Speer 15th Win231 and 45acp Load Data

[TheClasonater]

Been loading and shooting 5.6 grains of HP38 (put win231 in the title because everyone-even the manuals- say win231) with a 230gr plated RN. I chose that load because Speer 15th (my preferred) specifies 5.6 as the max charge for lead and the min for jacketed in 230gr RN. My little dandy drops 5.6gr EVERYTIME, so I just ran with it. Feels good in 2 1911s, and shoots plenty good for me. I use 1.250" COAL

Been snoopin around for another project and noticed that I am over max for jacketed on this according to my other manuals and on Hodgdon's website. Got about 150 left that I'm a gonna shoot, but its got me wonderin.... are newer manuals other than Speer being conservative with this? And are any you in that 5.5 to 5.7gr range with 230gr RNs?

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Been loading and shooting 5.6 grains of HP38 (put win231 in the title because everyone-even the manuals- say win231) with a 230gr plated RN. I chose that load because Speer 15th (my preferred) specifies 5.6 as the max charge for lead and the min for jacketed in 230gr RN. My little dandy drops 5.6gr EVERYTIME, so I just ran with it. Feels good in 2 1911s, and shoots plenty good for me. I use 1.250" COAL

Been snoopin around for another project and noticed that I am over max for jacketed on this according to my other manuals and on Hodgdon's website. Got about 150 left that I'm a gonna shoot, but its got me wonderin.... are newer manuals other than Speer being conservative with this? And are any you in that 5.5 to 5.7gr range with 230gr RNs?

I’m at 5.4gr because I have a dipper I made just for that. Some lots of W231 have thrown closer to 5.5gr and some have been closer to 5.3gr. I can’t shoot the difference.

I think a lot of manuals lowered their charges when some of the traditional powders were reformulated - more flash suppressant, improved stabilizers, things like that. And better/different testing methods.
That same dipper throws 4.8gr of Bullseye and 4.4gr of WST - also about perfect for a 230gr FMJ.

 

[Charlie98]

Other data will be different because the bullets they use are different, and there can be significant differences in cast/plated/jacketed bullets even of the same weight, or, for that matter, of the same brand.

FWIW, I think you are fine, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.

My original Speer manual gave 6.9grn Unique as max for a 230grn FMJ bullet, my latest 2 knocked that down to 6.5grn... so there are certainly adjustments to older data as the loads are retested with new equipment.

 

[JmacD]

so there are certainly adjustments to older data as the loads are retested with new equipment.

An electronic transducer in the barrel tells a lot more than “how many copper spacers does it crush”…

I believe OP that you’re right in the ballpark I ran. I’ve since been running Longshot because I had it. And dads 1911 likes it.

 

[243winxb]

230gr plated RN.

I am over max for jacketed

But your shooting plated. Use plated data. The 5.6 grs 231 is maximum for Speer standard 45 acp, plated or lead.

The Hodgdon data has 2 bullets of 230 gr. Data almost the same at 5.3 grs. Note pressure is about the same. Maximum CUP is 18, 000 for standard. The +P loading would be higher.

Your current load should not cause any issues, even if pressures are running towards +P. My best guess.

Been loading and shooting 5.6 grains of HP38 (put win231 in the title because everyone-even the manuals- say win231) with a 230gr plated RN. I chose that load because Speer 15th (my preferred) specifies 5.6 as the max charge for lead and the min for jacketed in 230gr RN

As brass gets fired/loaded, many time, i would reduce the powder charge.

 

[TheClasonater]

Thanks for the replies apparently I didn't search too well as the website brought up brought up a bunch of other threads with the same question I'll back it down for the next batch and see if POI is similar. I only plink, but I enjoy it, and do it a lot in the wintertime when the fishing gets tough

 

[TheClasonater]

That same dipper throws 4.8gr of Bullseye and 4.4gr of WST - also about perfect for a 230gr FMJ.

It is most satisfying when dippers are right on the money with different powders.

 

[Charlie98]

It is most satisfying when dippers are right on the money with different powders.

What's funny about that... is how often different powders with the same case volume (not necessarily charge weight) will be good loads with the same bullet combo.

 

[TheClasonater]

What's funny about that... is how often different powders with the same case volume (not necessarily charge weight) will be good loads with the same bullet combo.

Been playing with that in a 308 rifle, two different powders tighten up with the same bullet when I get at 100% or slightly compressed. They are hovering at max though and everything looked fine. Slowly starting to shift my focus from using "the best recommendation" to "the best case fill."