confusing 45 ACP data

[Cliff6]

I found a pound of Alliant Green Dot powder for $22 at the local gun shop. I knew there was a load for it on the Alliant Load Data. Their data for 230 grain LRN shows 5.3 grains max. I reduced that to 4.7 grains for some test loads using a Winchester case, CCI300 primer and 1.115 OAL. Shooting in a Glock 30.

Here is my uncertainty....some checking around shows a LOT of data indicating 4.3 grains as a MAX
load and a LOT of data indicating 5.3 MAX.

I'm certain that the Alliant information is correct and should be used, but there is still some gnawing feeling that maybe I'm missing something.

I've loaded a couple thousand .380, 9mm, 38 special, 45ACP, and 10mm....but never ran into this conflicting information before.

Thoughts?

Cliff

 

[fxvr5]

Help us out and tell us which sources are showing the lower max limit so we don't have to check many sources that might not be the one.

 

[AJC1]

The max could very well be with different bullets????

 

[LightninST]

RELOADER'S GUIDE
Alliant Powder Reload Recipes

Print This Recipe

Pistols and Revolvers
45 Auto

• M230 gr Speer LRN

Minimum OAL
(inches)
Bbl Length
Primer
Powder
Charge Weight
(grains)
Velocity
(fps)
Print
1.27 5 CCI 300 Red Dot 5.1 841 View this recipe
1.27 5 CCI 300 Green Dot 5.3 842 View this recipe
1.27 5 CCI 300 Unique 5.8 849 View this recipe
1.27 5 CCI 300 Herco 6.4 845 View this recipe
1.27 5 Fed 150 BE-86 6.2 929 View this recipe
1.27 5 Fed 150 Sport Pistol 5.6 918 View this recipe

Listed for 230 Speer LRN on web page , they have different loads for other 230g Bullets listed also .
What brand bullet you use looks to make a difference.

 

[Cliff6]

Help us out and tell us which sources are showing the lower max limit so we don't have to check many sources that might not be the one.

I knew someone might ask that ;-) I was checking all this out while visiting a friend down in Tennessee. I tossed all but the data from Alliant since I trust the powder maker. Admittedly, most of the "data" came from web boards and I know that is only a start for ideas.
One source that I've used a lot is M.D. Smith's Reloading Pages. For 230 grain lead round nose they show 4.3 grain as a max load for Green Dot.
I do have a note here that the Lee 2nd Edition manual, for a 230 grain lead round nose listed 4.3 grains starting load and 4.3 grains maximum load for Green Dot.
I think both of these are good sources, but I still want to trust Alliant.

I'll probably give them a phone call before I pull the trigger.

 

[Cliff6]

RELOADER'S GUIDE
Alliant Powder Reload Recipes

View attachment 977404Print This Recipe

Pistols and Revolvers
45 Auto

• M230 gr Speer LRN

Minimum OAL
(inches)
Bbl Length
Primer
Powder
Charge Weight
(grains)
Velocity
(fps)
Print
1.27 5 CCI 300 Red Dot 5.1 841 View this recipe
1.27 5 CCI 300 Green Dot 5.3 842 View this recipe
1.27 5 CCI 300 Unique 5.8 849 View this recipe
1.27 5 CCI 300 Herco 6.4 845 View this recipe
1.27 5 Fed 150 BE-86 6.2 929 View this recipe
1.27 5 Fed 150 Sport Pistol 5.6 918 View this recipe

Listed for 230 Speer LRN on web page , they have different loads for other 230g Bullets listed also .
What brand bullet you use looks to make a difference.

Yep, I have that recipe printed out. I'm loading Brazos 230 grain lead round nose, and loaded my "unfired" test loads 10% lower at 4.7 grains.

 

[kerreckt]

I have loaded many rounds of 45acp using 5.0grns Green Dot and a 230fmj. Works great in all my 45ap autos. They cycle and show no negative signs. Don't take my word do your own research. Best wishes!

 

[Cliff6]

I have loaded many rounds of 45acp using 5.0grns Green Dot and a 230fmj. Works great in all my 45ap autos. They cycle and show no negative signs. Don't take my word do your own research. Best wishes!

Thanks. Yep, I believe in research. In fact, I've read all the pages of this board back to page 1452. I have a few reloading manuals also, but they contain very little about Green Dot.

 

[mdi]

Alliant powder? Use Aliant data. Simple. No one will call you a sissy for using the lowest data to begin with and developing a load that suits you and your gun (the last places I get any load data is from a forum, friend, gun counter clerk or gun shop guru)...

 

[Cliff6]

Alliant powder? Use Aliant data. Simple. No one will call you a sissy for using the lowest data to begin with and developing a load that suits you and your gun (the last places I get any load data is from a forum, friend, gun counter clerk or gun shop guru)...

Sounds like a good plan. Thanks.

 

[fxvr5]

Lyman's 50th manual (page 444) has Green Dot for 45 ACP with a 225 grain lead RN @ 1.272" OAL, with a start charge of 4.8 gr and a max charge of 5.8 gr (902 fps).

 

[kerreckt]

Thanks. Yep, I believe in research. In fact, I've read all the pages of this board back to page 1452. I have a few reloading manuals also, but they contain very little about Green Dot.

So true. It seems that Green Dot is one of those powders that fell out of favor, for handguns, as other powders entered the market place. Nothing wrong with it other than the shortage of current loading data. I will continue to use my 5.0grns/230fmj load until my supply of Green Dot is gone. Best wishes!

 

[Archie]

Reloading manuals information differ.
Testing usually involves using:
...different firearm or testing apparatus...
...different brand of bullet...
...different lot of specified powder...
...different temperature...
...different storage temperature of loads to be tested...
...different humans conducting tests...
...different phase of moon...
...different breakfast choice...
...different phase of digestion...
and other circumstances as well.

Look for commonalities and trends. Start low - which is a relative term - and work up.

As one sees from published data, the MAXIMUM load may be OVER maximum for any particular firearm. But not all.

 

[Walkalong]

Alliant powder? Use Aliant data. Simple

Hard to argue with that logic.