new to .45 ACP

[judgedelta]

I've bought a commander size 1911 from one of the guys on here and have never loaded .45. Got some Starline brass and some 230 Xtreme round nose coming in and have 800X, AA9, Unique, 231, titegroup and WSF. Going to start shooting paper. Accurate loads for a 4.24 barrel would be appreciated...

 

[Tony k]

I don't have a commander, but I do have a taurus full size 1911, and a Kahr CW45. I've never used aa9, 231, titegroup, or wsf. However, I have used and like both 800x and unique with xtreme plated 230gr bullets.

My experience with unique is that it works well over a broad range of charges, unlike the 800x which seems to do best at the higher end of the charts.

In fact, I went shooting today after work and shot some 230 grain xtremes loaded with 6 grains of Unique. Fairly stout but accurate load. I've tried up to 6.6 grains of unique (about the max for published data, BTW). That was too stout for typical range practice for me.

My taurus likes 1.260" OAL with the xtreme bullets. The Kahr works better with them at 1.240"

I know that's not much, but hope it helps.

 

[gunlaw]

231 and unique are good choices for 45 acp. Check the manual for the right load.

 

[rcmodel]

Or, use 6.0 grains Unique, seat to 1.269", taper crimp to .471", and Bee Happy!

(Plunk test in your chamber before shooting. But if the bullet is near GI 230 FMJ-RN profile it should be fine.)

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Or, use 6.0 grains Unique, seat to 1.269", taper crimp to .471", and Bee Happy!

(Plunk test in your chamber before shooting. But if the bullet is near GI 230 FMJ-RN profile it should be fine.)

rc

I'll add to that, everything the same but for 5.5gr W231.
Now you have 2 very good choices to try.

 

[Blue68f100]

231 and WSF are good powders that meter accurately, unlike the corn flake powder.

I use WST (BE loads) and WSF for my 45acp loads. The WSF being a ball powder meters very well. This powder also burns at a lower temp than most making if good for lead too.

 

[judgedelta]

Thank you all gentlemen. I have plenty of manuals, but I like to try something with some experience behind it. Most of the guys on here are quietly, but extremely competent.

 

[lauderdale]

Power Pistol???

 

[Walkalong]

Load them to 1.260 to 1.265 and try 5.0 grs of W231 to start. If you want more pop, but it up .1 or .2 at a time. I would not exceed 5.5 Grs. I have gone to 6.2 Grs with old W231 and old data, but it gets very sharp. 5.5 Grs is over some new data, but is a proven load.

 

[TommyD45]

reliable data

When chronographing loads out of my full size 1911, I have found that Accurate No. 5 to give the most reliable velocity data.

I was developing a mil-spec load in the range of 830 fps using a cast 230 grain long flat nose (LFN) bullet. The max loads of both 231 and Universal published on the Hodgdon web site would not even reach the 830 fps.

As an example, 5.4 grains of universal is listed as the max load for a 230 grain LRN. They claim 857 fps from this load. In my gun it launched my 230 grain cast bullet at only 790 fps. Very disappointing.

In contrast, the Accurate No. 5 easily made 870 fps using a sub maximal load and I had to reduce it substantially to get it down to the 830-840 fps range.

The load I settled on gave me 840 fps with a standard deviation of 8.8 for a 10 shot string using a CED Millenium M2 chronograph.

 

[tcoz]

I load X-Treme 230gr PRN over HP-38 which is the same powder as Win 231. My favorite load is 5.1gr with OAL of 1.255. Shoots very well in a Sig full size 1911 and Sig P227

 

[Slamfire]

Unique is an old standby in the 45ACP. Since you have it, start at 5.5 grains with a 230 L and work up to 6.5 grains. I try to keep my velocities just at 800 fps with a 230 grain bullet, factory ammunition I have tested is a little hotter, the 6.5 grain load has been a max charge in many manuals so that is where I would stop.

[SIZE="3"][B]Kimber Custom Classic M1911[/B]


230 LRN Valiant 5.5 grs Unique lot UN331 1989 Mixed brass WLP (brass)
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"
	
16-May-09	 high 83  °F
		
Ave Vel =827.4				
Std Dev =17.63	 	 		 
ES =	85.68				
High = 	871.6				
Low =	785.9				
N =	31				
				
			
230 LRN Valiant 6.0 grs Unique lot 6/21/1998 Mixed brass WLP (nickle)
	
16-May-09	 high 83  °F		OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"

Ave Vel =885				
Std Dev =16.79	 	 		 
ES =	67.26				
High = 	917.8				
Low =	850.5				
N =	30				
			
accurate, lots recoil, 15' foot ejection					
					
						
						
230 LRN  6.5 grs Unique lot UN387 6/21/93 Mixed brass WLP
 		
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469
	 	"		
18-Mar-07 T = 62 °F						
						
Ave Vel =926.4					
Std Dev =16.64					
ES	71.16					
High	963.4					
Low	892.3					
N =	32	
			
light leading accurate centered, hard recoil, 20 foot ejection	


[ATTACH=full]702604[/ATTACH][/SIZE]

 

[ImjinScout85]

Here is one of my loads for .45acp, I use hp-38 which is w231.
5.4gr
1.250 OAL
Crimp to .471-.472

 

[FROGO207]

I have tried most all the propellants listed for 45 ACP with good results. That said I happened onto a deal for several kegs of 700-X and found that the 230 grain bullets whether plated, FMJ or lead all do well with between 3.5-4.2 grains of it. It meters like corn flakes to be sure but I use a custom scoop or the Lyman 55 measure and get repeatable volume each time and burns really clean when used at higher pressures. If the propellant ever comes back in stock and you get your hands on some 700-X you should try it. Oh did I say that I like 700-X with the 45ACP yet??

 

[LiveLife]

commander size 1911 ... never loaded .45 ... 230 Xtreme round nose ... shooting paper.

My brother-in-law and sister wanted a softer recoil load to shoot paper out of Springfield 1911 with the same bullet. I considered Red Dot/Promo/WST/Green Dot/W231/HP-38/WSF/AutoComp but ended up using 5.2 gr of W231/HP-38 at 1.255"-1.260" OAL.

5.0 gr worked but 5.1/5.2 gr produced slightly more consistent shot groups.

 

[rskent]

One of my favorites 45 loads is 5.0 grains of 231. It's kind of my “go to” range load.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO W231 and the 45 Auto are a match made in heaven... (for the .38 Special too)

 

[2bfree]

I really like how my 1911 shoots using HP38, 5.2 using 230 gr RN in both FMJ and Extreme plated with an OAL of 1.240. Great range load.

 

[HighExpert]

Bullseye. Doesn't get better or more efficient. Been shooting it for 40years.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I really like how my 1911 shoots using HP38, 5.2 using 230 gr RN in both FMJ and Extreme plated with an OAL of 1.240. Great range load.

Just a note, W231 = HP-38 in every way because they are the same exact powder.