6" .45 ACP barrel and BB 230grn ammo

[Inebriated]

Hey guys, I've got my Glock 21 here, and I'm looking to throw an extended length barrel in the gun; Either the LWD 6" barrel, or the LWD 6.61" barrel, depending on if you guys think the 6.61" would be better. Now, I'm looking at using either the Buffalo Bore 230grn FMJ-FN or the Buffalo Bore 255 Hard Cast FN. BB states that out of a 5" barrel, the 230grn was moving at 981fps and the 255grn was moving at 960fps. Can anyone tell me about how those two loads would act in a 6" barrel, instead of the 5"? Would the 6.61" make a big difference over the 6"? This is intended for the woods, with black bears being the largest possible threat.

Also, I don't handload now, so BB seems like the best bet, but if anyone else knows of a good stout load, I'm all ears.

Thanks for any input, but please refrain from suggesting any other caliber/firearm. I'm considering several options now, but this thread is specifically to learn about this one. Thanks again!

 

[35Rem]

ask BB what they would do

 

[Inebriated]

I emailed them, just hoping to hear if anyone else has any experience with either load.

 

[grendelbane]

I don't have any experience with either one of those loads, but I have fired similar handloads in a variety of .45s.

You may pick up a little bit of velocity. Most of the time you will, but it could possibly go the other way, as each barrel is different.

The velocity gained will not be much. Maybe 35 FPS, or a little better. Or worse, if you are unlucky. I have a Gov't model which will get 870 FPS from a 230 grain bullet when the same cartridge in an almost identical gun only gets 820.

Really, the only way to know for sure is to shoot it in your gun. Even then, it will only tell you about that single lot of ammunition, when shot at a specific temperature.

 

[M7]

You might probably see a gain in muzzle velocity. I've seen longer pistol barrels shoot slower than shorter barrels and shorter barrels shoot faster than longer barrels- all depends upon powder burn rate, barrel tolerances and Heaven knows what else. Each gun is a rule unto itself and you'll have to shoot it to see what you get.

 

[Inebriated]

Well of course.. too much barrel, and friction starts to take over. I don't know if 6-7" would be enough to start limiting velocity, but we'll see.

 

[intercooler]

Why not drop a 10mm setup on there and go with some 200's?

 

[Inebriated]

Apparently (and I haven't done this, only heard) it is less reliable due to the extractor (having to change it to a 20 extractor). Also, the 20 slide is thicker, so I think the jury is still out on the safety of pushing very hot loads.

And if anyone's interested, I looked at Underwood's .45 ACP +P, and they've got a 230 grainer moving 1000 FPS out of a Glock 21 4.6" barrel (as told to me by Kevin Underwood)... So if they're moving in the upper 900's/lower 1000's, out of stock length, that seems rather promising in a longer barrel.

 

[VBVAGUY]

I thought I read somewhere that every inch is approx. 30-60 ft/sec. I hope this helps. God Bless

 

[M7]

Well of course.. too much barrel, and friction starts to take over. I don't know if 6-7" would be enough to start limiting velocity, but we'll see.

Oh, I doubt that it is enough to do that. Even from 16" barrels like the Marlin Camp Carbine, the .45 has enough gas volume to continue to accelerate the bullet- the BB stuff is loaded pretty warm so I doubt that you'll run outta steam in a 6" tube.

Even then, there is no guarantee about what you'll get. SAAMI specs are for pressure only, how that works out in your particular gun/barrel is hard to say.

You plannin' on doing any chronographing of the loads?

 

[flyskater]

Originally Posted by Inebriated
Well of course.. too much barrel, and friction starts to take over. I don't know if 6-7" would be enough to start limiting velocity, but we'll see.

Checkout ballistics by the inch.

 

[WYO]

I can't speak to a 6 inch barrel, but I chronographed the .45 ACP +P Buffalo Bore 255 grain hard cast out of a Glock 30 with the 3.78" barrel. Using the factory barrel, I got a 5 shot average of 923 fps 15 feet from the muzzle with an ES of 25 and SD of 12. Using a KKM barrel (same length) in the same gun, I got a 5 shot average of 927 fps with an ES of 11 and an SD of 4. That's good enough for me for my purpose of carrying as a backup for bowhunting.