Any suggestions for .45 ACP +P loads?

[Eric Bryant]

Hello,

I'm looking for some suggested .45 ACP +P loads, using 230 gr bullets, to simulate the performance of the Winchester Ranger ammunition. Since I'm unable to find a sufficient quantity of this ammunition to practice with, and since it is one of the few .45 ACP loadings believed to give good terminal performance out of a 3" barrel (such of that of my Kimber Ultra Ten), I'd like to brew up something for practice.

Thanks in advance for any assistance or advice!

 

[Clark]

AA 45acp +P data

Alliant Power Pistol 45acp +P data

The brass I like is Starline 45acp +P.
It has a thicker web and thicker wall to take the pressure in a poorly supported chamber.

 

[JoeHatley]

Here's a few...

www.realguns.com/loads/45auto.htm

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[HSMITH]

Power Pistol is the one.

 

[redneck2]

While at Realguns..

check out the archives for the article on the 45 Super

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

.45 Accuracy

The .45acp is traditionally a self defense weapon and was in years past the hardest weapon to master before the magnums were invented. Many law enforcement officers still carry the .45 like I did but many are going to the higher capacity 9mm's.

As a defense, weapon accuracy is of prime importance and recovering from recoil for a second shot is really important. To me the .45acp as invented is a great man stopper and going to a higher power load can reduce accuracy of repeat shots for other targets.

Gun makers have to come up with something new and different to sell and I feel that many calibers are a waste of money. Go deer hunting in a rural area and try to find ammo at a rural store. The shooters in many rural areas still use the traditional 30-06 and carry a .38 or 45acp. one of my kids own an Ace hardware and another manages one and those are the most popular calibers. They laugh when the big city boys come looking for the newest magnum fad ammo.
My dad used a 25/20 marlin for deer.

 

[Eric Bryant]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys - I'll have to sit down at the loading bench for a couple hours this weekend.

Paul, interestingly enough, commercial +P loads create very little additional muzzle flip over standard pressure loads in my Kimber Ultra Ten.

 

[larryw]

Answer

Paul, not trying to start a fight, but would you please clarify the following:

As a defense, weapon accuracy is of prime importance and recovering from recoil for a second shot is really important.

Sounds like you're making the case for a 22LR SD weapon. Wouldn't power outweigh accuracy or did I misread?

thanks,
Larry

As a police weapons instructor I trained officers upgrading their weapons from a .38 to a .45 and I started with a .38. Officers can be faced with multiple targets and in poor lighting conditions. I felt the 45 was adaquate at military power and extra power or muzzle flash in anything approaching a magnum caliber was not to be desired. We were offered and did not carry S&W police 41 magnums and the entire country turned them down. I still have 2 of them.

John Paul

 

[John Galt]

I don't know but.... you might want to go with the next faster powder than you'd guess for that short 3" barrel. No sense burning all that +P up in front of the gun.

I also like the idea of the Starline +P brass.
I use all Starline brass and many think it's among the best.

For off the shelf, so far I've bought some real hot Cor-bon.