Load check: .45 ACP 200gr PRN

[strat81]

I am loading up some .45 ACP 200gr Rainier plated round nose. I know that I should use lead load data, not jacketed. However, my Loadbook does not have much info for the powders I have on hand, Titegroup and Power Pistol.

I've decided to use Titegroup first. Hodgdon's website lists a 200gr LSWC from 4.8gr-5.4gr at 1.225". My Lee Autodisk is throwing 4.5gr of Titegroup or 5.1gr... no inbetween (and the adjustable charge bar is an inconsistent piece of junk).

Given the difference with LSWC versus plated round nose, should I be okay with 5.1gr of Titegroup, 200gr plated RN, 1.235" OAL, with a WSP primer? I am using known 1x-fired R-P brass and it will be fired in a STI Spartan 1911.

It seems like there is not much info around for newer powders unless I'm shooting 230gr FMJ or 185gr SWC.

These are the components I have on hand, so please do not tell me to use something else. Thanks in advance guys!

 

[Steve C]

Hodgdon's website lists a 200gr LSWC from 4.8gr-5.4gr at 1.225". My Lee Autodisk is throwing 4.5gr of Titegroup or 5.1gr... no inbetween (and the adjustable charge bar is an inconsistent piece of junk).

Are the loads you say your Autodisk throws from the chart or checked on a scale? Have you checked you Autodisk with a scale to see how consistent a load its throwing? Lee's chart data is usually a bit optimistic. If you can get a consistent 5.1gr throw (or less) then you will be fine.

The .45 ACP is a relatively low pressure cartridge and you will not see pressure signs with primers in the way you see them with magnum or high pressure cartridges like the 9mm. With the .45 you will be way, WAY over pressure before typical high pressure signs appear on your primers. Instead watch how far the cases eject and see if they eject a lot further than standard factory loads, if they do you may want to back down to the lower charge.

 

[Walkalong]

Back when I used a Hornady pistol measure with brass bushings I would change powders if I could not get a charge where I needed it or modify a bushing to get me there. (M-11 or M-15 etc) I had 3 through 22 and about 5 or 6 modified ones along with two I made from 1/2" brass bar stock.


There are so many good .45 powders that if you can't get your measure to throw the right Titegroup charge then try AA #2, Clays, W-231, Competition, WST etc until you find one that your measure will throw a charge of that you like.

I second Steve C's question of are you checking these charges with a scale. You need to.

 

[strat81]

Jeez guys, I'm not that dumb. On my first day reloading, I learned that the charge weights listed on the Autodisk instructions were pretty much worthless.

Yes, these charges are being measured by a scale.

Perhaps my question should be rephrased:
Is 200gr LSWC load data okay to use for 200gr plated RN even if I have to start in the middle of the recommended charge range with a slightly longer OAL than specified?

 

[putteral]

Go with the 4.5 grs of Titegroup first.
I have been using 4.4grs of Titegroup with 200gr LSWC in my 24/7 Pro 45 with good results. I seat it at 1.265 though. No missfeads and pretty accruate.

 

[evan price]

I loaded 200 grain Rainiers with 5.1 of Titegroup and that was just fine for me.

However I chose to standardize and now my standard .45 is to load 230-rn's now with 4.7 grains of Titegroup.

 

[strat81]

Update-

Shot them (5.1gr Titegroup) yesterday and I still have all of my digits and eyes. They didn't feel much different than the Remington 230gr UMC I used for comparison purposes. They grouped slightly better. I also loaded 6.2gr of Power Pistol behind the 200gr Rainiers and those grouped the best. Those seemed louder but recoil was also about the same.

Many thanks guys!

 

[Walkalong]

If you want to stick with Ranier and 200 Gr bullets, I would suggest the Ranier 200 Gr SWC. Very accurate. Beats the Ranier 200 RNFP hands down. If your pistol dislikes the SWC's try Berrys 200 Gr HP. It is very accurate and feeds very well.

If I was paying attention to who the OP was, I would never have worried about you using a scale. Silly me.


I like WST, AA #2, Competition for light loads with 200 Gr plated bullets and WSF, AA #5 for hotter, but not full out max, loads.

 

[strat81]

I'm not married to 200gr RN, I got them because they were cheap and in stock. Not sure if my gun will digest wadcutters or hollowpoints yet. (STI Spartan) It's just a plinker for now.

 

[Walkalong]

Not sure if my gun will digest wadcutters or hollowpoints yet. (STI Spartan)

I bet it will. Good guns.

The Ranier 200 Gr SWC used to be a good deal from Midway if you bought 2000 with the free shiping, but I have not checked them lately. I am not going to buy plated for the price of jacketed. I really like the Berrys 185 Gr SWC and 200 Gr HP as well as the Ranier 200 Gr SWC, (I have not tried the Berrys 200 SWC), but I just can't believe they need to sell them for as much as jacketed bullets go for.

 

[strat81]

I know what you mean about prices! When I got the Spartan, I postponed a bullet purchase. Sure enough, the price skyrocketed. And it's not just Midway - Rainiers are incredibly close in price to jacketed bullets elsewhere on the web.

So, why did I get the 200gr RN? I had no 45 ACP for a range trip and got smacked with $20/box at the LGS. I was placing a pretty big order with Midway anyway and they had everything else in stock, miracle of miracles! Unless I wanted premium JHPs or overpriced Speer TMJs, I was stuck with Rainiers... hence the small purchase of only 500.

It wasn't all daisies either... the Rainier box split open during shipping, so I got to pick through packing peanuts looking for the dang bullets.

 

[Walkalong]

My last purchase for .45 bullets was 2000 185 Gr JHP's from Ghost Holster about 3 months ago. They shoot straight and have light recoil. Great for range plinking or target shooting.

Prices may push me to start shooting lead again. We will see.