN bullets and Power Pistol:

Speer #14 with CCI primers 7.0 - 8.1
Lyman #49 with Remington primers 6.4 - 7.2
Alliant website with CCI primers 7.3 - 8.1​

And for 230gr Speer TMJ RN bullets and Unique:

Speer #14 with CCI primers 5.5 - 6.5
Lyman #49 with Remington primers 5.9 - 6.6
Alliant website with CCI primers 5.9 - 6.5​

Midway's Rainier data for 230gr RN with Remington primers is:

Bullseye 4.0 - 5.6
Unique 5.3 - 6.9​

My inclination was to work up ten rounds of Unique at 5.5, 5.8, 6.1, and 6.4 and run them over the chronograph, inspecting the brass as I went. Is this the right way to approach it? I do want to be sure that my thinking about this is in order.

That said, I'm quite happy to avail myself of your experience and go directly to loads of 4.5 Bullseye and 6.0 Unique. Thank you.

 

[Walkalong]

From the Load Map you quoted with Bullseye and Unique. (I'm looking at it)

Use extreme caution when loading in the Yellow or Red zones.

For Bullseye I would consider that 5.2/5.3 and up. (From the color code on the chart)

For Unique I would consider that 6.4/6.5 and up. (From the color code on the chart)

I think rcmodel is spot on with his advise.

 

[Skip_a_roo]

You are so fortunate! Do you know how much so?

Sherri,
I see we have moved on from your quest for THE perfect 32 caliber load! Good for you!

It just so happens that with either the Berry or Ranier 230gr PRN you have found an EXPERT on the subject!

Aren't you lucky!

All kidding aside, this is one of my favorite loads to load and I have shot them for years and years in a gallery PPC league.

Here are some results:


Several folks that shoot with me have chosen this load. It is with my favorite handgun powder ever, Bullseye. The load is 4.7gr and the OAL is 1.260" with the taper crimp at .470" to .471".

I also have another load that is superb to crank out on the Square Deal B, which is the same press you have if memory serves me correctly. It uses AA#2 powder and is another great load. 5.2gr to 5.3gr and you will be in 45ACP bliss.

Both of these loads duplicate Fiocchi's "range" type ammo and delivers the same velocity, 790fps or so.

Just to put things in perspective with the targets you are looking at. They are, on the left, 12 rounds, 1 reload @ 21' in 18 seconds. The one on the right is 18 rounds @ 20 yards (furthest you can get inside) in 70 seconds, 6 standing, 6 kneeling, 6 sitting with 2 reloads. Possible score is 300 30x. Now these targets aren't that they are kind of close @ 296 12 or 15x. Not too bad for a Taurus, stock out of the box with military surplus magazines!

At any rate, those are the two loads I use and I usually am in the top 2 or 3 in my PPC league. Folks that beat me have tuned guns, mouse f**t 180gr 650fps loads and such. I never have swung that way!

Here is my new bullet "love" in this caliber:

This is a 225gr Saeco #496BB bullet that I cast myself. It drives the cost of a box of reloads down to the $3.50 or less level for 45ACP! Not too shabby if you ask me!

I'm not sure what firearm you are going to shoot them out of but, should you want some bullets to try, send me your address in a PM and I will send you 100 to try. If you are shooting a Glock or H&K, I don't suggest trying them.

Well, anyway, there you have it! Search no more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Skip_a_roo]

p.s. I have done it for others on the Smith and Wesson forum. If you go there, you can ask about me! My handle there is smith crazy!

 

[Sherri]

What Load Map are you referring to, Walkalong? I don't have anything with yellow or red zones. ??

Hey, there, Skip. Yup, SDB. These rounds are for my friend's Kimbers. She plans to purchase a SDB soon herself, but I jumped the gun and got set up for .45. I needed an excuse to get another gun, and now I have it.

I'll crank out some of those Bullseye loads to try at the range this week. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Skip_a_roo]

Sherri,
Just to let you know, I shoot against a fellow that has a Kimber. He is real proud of that gun, at least he was until my lowly Taurus spanked him real good in competition!

We both shoot the same load though. He has a SDB too and is very reluctant to change. He is a reloader, not a handloader. There is quite a difference.

Those Bullseye loads will be just the ticket to make tennis balls jump all over the berm at the range. Cheap reactive targets too!

Oh, by the way, you do need a new gun! At least that's what I tell my male friends when we talk about it! Don't want to be a "chauvinist"!

 

[Walkalong]

What Load Map are you referring to, Walkalong?

This Load Map.

 

[Sherri]

Thanks, Walkalong. I had not seen the Midway Rainier data presented in that way.

I think my instincts about how to approach working up a load were ok (i.e., carefully ) While I might make up a group of cartridges that are getting up into the yellow range, I most certainly would exercise caution in deciding whether or not to fire them. I see no shame in bringing homes loads that I disassemble.

I'll start out with some Bullseye at 4.5 and 4.7. The goal is to find a nice load for practice. And then to do just that.

I am still curious about the differences with CCI and Remington primers...

Thanks for the help, guys.

Oh, and Skip...

My goal right now is to be a competent reloader, and to help my friend get there, too. But I see where this leads.

My local gun shop has a Springfield Champion Loaded SS that felt very good in my hands. I'm tempted...

 

[Sherri]

rcmodel--I stated things wrongly. I meant to say that those ranges were where I would carefully tread, espeially on the upper end.

Am I approaching this with a right mind?

timer--Thank you. I'm not working for a hot load, and I appreciate your advice for if and when I do.

 

[Skip_a_roo]

Sherri,
The Springfield Champion is a great firearm. One thing about that little gem, and I had one of the GI ones, it takes a pretty stout load to get everything to work in that platform. The spings are pretty stiff, at least in the one I had and it needed at least the 4.7gr load to work consistently.

YMMV

It sounds like you have a great reloading sense to you. I am impressed. I know lots of fellas that think they are still driving their '69 Chevelle when it comes to handloading. You will do fine. Use the head God has given you, seems like a pretty good one if you ask me. (Of course, you didn't ask! )

 

[Walkalong]

But I see where this leads.

My local gun shop has a Springfield Champion Loaded SS that felt very good in my hands. I'm tempted...

Yep, it's a disease.

If you happen to have some W-231 or HP-38 powder, 5.0 Grs with that Ranier 230 Gr RN bullet will be just the ticket. Not hot at all and very accurate. Nice plinking load.

rcmodels recommendations with Unique and Bullseye should work equally well.

 

[Sherri]

Hmm.

I think I'll run down to the fun shop Tuesday. If that Springfield is still there, it might have my name on it.

I was going to stop with my last purchase...

My friend (??) thinks I should get a rifle. LOL.

I'm having fun and learning loads.

Thanks for the legs up!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It's too bad the OP doesn't have W231 on hand. A charge of 5.5gr under a 230gr bullet is my all time favorite load! It's an extremely accurate load with all 320gr LRN, FMJ and JHP bullets.

 

[Sherri]

I'm making notes.

 

[Skip_a_roo]

His dyslexia kicked in again, make sure you note that he meant "230gr LRN, FMJ" not "320 LRN, FMJ"!

"Legs up", isn't that a "horse person" term?

 

[Walkalong]

I was going to stop with my last purchase...

Classic denial.

After a while we just quit telling ourselves that. It's not a matter of if, but when..........

 

[newrugersafan]

"After a while we just quit telling ourselves that. It's not a matter of if, but when.......... "

Boy, aint that the truth!!

 

[Sherri]

That Springfield did indeed have my name on it.

After a testy first acquaintance (sliced open the palm of my hand while taking her down for a cleaning), she and I sent 100 factory rounds downrange with no hiccups. Followed that up with half a dozen reloads (4.7 Bullseye behind a 230gr Rainier RN).

I went to the range yesterday and exercised my Glock 19 (#2, for those who are following) with 100 reloads. I had some feeding problems. I followed that up with a box of MagTech to decide if it was me or the ammo. The MagTech was perfect. I didn't have Glock #1 with me, so that's something to try on the next outing. I loaded up a bunch of 9mm, so I hope it's GTG with Glock #1. If not, I'm going to get some more practice with FTF.

I wrapped up with 90+ rounds of .45 reloads, as above. The last 8 or so rounds went single-handed, right-handed first, and then the last two left-handed. The last round of the day stove-piped. I guess I limp-wristed it.

I'll start my next day at the range with left-handed shooting.

I like the approach of setting up the press before acquiring the firearm. Where should I go from here?

Thanks again to you all for your feedback and guidance.

 

[Walkalong]

Sounds like you had a great time. Where should you go from here? Load more bullets. Go shoot them. Try different things. That is part of the fun of reloading.

 

[Exposure]

Sherri-

I have loaded thousands of the Rainier 230 grain FMJ bullets over a charge of 5.0 grains of Bullseye.

It is very accurate. Until recently it had been my favorite 45 ACP load but I am currently enamored with Winchester AutoComp. But that is for another thread!

The 5.0 grains of Bullseye will easily cycle my 1928 Thompson, my Reising Model 50, two different 1911's, a Glock 36, and some others that I know I am forgetting. It is a great all around load!

Give it a try, I think you will find you like it.

 

[Sherri]

I did have a great time. Just finished loading up my meager supply of .45 brass. The clouds appear to be lifting a little, so perhaps a quick run to the range to get some chrony data is in order.

When I asked, "Where should I go from here?" I was thinking calibers.

 

[Walkalong]

.357 revolver.

Load it anywhere from light to full tilt boogie. Lots of fun. Lots of really cool .357 revolvers out there too. The hardest part will be deciding which one.

or .45 Colt. Great caliber. You can even shoot your Ranier 230's in it if you want.

Two of my favorite range guns are a 6" Trooper Mk III & a 6" S&W 25-5.

 

[JDGray]

Power Pistol

Power Pistol at 7.0gr will be a hot load! In my 3" Kimber, 7.0gr would give me 816fps shooting 230gr fmj, pretty snappy, but one ragged hole accurate. 230gr fmj, 3.9gr Clays, is a very accurate load in all 45s I've shot them in, a great powder if your others dont work for ya.