Full .45 ACP load-powder options

[BigBore45]

been playing with be-86. have some loads in the +P area with be-86 and 230 grain golden sabers. average velocity out of a 3" para warthog is 880 FPS 5" 1911 is 960FPS. they are hot loads and only shot for SD/Carry guns.

power pistol-longshot-bluedot-AA #5-autocomp would all fit the bill too. i think AA has +P data for the AA#5 and Alliant has +P data for BE-86

Im sure they have others but this is from my own experienced trials. for the fastest it seems that AA#5 and power pistol but i dont like a large flash so i kept experimenting.

 

[TfflHndn]

I've used Silhouette and Longshot for full-power jacketed loads in .45 auto, and both with very good results. Silhouette is one of my favorite powders for mid- to full-power loads in several calibers.

 

[MontanaJack]

Just curious, I am just starting to load .45 ACP. I have CFE Pistol and 230gr plated projectiles from The Hunting Shack. I started (off the Hodgdon website) with, 5.6gr and 5.8gr of CFE. Both shot low at 10 yards. I am trying to duplicate factory ammo for practice, and for making empty brass... I loaded 10 at 6.0gr CFE Pistol on Sat but didnt get to shoot. Am I thinking right ? Will go down the barrel of a Glock 21

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

Yes, raising the velocity will raise the point of impact.

 

[ljnowell]

Yes, raising the velocity will raise the point of impact.

I've always noticed the exact opposite in my handgun loads.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

It must be much more pronounced on my rifle rounds, faster rounds on the chrono definitely hit higher.

Slower rounds definitely hit lower.

Faster rounds have less drop over distance, therefore they should hit higher.

 

[ljnowell]

It must be much more pronounced on my rifle rounds, faster rounds on the chrono definitely hit higher.



Slower rounds definitely hit lower.



Faster rounds have less drop over distance, therefore they should hit higher.

In a handgun the theory has always been that a slower bullet spends more time in the barrel during recoil while the muzzle is moving upwards moving the point of impact higher.

When working up loads for the 50 yard line this is quite pronounced. Even at 25 yards though it can make a pretty big difference. For example I have a 9mm pistol that impacts two inches high at 20 yards with fixed sights and 115 grain bullets. I'm ok with that point of aim, but decided to try 147 grain bullets. The heavier bullet moving slower impacted a full four inches higher than the faster 115 grain bullet.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

Wow, good info ljnowel!

 

[1KPerDay]

Herco has been very accurate for me with 200 grain LSWC, loaded hottish (within published data).

 

[judgedelta]

I haven't put the chrono on it, but 6.4 of Autocomp behind a 230 RN is not a comfortable (to me) target load.

 

[oldpapps]

Response number 2, the first one, actually gave the best answer, not that many of the others didn't.

Not knowing the weapon in use, bullet type/s and weight or what your present loading is, makes it a little difficult to give good options.

Are you wanting to change powders? Or bullet weight/type?

I shoot 1911 type weapons but I think that most all of the others will have the same limitations, blowback action. Yes there is locking systems but they are still blowback in nature. We have to remain in the serviable curve for those actions.

I long ago settled on one loading for my .45 ACPs. Olin stopped making 230 powder, so I switched over to the NEW 231 powder and worked a loading that my weapons liked. 200 grain lead SWC with 5.6 grains of 231. Now, that loading is listed as being at or over/near the maximum. OK, it shoots with authority. My kids leaned to shoot with that loading. I get 850 to 900 FPS from 5 inch barrels and only 1045 FPS from my Marlin Campgun with 16 1/2 inch barrel.

You will need to look at your loading books, determine what weight/type of bullets and powder you are going to try first and start at the 'starting' load and work up. What others, that includes me, use or say they use may be safe in their weapon/s the way they load, but may not be safe for you. Start low and work up slowly. The best accuracy is not always found at/near the highest velocities.

Please load with care.