.45ACP & 250gr Jacketed Bullets

[Werewolf]

I'm in the large & heavy camp when it comes to choosing a bullet for SD and hunting. Been reloading .45ACP with 230gr XTP's and 230gr Ball for years. Both perform very well at all velocities and loads from a mouse phart 780 to a 1010 FPS +P screamer using HS-6.

Lately I've been considering trying out a 250 gr jacketed bullet in .45ACP. I've found plenty of loads for a bullet that size but before I go and build a 100 or so I'd like to hear from those who've already used 250's in .45ACP.

I'm thinking that 250 may be too heavy and too long for shooting out of a standard 1911 or maybe not. Which is why I am asking.

How well does a 250gr jacketed bullet shoot out of a 5" bbl 45ACP pistol? Accurate? What about a lead bullet? Leading? What hardness would be right?

Comments...

 

[Walkalong]

I have shot a lot of Ranier 250 Gr TrFP's in my .45's over the years. They shoot quite well. O.A.L. was 1.210 to 1.215

 

[Galil5.56]

I think this will get you started in the right direction:

http://www.americanhandgunner.com/CTT0907.html

 

[Werewolf]

Thanks, interesting article.

 

[pilot teacher]

Tried them in my Goldcup and they shot ok. The only issue that I see is they can't be loaded safely above 750 fps in a 1911 style without exceeding SAAMI pressures. In a stout revolver you would have no problem. Another condition encountered is if you load too much powder and might compress it. This may cause case bulges that prevent the round from chambering. So I don't load them anymore. If you under load them it may might get stuck in the barrel. When a second round is fired it could damage the pistol and you.

The Saami pressures are really limited to the case. Many 1911 barrels do NOT fully inclose the case near the ramp. Above the case web in that area is exposed and can burst That's where the danger is. My gold cup does and is all stainless steel.

Took a standard Star case and ground off the base area down through the sidewall, removed the barrel and dropped the case into the chamber.
The case was completely surrounded.

I've loaded 45ACP +P and Supers with no problems all using Starline brass. The supers clocked an average 1100 or so fps. with a 230 gr bullet and Power Pistol. The pressure according to the reloading chart was about 22,000 lbs. There's a great article in www.realguns.com under articles. Just type in 45 super.

The super makes a good hog killer even though I haven't shot one with it as yet. Will try again this year.