45acp start load 230gr lrn

[swampgunner]

Sorry if this has been answered already, after 10 min of searching I ran out of time. My 230gr Lrn have to be loaded to 1.24 to chamber in my pistol that’s shorter than all the load data I can find. I’m looking for a safe start load for Unique as that is the powder I have.
Thanks for any help.

 

[Slamfire]

My goal is 800 fps with a 230 gr bullet in the 1911. This is the velocity specified for the original 1910 cartridges in the testing and development of the 1911. The first recorded military load was 5.0 grains Bullseye with a 230 FMJ.

early loads



later loads





I don't have pressure gauges and nit noids will argue that velocity does not equal pressure, and they are more or less right. However, in this application, you have to take into account slide speed. The faster the bullet, the faster the slide recoils. Too fast a slide recoil and function issues will rise, and the pistol gets beat up. Incidentally, too slow a slide speed, and function issues show up too.

So, I wanted to find a Unique load that gave me a muzzle velocity of 800 fps and I came to the conclusion that 5.5 grains Unique would do this. I remember reading and hearing that 6.5 grs was considered a maximum, and given that the velocities were above 900 fps, I agree. I have shot commercial ammunition that had a 230 gr bullet and that stuff pushed the bullet around and above 900 fps. But I don't want that.

If you use mid range loads, don't worry about pressure or velocities issues due to a seating depth of 1.24" versus 1.250". Go for the seating depth that ensures reliable feed.

Kimber Custom Classic

230 LRN Valiant 5.5 grs Unique lot UN331 1989 Mixed brass WLP (brass)
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"

16-May-09 high 83 °F

Ave Vel = 827.4
Std Dev = 17.63
ES = 85.68
High = 871.6
Low = 785.9
Number rds= 31


230 LRN Valiant 6.0 grs Unique lot UN387 6/21/93 Mixed brass WLP
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"

18-Mar-07 T = 62 °F

Ave Vel = 898
Std Dev = 21.44
ES = 75.58
High = 944.3
Low = 868.7
N = 25
accurate lots recoil 15' foot ejection

230 LRN Valiant 6.0 grs Unique lot 6/21/1998 Mixed brass WLP (nickle)
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"

16-May-09 high 83 ° F

Ave Vel = 885
Std Dev = 16.79
ES = 67.26
High = 917.8
Low = 850.5
N = 30
strong recoil 15' foot ejection

230 LRN Valiant 6.5 grs Unique lot UN387 6/21/93 Mixed brass WLP
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"

18-Mar-07 T = 62 °F

Ave Vel = 926.4
Std Dev = 16.64
ES = 71.16
High = 963.4
Low = 892.3
N = 32


light leading accurate centered hard recoil 20 foot ejection

 

[Charlie98]

You are OK if you start with the bottom load. Unique is quite forgiving in that respect (OAL,) but not infallible.

Alliant data shows 230grn LRN, seated at 1.27" and a max load of 5.8grn Unique. Reducing 10% takes us to 5.2grn, which is probably going to be OK, even seated at 1.24"

 

[swampgunner]

Thanks for the info slamfire. I think maybe 5.5gr will give me a good start. I only want an accurate target load.

 

[AJC1]

A start load is always a start load. My lyman 45th doesn't even list a coal and the ones that are listed are as tested. Unique is also a powder that will safely reduce to almost zero, and just squib. Somewhere in the 4.× area is low power and you will work up to 5 something quickly. Check the barrel each shot during inital work ups. A flashlight in the muzzle is fast and easy. Stay safe.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Here’s data for speers lrn @1.240

https://reloadingdata.speer.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/handgun/45_Auto_230_LRN.pdf

 

[swampgunner]

That’s one of the reasons I chose unique. I only load for 45acp and 44 mag. Unique looked like it would serve all my needs and by safe for a beginner.

 

[Charlie98]

Unique looked like it would serve all my needs and by safe for a beginner.

You could have made a worse choice. Truthfully, Unique is probably one of the easiest powders to load with, and particularly with a range of cartridges.

 

[kcofohio]

You are OK if you start with the bottom load. Unique is quite forgiving in that respect (OAL,) but not infallible.

Pun intended?

Infallible was a flake shotgun powder introduced by Laflin & Rand in 1900. Initial production had an orange color, but graphite coating gave later production a black color. Production was discontinued after World War II

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_Inc.[/QUOTE]

 

[Charlie98]

Interesting!

 

[Blue68f100]

Just load a ladder test min to near max. It's possiable that the starting load may not function fully in your gun. aka Not locking the slide back. Just step up till you find a load that you like, with the accuracy you like.

 

[AgPilot]

Been using 6 gr of unique under a 230 gr FMJ and it shoots great and is accurate in My Kimber

 

[Slamfire]

Looked at my 1957 Lyman 41st edition reloading manual




with their 225 gr cast bullet, the max load of Unique is 7.2 grs at 940 fps. With a 230 FMJ, 7.7 grs at 880 fps! The suggested load is 6.5 grains Unique at 760 fps. Maybe the laws of physics changed since then, because their maximum loads are too smoking hot with today's Unique!

 

[AJC1]

Looked at my 1957 Lyman 41st edition reloading manual

View attachment 1028465


with their 225 gr cast bullet, the max load of Unique is 7.2 grs at 940 fps. With a 230 FMJ, 7.7 grs at 880 fps! The suggested load is 6.5 grains Unique at 760 fps. Maybe the laws of physics changed since then, because their maximum loads are too smoking hot with today's Unique!

The way testing was done changed significantly. The copper cup method to the new pizo stain guage gave you a lot more data. How that is applied to create new limits is currently beyond my knowledge base.

 

[Jonesy814]

My go to load back when I used plated bullets was 6.1 grains of Unique. When I switched to Hi-Tek coated bullets I dropped down to 5.8.

 

[Charlie98]

With a 230 FMJ, 7.7 grs at 880 fps! The suggested load is 6.5 grains Unique at 760 fps. Maybe the laws of physics changed since then, because their maximum loads are too smoking hot with today's Unique!

Speer #11 gives me 6.9grn Unique under a 230grn FMJ as max, Speer #14 shows 6.5grn. I've loaded to 6.9grn, and it's a handful, for sure. I've since reduced to 6.5grn... and this was long before I ever saw the #14...

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I use 5.0 gr of Unique with a 230 LRN. I also use 5.0 gr with a 185 and 200 gr LSWC. No problems cycling my National Match. Good accuracy.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Looked at my 1957 Lyman 41st edition reloading manual

View attachment 1028465


with their 225 gr cast bullet, the max load of Unique is 7.2 grs at 940 fps. With a 230 FMJ, 7.7 grs at 880 fps! The suggested load is 6.5 grains Unique at 760 fps. Maybe the laws of physics changed since then, because their maximum loads are too smoking hot with today's Unique!

That’s when men were men.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Pun intended?


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_Inc.

[/QUOTE]
Unique is universal; but, Universal is not Unique.

Plain lubed lead shoots faster, less resistance, lower friction than jacketed. Pretty close to coated, close enough to use the same mid-range loads, especially with Unique, but ignore jacketed and plated data. It’ll be too hot for lead, especially swaged.

 

[Slamfire]

The way testing was done changed significantly. The copper cup method to the new pizo stain guage gave you a lot more data. How that is applied to create new limits is currently beyond my knowledge base.

Older loading manuals the data was not pressure tested.
http://www.goodrichfamilyassoc.org/44_Special_Articles/Lyman Ideal #40-1955.pdf
1951 Ideal Reloading manual

1955 Lyman Reloading manual

1967 Lyman Reloading manual


Reloading staff looked for physical evidence of pressure such as case sticking, primer flattening. And they had access to Boulengé chronographs



https://eugeneleeslover.com/USNAVY/CHAPTER-XV-PAGE-1.html

Those were wild and woolly days!

The Wildcat era crashed when cheap chronographs came around, and everyone could actually measure velocities. Which, were of course, a lot less impressive than what was claimed in the popular press.

 

[AJC1]

Older loading manuals the data was not pressure tested.
1951 Ideal Reloading manual

1955 Lyman Reloading manual

1967 Lyman Reloading manual


Reloading staff looked for physical evidence of pressure such as case sticking, primer flattening. And they had access to Boulengé chronographs

View attachment 1028495

https://eugeneleeslover.com/USNAVY/CHAPTER-XV-PAGE-1.html

Those were wild and woolly days!

The Wildcat era crashed when cheap chronographs came around, and everyone could actually measure velocities. Which, were of course, a lot less impressive than what was claimed in the popular press.

The front matter in my Lyman 45th discusses the new technology and the future [at that time] of testing and publishing data. Historically the more manuals you read the more you build your knowledge, so I read every one I can get my dirty mitts on.

 

[Riomouse911]

That’s one of the reasons I chose unique. I only load for 45acp and 44 mag. Unique looked like it would serve all my needs and by safe for a beginner.

I use Unique for .38 Spl and .357 Mag, .41 Spl and Mag, .44 Spl and Mag, .45 Colt, etc.

For the .44 Magnum, loads from 8.5 to 10.0 gr Unique under a 240 gr SWC are fun, accurate loads that build from “heavy” Specials (8.5) to mid range Magnums (10.0) that aren’t abusing to shooter or gun.

Stay safe.

 

[Seedy Character]

I load 5.5gr Unique with 200 and 230gr LSWC.
Function is 100%. No leading. Good accuracy.

 

[LiveLife]

45acp ... 230gr lrn ... 1.24

start load for Unique

Here you go - https://reloadingdata.speer.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/handgun/45_Auto_230_LRN.pdf

• 45ACP 230 gr Lead RN Alliant Unique OAL 1.240" Start 5.3 gr (837 fps) - Max 5.8 gr (895 fps)