45acp and 230g LRN and Universal

[DC Plumber]

OK,

The Hornady manuals says you can go up to 6.2g of Universal with a 230g LRN, Speer says you can go up to 5.5g of Universal with a 230g LRN.

I had loaded up some 6.2g loads and they functioned perfectly, but could slide velocity be too much?

I know sometimes Speer lists lead loads and indicates that they are not max loads and are made for target shooting, but it doesn't say that by their 230g loads.

I'm shooting Suters bullets out of my Kimber. Any harm going with middle ground of 5.8 or 5.9g?

The OAL are also different. That's why I like revolvers, but I have a lot of components for my 45acp so I gotta shoot them up.

What is your favorite and most reliably functioning load?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Steve C]

6.2grs of Universal with a 230gr LRN should be about 900 fps which is a little fast for the .45 acp and its the velocity that pushes slide speed. Typical 230gr hardball runs 830 to 850 fps and a load of 5.5grs should be right around that range so shooting it should be more like standard full power loads. You can judge how hard the load is battering your pistol somewhat by how far the brass is being thrown compared to factory loads. If you have a chronograph so much the better.

Proper load procedure would have been to start at a 10% reduction from the maximum load so a 5.5gr load would have been an OK start point, 5.0grs even better.

For target shooting I prefer an accurate modest power load that isn't hard on my gun or me, functions reliably, allows for quick follow up shots and drops the brass within 5' of where I'm standing.

 

[Walkalong]

I had loaded up some 6.2g loads and they functioned perfectly, but could slide velocity be too much?

Is the gun throwing the brass an unusually long way? And I agree with Steve.

 

[Master Blaster]

One load the 5.5 is for target velocity, 6.2 is the max and may cause a bit of leading and be less accurate. Some manuals will say that they are not using max loads but target velocity optimum loads.

Which one to use depends on your goal, max velocity or max accuracy. Also components can make a big difference, cases and primers can vary pressure, as can the brand of bullet. This is why you should always start 10% below max and work up.

 

[DC Plumber]

Hi,

Thanks guy. Yes, the empties were flying pretty good. I didn't have any FTF or anything though, and I was hitting clay pigeons on the 50yd burn with good consistency.

I'll try a few at 5.5 or 5.6 and see how they do.

Thanks again.

 

[Walkalong]

5.0 Grs W231 is a proven practice load, with 5.5 being closer to full power without being snappy like anything over around 6.0 and higher is.

 

[Mike1234567]

I've seen commercial 230gr +P loads with 1050fps velocity (advertised) from a 5 inch barrel. I don't reload but I don't see why an individual couldn't match or exceed that as long as the pistol is rated for the higher pressures. Perhaps a stronger recoil spring is in order though.