Loading For A Para PXT (SSP) .45 cal 1911

[Ala Dan]

Loading For A Para PX 745E (SSP) .45 cal 1911

Greeting's All-

I had a fellow comment to me the other day that Para's new
single stack, single-action 1911 PXT (SSP) was very hard to
load for when using hard cast lead bullets; in particular the
RN. If one were to use the Magnus 200 grain L-SWC bullets
do you think that would correct his problems? Seems like he
was saying that OAL was very critical in two Para LDA's, and
the PX-745-E. As always thoughts, opinions, and comments
are certainly welcomed.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Jim Watson]

PO says their guns have "ramped" barrels. If this means **integral** ramped barrels, this mutation to 1911 design gives a steep feed angle and makes the gun ammunition sensitive. The usual commercial cast bullet is blunter than FMJ and seats to a shorter OAL than hardball with a little bearing surface above the case mouth. I get 1.250" vs 1.265".

I have heard of .45s that would feed better with SWC so it might be worth a try, but the usual Magma copy of H&G #68 loads to about 1.250" OAL, too.

I am going to be working with two integral ramp Springfields in the coming days. My FLG has already improved one 9mm's feeding by contouring the integral ramp to a lower angle and will do that right away to the new one of that caliber. I'll testfire the .45 to see if it needs similar treatment.

 

[halvey]

I just shake my head at the Para's sometimes...

Now they won't take regular round nose?

When I owned Para's, I used lots of 185 and 200 SWC's without a problem. Try those, they should work. I can't see why RN's wouldn't work though.

 

[zeke]

Ala Dan- have no experience with those particular Para models, but do load for a P-14 Lmt. The chamber appears to be on the short side of dimension, with a fairly abrupt lead to the rifling and a tighter chamber. It is sensitive to loads that have full diam of bullet extending much beond the case mouth. Sensitive in the sense that lead loads with the full diam loaded much beond the case mouth, can present failure to fully lock up. same situation can happen with jacketed, although they the bullets can stick further out.

Most 230 gn lrn i have seen , have a ledge where the full diam meets the base of the rounded portion of bullet.

While some may push the listed COL for 45 acp (1.275 based on RN's ?), believe a OAL of 1.250-1.260 may be more appropriate, if everything else falls in place.