Load Data for 45 ACP

[45 ACP 1911]

I need to know if anyone has any load data that could help me out.


I am using:
Winchester 231
Rainer Ballistics 200gr FMJ
CCI Primers

I have a Para Ordnance P14 45, 1911.

I have a chrony and measured bullets at an average of 687 fps loaded with 5.4 gr of W-231. I thought it was going to be faster. I plan on increasing by .1 grains and continue measuring the velocities. I can't always get somewhere to use my chrony though, that’s why I'm asking for some help. I have looked everywhere for some valuable load data but can't piece anything together.

 

[Walkalong]

I have shot that bullet with up to 6.4 Grs of W-231, although I do not recommend it. Work up to about 6.0 max. It will give you the velocity you want and be fairly accurate.

If your gun will feed them, the Ranier 200 Gr SWC is a much more accurate bullet.

Welcome to THR Be careful working up your load.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Need one more piece of information. What .45 ACP firearm are you using? 5 grains of W-231 gives me over 700 fps from a full size Colt (5"). and 5.5 grains gives me over over 800 fps. My favorite load is 5.7 grains of W-231...But again, I'm shooting a colt 1911...

What Walkalong said is also good. (I'm going to agree with him for now unless he doesn't answer my e-mail...)

 

[Mags]

You need to keep those Rainiers below 850-900 or the plating will come off and your target will look like you shot buckshot at it.

 

[Walkalong]

the plating will come off and your target will look like you shot buckshot at it.

Old wives tale. Actually, internet tale.

 

[The Bushmaster]

In fact Rainier states to load them no higher then 1,200 fps. I have had them up to 1,000 fps with no adverse problems.

 

[unclesam099]

I'm curious on this one as well. What're you using? I've got 200 rounds loaded up with a 200gr hard cast truncated cone over Win LP and 4.7gr of Win231. This will go thru an XD45 4".

 

[schmeky]

I have read 200 gn LSWC's don't always feed reliably in XD's.

In my 1911's and CZ-97, 4.6 gns WW231 and the H&G 200 LSWC is one of the most accurate 45 loads I have ever used.

 

[45 ACP 1911]

Thanks

Thanks so far for all the input. I loaded 100 rounds varying from 5.4-6.0 grains. Hopefully I get out soon to test them. I will post the data I collect and maybe it will help others down the road.

 

[45 ACP 1911]

My firearm is a Para Ordnance P14 45.

 

[Walkalong]

Looking forward to the range report.

 

[45 ACP 1911]

Update on range data

Hey everyone I was able to get out and record some data. I hope this can help others.

Grains Velocity Hi Low ES Std Dev
5.4 642.4 706.7 577.4 129.2 48
5.5 680.9 708 600.1 107.8 28.03
5.6 697.3 722.2 630.7 91.48 23.57
5.7 725.5 772 689.3 82.78 24.16
5.8 720.2 785 679.3 105.7 31.74
5.9 752.6 787.3 632.4 154.9 39.96
6 764.1 783.3 730.3 53 17.64

 

[bombmaster]

Hey everyone I was able to get out and record some data. I hope this can help others.

Grains Velocity Hi Low ES Std Dev
5.4 642.4 706.7 577.4 129.2 48
5.5 680.9 708 600.1 107.8 28.03
5.6 697.3 722.2 630.7 91.48 23.57
5.7 725.5 772 689.3 82.78 24.16
5.8 720.2 785 679.3 105.7 31.74
5.9 752.6 787.3 632.4 154.9 39.96
6 764.1 783.3 730.3 53 17.64

What kind of powder? What kind of barrel length?

 

[rcmodel]

Read the first post.
It says:

WW231 powder
Para Ordnance P14 45, 1911.

rc

 

[The Bushmaster]

Don't ya just love it when some one comes right at the end and trys to get involved without reading the first part of a thread? Hummmm...Oh yeh...I'm guilty of that too...Once in a while...

 

[jeepmor]

Look how your stdev and ES dropped as you increased your charge. I'd move that direction and keep bumping up by 0.1 grains above your 6.0 charge to see if it gets even beter.

You can do a scatter plot of all of your velocities (y-axis) as a function of grain charge (x-axis) and see if you have a fit that can predict your velocity from the data from your own supplies. Be sure not to exceed the max recommended charge no matter what your graph tells you.

I'd do it for you, but no excel on this PC and my laptop is sitting here reformatting right now. You gained about 100fps in 0.5 grain spread just looking at the results. This looks fairly linear, but the graph will tell you more. Let the computer pick the best fit (linear, exponential, logrithmic, etc.) and it should be your best predictor of performance going forward. Your lowest stdev will be your sweetspot for accuracy, or darn close, plot that out too.

As you collect more data with the same powder and components, keep adding it to your scatterplot and your ability to predict and "tune" your load from a data driven perspective will improve.

 

[jfh]

jeepmor: When you get Excel running again--there are those of us who would beg and plead for a macro-run sheet to do that plotting....

Jim H.

 

[45 ACP 1911]

I have already added to excel and it is fairly linear R squared value of .9479. The other thing is I can't find any load data giving maximum loads. To error on the safe side I don't want to get much larger than 6.0 grains. I was hoping standard deviation would be low on all of them but that is a function of my process. If I keep my process tight that should hopefully decrease my variation from bullet to bullet.

 

[Walkalong]

I was hoping standard deviation would be low on all of them but that is a function of my process.

For very low ES & SD numbers try some AA #2. Very good stuff in .45 with plated bullets.

 

[Walkalong]

December - 06 - 75+ Degrees

4" CDP - AA #2 - WLP primers - assorted range brass


Berrys 185 Gr SWC @ 1.190 O.A.L. - 6.3 Grs AA #2

Hi-892….Lo-878…Avg-886….ES-14….SD-4

---------------------------------------------------

Berrys 200 Gr HP @ 1.200 O.A.L. - 5.8 Grs AA #2

Hi-829….Lo-807…Avg-821….ES-22….SD-7

---------------------------------------------------

Hornady 200 Gr FMJ-CT @ 1.260 O.A.L. - 5.7 Grs AA #2

Hi-829….Lo-814…Avg-821….ES-15….SD-4

---------------------------------------------------

Zero 230 Gr JHP @ 1.245 O.A.L. - 5.4 Grs AA #2

Hi-776….Lo-765…Avg-770….ES-11….SD-4

All very good to excellent accuracy. These loads were a culmination of testing with AA #2 and these bullets. You can substitute the Ranier 200 Gr SWC for the Hornady 200 Gr FMJ-CT with almost identical results. The Ranier cuts a better/cleaner hole in the target.

These loads were safe in my guns using my load technique. Consult manuals, start low, and work up.

 

[Tacoma]

I've had great reliability and accuracy with 4.8-5.0 gr W231 under a 200 gr LSWC/RNWC. got that recipe from a local commercial reloader who uses it for all his loads.
Adjust for your plating and your good to go.