45 cal load help

iblong · September 28, 2009, 10:55 AM

I started shooting IDPA this summer and am having a great time with it,Ive only loaded lead for my 1911 and now there switching to indoors for the next match and was told I need to switch over to plated or jacketed bullets.I have w 231 and Unique powders and was hoping I could get a push in the right direction for a decent load that will meet the 165 power factor.Im going to be using 230 gr.plated rn as thats whats around here local.I will be working up my loads but if I could avoid starting at the bottom with supplies still hard to get it would be a big help.
Thanks,Bob.

hornady · September 28, 2009, 11:05 AM

Just a suggestion. But Berry plated bullets load the same as cast. They load nice, and you get free shipping on orders of $50.00 or more. I load them with 231

**Unclenick** · September 28, 2009, 11:20 AM

It looks like you only need 718 fps. You should get past that with 4.5 grains of 231. With a standard large pistol primer, that is a safe load nearer to target than hardball level in any 1911 I've ever shot. Hodgdon shows 4.3 grains as a starting load for 230 grain LRN and producing 699 fps, and 5.3 grains as a maximum, producing 834 fps in Winchester brass and Federal 150 primer. It uses a short 1.200" COL. I don't know why? I load closer to 1.270" with round nose, though you may need to be a little shorter with some bullet brands, depending on the nose form.

You'll want to allow that your measure may throw a tenth or two low from time to time, so you may find, with a chronograph, that you need 4.6 grains or even 4.7 grains to be sure your low loads never drop below the 718 fps, but you should determine that experimentally. Every gun's chamber gets somewhat different velocities from a given load, plus the seating depth affects pressure and velocity.

iblong · September 30, 2009, 06:36 AM

thanks for the input.
Bob.

September 28, 2009, 10:55 AM	#1
iblong Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2008 Location: MN Posts: 559	45 cal load help I started shooting IDPA this summer and am having a great time with it,Ive only loaded lead for my 1911 and now there switching to indoors for the next match and was told I need to switch over to plated or jacketed bullets.I have w 231 and Unique powders and was hoping I could get a push in the right direction for a decent load that will meet the 165 power factor.Im going to be using 230 gr.plated rn as thats whats around here local.I will be working up my loads but if I could avoid starting at the bottom with supplies still hard to get it would be a big help. Thanks,Bob.

September 28, 2009, 11:20 AM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	It looks like you only need 718 fps. You should get past that with 4.5 grains of 231. With a standard large pistol primer, that is a safe load nearer to target than hardball level in any 1911 I've ever shot. Hodgdon shows 4.3 grains as a starting load for 230 grain LRN and producing 699 fps, and 5.3 grains as a maximum, producing 834 fps in Winchester brass and Federal 150 primer. It uses a short 1.200" COL. I don't know why? I load closer to 1.270" with round nose, though you may need to be a little shorter with some bullet brands, depending on the nose form. You'll want to allow that your measure may throw a tenth or two low from time to time, so you may find, with a chronograph, that you need 4.6 grains or even 4.7 grains to be sure your low loads never drop below the 718 fps, but you should determine that experimentally. Every gun's chamber gets somewhat different velocities from a given load, plus the seating depth affects pressure and velocity. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle Last edited by Unclenick; September 28, 2009 at 11:39 AM.

September 28, 2009, 11:05 AM	#2
hornady Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: SWPA Posts: 428	Just a suggestion. But Berry plated bullets load the same as cast. They load nice, and you get free shipping on orders of $50.00 or more. I load them with 231

September 30, 2009, 06:36 AM	#4
iblong Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2008 Location: MN Posts: 559	thanks for the input. Bob.