Adjusting point of impact

[Souris]

I have a 45 acp officers model. It has fixed sights. The loads that I shot from a rest, today, were a little low at 20 yards. I was using 4.5 grns red dot w/ Magnus 230 grn LRN hard cast bullets and WLP.
I am not attached to this specific combo.
Does anybody have any suggestions on how move the point of impact higher by changing the reloading components? IE different bullet or powder combo?
Thanks

 

[sumpnz]

I have no idea what a max load for .45ACP with cast bullets would be, but the simplist solution would be to use a little more powder (if that can safely be done) to up the velocity, and therefore raise the POI.

If you're already at a max load, you can research other powders to see what might get you a higher velocity within the pressure limitations. That or go to a lighter weight bullet.

 

[Oldnamvet]

With my .44 revolver, I can raise the point of impact about 6 inches by using a heavier bullet (240 vs. 300). Since the velocity of the 300 gr is less than the 240, the bullet spends more time in the barrel while the recoil is raising the muzzle. So the bullet exits the barrel when it is actually pointing higher than when you touched it off. And the heavier bullet results in more muzzle rise. Since it is a trade off in recoil vs. velocity, it would be interesting to see if lowering or raising your powder charge slightly would slow/speed the bullet down/up enough while still having recoil raise the muzzle. I don't know the exact relationship between muzzle flip and time-in-barrel but it would be interesting to see what differences it would make. Might not be enough to make a difference you could see. Filing down the front sight never appeals to me when dealing with fixed sights

 

[HSMITH]

You can drop back to a slower powder, it will help some. You can also increase the charge weight a little, given all else is the same a little more recoil will raise the point of impact a little. Or you can do both if you are quite a ways from where you want to be.

 

[Souris]

Well, I'm actually 2" low @ 20 yards
I could go with a larger charge considering my Speer manual lists 4.7 grn red dot as the lightest charge. One of my other books lists the minimum charge as 4.0 grns of red dot. 4 grns won't return the pistol to battery reliably.
4.3 grns shoots a better group than 4.5 but both are ~2" low at 20 yards.

I won't file the front sight (it has factory night sights)Eventually I may replace them but won't file them.
I don't think that I want to go much heavier than the 230 grn LRN bullet.

I have some Unique but have been told that it doesn't meter well?
I have a buddy that has some 200 grn SWC and I may try some of them.

So. Here's the plan:
try some with 230 grn LRN w/ Unique
try some with 230 grn LRN w/ HP-38
Try some 200 grn swc w/ all three powders

Thanks for the fast replies.

 

[mpthole]

another timely thread....

I'm not so concerned about my .45 loads though, its my .44 mag loads that bug me. Everything seems to shoot left (and a little low) of target. I've now got my windage cranked all of the way to the right to compensate. There's literally no more room for windage adjustment.

Currently, I'm loading Hornady 240 gr HP/XTP. I've tried this bullet with Winchester Large Pistol Primers and W-231 in 9, 9.5, and 10 grain increments; as well as CCI Magnum Primers and W-296 in 22, 22.5, 23, 23.5 and 24 grain increments.

All of them hit low and left when shot off a rest and pretty much none of them grouped well. Now, me not being a "revolver" shooter might have something to do with it... but I seem to be plenty accurate with my other guns.

FWIW, I'm shooting a S&W 629 Classic 5".

Time to try another bullet/powder combination...?

 

[Harlie]

Consistant low left is milking your gun by squeezing your whole hand instead of using trigger finger isolated. Recoil anticipation may be a factor as well. Sight adjustment won't cure it. Try double ear protectors, plugs plus head set.

 

[mpthole]

Thanks Harlie - I'll give it a try.

 

[HSMITH]

Souris, you might be nitpicking a little. Most officers models won't hold 3" groups at 20 yards, and 2" low is pretty minor at that distance.

A slightly higher charge of Red Dot should bring it right up.

Unique measures nicely for me in Dillon and Redding measures, within a tenth anyway.

 

[Rockstar]

A slightly (almost infinitesimal) higher sight picture hold will produce miraculous results @ 20 yds. Not anticipating the recoil on the .44 will also produce miraculous results!