Loading HP's for a 3" 45

[Steve H]

Question: Do you think there is a load that will be fast enought to have a hollow point expand coming out of a 3" bbl.? This is something I did not think of when I bought me 3" Kimber. Should I give up on HP's and stay with RN? What about factory HP loads will they expand at the 3" velocities?

 

[Walkalong]

Speer makes self defense rounds specifically for "Short Barrel" guns.

http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/short_brl.aspx

They may give a slight edge over rounds not so designed.

I get good velocities out of my 3" CDP II with AA# 5. You will lose around 35 to 45 FPS per inch of barrel with the powders I have been using.

I have Speer +P 200 Gr. Gold Dots in my CDP II right now. I will Chrono some and see what they do. I don't believe I have already, but I will check.

I easily got 850 FPS plus handloading with the 200 Gr. Gold Dot from my 3" CDP. I have the numbers at home. I got 919 Avg. FPS from the 4" CDP and somewhere around 870 in the 3". I just don't remember exactly. It is posted in another thread somewhere.

 

[Crimp]

Steve, Here's an article about "snubby" ammo that might help decide.

 

[Steve H]

Thank you both for the info and link. I just happen to have a boc of Speer 200gr. gold dots................Now I hope that they "like" my mags and gun.