255 Grain SWC in 45ACP!

K80Geoff · December 12, 2001, 09:09 AM

One night at the range I got into a conversation with another shooter. One thing led to another and he gave me 5 45ACP rounds to shoot in my Gold Cup Trophy. I fired them off and the results were astounding. I actually put all 5 in the black at 25 yards using iron sights. For me this is absolutely amazing!

I asked him for the recipe and he said 3.1 gr bullseye pushing a 255 hard swaged 255 grain SWC. I neglected to ask him who makes the bullets.

I have checked every reloading reference I can find and cannot find loading data for 255 gr in 45ACP. The only 255 gr bullets I can find are made for 45Long colt.

Anyone possibly know of data somewhere on this specific loading?

The guy hasn't been back to the range, if he shows up I will tie him to a chair and extract the info from him

rg1 · December 12, 2001, 10:27 AM

Midway has a 255 grain SWC listed in their Midway .45 ACP "LoadMap" loading data book. I suppose you may find the bullets at Midway also.

rg1 · December 12, 2001, 10:36 AM

Midway's data with the Midway 255 SWC using Remington cases and RP2 1/2 primer with Alliant Bullseye powder. Starting load at 3.1 grains and up to 3.9 grains maximum. Velocity 640-754 fps. The loaded overall length was 1.275 inch.

K80Geoff · December 12, 2001, 03:02 PM

That's one resource I do not have. Guess I'll get one from Midway.

Thanks for the lead

KP95DAO · December 13, 2001, 01:55 AM

I used to shoot 305 gr bullets out of my Star PD for kicks. And it did.

jtduncan · December 15, 2001, 09:10 AM

Isn't the 255 SWC a 45 auto rim bullet though?

And was he shooting them out of 45 ACP cases? I'll assume so since your 1911 functioned.

Any recipes for those who have SW 625 revolvers that would love to feed SWCs longloaded?

Newservicecolt · December 16, 2001, 01:44 PM

I used to use the RCBS 45-255 in my Colt, when carrying.
Sized at .452 and loaded over 5.1 Unique. Rather heavy but frightfully accurate.
NSC

Johnny Guest · December 16, 2001, 03:28 PM

- - -And they work fine for me.

Most of mine have been the Rucker or Kead 255 LSWC over 5.0 gr. Unique in ACP cases. This was an outgrowth of an old quest for bowling pin shoot loads--Wanted sharp edges to grab the pins, rather than a smooth round ogive which tends to glance off. Feeds well in any .45 auto with a fairly broad throat. Don't go much hotter or you'll severely increase wear and tear on your 1911-type.

Same bullet and load goes very well in .45 Auto Rim cases. In my 1917 S&W, gives performance similar to, but superior to, the old .455 Webley 265 gr. load.

Please remember, friends--The .45 ACP cal guns, revo and auto, are NOT .45 Colts or .44 mags, etc. You can increase versatility, but don't wreck a fine pistola by trying to make it something it is NOT!

All the best,
Johnny

zeke · December 16, 2001, 08:44 PM

255 gn lrnfp's also seem to work very well in 45 acp using enough Unique to drive them to approximately 740 fps (5.0 gns). While not a caster, have used bullets casted from Lee's 255 gn lrnfp mold and the accuracy was excellent. These have a very broad flat nose, the bullet is undersized ahead of the crimping groove and the dia was .452 (no evidence of sizing).

Midway's 45 acp load map is very useful for comparing loads, unfortunately most the OAL's used are on the very long side. Would not use their 45 acp OAL's, but rely on other loading manuals.

December 12, 2001, 09:09 AM	#1
K80Geoff Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 3,639	255 Grain SWC in 45ACP! One night at the range I got into a conversation with another shooter. One thing led to another and he gave me 5 45ACP rounds to shoot in my Gold Cup Trophy. I fired them off and the results were astounding. I actually put all 5 in the black at 25 yards using iron sights. For me this is absolutely amazing! I asked him for the recipe and he said 3.1 gr bullseye pushing a 255 hard swaged 255 grain SWC. I neglected to ask him who makes the bullets. I have checked every reloading reference I can find and cannot find loading data for 255 gr in 45ACP. The only 255 gr bullets I can find are made for 45Long colt. Anyone possibly know of data somewhere on this specific loading? The guy hasn't been back to the range, if he shows up I will tie him to a chair and extract the info from him __________________ I am no longer a member of this forum. Bye!

December 12, 2001, 10:27 AM	#2
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	midway 255 grain SWC Midway has a 255 grain SWC listed in their Midway .45 ACP "LoadMap" loading data book. I suppose you may find the bullets at Midway also.

December 12, 2001, 10:36 AM	#3
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	255 SWC Midway's data with the Midway 255 SWC using Remington cases and RP2 1/2 primer with Alliant Bullseye powder. Starting load at 3.1 grains and up to 3.9 grains maximum. Velocity 640-754 fps. The loaded overall length was 1.275 inch.

December 12, 2001, 03:02 PM	#4
K80Geoff Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 3,639	Midway Load Map! That's one resource I do not have. Guess I'll get one from Midway. Thanks for the lead __________________ I am no longer a member of this forum. Bye!

December 15, 2001, 09:10 AM	#6
jtduncan Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 1999 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Posts: 1,686	Isn't the 255 SWC a 45 auto rim bullet though? And was he shooting them out of 45 ACP cases? I'll assume so since your 1911 functioned. Any recipes for those who have SW 625 revolvers that would love to feed SWCs longloaded? __________________ The Seattle SharpShooter Reloaded .223 Rem, 9mm, 40SW, 357 SIG, 10mm, 44 Mag, 45 ACP Today?

December 13, 2001, 01:55 AM	#5
KP95DAO Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2000 Posts: 699	I used to shoot 305 gr bullets out of my Star PD for kicks. And it did.

December 16, 2001, 01:44 PM	#7
Newservicecolt Junior Member Join Date: June 3, 2001 Location: On the Lam Posts: 14	I used to use the RCBS 45-255 in my Colt, when carrying. Sized at .452 and loaded over 5.1 Unique. Rather heavy but frightfully accurate. NSC

December 16, 2001, 03:28 PM	#8
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	I've loaded a lot fo heavy bullets in .45 ACP cases - - - - -And they work fine for me. Most of mine have been the Rucker or Kead 255 LSWC over 5.0 gr. Unique in ACP cases. This was an outgrowth of an old quest for bowling pin shoot loads--Wanted sharp edges to grab the pins, rather than a smooth round ogive which tends to glance off. Feeds well in any .45 auto with a fairly broad throat. Don't go much hotter or you'll severely increase wear and tear on your 1911-type. Same bullet and load goes very well in .45 Auto Rim cases. In my 1917 S&W, gives performance similar to, but superior to, the old .455 Webley 265 gr. load. Please remember, friends--The .45 ACP cal guns, revo and auto, are NOT .45 Colts or .44 mags, etc. You can increase versatility, but don't wreck a fine pistola by trying to make it something it is NOT! All the best, Johnny

December 16, 2001, 08:44 PM	#9
zeke Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 1999 Location: NW Wi Posts: 1,671	255 gn lrnfp's also seem to work very well in 45 acp using enough Unique to drive them to approximately 740 fps (5.0 gns). While not a caster, have used bullets casted from Lee's 255 gn lrnfp mold and the accuracy was excellent. These have a very broad flat nose, the bullet is undersized ahead of the crimping groove and the dia was .452 (no evidence of sizing). Midway's 45 acp load map is very useful for comparing loads, unfortunately most the OAL's used are on the very long side. Would not use their 45 acp OAL's, but rely on other loading manuals.