Questions about BP in .45ACP

[Jim K]

Hi, Berkbw,

This is one of those questions that is easy to answer. Why not just do it? A BP load is not going to hurt a .45 pistol, so why not just load up some and try it. Use FFFg to start then try 4Fg if that doesn't work the action. Sure, you might have to call Mike Rowe to clean the gun, but it will be a learning experience (and get you a lot of looks on the range).

Jim

 

[dogrunner]

Foremost I sure don't thing you'll get 900 from that cartridge. Simply not enough case capacity. I'd bet the loads, even with way less that a 200 grain bullet would hover around 600 or 700 at the absolute outside...........assuming a standard 5 inch tube.

Won't hurt your gun, but it WILL......WILLLLLLL....require a good cleanup after.

Try it, find a buddy with a chronograph and let us know how it does.....I'd bet that the darn thing will shoot quite accuratly........for a few rounds.....anyway.

Better yet, why not try a function test and let us all know just how many you can get out the door prior to it failing...

 

[Old Fuff]

... but it will be a learning experience (and get you a lot of looks on the range).

Ya, you sure will...

 

[moooose102]

couldn't you get the same type of results (big muzzle flash, smoke would be hard to see in low light conditions anyway) from a very slow burning magnum rifle powder, without the NASTY effects of bp? like imr 4831 or something?

 

[moooose102]

or if you really want to freak him out, get some tracer ammo! (if somebody makes it)

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Gary Olen of Sportsman's guide is always running specials on various grades and calibers of ammo, especially military surplus. Must be pretty good quality. Evidently he sell's enough of it. He get's different calibers in at different times. Just whatever he can make a deal on with some supplier...Okay...
www.sportsman'sguide.com

 

[Rem700]

Not quite BP but I have loaded 45acp with American Pioneer Powder, APP is a BP substitute and not real BP. This was for entertainment purposes only.
Load ACP case with a charge of APP compressed 1/16" and a 155 swc bullet chronoed right around 650 best as I can remember and the gun ran fine. If your thinking of doing this for SD I would want to run atleast 100-200rds thru the gun to make sure there is no malfunctions mine ran fine for 60rds.

The why for me was a Cowboy Wild Bunch sidematch which smokless would have been perfectly fine but the smoke added a little extra which I thought added to the entertainment

 

[Joe Demko]

Some years back one of the goofier gun/survivalism rags loaded up a batch of .45 acp with blackpowder and ran it through a full-auto MAC smg. Alas, that was decades before the internet and things like youtube, so no video. The b&w photos accompanying the article showed a phenomenal amount of smoke issuing from both the muzzle and the ejection port. IIRC, the MAC ran on OK for a while on the blackpowder loads.

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

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[DixieTexian]

Maybe a duplex load could give you the best of velicity and smoke/flash/setting the BG's clothes on fire.

 

[rmkey]

Insane

The 45 acp does not have sufficent case volume to use BP, Try using in 45 Colt instead.

 

[Gewehr98]

RMKey, did you read the thread before posting?

The 45 acp does not have sufficent case volume to use BP, Try using in 45 Colt instead.

Actually, it does work, at least in the 1911. See my post and Old Fuff's posts above. Velocity is low, but so are powder-puff 193gr Bullseye Target loads in the 1911.

Dirty? Yes. Depending on how tightly-fitted that 1911 is, it may work 15 rounds or 150 before gumming up.

Did the gun function? Yes.

The original poster wanted to know if it worked. Myself and others can answer that in the affirmative.

Jeebus.

 

[Old Fuff]

I'll agree that it will probably work (it depends on the particular pistol) but I don't think it's an option I'd personally consider in a self-protection context, at least in a pistol (as opposed to a revolver).

 

[Misfire99]

I have a bit of a problem understanding this post.

I think it might be distracting to the Bad Guy to hear the BOOM and see the fireball, instead of seeing me.

This sounds to me that you are planning on missing. Is this correct? It is my opinion that if you double tap a bad guy in the center of mass with a 230 grains hard ball at about 850 fps you will pretty much take care of the problem of what he ever sees again.

I also think that if you are having a lot of muzzle flash you are using to much powder. The flash comes from the powder burning after it has left the barrel. Personally I like Bullseye for the forty five. As I recall my target load is something like 4.3 grains with a 200 grain semi wad cutter. No flash and punches a nice hole in the paper. For a self defense round I would use a Federal hydroshock.

I had a friend that was accidentally shot with a 230 grain hardball from a forty five in the stomach. He was dead right now. The round ruptured just about every organ in his body. It was a case of thinking your gun is empty while drinking. It was one of those Thompson semi copies. Harry thought it was empty and Alvin died. I'm glad I wasn't there.

 

[mykeal]

Misfire99 - You've identified the obvious problem with this guy's thinking. He's not taking self defense seriously. If you are in the situation where someone is threatening you in your home shooting to 'scare' him is the last thing you want to be doing. You had better be shooting to kill, or you really shouldn't have a gun out.

Firing a gun at someone has the potential of killing them. You had better be fully prepared for taking a human life if you are going to take that step. The idea of scaring someone with muzzle flash is wrong on many counts, but the biggest one is that he is clearly not prepared to take a life in defense of his own.

 

[Misfire99]

mykeal I think you are correct. It's amazing how many people don't take that last step. When I was a young buck I did a lot of security work. I was good friends with a Federal agents from Justice and he would throw gigs my way. My personal opinion is if it gets to the point that you are fighting, with your fists or weapons, you have failed. But if it gets to that point you shouldn't compound the failure by not going all out to save your life and the life of your charges.

To put it another way. If the sh_t hits the fan you better be balls to the walls or you're in the cold meats.