.45 Super Blue Dot loads?

[Keith J]

I had a link to some piezo tested data using this powder for Super loads (200 gr jacketed and cast) but this has disappeared.

The only Blue Dot loads I can find are for std ACP velocities. I'm looking for everything to full bore. Any other sources?

[Charmedlyfe]

Blue dot burns too fast for 45 Super. Too much pressure too soon (peaks too quickly). Sorry.

[Clark]

45 super is not a SAAMI controlled cartridge, but if you accept that it is a 45acp at 28,500 psi like at:
http://www.realguns.com/archives/020.htm
http://www.realguns.com/archives/021.htm
http://www.realguns.com/archives/022.htm

Then if I plug in Blue Dot in Quickload, and run it up to that pressure, I get 16.2 gr of Blue Dot will push a Sierra 185 gr FPJ 1.275", 1330 fps with a 5" barrel. Pmax is 28,455 psi. It does say all over the program not to use it as load data.

If I were going to work up a 45 Super load, I would read the real gun articles, use Power Pistol , AA#5, or LONG SHOT powders.

I would start at the 45 acp load and work up .1 gr while looking at the brass for pressue signs. I will probably not see any, but if I didn't know what to look for, I shouldn't do it. Also, I will probably find that recoil is the limiting factor. I have been shooting 45 super out of a 1911 and the recoil springs required to keep down the slide slam are serious. I also have shock buffers.

I would guess that you will find the load you like to shoot will be less than 45 super. The recoil is just too much unless the springs are just too much.

I have found no difference is Starline 45 Super brass from ordinary 45 acp brass. They both start getting hard to get out of the chamber and loose primers at about 50,000 psi[calculated with Quickload, tested in a rifle]. Your gun may vary. Your chamber may have been made for easy feeding and have poor case suport. In that case you may have only a few tenths of a grain warning from case bulge to case failure [kaboom]. You have to take your own risks.

[Keith J]

I am using virgin Starline brass in a fully supported Para-Ord with an Ace spring set, Wilson buffer and full length guide rod.

From what I have seen in published loads, Blue Dot is a little slower than N350 but being double-based, should be a little more energetic. I'm not looking for any stratsopheric velocities, just enough for hogs at close range. 1150 with a 200 is perfect.

I estimated around 12 grains for a 100% fill using 200 gr slugs. This powder can be compressed a good deal but even so, 16 grains with a 185 sounds excessive.

I have found a significant weight difference between Starline Super brass and standard ACP stuff. I've compared Rem., Win. and Fed, all 3-7 grains lighter. Not much of a difference but its something.

Thanks again!

[Clark]

The Quickload show 15.2 gr of Blue Dot pushing 200gr 452 bullet 1149fps out of a 4" barrel.
The peak pressue is 25,672 psi.

Someone told me that Para Ordanance has great chamber support for 45 Super. I bought a P10. It turns out all the other POs have great chamber support, but the P10 has terrible chamber support:(

[Keith J]

Shorter barrels have that problem in the 1911 family. The barrel tilts at a greater angle when unlocked so it shouldn't require "throating" but the combination of stiffer springs and different angles makes feeding difficult.

I have a full size P14, steel frame but cannot get .40 Super to feed, hence the .45 Super. Blue Dot is great .40 Super powder and my single stack now sports the .40 barrel.

Thanks on the Quickload info. I realize its not data and I will be working up a load from 9.0 grains.

[Keith J]

WEll, the good news is I didn't have any kb's with test 1. The bad news is the chrono wasn't working.

Starting loads grouped poorly, around 3-4" at 50 feet and there was considerable unburnt powder on my glasses, hands and bench.

Pressure signs were low with the brass landing in the normal area for all loads. Accuracy for my highest loading was about 2" off the bags with a double hold. This is about par for my barely major VV N320 load (5.5 gr with 200 gr LSWC) out of the P-O.

Recoil was getting stiff, on par with full-bore .357 rounds.

I will have to continue on the 1/10 grain increments once I fix my chrono.

[euclid]

I have tested many powder/bullet/primer combos for the 45 Super and chrono'ed all of them. My best loads used either Power Pistol or AA#7 with either the 200 or 230 grn bullet. One needs to modify the brass to use a large rifle primer in order to prevent primer smear. I almost abandoned this project when even the "lighter" published 45 Super loads (essentially around the upper +p level) would deform my primers. I felt it may be a sign af abnormally high pressure. What stumped me was the literature on this round states that, for loads worked up by ACE custom, the pressure is well within the factor of safety designed for a quality 1911-type pistol. When I found out that Texas Ammo (the only supplier of factory 45 Super ammo) used large rifle primers to ameliorate this, everything fell into place. I can now produce accurate, high-power 45 Super ammo with undeformed primers. Great pig round.

hope this helps

[Keith J]

Thanks! I was looking at various powder burn rates and thought Blue Dot might be the best. I've used N350 with 200's @1100 fps but its getting quite expensive.

I've never had primer smear but I also haven't stoked it to the max. The instant I get smear, I will back off.

[Desert Dog]

My favorite .45 Super powder is AA#7. It seems to be the best balance between pressure and velocity. With AA#7 I launch 230's @1250-1300 FPS. The load seems to favor the heavier bullets...

I have been intending to try Blue Dot, but have been playing around with .45Colt/W296 instead... :D

YMMV,