Ruger SR45, W231, and Hornady 185 gr XTP- Low Velocities ?

[mmorris]

I am working up a load for the PROMO Hornady 185 gr XTP's I got back in 2010, and I am finding that my chrono readings are low.

New Starline brass
CCI 300 LPP
OAL 1.225
5.8 gr/733 fps [850 fps/5.9 gr Published data]
6.4 gr/819 fps [900 fps/6.3 gr Published data]
6.7 gr/871 fps [950 fps/6.8 gr Published data]

I loaded my first round with 5.0 gr W231, and the slide did not cycle.
5.2 gr and 5.5 gr were stovepipes.

I am about to load some at 7.0 gr and 7.2 gr.

Can anyone with a Ruger SR45 who has loaded these Hornady 185 gr XTP bullets tell me if they had to put that much powder under them for these velocities?

The case volume under these bullets is 17.4 gr water
The case volume is 27.4 gr water
Looks like about 64% for powder.
Seems like a lot of space. I feel like I'm missing something.

Mike

 

[Shimitup]

The only load in my spreadsheet for W231 is with Sierra 185JHP over 6.9 gr. Velocity was averaging 978.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Don't think something is wrong just because your results don't match published velocities, it hardly ever does for various reasons.

 

[mmorris]

Yes, ArchAngelCD, right you are.

I have been loading cast lead for a short time, and I have become used to the load data being only a loose guide.
I figured that since Hornady has given away a boatload of these bullets, someone must have loaded some in a Ruger SR45 and wouldn't mind sharing their experience.

I am going to load batches at 6.8 gr, 7.0 gr, & 7.2 gr just to see.

Mike

 

[RecoilRob]

Unless you're wanting to build +P ammo...I'd refrain from going over published maximums with 231. The pressure rise is rapid and you could see excessive amounts without seeing what seems like a corresponding velocity using very fast powder under a light bullet.

231 works great under heavy bullets but always seems a touch fast to me for lightweight stuff. Unique (or slower) would be better for getting velocity out of the 185's IMHO.

A buddy once gave me some of his 45 loads at the range to 'try out in my gun'. Holey cow! They felt fine, but looking at the first fired case showed NO primer indent! Tried one more and called it quits because we were obviously getting excessive pressures even though the recoil was normal feeling. Just cranking up the charge until you get what you feel is the proper velocity would not be recommended when pressure tested data is available. The Hogden site shows 5.9 as max with 906 @ 15,800 and as mentioned before unless you are wanting +P loads this would be good to heed. If more velocity is desired go to some slower powder!!

 

[mmorris]

Unless you're wanting to build +P ammo...I'd refrain from going over published maximums with 231. The pressure rise is rapid and you could see excessive amounts without seeing what seems like a corresponding velocity using very fast powder under a light bullet.

That's the issue I am focused on in this discussion.

I am not loading for a specific velocity; I am using measured/expected velocities as a cross-check on load development.

The average velocity increases I measured indicate 50 fps between 6.1 & 6.4 and 52 fps between 6.4 & 6.7.
This says to me that the additional powder is consistently increasing velocity instead of causing pressure spikes.

A- I do not intend to load more than 7.2 gr.

B- I do want to know what kinds of charge weight/velocity real-world results these same components in the same model firearm would show.

Mike