45 ammo question

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MassMan

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I am relatively new to the 45 round, moving up from 9mm and 40S&W. I am really fond of this round, as I am quite accurate with it. I recently got a good price on some Golden Saber 185gr + p ammo and bought a few boxes. I knew it was going to be hotter than what I was shooting, but I was a bit surprised by how much hotter it was. Is this ammo going to cause unnecessary wear to my S&W 1911 and is it safe to shoot in my Star Firestar?
 
I'd doubt it should be a problem. How much of this are you planning on putting through the guns anyway? (5k? 10k? more?) I think most of us who shoot a lot (few thousand rounds a year, at least) end up loading anyway and shooting whatever we please (lead/jacketed, light/heavy bullet) at whatever velocity we want.
 
I wish I could affort to shoot 5k or 10k. No, I got 500 rounds of the +p ammo because it was a "good deal" and I don't expect to buy any more. I prefer the 230 standard load. I asked because the first time I shot it in an indoor range, I was surprised by the big difference.
 
Wait until you start reloading your own. It will be better because you will tailor your loads to YOUR gun. I have shot hot factory loads and yes some tend to BOOM more than others. I shoot a lot so I reload. After shooting a lot of factory Hot loads keep an eye on your recoil spring because it will get weaker sooner. Enjoy your factory hot loads and if not sure ask the gun manufacture.
 
most Golden Saber are used for HD and are expensive to shoot everyday. You only have 500 rds and not going to buy more so you are not going to be poring these threw your gun so I would not worry about it.
 
"...surprised by the big difference...." Yep, there's nothing like hot jacketed ammo fired inside for clearing out the ear drums and sinuses. Mind you, it's not a whole lot of fun for either your wallet or the guy shooting next to you. Handloaded 230 grain cast bullets are less expensive to shoot, just as accurate, if not moreso, and won't annoy the guy next to you.
The Gold Sabres shouldn't bother either of your pistols though.
 
Handloading manuals, do they touch on +P?

Okay, I'm new to this stuff, so laugh at me, then with me when I understand. What does +P mean besides higher pressure, hotter loads. I just bought a .45 and put about 400 rounds through it when I bought a reloading setup. While reloading, I made some standard rounds per the Speer manual. 5.4 grains std load, unique powder, 5.9 grains (6.0 max) for a few hot rounds to test differences. I did not notice a difference in accuracy at 25 feet. My ears were ringing with either loads, touch louder with hot loads, maybe more accurate, but I was trying harder. All shots about 3" group, one handed, no rest.

My question is whether or not I've hit the +P range with this loading manual? Is the max load per the manuals +P. If so, I'm in, cheaper to reload and shoot JHPs than buy ball ammo...muhahahaha. All fired just like factory ammo, everytime, no hitches. Won't forget my earplugs next time, I had a 100 rounds, shot 35, and stopped.

jeepmor
 
We're not laughing AT you; we're laughing TOWARD you. :D

Seriously now. I'm guessing that you're talking 230 GDHP, as my Speer (12th) shows that range for Unique with that bullet. I'm pretty sure even the max loads are standard pressure, as they're rated 806 fps, which is not an unusual velocity for a 230 in .45.

Just to give an idea, I found a +P rated load in the Alliant data for a 230 FMC using 7.5 of Power Pistol for 930 fps (22k psi). The same chart listed 7.2 max for Power Pistol in standard pressure for 895 fps (20k psi). The velocities are a little optimistic, I think, but it depends on the setup.
 
Big booms and massive fireballs do not necessarily mean really potent ammunition. Case in point, the H-110 max loads in my .50 AE make a ~3 foot wide, 5 foot long fire "donut" (yes, there is a hole through the center that can be seen in photo's), but are considerably slower than the AA#27 loads that produce much less flameage. Remington makes really good handgun ammo, but they are notorious for big fireballs.

That said, S&W autoloaders (exclusing the Sigma) are hell for stout. The 4506 is likely one of the sturdiest .45's ever built. I would say that your SW1911 should be able to digest a steady diet of +p with no ill effects whatsoever.

jeepmor said:
My question is whether or not I've hit the +P range with this loading manual?
Click to expand...

No. Those are standard velocity loads for a 230 grain bullet, and will be very light loads with lighter bullets. My +P+ .45 loads use CCI 350 magnum primers and 8.0 grains W231 for a muzzle velocity of 1180 with 185 grainers. THIS LOAD WILL BULGE CASE HEADS IN UNSUPPORTED CHAMBERS!
I do not use this load in my Colt MkIV or Llama Max-1's. They have proven OK in my S&W 4506, Taurus PT145MP and Marlin camp gun.

To start working up your +p loads, I would use standard large pistol primers and start at 6.8 grains W231 or 6.4 grains Unique.
 
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