Does this load data sound about right?

[ccarnel]

I'm trying to get a load for .45ACP that would be good mainly for just target shooting. When I looked in the LEE reloading manual these are the specs I got for a .45ACP 200grain lead round nose bullet.

I am thinking of using:
Unique powder 4.2 grains
.45ACP Lead 200grain round nose from precision bullets
mixed head stamp brass
Winchester large pistol primers labeled "standard" and "magnum"
Overall length 1.23in

Load data in the lee book for a lead 200grain bullet says
5.1 grains (also lists this as a load not to exceed)
Min OAL of 1.190in

One last question as well. I have the pro autodisk powder measure from LEE Precision and the Lee reloading manual says to use a .53 size autodisk. This disk is consistently throwing a 4.1-4.2 grain charge according to my Lee safety powder scale. Does this sound correct?

 

[steve4102]

Caliber, Cartridge??

 

[Matt-J2]

I'm pretty sure it's .45 ACP.

If I'm right, do I get an e-cookie?

 

[ccarnel]

Whoops, I forgot the most important information of all. Yes above load data for .45ACP

 

[Steve C]

4.1 grs is a little light. I'd try for 4.6 at least (10% reduction off 5.1). The throw weights given for Lee's volumetric inserts (and dippers) is only a guide. Use your scale to determine what they are actually throwing in charge weight and try a larger insert to see if you can get closer to 5grs of Unique.

 

[Mal H]

I'll go even a little further and say 4.1 gr. is very light. None of my manuals have the starting load for Unique and that weight of a lead bullet at or near 4.1 gr. Most of them start at 4.8 to 5.0 gr. and go to the mid to high 6's as safe loads (some go to the low 7's).

You might have some extraction problems with that load. Is it dangerous? Not at all - try it to see if your pistol likes it, if you wish.

 

[ccarnel]

I upped the charge to about 4.8 Reliably cycles my springfield 1911 fullsize. It has very moderate recoil and seems to be way more accurate than the WWB that I usually shoot

 

[BAT1]

I use 6 gr of Unique with a 185 HBRN's and they are accurate in my SA SS Champ.

 

[jeepmor]

Yes, light loads may not cycle the action completely. I loaded some cowboy action shooting spec loads once. Brass barely made it out of action, shot real soft. Just on the hairy edge of not enough, had a few FTEs from it. Moved it up 0.5 grains and all that went away and it still shoots nice and soft.

I was using Bullseye IIRC, but Unique is another great powder IMO. I always keep Bullseye, Blue Dot or Unique "in my coffers." Right now is bliss, I have two of them on hand now. I think I'll be rolling some pistol loads this week since the PNW rain hasn't even thought about stopping for over a month now.