Pet 230 gr FMJ 45ACP 231 load?

Tim R · March 23, 2006, 12:15 PM

I looking for a good tried and true 231 load for 45 ACP using 230 gr. fmj or ball bullets. Not looking to make major, just want each bullet to go through the same hole.

I've been loading 230 gr. lead RN's with Bullseye for so long I have no idea where to start with the 231.

Of course an good B/E load would work too. Yeah, I've got the books and will know if suggestions are within what I know will work.

This is for a full sized 1911 with a Kart Barrel.

Thanks

**Mike Irwin** · March 23, 2006, 02:40 PM

For FMJ, my pet load for .45 ACP is five point three (5.3) grains of 231.

I've been using that for years.

Winchester shows that the max load is five point seven (5.7) grains.

Tim R · March 24, 2006, 08:08 AM

Thanks Mike. I just know there is more out there though. How's the speed? My books show your load is a little on the slow side, but if it puts bullets through 1 hole, who cares?

drdirk · March 24, 2006, 09:50 AM

I have been loading Win 231 for my 45acp almost exclusively. I second the 5.3 for a load pretty much comparable to factory. The chrono showed around 780 with my Rainier plated 230 FMJ bullet and range brass. The other load I use is just a little ligher at 5.0 grain. I use this for my wife and for steel match shooting. Never had a chance to chrono but feels a little lighter with just enough reduction in recoil so that the gun will stay on target better. Works for me!

**Mike Irwin** · March 24, 2006, 10:24 AM

I've never chronographed it, but it takes bowling pins off the table with authority, so I'm happy.

**Mike Irwin** · March 24, 2006, 10:27 AM

Oh yeah, when reloading?

Try to avoid doing this...

That was caused by a four point nine (4.9) grain load of WW 231.

Well, to be fair, it was caused by TWO four point nine (4.9) grain loads of 231 in the same case.

I screwed up.

Almost 10 grains of 231 in a .45 Auto case isn't only unsafe, it's pretty spectacular.

Credit to John Browning, though, my Springfield never even flinched.

Tim R · March 24, 2006, 02:28 PM

Thanks guys.

I've been reloading for 20 + years. My Springer loves 4.6 grs. of B/E behind a 230 gr. lead RN. My custom Caspian does not seem to like lead as well at this time. Sense I have a can of 231 on my shelf that I've never dipped into I thought I would give it a try.

Mike I have never ever had any even come close to what your pic shows. Glad you and the Pistol are fine. I've even used B/E in .40 to use in a Glock and didn't blow it up.

WESHOOT2 · March 26, 2006, 12:47 PM

I use 5.0g W231, (normally) CCI300, OAL 1.250ish, and it makes Major.

I have tried the gamut.....

Oh, you made me look. Let me offer my chrono data:

>1911 5" BarSto Caspian

230g Rainier TCJ-RN, Fed 150, 5.0g W231, av = 724fps

230g Rainier TCJ-RN, 5.5g W231, av = 782fps

230g LRN, 4.8g W231, av = 750fps

230g LRN, 5.0g W231, av = 778fps

230g LRN, 5.3g W231, av = 824fps

230g W-W FMJ, 5.1g W231, av = 697fps

230g W-W FMJ, 5.3g W231, av = 755fps

230g Golden saber, 5.5g w231, av = 814fps

>1911 3" Ultra Shadow LEII

230g Golden Saber, 5.7g W231, av = 755fps

> EAA Witness, 4.5"

230g W-W FMJ, 5.7g W231, av = 761fps (same lot in Caspian av = 774fps)

230g W-W FMJ, 5.8g W231, av = 780fps

I got more, but you get my point, ay?

redhawk41 · March 26, 2006, 11:09 PM

My Colt 1991A1 shoots the center of the target out at 7 yards using 4.9 gr of W231 under a plated Ranier LRN with CCI primer and Winchester brass, OAL 1.265. Recoil is slight for quick follow-up shots.

tjhands · March 27, 2006, 03:52 PM

5.3g of W231 under a 230g FMJ is as good as I've found. Bullseye is my other favorite powder for .45ACP.

Tim R · March 29, 2006, 11:51 AM

Thanks, Mike and Drdirk. That 5.3 load shot very well out of my Caspian. You guys just got me a new favorite 230 FMJ load. I had a great weekend with the son-in-law. We shot more guns than I expected too. I just bring a few and have a good time wringing those out. He brought a lot and had a lot of cleaning to do afterwards.

Westshoot. I understand your post and thanks for the hard work. If only you had put group size. I really don't care just how fast the bullet is going, (as long as it's safe) as much as I care about how many bullets go through the same hole. I also understand some firearms will shoot different things differently.

I also know there are some loads out there if your firearm won't shoot well, something is wrong with the firearm.

WESHOOT2 · March 31, 2006, 06:27 AM

Tim R, the only loads I'll ever offer are loads proven accurate.
But there is one thing utterly true: "in my gun"

MADISON · April 1, 2006, 07:56 PM

5.7 grains of 231

Tim R · April 1, 2006, 08:22 PM

Westshoot, I have some those "in my gun" loads as well. I had just never cracked the seal on the 231 before.

MISFIRE · April 4, 2006, 12:47 AM

5.7 gr of 231 or 4.9 gr of bullseye behind good 230 gr FMJ's has been my load of choice for 10 years. My 220 and p14 love them both. But I keep reading about how little of the case these powders occupy and performance can be much improved by using bulkier powders thereby reducing positional variations. That's been going on for 10 years. What's the result? I hate working up loads. I'd rather let others do the work.

Tim R · April 4, 2006, 08:04 PM

Wes the 1911 I was building the loads for is a Kart barreled Caspian.

MISFIRE · April 4, 2006, 11:20 PM

My Para P-14 with Storm Lake match barrel and bushing fitted by Kings in LA and later slicked up by Cylinder and Slide ( it was real loser out of the box) does really well with 5.7 gr of 231 behind 230 gr. FMJ's. I wish my Sig ( stock P220-excellent accuracy out of the box) did also but alas it prefers 4.9 gr of Bullseye. So I just keep both on hand.

WESHOOT2 · April 6, 2006, 05:29 AM

I own the BarSto'ed Caspian and a Kart'ed Springfield.

My EAA Witness is (mostly) stock.

March 23, 2006, 12:15 PM	#1
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	Pet 230 gr FMJ 45ACP 231 load? I looking for a good tried and true 231 load for 45 ACP using 230 gr. fmj or ball bullets. Not looking to make major, just want each bullet to go through the same hole. I've been loading 230 gr. lead RN's with Bullseye for so long I have no idea where to start with the 231. Of course an good B/E load would work too. Yeah, I've got the books and will know if suggestions are within what I know will work. This is for a full sized 1911 with a Kart Barrel. Thanks __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

March 23, 2006, 02:40 PM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	For FMJ, my pet load for .45 ACP is five point three (5.3) grains of 231. I've been using that for years. Winchester shows that the max load is five point seven (5.7) grains. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 24, 2006, 08:08 AM	#3
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	Thanks Mike. I just know there is more out there though. How's the speed? My books show your load is a little on the slow side, but if it puts bullets through 1 hole, who cares? __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

March 24, 2006, 09:50 AM	#4
drdirk Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2004 Location: houston, tx Posts: 179	load win 231 I have been loading Win 231 for my 45acp almost exclusively. I second the 5.3 for a load pretty much comparable to factory. The chrono showed around 780 with my Rainier plated 230 FMJ bullet and range brass. The other load I use is just a little ligher at 5.0 grain. I use this for my wife and for steel match shooting. Never had a chance to chrono but feels a little lighter with just enough reduction in recoil so that the gun will stay on target better. Works for me!

March 24, 2006, 10:24 AM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	I've never chronographed it, but it takes bowling pins off the table with authority, so I'm happy. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 24, 2006, 10:27 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	Oh yeah, when reloading? Try to avoid doing this... That was caused by a four point nine (4.9) grain load of WW 231. Well, to be fair, it was caused by TWO four point nine (4.9) grain loads of 231 in the same case. I screwed up. Almost 10 grains of 231 in a .45 Auto case isn't only unsafe, it's pretty spectacular. Credit to John Browning, though, my Springfield never even flinched. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 24, 2006, 02:28 PM	#7
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	Thanks guys. I've been reloading for 20 + years. My Springer loves 4.6 grs. of B/E behind a 230 gr. lead RN. My custom Caspian does not seem to like lead as well at this time. Sense I have a can of 231 on my shelf that I've never dipped into I thought I would give it a try. Mike I have never ever had any even come close to what your pic shows. Glad you and the Pistol are fine. I've even used B/E in .40 to use in a Glock and didn't blow it up. __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

March 26, 2006, 12:47 PM	#8
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	in my guns (and maybe some others) I use 5.0g W231, (normally) CCI300, OAL 1.250ish, and it makes Major. I have tried the gamut..... Oh, you made me look. Let me offer my chrono data: >1911 5" BarSto Caspian 230g Rainier TCJ-RN, Fed 150, 5.0g W231, av = 724fps 230g Rainier TCJ-RN, 5.5g W231, av = 782fps 230g LRN, 4.8g W231, av = 750fps 230g LRN, 5.0g W231, av = 778fps 230g LRN, 5.3g W231, av = 824fps 230g W-W FMJ, 5.1g W231, av = 697fps 230g W-W FMJ, 5.3g W231, av = 755fps 230g Golden saber, 5.5g w231, av = 814fps >1911 3" Ultra Shadow LEII 230g Golden Saber, 5.7g W231, av = 755fps > EAA Witness, 4.5" 230g W-W FMJ, 5.7g W231, av = 761fps (same lot in Caspian av = 774fps) 230g W-W FMJ, 5.8g W231, av = 780fps I got more, but you get my point, ay? __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

March 26, 2006, 11:09 PM	#9
redhawk41 Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2005 Location: Red Desert Posts: 819	My Colt 1991A1 shoots the center of the target out at 7 yards using 4.9 gr of W231 under a plated Ranier LRN with CCI primer and Winchester brass, OAL 1.265. Recoil is slight for quick follow-up shots. __________________ {empty thought cloud}

March 27, 2006, 03:52 PM	#10
tjhands Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2005 Posts: 1,718	5.3g of W231 under a 230g FMJ is as good as I've found. Bullseye is my other favorite powder for .45ACP. __________________ "If the sole purpose of handguns is to kill people, then mine are all defective." - Uncle Ted Nugent

March 29, 2006, 11:51 AM	#11
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	Thanks, Mike and Drdirk. That 5.3 load shot very well out of my Caspian. You guys just got me a new favorite 230 FMJ load. I had a great weekend with the son-in-law. We shot more guns than I expected too. I just bring a few and have a good time wringing those out. He brought a lot and had a lot of cleaning to do afterwards. Westshoot. I understand your post and thanks for the hard work. If only you had put group size. I really don't care just how fast the bullet is going, (as long as it's safe) as much as I care about how many bullets go through the same hole. I also understand some firearms will shoot different things differently. I also know there are some loads out there if your firearm won't shoot well, something is wrong with the firearm. __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

March 31, 2006, 06:27 AM	#12
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	one hole (through my head) Tim R, the only loads I'll ever offer are loads proven accurate. But there is one thing utterly true: "in my gun" __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

April 1, 2006, 07:56 PM	#13
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	230 grain 45 ACP load with 231 5.7 grains of 231

April 1, 2006, 08:22 PM	#14
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	Westshoot, I have some those "in my gun" loads as well. I had just never cracked the seal on the 231 before. __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

April 4, 2006, 12:47 AM	#15
MISFIRE Member Join Date: October 20, 2000 Location: Aliso Viejo, Ca Posts: 86	5.7 gr of 231 or 4.9 gr of bullseye behind good 230 gr FMJ's has been my load of choice for 10 years. My 220 and p14 love them both. But I keep reading about how little of the case these powders occupy and performance can be much improved by using bulkier powders thereby reducing positional variations. That's been going on for 10 years. What's the result? I hate working up loads. I'd rather let others do the work. __________________ MISFIRE

April 4, 2006, 08:04 PM	#16
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	Wes the 1911 I was building the loads for is a Kart barreled Caspian. __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

April 4, 2006, 11:20 PM	#17
MISFIRE Member Join Date: October 20, 2000 Location: Aliso Viejo, Ca Posts: 86	My Para P-14 with Storm Lake match barrel and bushing fitted by Kings in LA and later slicked up by Cylinder and Slide ( it was real loser out of the box) does really well with 5.7 gr of 231 behind 230 gr. FMJ's. I wish my Sig ( stock P220-excellent accuracy out of the box) did also but alas it prefers 4.9 gr of Bullseye. So I just keep both on hand. __________________ MISFIRE

April 6, 2006, 05:29 AM	#18
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	in 45 I own the BarSto'ed Caspian and a Kart'ed Springfield. My EAA Witness is (mostly) stock. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"