.45ACP 230 Grain cast lead with Unique load check

[Schwing]

In my Lyman 49th, it lists 7.3 Grains of unique as the max load for a 225 grain #2 Alloy bullet. I use 230 grain cast bullets that are about 12-14bhn.

Breaking the cardinal rule of not double checking my data, I worked up a load starting at 5.5 and worked up to 6.6. They were tremendously accurate at 6.6 with no pressure signs and zero leading. Before mass loading a huge amount, it finally clicked in and I double checked my data. I was surprised to see that Lee lists the max at 5.8 and Hornady lists it at 6.1

I was wondering if any of you gents have any thoughts on this. I have so few loaded that pulling them isn't the issue. I just hate to lose an accurate load but I hate worse to blow myself up. Thanks.

 

[rcmodel]

I doubt you are in danger.
But that is getting to be a pretty hot load.

6.0 Unique with a 230 FMJ-RN stacks the brass in the same pile with GI hardball in my two 1911 match guns.

Personally, I would see no need to go 6.6 with a 230 lead bullet.

Give 6.0 a fair try and see what you think.

rc

 

[Slamfire]

I attempt to duplicate the 1910 original ball load velocity of 800 fps with a 230 grain ish bullet. I do not fret whether a cast bullet is a nominal 225 grains or not.

Anyway, with 4.5 grains Bullseye I am at 800fps. With 5.5 grains Unique, the average is 827 fps which is close enough for me. In my pistols I consider 6.5 grains Unique a maximum load with a 230 grain cast bullet, not because of pressure indications, but due to the velocity and stout recoil.

Kimber Custom Classic M1911

[SIZE="3"]230 gr LRN  4.5 grs Bullseye Mixed Brass WLP		
21-Jun-06 T = 97  °F	
OAL 1.250" taper crimp .469"
	
Ave Vel = 805.2		
Std Dev =11.4		
ES=54.08		
High=836.9		 
Low=782.8		 
       N =32


230 LRN Valiant 5.5 grs Unique lot UN331 1989 Mixed brass WLP (brass)
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"
	
16-May-09	 high 83  °F
		
Ave Vel =	827.4				
Std Dev =	17.63	 	 		 
ES =	85.68				
High = 	871.6				
Low =	785.9				
N =	31				
				
			
230 LRN Valiant 6.0 grs Unique lot 6/21/1998 Mixed brass WLP (nickle)	
16-May-09	 high 83  °F		OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"

Ave Vel =	885				
Std Dev =	16.79	 	 		 
ES =	67.26				
High = 	917.8				
Low =	850.5				
N =	30				
			
accurate lots recoil15' foot ejection					
					
						
						
230 LRN  6.5 grs Unique lot UN387 6/21/93 Mixed brass WLP 		
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469	 	"		
18-Mar-07 T = 62 °F						
						
Ave Vel =	926.4					
Std Dev =	16.64					
ES	71.16					
High	963.4					
Low	892.3					
N =	32				
light leading accurate centered hard recoil20 foot ejection[/SIZE]

In a P220 SIG Sauer, my velocities are less, primarily due to the shorter barrel.
SIG SAUER P220

[SIZE="3"]
230 LRN  4.5 grs Bullseye  (98&05) mixed brass WLP OAL 1.25"  taper crimp 0.469"
23-Apr-11	T = 72 °F				
Ave Vel =	749.6				
Std Dev =	15				
ES =	48.15				
High =  = 	776.7				
Low =	728.6				
N =	16				
					
230 LRN  5.5 grs Unique  Lot UN331 mixed brass WLP OAL 1.25"  taper crimp 0.469"
23-Apr-11	T = 75 °F				
Ave Vel =	790.6				
Std Dev =	17.14				
ES =	57.3				
High =  = 	815.6				
Low =	758.3				
N =	10				
					
					
230 LRN  6.0 grs Unique  Lot 6/21/1998 mixed brass WLP OAL 1.25" taper crimp 0.469"
23-Apr-11	T = 75 °F				
Ave Vel =	852.6				
Std Dev =	19.54				
ES =	65.93				
High =  = 	892				
Low =	826.1				
N =	15	[/SIZE]

 

[Quags]

I wanted a plinking load for a couple of my 45s. I worked up/down several loads using Unique and a Missouri 230 gr LRN bullet. Cycles my Springfield Loaded 1911 and a Commander 1911 (ATI) reliably and very accurate at 7 yards.

Missouri Bullet 230 gr LRN
Unique 5.2 gr
OAL 1.24"
CCI Large Pistol Primers

I don't do a separate crimp step......

 

[Tony k]

I worked up a similar load for my taurus pt1911 using silverstate 230 grain LRN. 6.6 grains of unique with an oal of 1.26 was very accurate, but was on the stout side for plinking preferences.

I backed it off to 6 grains and it was closer to what I was looking for.

I only loaded and shot about 500 of each for 6 and 6.6 grains, total of 1000 rounds.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

I use 5.9gr w/ 230 gr. lead. 6.6gr is a max load.

 

[JKP]

6.0 gr of Unique behind 230 gr lead round nose is my load for my Colt 1911

 

[41 Mag]

Yep your a bit warm there. I usually work around the largest spreads like this with something in the middle. When you have data that comes from several sources for the same loads you will find this quite a bit. Lee doesn't actually test the loads listed in their manual, but others like Lyman and the bullet and powder manufacturers do. The differences there come from the components, test barrels, and such. However like you have seen even then you will have a variance.

Alliant lists the following for the 230gr GD, which while plated is similar in hardness to what your shooting

OAL - 1.2" BBL" - 4.4 Primer - CCI 300 Unique 6Grs 806FPS

Like you see though if you have one book listing say 4.2 and another listing 6.0 as a max, you can use something around a 5.5 as a good max with most powders and usually be fine. Where you really have to start being careful is when going from say a RFN to a SWC type where you will have more of the case volume taken up by the deeper seated of the two. With the faster powders you work with in the auto's and using lead, this can become an issue really quick. Some powders will give you a nice slow even rise to top pressure loads, but some give you a spike when they get to their pressure point, or when you compress them some.

Personally I would, as mentioned in above post, probably back down a bit and go forward from there. Unless your looking to go take out some hogs with those you don't need to put the slide and frame through the added pressure just because you can.

 

[Edcnh]

I get good accuracy in my Ruger SR1911 Commander using 5.5g Unique with a 230g Missouri lead round nosed bullet. As it is a plinking load I have not tried anything hotter with unique. With 5.0g Bullseye and 230g lead round nose bullets I get great accuracy but it is a really "stout" load in my gun.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I looked at my notes. I got 874 fps out of a MBC cast 230 RN over 5.6 gr of Unique. OAL was 1.230. The gun was a 5" Springfield Loaded. I don't care for them any hotter. I backed the charge down to 5.2gr. and got 814 fps and improved accuracy.