Magnus 803 COAL for 45 ACP?

[dsb1829]

Anyone have any data or loads for these? I picked up a box at my local pawn shop. Look to be a good hard cast lead projectile. Figured I could pick up some basic data on their site. Nope. It is very similar to the Lee 452-230-TC from their 90290 mold.

Magnus no.803
225g
TCBB
.452 DIA
.610-.617 bullet lg.
.325-.350 flat insertion length

 

[rcmodel]

Hodgdon website has 230 grain lead data listing 16 powder choices.
Just pick one and gofer it with the recommended starting load.
Work up from there for proper gun function.

Forget the suggested 1.200" recommended OAL.

Seat it just to the edge of the front driving band.
Leave about a thumbnail thickness driving band sticking out.

Then take the barrel out of your gun and chamber check them to make sure they drop in and out freely.

rc

 

[dsb1829]

Thanks for the response. Set to ~1 thumbnail to the edge of the TC I get an OAL of 1.195in. I plan to use aa#2 powder, but will start on the low end of the spectrum.

 

[dsb1829]

Hodgdon website has 230 grain lead data listing 16 powder choices.

I noticed there is no TCBB bullet listed in their data. Main reason I jumped on here was to see if anyone had any specific knowledge on this bullet or the Lee equivalent. Those round nose are a different bullet lg, wouldn't the pressure be different enough to avoid using that data?

Sorry if this seems elementary. I just started reloading. So far I have only loaded 10mm. On that high pressure round bullet length and overpressure are a concern when talking about COAL. Maybe the relatively low pressure 45acp is not as touchy.

 

[Jim Watson]

It is not AS touchy but there is a relationship between seating depth and pressure.

"Set to ~1 thumbnail to the edge of the TC I get an OAL of 1.195in."

That is pretty short, I would lay the gun barrel next to the press and make up a dummy to see how long I could get it and still chamber freely. Ken Waters got that pattern of bullet to 1.24" and considered 5.3 gr AA#2 to be "near maximum."

So start low and "work up."
You can either load to what will function the gun or you can get on a chronograph and go for a desired velocity. It looks like you would have a maximum of about 825 fps. But 750-760 fps would be Major power factor which would be plenty for me.

 

[dsb1829]

Straight from magnus: COAL 1.205IN

Also agreed that the thumbnail setting was a good place to start without data.

 

[dsb1829]

I tried test loads of AA#2 5.0g to 5.4g. Seemedd to have good accuracy, less flash, and less muzzle rise with the 5.0g load, but looked to have some soot making its way back down the chamber. This was at the recommended 1.205 length.

I loaded up 100rd @1.200 and 5.1g after seeing these results. Shot about 60rd at my Monday IDPA match with good results. Collected cases did not have soot on exterior, accuracy looked good, and no failures to feed or fire. Looks like a good match/plinking lead load.

Fwiw none of my loads produced noticeable leading in my M80 Colt 1911. Personally, I have no need for hotter than this for target ammo. Even at 5.0g there is more recoil than Federal or Blazer 230g ball ammo.

 

[Jim Watson]

Glad it worked for you.
I used 5.2 gr AA#2 and a 200 gr SWC at one time and made power factor for CDP

Now, just where were you shooting IDPA around Huntsville on MONDAY?
I did not get the word.

 

[dsb1829]

Jim, Monday night unofficial IDPA match is at 7pm at ATI in Birmingham (by the airport).

I did end up having a bit of lead down in the grooves within the first 1/2in out of the chamber. Took a bit of scrubbing to break it free. Probably normal for ~120rd of lead. Or do you think that I should back the load down .1-.2g?

 

[Jim Watson]

OK, I have heard of that one but Birmingham is a little out of my combat radius for a weeknight shoot, even though I am pretty regular at Steel City on Second Saturday.

I think AA#2 is a hot powder and might give fusion leading with any usual load.
Try to get on a chronograph and adjust to about 760 fps for pf 171000.

 

[LiveLife]

I believe MBC 225 gr TC (FlatHead) uses Magnus 803 bullet mold and for my Sig 1911 with very quick start of rifling (almost no leade), I need to use 1.190" OAL or the rifling will hit the shoulders of the bullet. Longer OALs (1.195"-1.200"+) work for M&P45 and other 45 semis/1911s with slower start of rifling/longer leade.

I use 5.0 gr of W231/HP-38 and it is a very accurate load.