Looking for .45 colt 230gr FMJ loads

[Nobody]

Does anybody have some loads they've worked up for .45 colt using a 230 gr FMJ bullet? You can get those bulk FMJ really cheap and not have to worry about any barrel leading when you plinking at the range, or if your range only allows fmj to be shot (not in my case but I've seen it before). Thanks.

 

[SDGlock23]

Same here, I got some 230 FMJ that I can't find any specific data for. Recon 250 gr. load data would work?

 

[djl4570]

Yes, 240-255g data works fine. Most .45ACP bullets do not have a cannelure. You need to taper crimp the loads and taper crimping may not hold under extreme recoil. Before 1994 I loaded and shot some 230g JHPs pushed by 11.5g of AA#5 out of one of my S&Ws and they worked fine. I could probably have stepped the load up a bit.

 

[JMusic]

I have two loads I've used:
Bullseye: 6.2-6.8 grns
Unique: 7.5-8.5 grns
Don't exceed high range. Good luck
Jim

 

[AFhack]

Does anybody have some loads they've worked up for .45 colt using a 230 gr FMJ bullet? You can get those bulk FMJ really cheap and not have to worry about any barrel leading when you plinking at the range, or if your range only allows fmj to be shot (not in my case but I've seen it before). Thanks.

I like 4.7 gr of Titegroup - works as a good IPSC and practice load with FMJ (I use 4.4 gr Titegroup with 230gr LRN bullets).

 

[Nobody]

Yeah, I know there's no cannelure on the 230 gr fmj, but a Lee factory crimp can put a crimp where there's not even a cannelure...

 

[SASS#23149]

My Lyman's 47th shows a 225 gr. load

or even three or four.
Unique 8.3 to 10.8(seems hot to me!)
blue dot 12.4 to 15.4

 

[ricehombre]

I have to agree that 7.5+ unique is pretty hot. I've gone with 7.5 on a few rounds of 200gr and I'll stop at 7.2 in the future. Can't imagine going over 8. I use mostly 231 and WST at the present, but no experience with 230gr.

 

[jondar]

"You can get those FMJ bullets really cheap."

Where do you find these? I've been using 230 gr. lead bullets in my 1911 and would rather have the FMJ. The lead bullets have been running about $5 a hundred. That's buying them locally. Once in a while at gun shows.

 

[The Bushmaster]

www.midwayusa.com

 

[JMusic]

You guys are right about the unique loads in 45 acp being too hot. They should NOT be used in 45 acp. When 45 colt was listed my assumption was we were talking 45 long colt. MY bad.
jIM

 

[The Bushmaster]

Don't feel bad JMusic...Nobody still hasn't specified .45 ACP or .45 LC...Makes it a bit confusing yet every one else seems to assuming that they know what they are talkin' 'bout here...

 

[Nobody]

Sorry, .45 colt in the cartridge world is .45 "long" colt. The "long" part is actually a commonly used misnomer. My mistake, I forget that not everyone knows that. Definitely not .45 acp. And these loads are for a revolver, not a levergun. I see 230 gr FMJ on sale at midway frequently for about 5 more than it would cost me to buy lead bullets. I'd spend 5 more dollars per 500 to avoid any leading issues with informal plinking loads, that's why I'm asking. None of my books have a .45 "long" colt load with 230 gr FMJ. I thought maybe someone here had toyed around with it for the same reasons as me. I've got a Lee Factory Crimp die so lack of a cannelure is not really a problem as I can essentially make my own with that die.

 

[popbang]

here is some help

I load a lot of 45 Colt (Long Colt) in a Ruger with 9.0 grains of Universal, any 230 grain FMJ that is cheap, and seat it to 1.650". These are good practice loads. My one Vaquero has digested close to 18,000 of this load. It shoots close to point of impact of a 250 grain loaded with 10.0 grains of Unique. The load also prints close to my carry load of 9.8 grains of N340 under 230 grain Speer Gold Dots.

As far as FMJ go I use a bunch of Rainiers and Berry's. Yeah, I know they are plated and not a true FMJ, but they are similar in profile. I also have used Remingtons and Winchesters when the price is right.

Hope this helps.

(edit: I don't use a cannelure at all just a taper crimp die.)

 

[The Bushmaster]

You are absolutely correct Nobody. Except that by stating "long Colt (LC) you differenciate between .45 Russian (S&W), .45 ACP and .45 short....When asking about load information this is very helpful, especially for those, like me, that believe in the LC being a totaly different cartridge and deserves that recognition..."Colt Rules" to put in the younger generation's venecular...

 

[JMusic]

Nobody, the loads I listed above I have used personaly in my Vaquaro. These loads come from Hornaday's fourth edition. Hornaday refers to this cartridge as .45 colt or sometimes called .45 long colt.
Jim

 

[Nobody]

Thanks all! Jim, does that load listed in the Hornady manual refer to "Ruger only" or any .45 LC? I have a ruger and a smith in .45 LC and for plinking loads I'm looking for a load that would work for both.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Hey...I'm beginin' ta like Nobody....

 

[Nobody]

Well, Nobody likes the Bushmaster......um....that doesn't quite come out right.

 

[The Bushmaster]

That's O K....

 

[JMusic]

Nobody, this is for any 45 LC load. I have used some of the +++++ loads for Rugers and Contenders like 21 grains of H110 with a hard cast 255 lazer cast bullet. The concusion is stunning.
Jim