Blue68f100
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I use 4.1 gr WST with 185gr and 4.2gr 200gr LSWC (for 50yrds) in my 1911 for BE/target loads. They do cycle the gun fine with the std 16# recoil spring. WST burns clean at any load, just the nature of this powder.
Unburned WW231 in .45 ACP, revolver only
- Thread starter Alec
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I use 4.1 gr WST with 185gr and 4.2gr 200gr LSWC (for 50yrds) in my 1911 for BE/target loads. They do cycle the gun fine with the std 16# recoil spring. WST burns clean at any load, just the nature of this powder.
wally
Member
I agree, but I'd add its also a potential problem when shooting at indoor ranges and probably why some less than hygienic indoor ranges ban the use of reloads. Didn't Glock or one of the other major gun makers have a fire when unburned powder that accumulated in their test firing setup ignited?
I shoot lots of .45ACP 6.0gr Unique and 230gr LRN or Plated and get lots of "flakes" on the bench in front of me afterwards. Its outdoors so I don't worry about it. This doesn't happen with my 9mm, .40S&W, & .38Special loads using unique
Walkalong, for that particular load, I used Speer #13 data on page 575. The max load for their 230-gr TMJ bullet is 6.2 grains of W-231 for 858 fps from their unspecified test gun.
I settled on 6.0 grains of W-231 under a Winchester 230-gr FMJ, with 830 fps from my 5" S&W 625. I'm using Winchester brass and Winchester large pistol primer.
I settled on 6.0 grains of W-231 under a Winchester 230-gr FMJ, with 830 fps from my 5" S&W 625. I'm using Winchester brass and Winchester large pistol primer.
wally
Member
My Google-fu is weak on this one, too many forensics related hits, but there was a powder residue fire at Glock from accumulated unburned powder residue at their test firing facility back in 2003. Here is an archived old discussion of it at the time on the old rec.guns Usenet News Group:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.guns/slpCsnjPEg8
Walkalong, I wish those old Midway Load Maps were still being produced and updated, looks to have been a fantastic resource.
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.guns/slpCsnjPEg8
Walkalong, I wish those old Midway Load Maps were still being produced and updated, looks to have been a fantastic resource.
Alec
Member
I broke out the calipers and found the bullets I thought were .452 lead were actually .451. Stepping the bullet diameter up to a measured .452 with a new box of copper plated lead resulted in clean burns and much better accuracy all the way down to 4.6 gr of WW231, which is the lowest I will go. Factory ammo wasn't exhibiting this problem because it's FMJ which is also .452. I had a feeling the rifling was somewhat shallow but ruled bore sizing out too quickly.
For anyone else with a Colt 1917 that, like me, lacks the ability to properly slug the bore: consider that you might need to use .452 even with lead to attain a good seal.
I agree with Walkalong that it's hot, but I also found the same loading data as you in Speer #14 page 973: Max charge of a .451" 230gr FMJ is listed as 6.2gr of WW231 @858 FPS. They seem to be allowing this published load to stick around.
For anyone else with a Colt 1917 that, like me, lacks the ability to properly slug the bore: consider that you might need to use .452 even with lead to attain a good seal.
I agree with Walkalong that it's hot, but I also found the same loading data as you in Speer #14 page 973: Max charge of a .451" 230gr FMJ is listed as 6.2gr of WW231 @858 FPS. They seem to be allowing this published load to stick around.
True. Sometimes, but certainly not always. No strict definition of "hot" when it comes to load data. I have always used 5.0 for plinking and 5.5 for "full power" practice.
I load 5.5gr of W231 behind both 200gr LSWC's and 230gr jacketed and copper plated in my .45 auto's. If increasing your charge doesn't clean up your powder residue you could try a magnum primer. I generally use Winchester LPP that is for mag and standard loads. I think its more of a mag primer than a standard so its hotter than typical standard primers which should help burning the charge better.
I use Hodgdon Universal for several pistol calibers including .45ACP. I have had the same issue with unburned powder. I use plated bullets in all my reloads and what helped fix the problem for me was using the Lee Factory Crimp die. I played with the setting on the FCD to get all the powder to burn while not cutting into the plating on the bullets.
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