Need opinions on auto rim load for a 1917

[Nighthawk0083]

I have a 1917 colt in 45acp that I enjoy shooting and will be reloading for. I was wondering if people use lead or plated bullets for target loads? What loads does everyone like to use for target practice? I will be using auto rim cases.

Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

I would use a 230 grain bullet as that's what the sights were regulated for.
I would use cast lead bullets because they are much cheaper then jacketed bullets, and will not wear out the old soft steel bore in your lifetime.

I really have no idea what powder you have available to you?

But,
Bullseye - 4.5
Unique - 6.4
W-231 - 5.0
700-X - 4.8

(Reduce 10% and work up.)

All will give you similar to factory load velocity and should shoot to the sights.

rc

 

[TommyD45]

Most reloading manuals have a separate section for 45 ACP and 45 Auto Rim (AR). You will find the top end AR loads are a bit softer for any give powder/bullet combination than their ACP counterparts.

For a vintage 1917 revolver, I would stay within the parameters of the lighter AR loads.

Tom

 

[hanno]

Lasercast has some good data in pdf form. I've sent you a PM.

 

[Nighthawk0083]

Thanks for the info everyone. I will go ahead and order some 230gr lead bullets and a shell holder haha. I have alot of unique so I will try that powder out first.

 

[rmcelwee]

I'm going to hijack this thread with a question of my own. I want to cast my own bullets for the M1917. I'll be trying to cook up a load for a Lee 200 grain SWC mold and 45 ACP brass. I have some W231 standing by. Any ideas on what my load should be? Any ideas on OAL with the SWC? I'm using range lead for the project.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Why the auto rim cases? I use full moon clips in mine and the super easy to find .45 ACP.

 

[moxie]

The Lyman manual has loads for that 200 gr. bullet and 231: 4.0-6.0.

Seat the bullet so that the shoulder protrudes from the case mouth about the thickness of your thumbnail. The OAL is whatever that turns out to be.

 

[rmcelwee]

The Lyman manual has loads for that 200 gr. bullet and 231: 4.0-6.0.

Seat the bullet so that the shoulder protrudes from the case mouth about the thickness of your thumbnail. The OAL is whatever that turns out to be.

After some further research I think I am going to start off with 5.0 and 1.235" (assuming it gives me 0.020" above case mouth). I'll know more when I start casting them. Thanks!!!

 

[rmcelwee]

Why the auto rim cases? I use full moon clips in mine and the super easy to find .45 ACP.

I was going to go with Auto Rims in mine as well but I decided that I would rather build a moon clip applicator (something to help press the cases into the moon clip) as part of the project. Still, I can understand the longing of Nighthawk0083 to have something easier to handle. I've always found moon clips to be a pain in the butt (fingers).

 

[jim in Anchorage]

^^ I always thought getting the case in was easy. Getting it out is a different matter. I put up with it though as .45acp is a range pickup. In other words free.

 

[rmcelwee]

You must be more of a man than I am! I haven't put any in moon clips for quite a while (rarely shoot the M1917) but I still remember how much of a PITA it was. Hmmm, could be the brand of moon clips as well. I have a fresh batch arriving in a week and will compare the two (what I have now and what I just bought). Maybe some light sanding would help???

Oh, I get mine out very easily with a tool (the pipe kind). Good investment if you don't have one.

 

[joem1945]

I load hard cast lead for my 1917 Colt and 1917 S&W's. I chrono my loads to run 650 to 675 FPS. No sense hammering a old forearm to death and they are pleasant to shoot.

 

[oldpapps]

I bought a S&W 1917 contract continuation for South America, late 30's vintage, for my son's 16th birthday.
It had been shot a lot, has a little end shake and had some serious 'stacking'.
It doesn't get shot all that much.
I can't say that I/we have ever shot 'auto-rim' brass in it. Mostly 'half moons' and a few 'O's (that is a PIA to fill and empty).

I/we have always used our standard .45 ACP loads, 5.6 grains of 231, 200 grain SWC, LP primers and mixed brass. With the 5 1/2 inch barrel, they get around 20 FPS less velocity than my 5 inch 1911 barrels.

I think if I/we were to load just for the old 1917, a softer loading would be proper.

Before you get all up-tight. When I gave a hand gun to that little 16 year old, that wasn't a big deal, he's 6 foot 3 and 245 pound of muscle now. Back then he took his grandfathers sword to school with him to show his History teacher. Add 20 plus years and the school would be on lock down. All off those boys went bird hunting after school and had their shot guns in their pick-up in the school's parking lot and no one had any problems. My but things have changed, for the worse.

 

[rmcelwee]

My grandfather told me stories about leaning his rifle against the back of the schoolhouse wall during class (said many kids brought their guns to school). Yep, things are different now.

 

[PapaG]

I used RCBS 45-255KT bullets. Lots of bearing surface, cast from wheelweights and they worked fine.

 

[Nighthawk0083]

The main reason I am using AR cases it that I have nearly 400 of them. Also they are easier to use in my opinion never liked moon clips.

Joem1945 what powder are you using?

 

[BYJO4]

I shoot my model 625 on a regular basis and before that had a model 25. I have always used auto rim cases and like them. I use a 200 gr LSWC bullet with 4.3 gr. of Bullseye. Accuracy is excellent.

 

[mavracer]

Get some rimz moon clips much easier on the fingers.

 

[Slamfire]

I have only tested loads in my M1917. Because it is a prewar pistol, it needs large bullets to avoid leading. I tried 6.0 grs Unique, and 6.5 grains Unique. In this lightweight pistol I found the recoil excessive, especially with the 6.5 grain load.

Because I shoot 45 AR loads in this M1917 and a converted MkVI Webley, I now use a load of 255 LSWC and 3.5 grains Bullseye. This is a very mild load, shoots well, and does not stretch the top strap of the Webley.

M1917 S&W Brazilian Export 5" Barrel

250 LRN (.454) 6.0 grs Unique thrown, R-P AR cases, CCI300 primers
20-Jan-02 T = 44°F
Ave Vel = 833
Std Dev = 25
ES 79.6
Low 789
High 869
N = 12

Heavy recoil, aimpt about 6" low at 25 yard. But very accurate



250 LRN (.454) 6.5 grs Unique thrown, R-P AR cases, CCI300 primers
20-Jan-02 T = 44°F

Ave Vel = 888
Std Dev = 31
ES= 103.3
Low= 844
High= 947
N=12
heavy recoil, aimpt 5 OC below target, way too heavy a load


250 LRN (.454) 4.5 grs Bullseye thrown, R-P AR cases, CCI300 primers
20-Jan-02 T = 44°F

Ave Vel = 754
Std Dev = 10
ES = 39.5
Low= 744
High= 783
N=14
Mild recoil, aimpt 5 OC, accurate

250 Nosler JHP (.4515) 8.0 grs Blue Dot thrown, mixed cases, FED150 primers
20-Jan-02 T = 44°F

Ave Vel = 749
Std Dev = 24
ES =87.8
Low= 709
High= 797
N =12
Mild recoil aimpoint 5 O’Clock