Help with XDS Lead Cast Recipe

[Uncle Richard]

I would appreciate some help regarding a new load I’m trying out in a XDS 45 using a lead bullet. The new load felt like the pressure exceeded the max load recommendation. When the round would go off, pressure was blowing very hard through the opening in the receiver where the trigger comes through, and there was some trigger slap, which made me very uncomfortable. I tried the new load in my 1911 Colt and had no issues. Matter a fact, I chrono’d the round in my 1911 and the velocity was exactly what the recommended load said it should be; however the same load in the XDS was 75fps slower. Also, I tried some factory Winchester 230gr jacketed ammo XDS and it was fine. Please help shed some light on why there was so much pressure when using the new lead load in the XDS45. Below is the data.
• New round: 45acp, 1.225 oal, 230gr LDRN, 6.1gr WSF
• Velocity in XDS: average 782.5 fps*
• Velocity in 1911: average 857.5 fps*
• Bullet Diameter: 0.452”
• Slugged Bullet Diameter through xds barrel: 0.449”
• WWPowder.com Recommended Load Data: 0.452” LDRN, 1.200 OAL, WSF powder 5.8gr = 832fps and 6.3gr = 892fps

*there was no black powder burns on the spent brass.

 

[Miata Mike]

I size all of my 200 grain LSWC bullets to .452 and all is great with my XDS. It loves my go to load of 4.5 grains of WST under a Lyman #452460 bullet.

I have just started pouring a 50/50 mixture of linotype lead mixed with pure lead and it pours some very purty boolits.

Is your barrel leading due to excessive blow by on the undersized lead bullet? Factory ball ammo is sized .451

 

[steve4102]

Below is the data.
• New round: 45acp, 1.225 oal, 230gr LDRN, 6.1gr WSH
• Velocity in XDS: average 782.5 fps*
• Velocity in 1911: average 857.5 fps*
• Bullet Diameter: 0.448”
• Slugged Bullet Diameter through xds barrel: 0.445”
• WWPowder.com Recommended Load Data: 0.452” LDRN, 1.200 OAL, WSF powder 5.8gr = 832fps and 6.3gr = 892fps

Hopefully these are typo's cuz some of these numbers don't add up.

What powder are you using, WSF, never heard of WSH?

What do your bullets really measure? .448 is odd at best, as is your barrel diameter of .445. If your barrel is actually that small, you have a bad barrel.

Your velocity difference is due to Barrel Length. Your 1911 (if full sized) has a 5 inch barrel your XDS has a 3.3 inch barrel. This 1.7 inch reduction in barrel length is more than enough to account for 75fps.

 

[Uncle Richard]

Hopefully these are typo's cuz some of these numbers don't add up.

What powder are you using, WSF, never heard of WSH?

What do your bullets really measure? .448 is odd at best, as is your barrel diameter of .445. If your barrel is actually that small, you have a bad barrel.

Your velocity difference is due to Barrel Length. Your 1911 (if full sized) has a 5 inch barrel your XDS has a 3.3 inch barrel. This 1.7 inch reduction in barrel length is more than enough to account for 75fps.

sorry, typo...should be WSF not wsh.

Double checked the bullet diameter measurements and they are correct, unless the micrometer is off.

 

[Uncle Richard]

steve

i used another micometer and mine is off... I have changed the bullet diameter measurements in post #1.

I would appreciate some help with why there seemed to excessive amount of pressure with the lead cast bullet.

 

[Blue68f100]

Depending on bore size, bore condition, bullet size and hardness all impact pressure. If you

• Slugged Bullet Diameter through xds barrel: 0.449”

bore is actually this small and bullet is .452" that's a 0.003" fit. You normally only need 0.001. If these bullets are hard that impact friction too. I've seen some bore on new guns in which the bore is very rough. This also impacts friction between the bore and bullet.

Every gun is different, the reason we always suggest working up loads. With a tighter fit you may need to back off 0.1gr. 45acp is a low pressure round and softer bullets work better than the hard ones. You said the you are getting a clean burn which indicates you are in a optimum pressure range for it to burn clean.

I'm assuming your primers look normal and not flattening out since I see no mention of it. If this is the case you should still be fine with your current load. You are mid range according to Hodgdon's.

You lighter XDS will always react different than a full size. It does not have the mass.