I have bullseye but not as much as 231. I have a box of Xtreme 230 RN plated and want to build some "standard" range loads. Accuracy and reliability are priorities. I understand 5 grains BE is a long-established fave... from what I read in my manuals about 5.5 grains W231 should be similar velocity. Any thoughts? This is midrange in some manuals and at or over max in some manuals.
Just use 5.5 grs W231 with a 230 plated bullet. I have only shot 200 gr plated in the 45ACP, and it took more powder to push the things to the same velocity of similiar weight and configured lead bullets. So, I think using FMJ data for plated is fine. As you can see from my data, a 230 LRN takes about a half grain less powder to reach the same velocity as a 230 FMJ. I shot kegs of W231 at 5.5 grains W231 with a 230 FMJ. It pushed a 230 FMJ just at 800 fps in a number of full sized 1911's. Make sure you are using the standard recoil spring (about 16 lbs), nothing less, and your 45 ACP should have no problems.
Kimber Custom Classic
230 LRN Valiant
5.0 grs W231 lot BN8B (80's) Mixed brass WLP (brass)
12-Dec-11 T = 53 °F
Ave Vel = 770.8
Std Dev = 17.05
ES = 68.84
High = = 810.2
Low = 741.4
N = 32
230 LFN Bull-X
5.5 grs W231 Mixed brass CCI300 primers
30-Dec-04 T = 60 °F
Ave Vel = 797.8
Std Dev = 32.2
ES = 154.2
High = 858.2
Low = 703.9
N = 32
230 LRN Valiant
5.5 grs W231 Mixed brass WLP OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
27-Feb-10 T = 48 °F
Ave Vel = 832.4
Std Dev = 25.07
ES = 106.1
High = = 859.6
Low = 753.4
N = 16
230 FMJ RN
5.0 grs 231 R-P cases WLP
10-Jul-05 T = 84 °F accurate
Ave Vel = 755.7
Std Dev = 17.23
ES = 64.39
High = 784.8
Low = 720.4
N = 22
230 FMJ (GI)
5.5 grs W231 Mixed Brass WLP
4-Sep-05 T = 92 °F OAL 1.265" taper crimp .469"
Ave Vel = 782.5
Std Dev = 22.64
ES = 87.93
High = 822.9
Low = 735
N = 28
230 FMJ (GI)
5.5 grs W231 Mixed Brass WLP
8-Jan-06 T = 61 °F OAL 1.265" taper crimp .469"
Ave Vel = 802.9
Std Dev = 17.8
ES = 53.67
High = 831.1
Low = 777.5
N = 9
230 FMJ (GI)
5.5 grs W231 Mixed Brass WLP
18-Mar-07 T = 62 °F OAL 1.265" taper crimp .469"
Ave Vel = 780.5
Std Dev = 14.17
Es = 51.66
High = 798.7
Low = 747
N = 23
point aim accurate
230 gr LRN Valiant
4.5 grs Bullseye lot 827 (60's/70's powder) Mixed Brass WLP (brass)
16-May-09 high 83 °F OAL 1.250" taper crimp .469"
Ave Vel = 822.9
Std Dev = 14.14
ES = 55.24
High = 853.7
Low = 798.4
N = 26
230 gr FMJ (R-P)
5.0 grs Bullseye 99' & 2005 mixed lot Mixed Brass WLP (brass)
12-Dec-11 T= 53 °F OAL 1.265" taper crimp .469"
Ave Vel = 793.5
Std Dev = 18.92
ES = 61.99
High = 817.4
Low = 755.4
N = 16
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