Win .452 230gr FMJ

Status
Not open for further replies.

bionian

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2009
Messages
9
I bought Winchester 230gr FMJ RN bullets, intending to use them in a .45 ACP. I loaded them according to the Alliant and Speer Manual recommendations of 5.7gr Bullseye with 1.26 COL. They seemed to cause more recoil that I am accustomed to in the .45. Since then, I have measured these bullets and found them to be .452" as opposed to the usual .451" for TMJ .45 bullets. Are these bullets for the .45 ACP, and what would the correct Bullseye load be?

Thanks for the help.
 
These bullets are correct for the 45 ACP. My newest copy of the Alliant Loading Manual shows a starting load of 5.0 gr of Bullseye with a 230 gr FMJ bullet. Bullseye is a little fast for a 230 gr jacketed bullet and will give a sharp recoil if though it is an acceptable powder for use in the 45 ACP. I would suggest a starting load of 5.4 gr of Unique for a little milder recoil in your 45.
 
Most jacketed bullets are .451. You might check again, and measure some other bullets as well.

Bullseye is fine for .45, but will have sharper recoil at max loads than some slightly slower fast powders, and especially medium burn speed powders like Unique.
Speer Manual recommendations of 5.7gr Bullseye with 1.26 COL

That is the Speer #13's MAX load. Sounds like you just went straight for the max, which is not safe reloading practice, especially for a beginner.

I would recommend that you go back, start at 5.2, which is the Speer #13's start load, and see how you like that. Then you can work up .1 Gr at a time until it shoots well and the recoil is what you want.

If that does not get you what you want, you might try a slower powder next time. W-231 would be a good choice.

If you are looking for a soft target/plinking load, you may want to try some lead bullets with still lighter charges of fast powder like Bullseye, Clays, etc.

Lead is much cheaper, and any sane load with any quality cast bullets will not lead in .45 ACP.

Brad from Missouri Bullets participates here at THR, and he and his bullets are getting a great deal of positive feedback.

There are, of course, many places to get quality cast bullets.

Welcome to THR
 
I bought Winchester 230gr FMJ RN bullets
with 1.26 COL.
That bullet is an exact duplicate of the 230 grain FMJ-RN GI bullet.

Your OAL is TOO SHORT!!

Load them to 1.266" - 1.271" GI length for proper pressure & functioning.

rc
 
Thanks for the feedback.

Most jacketed bullets are .451. You might check again, and measure some other bullets as well.

I know. I measured the base of the bullet twice with a dial caliper.

That is the Speer #13's MAX load. Sounds like you just went straight for the max, which is not safe reloading practice, especially for a beginner.

That load was also listed on the Alliant website and recommended by my reloading supply store, but after trying it I think I will take your advice and back it down to 5.2 gr or so. As long as the weapon cycles I'm ok with a lighter load to extend the life of my cartridges and my Kimber.

Brad from Missouri Bullets participates here at THR, and he and his bullets are getting a great deal of positive feedback.

I just ordered 1000 rounds of 230 gr lead from Missouri Bullets. I already tried 500 of them, and was pleased with them.

Your OAL is TOO SHORT!!

Load them to 1.266" - 1.271" GI length for proper pressure & functioning.

I was using the COL listed in the Speer manual. I did get a couple of FTF's, with the next round hanging up at the mouth of the chamber. Could that have been the cause? I am using the 3" Kimber Raptor, and these short barreled .45s have a steeper feed ramp. I like the pistol, but next time I will buy the 4" barrel.

Again, thanks for the help and the welcome. I'm glad to be part of The High Road.
 
I am using the 3" Kimber Raptor, and these short barreled .45s have a steeper feed ramp. I like the pistol, but next time I will buy the 4" barrel.
I sold my 4" CDP after buying the 3" CDP. They would both feed anything. Both were great guns, but I liked the 3" better.
 
I liked the 3" better

Thanks for confirming my purchase. I had some feeding issues in the first few hundred rounds fired, but until this last load I have had none. Kimber recommends a 500 round break-in, and that is where most of those issues occurred. I believe my Bullseye load had heavier recoil than factory, and so I may not have been doing my part to prevent (ugh!!) limp wristing. My hand placement is sound, but sometimes I may get a little lazy in the left-hand "pull" part of of the grip.

Just curoius- what do you like better about the 3" pistol?
 
I thought a Hardball equivalent was 5.0 grains Bullseye with a 230 FMJ.

If my memory is correct, that is the original US Army 1910 load.

Bullseye, just as good now as it was then. :)
 
Just curoius- what do you like better about the 3" pistol?
It just feels really good in my hand. I added a magwell mainspring housing. I do not care for the officers grip by its self. I seem to react more quickly with the lighter, shorter gun. Mostly I shoot it extremely well, and that breeds confidence. It has been 100% from round one with all kinds of handloads. I have loaded up Golden Sabers, XTPs and Gold Dots to run through it as well as various other bullets including 185 & 200 Gr SWCs. It just runs, and shoots very well while doing it.

attachment.php
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top