I can't find a good load.

Steve Smith · May 21, 2000, 08:12 PM

Earlier today, I went to the range with my trusty chronograph to test my loads for IDPA compliancy (165,000 PF=bullet weightxfps). That means that my 200gr.'ers have to go 825fps to comply. I had 200gr. LSWCs over 5.7gr. of W231, Speer cases and Win Large Pistol primers. The load was consistently 10 fps over the PF, so I ran back home and built up some loads using 5.7gr. as the bottom level. I loaded 5 of each: 5.7gr, 5.9gr., 6.1gr., and 6.2gr., having previously tested 6.3gr., found that even though the recoil wasn't too still, it was more than necessary, and accuracy was not great. Anyway, I ran back to the range (10 minutes from home) and shot the loads. The best accuracy was 2.5" at 10 yds. I expected better. Any ideas? If you guys are thinking, "continue to work from 6.3 on up to max" I'd understand, but will 2.5" acuracy be good enough for IDPA? I'm not thinking it will.

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Frontsight!
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"Put a rifle in the hands of a Subject, and he immediately becomes a Citizen." -- Jeff Cooper

Steve Smith · May 21, 2000, 09:11 PM

Moderator, sorry for the double tap...please lock this one and leave the other open.

alan · May 22, 2000, 11:30 PM

You might try the following, working up from below. 5.2 grains of Red Dot. You are shooting a 45 ACP, I assume.

Perhaps the accuracy problem, such as it is, might be with the pistol or the shooter. In any event, last time I looked, 2.5" was good enough for either IDPA ot IPSC

Art Eatman · May 23, 2000, 08:59 AM

I go with Alan. For years, I've used 5.8 grains of 251 with a 200-grain LSWC, and had excellent groups. In very slow fire, I could put hits edge-to-edge around a nickel-sized circle at five yards. (Well, I almost always missed getting perfection, of removing the "nickel" in seven shots. Great practice in trigger control, though.)

If your bushing fit is good, and your link-length is good, you oughta check yourself on sight picture...

Good luck, Art

WESHOOT2 · May 24, 2000, 08:27 AM

If you're not satisfied with your W231 load (IMI case, CCI300, 5.9g W231, OAL 1.258", finish w/Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die) try AA#5, Power Pistol, Bullseye, or Universal Clays.

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"

Matt VDW · May 24, 2000, 08:49 AM

Frontsight,

Have you checked your bore to see if it's leading? Anything over six grains of W231 is a fairly hot load for a .45 ACP.

Steve Smith · May 24, 2000, 09:19 AM

Thanks for the advise, guys. Unfortunately, I bought a lot more W231 than I can just ignore and buy something else. I'm going back to the range today with more ammo and time than I had last time, and will report back tomorrow with the results.

May 21, 2000, 08:12 PM	#1
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	Earlier today, I went to the range with my trusty chronograph to test my loads for IDPA compliancy (165,000 PF=bullet weightxfps). That means that my 200gr.'ers have to go 825fps to comply. I had 200gr. LSWCs over 5.7gr. of W231, Speer cases and Win Large Pistol primers. The load was consistently 10 fps over the PF, so I ran back home and built up some loads using 5.7gr. as the bottom level. I loaded 5 of each: 5.7gr, 5.9gr., 6.1gr., and 6.2gr., having previously tested 6.3gr., found that even though the recoil wasn't too still, it was more than necessary, and accuracy was not great. Anyway, I ran back to the range (10 minutes from home) and shot the loads. The best accuracy was 2.5" at 10 yds. I expected better. Any ideas? If you guys are thinking, "continue to work from 6.3 on up to max" I'd understand, but will 2.5" acuracy be good enough for IDPA? I'm not thinking it will. ------------------ Frontsight! ========================= "Put a rifle in the hands of a Subject, and he immediately becomes a Citizen." -- Jeff Cooper

May 21, 2000, 09:11 PM	#2
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	Moderator, sorry for the double tap...please lock this one and leave the other open.

May 22, 2000, 11:30 PM	#3
alan Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 3,847	You might try the following, working up from below. 5.2 grains of Red Dot. You are shooting a 45 ACP, I assume. Perhaps the accuracy problem, such as it is, might be with the pistol or the shooter. In any event, last time I looked, 2.5" was good enough for either IDPA ot IPSC

May 23, 2000, 08:59 AM	#4
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I go with Alan. For years, I've used 5.8 grains of 251 with a 200-grain LSWC, and had excellent groups. In very slow fire, I could put hits edge-to-edge around a nickel-sized circle at five yards. (Well, I almost always missed getting perfection, of removing the "nickel" in seven shots. Great practice in trigger control, though.) If your bushing fit is good, and your link-length is good, you oughta check yourself on sight picture... Good luck, Art

May 24, 2000, 08:27 AM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	If you're not satisfied with your W231 load (IMI case, CCI300, 5.9g W231, OAL 1.258", finish w/Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die) try AA#5, Power Pistol, Bullseye, or Universal Clays. ------------------ "All my ammo is factory ammo"

May 24, 2000, 08:49 AM	#6
Matt VDW Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 1999 Posts: 1,315	Frontsight, Have you checked your bore to see if it's leading? Anything over six grains of W231 is a fairly hot load for a .45 ACP.

May 24, 2000, 09:19 AM	#7
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	Thanks for the advise, guys. Unfortunately, I bought a lot more W231 than I can just ignore and buy something else. I'm going back to the range today with more ammo and time than I had last time, and will report back tomorrow with the results.