Re-creating Factory Loads ?

[marmstrong]

I recently loaded several hundred rounds of 45acp, 230 FMJ, 4.7-5.1 gr. loads with a slight increase in loads to find a good all around load for my RI 1911 cs. Most fired OK with little difference in shot grouping. I also brought along a box of Remington UMC 230gr JHP from WM. These were the best rounds I fired all day. No FTF, FTE, nothing...And the tightest shot groups of all. Now my question...how to reproduce this load? I pulled a round apart and carefully weighed the 5.1 gr of powder. Seems like an easy question to answer but have read that factory powder is not same as the powder from my 1# can of Hogdon 38. I laid the Rem 5.1 next to my Hodgdon 38 5.1 and they look exactly the same to my untrained eyes. See attached pic. Thanks.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Good news and bad news

Well, the good news is that you can you will probably succeed in getting very close. The bad news is that getting an exact match is unlikely.

Ammo manufacturers get different powders than handloaders do. Handloaders buy in small quantities, 1 lb, 2 lb, 4 lb, 8 lb, etc. Ammo manufacturers buy powder by the carload. The needs of handloaders vs ammo makers are similar, but different, and the powder makers accomodate that difference.

Powder "quickness" and energy density vary. While you can get the same muzzle velocity with the same bullets, the pressure/time curve producing that velocity may be quite different.

Lost Sheep

 

[jim243]

My first reaction was "why are you using such a light load?". My second reaction was "why are you trying to match a mfg round?"

I use Win 231 (same powder as H-38) and my best rounds are at 5.6 grains and 1.200 OAL for the 230 grain 45 ACP.

As always work your way up on the loads to check for pressure signs, and try to stop matching mfg rounds and make your own GOOD rounds.

That's the advantage of reloading.
Jim

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Welcome to the forum.

You have asked a question reloaders have been asking for probably 100 years. Even though the powder used by Remington may look like Hodgdon HP-38 (Win 231) it's most probably not. If you took a look at Ramshot Zip, it would also look similar. Like already said, the commercial loaders obtain trail loads of powder at a time and they custom mix those powders to generate the velocity they are targeting while remaining within the pressure limits they set.

I can't remember where but I remember a post where someone took apart some Speer Gold Dot ammo of different lots. Not only was the powder completely different in appearance the weights were also very different. One was a ball powder the other flake. Remember, I'm talking about the same exact ammo but of different lots.

BTW, I use a charge a little higher than you are and my ammo comes close to the velocity of factory ammo with better accuracy. I'm using the same powder, HP-38/W231. (yes, they are the same exact powders)

 

[steveno]

to buy a chronograph. buy some loading manuals and try different bullets and powders. heck you might even find a load that shoots better.

 

[gamestalker]

I have never come across a factory that shoots better than what I load. In fact, it is because of the spotty quality of factory that I even began reloading, and with great results too!

GS

 

[mdi]

Yep, as the fellers mentioned above, you won't find the exact same powder as the factory uses. Best bet is to determine the factory bullet, brass, and the same primer, and match the velocity of the factory ammo. You might get close, but mebbe not. I'd suggest you pick a popular powder and bullet for your chosen cartridge and use the data from your reloading manual. Start low and work up until your loads satisfy your accuracy needs. You'll prolly find a better load for your gun...

 

[Magnum Shooter]

First, those powders don’t look exactly the same to me and the looks of a powder will not tell you much anyway.
Second, are your bullets and cases and OAL exactly the same? Most likely not.
Third, and most importantly, I think that if you keep searching for your ideal load you will find one that shoots as good if not better than factory.