need a reciepe for 200gr RN 45ACP

[mike_mccue]

I have some Bullseye and some 231 powder.

I have a box of Ranier copper plated .45 200gr RN bullets.

I want to load them to shoot in a Colt MKIV Lightweight Officers ACP.

Any suggestions for powder charges to try?

Stock springs for now... may get the Wolf calibration set later.


thanks,
mike

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

http://www.rainierballistics.com/loaddataMW.htm


http://recipes.alliantpowder.com/rg.taf?_function=pistolrevolver&step=1

 

[jeepmor]

powder recommendations

Having used bullseye for 200gn bullets before and you owning what I expect is a 3ish inch barrel gun. I would start at the regular loads. If you want target rounds with less pop like the cowboy action shooting loads, I would start above the middle.

I have a PT145 (3.3" bbl) and the spring is pretty stiff. I loaded some rounds smack in the middle of the Speer manual target load specs for Bullseye powder and they barely ejected from my chamber. Some only making it a few inches out of the action during ejections, not being thrown roughly 8-10 feet which is normal for factory ammo. This may not be as big a concern on longer barrel pistols for the spring can be softer since it absorbs the energy in a longer stroke instead a short one typical of short barrel pistols.

I don't have the manual in front of me or I would elaborate, but I'm not going to quote this kind of recipe from memory because mine is not that good and we're talking about firearms recipes, not brownies.

Hope this helps,

jeepmor

 

[mike_mccue]

I had looked at both links above just before posting the original message. Here's what i got from Raniers "midway" link:

200gr FP:

Alliant Bullseye 4.0gr 664fps 9,700psi

Alliant Bullseye 6.6gr 1009fps 20,500psi


200gr HP:

Alliant Bullseye 4.0gr 656fps 10,700psi

Alliant Bullseye 6.6gr 1007fps 20,200psi


They don't list the Round Nose but I went ahead and just loaded 25 rounds at 5.0gr and 25 rounds at 6.0gr of Bullseye under the Ranier .45cal 200gr Round Nose to try at the range.

I am especially interested in hearing of people's experiences with similar loads thru compact barrels like the Colt Officers 3-1/2" design.

thanks,
mike

 

[HRT]

For Mild loads try 5.3 of WW231 or 5.6 AA#2 or a little warmer 8.4 of HS-6

 

[Kramer Krazy]

It's a bit different, but I'm using Rainer's 230 gr bullets with Winchester 231. With 5.4 gr of powder with an AOL of 1.268", I'm having great results with the 5" and 4.25" 1911s that I've used it in (Colt Commander, RIA 1911A1, and the wife's S&W 1911). I haven't shot any of it through my Colt Officer's 3.5" barrel, yet, but probably will when I go to the range, again. I don't have a chrono, yet, so I can't give you its velocity. Another member is using 5.5 gr with an AOL of about 1.265" and getting around 820 fps, if I recall correctly. I may get some 200 gr when I finish off this 1000 rounds of the 230 (I was wanting to reproduce something near WWB loads for practice).

 

[JoeHatley]

My "standard" .45 acp load is 4.5 grains Bullseye and a 200 grain Rainier or cast bullet.

Shoots quite well in all my .45's

Good Luck....

Joe

 

[mike_mccue]

just got back from the range...

The 6.0gr Bullseye under 200gr RN was kind of harsh and similar to when I use factory load budget Winchester 230gr RN ammo.

The 5.0gr Bullseye loaded under the same 200gr RN shot very smooth and you could feel the slide moving back and forth. It almost felt like a 1911 with a .22 conversion top.

Both loads cycled without any mishaps.

So...should I feel guilty for target style shooting a light and smooth load? Should I load for hi power or should I continue to look for the lightest load I can cycle?

mike

 

[Canuck-IL]

I'd say 6.6 of BE is right on the edge of dangerous...watch the OAL if you try that.

As to which to choose...what is it for? Are you trying to duplicate a carry load or punch paper? Why beat yourself or the gun up if you want to accurately punch paper targets?
/Bryan

 

[ulflyer]

Mike, load to suit yourself. I like light loads in my 1911's; just enough to reliably work the 16lb factory spring. And a few specks of powder can make a diff in accuracy too. Try a few of all diff loads in between the 5.0-6.0.

 

[Rico567]

+1 on HRT's 5.3 of 231. Shot it under 200 gr. bullets for many years; hard to beat. I now load 4.3 Clays. (These are standard published commercial loadings)

 

[superhornet]

Joehatley---+1---Bullseye, the .45ACP proper powder...

 

[mike_mccue]

Thanks to all for the input,

I had weighed each load on the previously mentioned rounds.

I am mainly interested in paper target shooting so last night I used a lee Pro Auto Disc measure set at .57cc for an average 5.2gr load to make some rounds to get used to and use as sight-in reference while trying lighter loads.

I will try the 231 suggestions next and need to purchase some Clays... BTW... which Clays do I get? There have 3 "clays" versions at the local store.


Thanks again,
mike

 

[Pointman]

I found straight "Clays" doesn't meter well in my auto-disk measure (Unique actually measures better and that is sad). That exact Bullseye load does it for me most of the time though occassionally I'll bump to the next cavity up or use Titegroup for something different.

Bullseye is, after all, the quintessential .45 ACP powder.

 

[mike_mccue]

thanks for the info,

I have loaded 50 rounds each with 4.6gr (.49cc) and 4.9gr (5.3cc) Bullseye to try next.

I had a single failure to cycle with a sample 4.9gr load a couple days ago so this time I weighed all the bullets.

My 500ct box of Ranier 200gr plated Round Nose bullets ranged in weight from 200.5gr thru 202.5gr. I used a PACT digital scale to cull the bullets into +/- 0.5 batches so I could get consistent results from the powder charges.

I am curious to see if the 4.5gr load will cycle with the stock recoil springs in a Colt Lightweight Officers ACP.


mike

 

[Khornet]

In my Para-Orndance Tac Four

with a 4" barrel, Speer 200 gr JHP with 9.7 gr Accurate #5 gives average velocity 904.8 fps with standard deviation 25.89. But that's more of a carry load. 364 ft lb energy.

 

[Rico567]

As to the "Clays" question, this is the result of an unfortunate nomenclature adopted by Hodgdon Co. to refer to a family of three powders. All incorporate the name "Clays," the Hodgdon names being (in burn order from fastest to slowest) Clays, International Clays, Universal Clays.

Unless I am explaining what I regard as a boo-boo on Hodgdon's part, I just refer to the three powders as "Clays," "International," and "Universal." You are far from the first person I've read about on various forums who finds this terminology confusing....