Loading lead equivalent to ball ammo?

[FROGO207]

I want to try to find loads for 45 ACP 230 GR ball equivalent using MB 230 GR LRN. Also for 9MM Ball using 124 GR LRN from MB. I want a load that "feels" like the ball ammo and the aprox POI of it also. I am thinking that using the same weight will remove one variable from the equation. Anyone hit upon a lead combo that does feel like ball to you? I have multiple pistols in both CAL's and am trying to find a cost savings combo over actual ball that I can duplicate using lead. I am thinking about using Zip or Red Dot for this. Any thoughts guys?? I do have 10# BullsEye on hand but---?

This is due to our indoor range enforcing a lead only policy due to damage. The use of plated bullets is also prohibited as too hard to enforce--NO copper on bullets, looks like lead only, at least for now.

 

[Old krow]

I've used Unique and Bulls eye. 6.1-6.3 grains of Unique in my .45 seemed to me to be pretty close.

 

[Slamfire]

The original 1910 45 ACP ammunition was 800 fps with a 230 FMJ. Also used Bullseye powder.

In my pistols, a load of 4.5 grains gave me that velocity with three different vintages of Bullseye.

[SIZE="3"]Kimber Custom Classic 

230 gr LRN Valiant 4.5 grs Bullseye lot BE532 (80's mfgr)  Mixed Brass WLP (brass) OAL 1.250" taper crimp .469"
16-May-09  high 83  °F	 
					
Ave Vel =	782.7				
Std Dev =	13.41				
ES =	52.05				
High = 	815.5				
Low =	763.4				
N =	28				
					
					
230 gr LRN Valiant 4.5 grs Bullseye 99' & 2005 mixed lot Mixed Brass WLP (brass) OAL 1.250"  taper crimp469"
16-May-09  high 83  °F	.
					
Ave Vel =	805.2				
Std Dev =	38.07				
ES =	136.9				
High = 	912.4				
Low =	775.5				
N =	24				
					




230 gr LRN Valiant 4.5 grs Bullseye lot 827 (60's/70's powder) Mixed Brass WLP (brass) OAL 1.250" taper crimp .469"
16-May-09	 high 83  °F	
					
Ave Vel =	822.9				
Std Dev =	14.14				
ES =	55.24				
High = 	853.7				
Low =	798.4				
N =	26[/SIZE]

 

[Jeff H]

4.6 grains of Bullseye is what I shoot for 230gr lead and they perform very well. IIRC, 5.0 gr of Bullseye was the military load shooting FMJ bullets, so 4.5-4.6 seems about right to me. No Chrono though.

 

[res45]

I like 4.5 grs. Bullseye behind a Lee 230 gr. TL RN bullets,very accurate and no leading in Sig P220.

 

[FROGO207]

Thank you all for the ideas with the 45 ACP. I will load a series with Bullseye tomorrow and see if that is the answer I am looking for. I loaded a series with Red Dot stopping at 5.0 GR and a series with Unique stopping at 5.5GR and will try testing at the range with some of those tomorrow evening.

 

[ljnowell]

I load that bullet over 5.5gr of AA#2. Its the most accurate 45acp load I have ever shot with that bullet.

 

[rcmodel]

and a series with Unique stopping at 5.5GR

You stopped too soon.

6.0 grains Unique has long been the factory equlivent to GI hardball using lead 230 grain RN bullets.

They will stack the brass in the same pile with GI hardball.

rc

 

[squarles67]

My favorite 45 ACP load is MB 230 LRN over 5.2g of HP-38 loaded to OAL of 1.235. This gives me 810 fps

After much testing with 9mm, the best load I've found for my CZ 75B is MB 125g LRN over 5.6g of AA #5 loaded to OAL of 1.06. This gives me 1069 fps and the least amount of leading of all the different loads I tried. I tried HP-38, Unique, Titegroup and Bullseye also but AA #5 worked the best for me.

 

[rklessdriver]

I'm loading 3.5gr Red Dot under a 124gr LRN (Missouri Bullet Small Ball).
Will

 

[FROGO207]

Thanks RC I was wondering if I should go higher. I had no time to shoot after work tonight and will work up some more loads from the described data from you all before I do go. Thank you again for all the input. I will let you all know what works best for me when the dust settles. I will keep checking back and see if anyone has other thoughts. This little exercise is starting to become fun.

BTW I really like Brads bullets so far.

 

[LotI]

Ahhh one of my favorite powders and I've used the Smallball but have yet to order some 230LRN from MBC

Try 4.0gr Bullseye for a nice Smallball load. In my CZ's, this is just over 1000fps in my Compact and almost 1100fps in my SP01. Nice easy, soft load that functions fine and meets minor power level. I'm at 1.070" in the short-throated CZ.

If you want a little hotter load, go to 4.4 Bullseye and replicates a factory load.

For 230gr LRN 45 loads, I like 5.0 Bullseye for a hardball duplicate at 1.245". In fact, I use 5.0 Bullseye in 200gr SWC loads also.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

My Speer #14 manual shows 5.8 grains of Unique to be the max for a 230 LRN....I use somewhere between 5.3 and 5.6 grains. I just set my meter somewhere between...5.3 grains averaged 814 fps. 5.6 averaged 874 fps....I get one ragged hole at 15 yards outta my Springfield Loaded with those rounds.

 

[Tom609]

I find that 3.5 grains of Bullseye with the 9mm 125 gr Small Ball is a light, accurate load for my 92fs.

 

[Quoheleth]

Instead of a new thread, Ill bring this ne back up...

Anyone have a suggestion for a ball-like load with Universal? Per Hodgdon's website, start is 4.5gr, max is 5.4gr, with the max load running ~850fps. Looks like to get near to factory ball velocity, its going to need to be pushed right up to max.

Anyone else try Universal? Any thoughts? I've loaded samples of the previously-mentioned 4.5gr BE and 6gr Unique. I have an almost new pound of Universal and am running low on the others.

Q