.45ACP reload strategy for CCW

[rlesieur]

My objective is a cartridge usable both in a firearm with a 4.4" barrel and another with a 3.0" barrel. Anecdotal information I've seen makes me guess an 850FPS floor for reliable expansion, understanding other issues could inhibit expansion.

Some commercial loads in 200/230gr are running at 900FPS and higher, and looking at load data, would imply the use of slow powders and reaching max SAAMI pressures.

I don't want to load hot and certainly not at +P, for several reasons, including wear and tear, larger degree of difficulty for follow up shots, and the likelihood of more muzzle flash. I also subscribe to the notion of "slower is better" for penetration.

Poring over load data, I'm coming to the conclusion I can't get there with 230gr or even 200gr. So I'm looking for others' thoughts on 185gr XTP/GD/GS at a target 900FPS in the 4.4" barrel and ~870FP in the 3" barrel using a fast powder, as an effective load.

 

[blarby]

Before everyone weighs in on how handloads in CCW will land you in the slammer faster than the criminal who assaults you himself....

200gr speer GDHPS perform more than admirably at max loads, with very acceptable recoil. Near guaranteed expansion, and higher retained energy. I'd expect the 185's to have higher velocity....but to what effect ? If slower is better, 185 is not the way to go. If you want to practice what you carry, you can achieve your desired result in the 200gr range without venturing into +p territory at all.

I dont think he was asking for it to turn into one of those threads folks....he may have already made that decision............

But, like always- he may have not. So by all means, regurgitate last weeks handloads for SD thread that is an easily searchable for diatribe all over again.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Charging 5.5gr W231/HP-38 under any 230gr bullet for the .45 Auto will make a good reliable load which is accurate in every pistol I've shot it from. No need for very slow powders in the .45 Auto and IMO they shouldn't be used because the .45 Auto is a low pressure caliber. W231/HP-38 has always worked exceptionally well for me.

 

[Archie]

Seems fairly simple...

Develop a load for the short barrel gun giving ample expansion (in whatever you test) and adequate accuracy, control ability and so forth.

Then test it in the longer barreled gun. Normally (although I have seen the exception) the same round will shoot faster in the longer barrel and accuracy shouldn't be worse. In my experience, a 'good' load in any of my .45s works pretty well in all the others.

For bullet choice, nearly all the current 'premium' grade hollowpoint bullets will expand at 'handgun' velocities. Of course, one must verify this in the specific case. I prefer heavier bullets, but lighter bullets generally deliver less recoil, but often times with more 'abruptness', so it feels 'sharper'.

For powder, it's hard to beat the standards: Unique, WW231, Bullseye and many others. Sometimes the problem is selecting just ONE of the excellent choices one might have.

 

[springer99]

A 200gr. XTP over 6.0gr. of W231/HP38 works well for me in a 3.5" RIA Officers model. This load chrono's at an honest 830fps(around 15ft from the muzzle. I could goose it a bit more, but those quick, follow-up shots get tougher to make.

 

[243winxb]

45 acp

FBI testing of ammo after the famous Fla. shoot out, showed 45 acp does not need to expand to do its job. A bullet of 200 to 230 gr at 750 fps or higher is fine. IMO. Less recoil, faster follow up shots.

 

[traderpats]

I've been loading Ramshot Silhouette for thousands of rounds under the Zero 230gr JHP. You can easily reach 900fps on your hand loads and still have more of a margin to max than with most other powders. Fills enough to easily spot a double charge too. Shoots pretty darn accurate in my XD's.

 

[steve4102]

^^^ This ^^^