.45acp poor handload accuracy

[mnnate]

Just got back from shooting different weight charges and with different bullets. We found that there must have been some lighter charge throws in the first batch we did. That was cured in the 2nd batch. I did up some lighter and heavier loads lastnight and shot today. 5.5 gr. of unique wouldn't cycle the slide completly in 1 of 5 test rounds and seemed to burn dirtier. 6.1gr of unique worked flawlessly giving me 2" groups at 40ft. shooting offhand. Thats what I could get out of it w/ factory ammo so I will use that as a base point now. All the new test loads were with winchester 230gr. fmj. Thanks for the input. I now know to do some more testing before getting frustrated with my loads.

 

[Walkalong]

Hmmm....Changed the weight of the powder AND the bullet at the same time. Now you have to figure out which did the trick.

worked flawlessly giving me 2" groups at 40ft shooting offhand

That is some dang fine shootin' there Tex.

 

[JDGray]

6.1gr of unique worked flawlessly giving me 2" groups at 40ft. shooting offhand. Thats what I could get out of it w/ factory ammo

I thought you got 4" groups at 30'

Anyhow, 2" at 40' is super! Reloading is fun, ain't it

 

[ArchAngelCD]

First you said this:

Thanks for all the suggestions. Here's the rundown: I shoot a Taurus pt1911, my buddy shoots a Kimber gold match. We both shoot A LOT so thats why we got into reloading. We both would shoot consistant sub 4" 8 shot groups at 30 ft.-(being conservative). I don't think we are the problem!

And you said this:

My 4" groups were off hand shooting w/the factory ammo. The reloads wouldn't hold anything tighter than 10".

And now you are saying this:

6.1gr of unique worked flawlessly giving me 2" groups at 40ft. shooting offhand. Thats what I could get out of it w/ factory ammo so I will use that as a base point now.

So what are you getting with factory ammo, 4" groups @ 30' or 2" groups @ 40'?? I know we all want to look good and shoot better than we really do but if you are going to change the data in the same thread it's hard to know what's really going on.

 

[mnnate]

It was supposed to say that I got 2" groups at 30' shooting offhand. And I meant to say thats better than what I could get with factory ammo(4"). This is what happens when you get back from the range late and have to hurry back to work! Thanks for picking that out!

 

[TedsKimber]

what was the oal and primer and shell used

 

[Casefull]

You probably need more powder. That is a light load. Autos like more powder in the cases...remember you have to blow the slide back as well as push the bullet out the barrell. You use weak loads and the consistency of the bullet overcoming the friction in the barrell becomes more of a factor. When I chrono loads the loads that have the case full or closest to full generally chrono much closer in fps than the weaker loads.

 

[mnnate]

I went with a 1.258" oal. Remington primers(all i could find). Cases were a mix of Remmys and Winchesters. I'm gona try a 6.3 gr charge and see what that does.