Montana Gold w/ Bullseye

[NDGeek]

After looking around the forum I haven't found anyone posting a load using Montana Gold FMJ 230 Grain .45 ACP w/ Bullseye.

Anyone using this combo? If so how many grains and what is your COL?

I've been going with 5.3 grains and 1.265 COL.

Thanks!

 

[D. Manley]

That's a pretty stiff load just for range work. There's an awful lot of people that shoot 4.8 grains under 230's @ 1.265...very accurate & makes major PF to spare.

 

[NDGeek]

Is it really that stiff? I ran a mag through a chronograph today and was getting 830fps to 850fps. Didn't see any high pressure signs. @ 4.8 wouldn't it be down in the 700fps range or so? This is through a newish XD w/ 5 inch barrel.

The books I've looked through showed a max at 5.7 grains.

 

[D. Manley]

Is it really that stiff? I ran a mag through a chronograph today and was getting 830fps to 850fps. Didn't see any high pressure signs. @ 4.8 wouldn't it be down in the 700fps range or so? This is through a newish XD w/ 5 inch barrel.

The books I've looked through showed a max at 5.7 grains.

Depends on whose data you use. Montana Gold uses a bit harder (brass) jacketing material and I'm always careful about pushing them too hard with fast powders. Alliant's data does show 5.7 grains but it's also using a Speer TMJ bullet which some may not know is actually a plated bullet. You'd have to chrono in your gun but as a comparison, the below is from Sierra from "Start" to "Max":

230 Sierra FMJ Match or JHP Alliant Bullseye 4.0 700
230 Sierra FMJ Match or JHP Alliant Bullseye 4.3 750
230 Sierra FMJ Match or JHP Alliant Bullseye 4.6 800
230 Sierra FMJ Match or JHP Alliant Bullseye 4.9 850
230 Sierra FMJ Match or JHP Alliant Bullseye 5.2 900

From your original post I just thought you might be interested in a bit softer load that was still accurate. If your load shoots good and shows no pressure signs in your gun, no problem. Bullseye is pretty quick so keep in mind there's not a lot of room for mistakes running full throttle loads.

 

[NDGeek]

Bullseye is pretty quick so keep in mind there's not a lot of room for mistakes running full throttle loads.

10-4, I'll bring it back a few 10th's to start with and see if I loose any accuracy. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Sunray]

Load for the bullet weight. Who made it doesn't matter. A 230 grain jacketed bullets use 3.8 to 5.3 in Lyman's Pistol and Revolver book. Starting with a max load is not a good idea either. You should work up a load. Not just pick the max.

 

[Loco]

230 gr. FMJ-RN
Bullseye 4.7
I shoot a Kimber and a Glock and they both love it. Very accurate.