Power Pistol correct load for 45acp

[LAlineman]

New to reloading , and thought I,d start with 45acp. I have been buying and using hundreds of 45acp reloads from a local pro reloader. His business sells to all the local ranges in the area. He loads with 5.8gr. of Power Pistol pushing a .451 , 230gr. bullet.( Berry's) My new Lee die chart tells me to use a starting load of 6.7gr. of Power Pistol. I have shot his 5.8gr. for years with no isssues. But now, it seems, that does,nt even meet Lees starting load. What do you guys think? Is 5.8 to low? Or should I just stay to Lees suggested 6.7grs.? Any info would be greatly appreciated so I can get on with this.

[zxcvbob]

5.8 is too low (but it should be safe.) Mainly it's just inefficient. If you want a nice gentle target load, use something like Red Dot.

[LAlineman]

Ya, Thats what I was thinking. I know he has had trouble getting components lately like all of us. But to keep his business running he probably cut everything to bare bones. So, I guess as far as power Pistol goes, You think Lees recommended 6.7 start is ok ? And I,ll take a look at your suggestion. Thanks for the info, much appreciated.:)

[LAlineman]

Ya, thats what I was thinking. I know he,s had trouble getting components like the rest of us and probably had to cut everything to bare bones. So, I guess as far as Power Pistol, the recommended start load of 6.7gr should be fine. What do you think? And I,ll check out Red Dot. Thanks for the info. Much appreciated!

[tom234]

You can always email Alliant and ask for load data. Unfortunately, Alliant's published data only supports Speer jacketed bullets they are obviously pushing. I was an Alliant fan for decades but switched to AA since they have lead data.

[LAlineman]

Thanks, I,ll check it out. Anybody else with an opinion on 45acp 230gr. loaded with Power Pistol I,d appreciate it. And Thanks again, to those of you responding to this.Looking for a good load. Lee,s recommended 6.7gr. or ?

[Shoney]

My Alliant shows the following with 230 gr bullets

max with Gold Dot bullet as 7.4gr PP_Old Data
max with TMJ RN bullet as 8.1 PP (08 Manual)

They do not list any loads for PP with any lead or plated bullets.

[LAlineman]

Thanks Shoney, This is all good info. Alliant just E-mailed me and recommended 6.0-6.2gr. I think I,ll start here and work up a little. I want to stay with Power Pistol for now because it has good performance. And ,I do compete once in awhile. Glock21Sf.

[Powderman]

Friend, I have been handloading and reloading for a bit now. My favorite cartridge for doing so is the .45 ACP, and I have used quite a few powders in it.

Power Pistol is aptly named. I have loaded the 230 grain bullet with Power Pistol. My best results--accuracy and manageability--have been with 6.2 of Power Pistol, crimped to .470 measured at the case mouth. This load chronographs at an honest 830-840 FPS from both my Springfield Armory hardball gun and my Colt Enhanced.

I loaded 6.5 grains once--bad, hard recoil, even with a 20 lb. recoil spring. I personally would not exceed 6.3 grains of Power Pistol with a 230 grain bullet.

[LAlineman]

Wow, thank you sir, Very good info. I loaded some 6.2gr. last night. I,m excited to try it. I have a Glock 21 and a Kimber Eclipse. I,ll see how they do with this. Would you recommend a crimp? If so, what kind. I,ve mostly heard "not necessary on pistol". Or should I just screw down the die a bit for a roll crimp? Also, wonder why Lee is recommending the 6.7gr start load? It seems a bit heavy according to other data and Alliant Powder Co.

[Powderman]

Two tips:

First, make sure you are loading to the correct overall length (OAL/COAL). For the .45 ACP cartridge, I simply adjust my seater die by putting on a shell holder and inserting a loaded round of .45 ACP ball ammunition. This is the length that the pistol was designed to function with. I then screw in the die (with the seater stem backed all the way out) until the crimp shoulder in the die makes contact with the case--and then unscrew it 1/2 turn. Lock the ring there. Now, screw the seater in until it makes firm contact with the bullet. Leave the seater there, and load away!

I find that it is best to load and crimp in a separate step. Use a TAPER crimp for the .45 ACP, as well as other "rimless" pistol cases like the .40, 9mm, etc. Adjust the crimper until you reach a crimp of .469 to .470, measured at the case mouth.

[Tim R]

Powderman, you should use a taper crimp as the case head spaces off the mouth of the case.

[Shoney]

Powderman wrote about using a roll crimp rather than the standard taper crimp. Target shooter learned a long time ago that the roll crimp gave better accuracy. The thought being that the crimp increases pressure which promotes a more uniform burn.

I personnaly don't use PP any more becasue of the flash, which is visible during bright light days. Night shooting with PP loads can momentarily blind you. I make sure my loads for night shooting have low flash powder.

[Powderman]

Tim, you are spot on...don't know how I missed that one!!!

[LAlineman]

Just received my Pistol crimp die from Lee. Worked with it a bit tonight adjusting it. Does this die make the Taper crimp you guys are talking about ? And to be clear, The roll crimp comes from screwing down your seater die an extra 1/2 turn, Correct ? My O.A.L.is 1.273-1.275. And .470 at the case mouth. I think I,m there now. They cycle thru the gun fine. Should be ready for the range test. I sure appreciate all of you guys providing this info. What a great site ! I just wish I could have found it sooner. :)

[Powderman]

The roll crimp comes from screwing down your seater die an extra 1/2 turn, Correct ?

Maybe not that much. If you automatically go an extra 1/2 turn, you might end up buckling a case or deforming both case and bullet.

To correct my last post, the roll crimp is generally used in revolvers, and on bullets with a cannelure on them. This gently rolls the crimp into the cannelure; with a roll crimp you can actually see the case mouth turned into the bullet. This is generally found on revolver cases where headspace is controlled by the thickness of the case rim, like .32 Special, .38 Special, .357, .44 Special and Magnum, etc.

The taper crimp presses the case against the side of the bullet, and is commonly used in semi-automatic pistol cartridges. It allows proper case headspace in "rimless" cases like the .45 ACP, .40, 10mm, 9mm, etc.