Lookling for Recommendations for Powder Puff loads for .45ACP

[9mmepiphany]

I am surprised the 4.5 Grs HP-38 under a 230 grain did not cycle the gun.

I also. On the 1911, it would eject the spent casing, but wouldn't drive the slide back far enough to pick up the raising round from the magazine.

It is a custom build and locks up pretty tight, but the slide frees up once it has moved back a hair...much like a bulls eye 1911

 

[1KPerDay]

Try 5.0 WST under a 185 Berry's HBRN. Very soft and runs in all my .45s.

 

[Blue68f100]

I also. On the 1911, it would eject the spent casing, but wouldn't drive the slide back far enough to pick up the raising round from the magazine.

It is a custom build and locks up pretty tight, but the slide frees up once it has moved back a hair...much like a bulls eye 1911

What main spring are you using? The main spring has more impact on slowing the slide down than the RS. Also if you used a square/small radius FP Stop that also slows the slide down. I have a 19# main spring in my 1911 and a 14# RS. It will fully operate the gun at 4.0 gr WST behind a 185gr LSWC.

1KPerDay you are a lot higher than I am with WST, I run in the 4.1-4.2 for LSWC 185gr or 200gr LSWC. I have used these light loads with the Berrys 185gr HBRN in the past too. Don't recall any issues though it's been over a decade since I've used them.

The min load data published is 4.4 gr WST so work down to find your threshold for your gun.

 

[Walkalong]

In my how low can you go test with W-231 and a 200 Gr jacketed SWC I started at 4.5 Grs and worked down. A "loose", by comparison, pistol I am sure, with a 16 Lb spring with some age on it.

It cycled at 3.5 Grs and 520 FPS, but no lower, while. 2.0 Grs bounced off of the top of the chrono at 5 yards, and the hammer stayed down with the brass still in the chamber.

I wonder how much difference the bullet weight (200 vs 230) is making here.

 

[berettaprofessor]

Trail Boss can be erratic with plated or jacketed in pistol loads.

I hadn't run into that yet. Erratic in what way? fps? accuracy? both? something else? I've used both lead 200's and 230's (in 45LC) and plated (in 45LC and 45ACP).

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The lowest I have gone with W231 in a 1911 is similar to Walkalong @3.4gr.

Thinking back I now remember someone giving me a box of Barry's 185gr HBRN plated bullets. I used W231 and produced extremely accurate ammo with them. Problem is, I can't for the life of me find theirs in what the charge was.

I think the charge was 5.5gr but it could have been 5.0gr too but I think it was 5.5gr. (sorry)

 

[murf]

have you thought about removing the inner spring? might be worth a try, anyway.

luck,

murf

 

[Walkalong]

I hadn't run into that yet. Erratic in what way? fps? accuracy? both? something else? I've used both lead 200's and 230's (in 45LC) and plated (in 45LC and 45ACP).

I have had it give acceptable/expected results, but I have also had it make me scratch my head. Plus it gives much bigger ES & SD numbers for me in a couple of applications vs lead. It loves lead.

 

[9mmepiphany]

have you thought about removing the inner spring? might be worth a try, anyway.

I have considered it and it may come to that, but I thought I'd get a load that reached the target velocity first

 

[berettaprofessor]

Those are some extreme spreads, Walkalong! I wonder how much of it is the 32-20/0.312 cal bullets/32 cal cases? I've noticed that Hodgdon has never published a 32ACP load for CFE Pistol either, and there was a time a few years back when it was the only pistol powder I could find locally. Because of that, I've tried to find a CFEPistol in 32, but no matter now low I went, velocities and brass were making me a little nervous. And I've never tried Trail Boss in 32ACP...just 32 S&W and only in revolvers.

 

[Walkalong]

Those are some extreme spreads, Walkalong! I wonder how much of it is the 32-20/0.312 cal bullets/32 cal cases?

I don't know, but have gotten some big ES numbers with it in other larger cases, but not those crazy powder forward vs powder back numbers. Either way, Trail Boss does much better with lead overall.

 

[murf]

I have considered it and it may come to that, but I thought I'd get a load that reached the target velocity first

should have tried it first. just checked it out and both springs are needed to function properly. oh well...

murf

 

[Gary Wells]

Many thanks to "Bullseye-L-Forum" for the recommendations of past & present loads.
http://www.bullseyeforum.net/t1209-pet-loads-of-top-shooters-loads-from-the-past

 

[Toprudder]

Well a quick trip to the range today was pretty much a loss.

I decided to go with two handy powders HP-38 and Clays...10 rounds each...under a DP 230gr slug, Blazer SP case and CCI SPP seated to 1.270"
Clays: 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1grs
HP-38: 4.0 & 4.5grs

Started with the 3.1gr load of Clays in the G30 and got a velocity of 473-483fps, but it wouldn't run the slide with the factory (17lbs) recoil spring assembly. Switched to the Wilson 15lb assembly...which almost got the slide back far enough to eject

The 4.5gr load of HP-38 gave about the same results. Neither would run the slide of my 1911 either.

I guess I'll move the loads up a bit. Thinking Clays at 3.2, 3.5 and 3.8; HP-38 at 4.7 and 5.0

One thing that jumps out at me is the OAL, at 1.270. That is near SAAMI max for a 45acp. Seated shorter, you should get higher pressure and velocity. As long as it chambers reliably and feeds well, then jump up the charges some. For Clays, I never tried anything that low, and that was with the bullets seated deeper.