45acp plated with HP38

[tcoz]

I've built a pretty good stock of 9mm so I'm ready to start in on 45acp. I'll be using 230gr Xtreme plated bullets with HP38 and Lyman's, Lee and Hodgdon don't have much on this particular combination. Xtreme's bullets are double struck (DS) and I've read that Xtreme has said to go with Speer FMJ data which would be a range of 4.8-5.3gr with OAL of 1.20. These will be used in a Springfield RO and Sig 1911 Nitron. Load suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Rule3]

Just use the start load of a regular FMJ load. Or you can use lead bullet data. With the low velocity of a 45 it doesn't matter that much with plated bullets.

Plated bullets use the midway range of FMJ

Your OAL is determined by your barrel and bullet combinations so do not just use what the manual or online says.

When I used to use Berrys I just loaded them the same as FMJ (not saying YOU should do this)

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

 

[PO2Hammer]

In 45acp I've found Hodgdon's jacketed data mirrors what I see over the chrono with plated bullets.
They give a range of 4.2 to 5.3 OAL 1.2" with 231/HP38.

 

[2bfree]

I worked up my loads from 4.4 to 5.3 using a longer oal of 1.24 that worked well in my gun ( a Ruger SR 1911 ) and ended up with 5.2 as being the most accurate and least smokey . I use that for both Xtreme 230 RN and PD JRN.
As said though, work up your own load based on your barrel and gun.

 

[Walkalong]

Load them to 1.260 to 1.265, start with 4.7 Grs and work up to 5.0 Grs. You'll like it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use a charge of 5.5gr W231 under any 230gr bullet for the 45 Auto. I use an OAL of between 1.250" and 1.270" depending upon the bullet. (usually @ 1.265") I have been shooting those loads forever.

I don't like loading as short as 1.200" like Hodgdon lists. Remember, they have to publish data that will work in EVERY pistol out there. You have the luxury of loading rounds as long as your pistol will allow.

 

[sdbreloader]

Similar to another poster above, I have good results at 1.24 OAL and 5.1g HP38 for Xtreme 230gr RN. This is for a Remington R1 Enhanced. It tends to jam a lot if loaded longer. As said, you need to develop a load that works for your gun.

 

[edfardos]

5.4 to 5.6 of hp38 under extreme 230RN seated to 1.243. Full size 1911 sends them a 780-820fps. Reduce .3 grains if using mag primer for similar results.

Edfardos

 

[LiveLife]

230gr Xtreme plated bullets with HP38 ... These will be used in a Springfield RO and Sig 1911 Nitron.

I have a Sig 1911 Nitron and my BIL has a SA 1911.

With X-Treme 230 gr RN plated bullets and Winchester LP primers, 4.8 gr of W231/HP-38 cycled the slide but still blew back some unburnt powder. 5.0 gr did better and we settled on 5.2 gr.

My Sig 1911 barrel has a very quick start of rifling (almost no leade) but the X-Treme's RN bullet's profile (ogive) allowed reliable feeding around 1.255" - 1.260" OAL and passed the barrel drop test with a snug "plonk". SA will feed longer OAL.

As many posted, use the OAL/COL that passes the barrel drop test for max cartridge length and use the OAL/COL that reliably feeds/chambers in your pistols/barrels - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=506678

 

[SDGlock23]

5.0gr HP38/W231 with a 230gr hardcast is super accurate around 1.200". Plated would likely be the same.

 

[tcoz]

Many thanks to everyone for your help. After digesting and charting all of your load data and adding Lyman, Hodgdon and Lee data to it, I loaded test rounds at 4.8, 5.0 and 5.2 gr since the sweet spot appeared to be somewhere within that range. 1.259 OAL was used because the factory ammo that I know feeds reliably in both guns uses it and it's easy to set up the seating die from a reliable loaded round. 4.8 worked but was pretty soft, 5.0 was better and 5.2 hit it right on the head. My Sig 1911, my son's SA 1911 and his brand new P227 (which BTW is one very sweet gun) fired every round at each load acceptably and without a malfunction. This was much different than when I was working up 9mm loads with inexperience and data from only a couple of manuals to go by and had to make four trips to the range. You guys get all the credit for this one. Thanks again.

 

[LiveLife]

Good to hear! I love happy endings.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Its already been said BUT
5.2gr of W231 with a length of 1.265 feeds in every 45 I own and have ever shot it in and is very accurate.

most of the reviews on my website http://www.dayattherange.com of 45acp were shot using this load.

 

[Walkalong]

I used to use 5.0 for plinking, and 5.5 for full power. Many people load in that range somewhere with W-231.

 

[LiveLife]

For my Sig barrel with very quick start of rifling (almost no leade), at 1.263" OAL, X-Treme 230 gr RN slightly scraped the rifling. That's why I ended up using 1.260" to allow for slight variation in seating depth on a progressive press.

With Berry's185 gr HBRN that has more rounded nose profile, 1.256" would ever so slightly scrape the rifling so I use 1.253".

The Springfield barrel readily fed/chambered 1.265" for both bullets.

This is the reason why I always refer to Walkalong's thread on barrel drop test as different barrels with different nose profile bullets will require differing max OAL/COL.