45 acp recipe

jtstretch · September 17, 2009, 10:09 PM

im totally a noob. got evrything to get ready to start loading BUT, cant find a recipe for: 185 GR HP/XTP, unique powder, Winchester std/magnum lg pistol primers..............my book does not show one for what i already bought.

Crosshair · September 17, 2009, 10:47 PM

As always, use info at your own risk.

Alliant powder has load data for a 185 grain Gold Dot bullet on their website. Their data uses CCI primers, but if you are using starting loads you should have no difficulty substituting primers or the bullets since the XTP and GD are of similar construction and length. (Whatever you do DO NOT substitute powder data.) The load they list on the website is within 15% of MAP according to Quickload (A $150 piece of software, not something a beginner like yourself would be expected to have.) so you probably want to back off by a grain or a grain and a half for starters and work your way up.

Checking my Speer manual, for a 185 grain SWC they list the starting load at 5 grains, this gives only about 671 fps, probably too slow for what you want.

You are rarely going to find load data for your EXACT combination of components. Always a little wary about giving out advice because of the liability problems.

Best way for a beginner like yourself is to load up 5 or 10 rounds and try them out. That's what i did when starting out.

Dr. Strangelove · September 18, 2009, 01:56 AM

From the 185gr HP/XTP reference in your post, it seems you are dealing with Hornady bullets. Call Hornady and tell them what bullet (should be #45100, look on the box), powder and primer you have and they will give you the starting and maximum loads as well as velocities.

Hornady:1-800-338-3220

You might also call Alliant Powder, the manufacturer of Unique.

Alliant Powder: 1-800-276-9337

Ozzieman · September 18, 2009, 07:43 AM

When it comes to powder charges when using jacketed bullets in non magnum rounds you can use any suggested load data for the same weight bullet.
I have looked at all my books and none show a Unique load for that bullet, I have never used Unique and my feelings are that it’s a little slow for that bullet weight and case. In fact the Hornady books has no loads under 230 GR for Unique, I think this might mean that it’s not the best choice.

The powder that I would suggest for any ACP is WIN 231 it works well with all power levels from min to max and you won’t need to mess with Mag primers, but the Win Stand/mag work well. I picked up 10,000 last year and I'm down to about 4000.
231, It’s also clean.
Good luck.
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

schmeky · September 18, 2009, 08:22 AM

jtstretch,

Ozzieman is giving excellent advice. I have been loading and shooting 45ACP for nearly 30 years and I have tried many powders including Unique. Unique is a great powder, but WW231 is better overall for the 45.

You can use it with virtually any 45 ACP bullet, it meters well, shoots very clean, produces low smoke with cast grease-groove type bullets, and the accuracy is legendary.

Plus there is lots of load data available for 231.

margiesex · September 18, 2009, 08:32 AM

Here I go again - touting the benefits of Alliant powders...but between the 3 Unique, Bullseye and 2400 there just aren't too many handgun calibers you can't load with a huge variety of bullets. Plus, when you sum it all up, they are pretty cheap on the pocketbook as well.

For example, do the math - .38 spl using 2.5 grains of Bullseye...let's see - 7000 grains per pound, 2.5 per case......2800 loads per pound. Even if you have to give too much for the pound you get a lot of bang for the buck.

So, for the .45 I shoot Unique's sister - Bullseye - I push a 230 grain Remington Golden Saber over a CCI primer with 4.9 grains of Bullseye.

Works first time, every time!

Welcome to the hobby - get some good loading manuals and read them!

God bless and good shooting!

Margiesex

And remember: Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and soon!

Jim243 · September 18, 2009, 08:44 AM

Page 381 of the "Lyman Reloading Handbook" 49th Edition.

Jim

GeauxTide · September 18, 2009, 08:49 AM

I've used 7.0 gr. of Unique with 200 LSWC for many years with standard primers. THAT IS A STOUT LOAD THAT I USE IN A FULL SIZE 1911!!! START AT 6.0GR. No need for mag primers.

TEDDY · September 18, 2009, 02:29 PM

I use cast bullets 200 GR SWC with 3.6 gr of 700X[bullseye] and get tack driver to 50yds .why wast jac bullets.save them for serious business.

Dustin0 · September 18, 2009, 02:37 PM

I load my 185gr. Jacket HP with 3.8 grains red dot. Works great.

jtstretch · September 18, 2009, 07:17 PM

cool, thanx all for the input. now i wont feel scared to go on.

jtstretch · September 28, 2009, 10:51 PM

looking to reload 9mm too. i got 125gr bullets but the recipe i see for my powder is for 124gr. will this still work?

Ozzieman · September 30, 2009, 06:39 PM

Yes, even up to 5 gr off for bullet weight.
Just remember to start on the low side and work up.

rg1 · September 30, 2009, 11:30 PM

Lyman 49th Edition tests Hornady 185 XTP's with Unique but uses RP 2 1/2 primers, RP cases.
The overall length that Lyman used is 1.175" with the 185 XTP-HP
Unique Powder----start 4.8-630fps---maximum 7.8-985 fps
________
Lyman 47th has the same data but used Federal cases and CCI 300 primers
________
Midways 45ACP LoadMap says:
start 5.8-701fps----6.2-754----6.6-808----7.0-861----7.4-914----7.8-967
but they tested them at a very long overall length of 1.269 which is way too long. Hornady says 1.230" overall length and that is what I'd use for the 45ACP 185 XTP-HP. I recommend starting low and working up. Don't start with a maximum load.

joneb · October 1, 2009, 12:48 AM

I have had very good results with 185gr XTP/HP and Nosler JHP's using Unique and WLP, start at 6.8gr and a COAL of 1.195-1.200"

jtstretch · October 3, 2009, 10:37 AM

when using the sizer die, do i just use the tip? like the 1st 1/4 inch or so. hahahahaha! thats what she said!
also is there a book that is caliber specific and goes over most reloading scenarios?

jtstretch · October 3, 2009, 06:58 PM

well i just loaded my 1st ten rounds ever. 45acp 200gr swc cast bullet with 6gr unique. COL of 1.270...wish me luck, im heading to try them out. got confused on the whole grain thing though. 6gr is .38 +/- grams correct? also the case looks a bit distorted compared to before i reloaded them. is this normal?

September 17, 2009, 10:09 PM	#1
jtstretch Junior Member Join Date: October 12, 2008 Posts: 9	45 acp recipe im totally a noob. got evrything to get ready to start loading BUT, cant find a recipe for: 185 GR HP/XTP, unique powder, Winchester std/magnum lg pistol primers..............my book does not show one for what i already bought.

September 17, 2009, 10:47 PM	#2
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	As always, use info at your own risk. Alliant powder has load data for a 185 grain Gold Dot bullet on their website. Their data uses CCI primers, but if you are using starting loads you should have no difficulty substituting primers or the bullets since the XTP and GD are of similar construction and length. (Whatever you do DO NOT substitute powder data.) The load they list on the website is within 15% of MAP according to Quickload (A $150 piece of software, not something a beginner like yourself would be expected to have.) so you probably want to back off by a grain or a grain and a half for starters and work your way up. Checking my Speer manual, for a 185 grain SWC they list the starting load at 5 grains, this gives only about 671 fps, probably too slow for what you want. You are rarely going to find load data for your EXACT combination of components. Always a little wary about giving out advice because of the liability problems. Best way for a beginner like yourself is to load up 5 or 10 rounds and try them out. That's what i did when starting out. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

September 18, 2009, 01:56 AM	#3
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	Call Hornady From the 185gr HP/XTP reference in your post, it seems you are dealing with Hornady bullets. Call Hornady and tell them what bullet (should be #45100, look on the box), powder and primer you have and they will give you the starting and maximum loads as well as velocities. Hornady:1-800-338-3220 You might also call Alliant Powder, the manufacturer of Unique. Alliant Powder: 1-800-276-9337

September 18, 2009, 08:32 AM	#6
margiesex Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2009 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 210	I have always... Here I go again - touting the benefits of Alliant powders...but between the 3 Unique, Bullseye and 2400 there just aren't too many handgun calibers you can't load with a huge variety of bullets. Plus, when you sum it all up, they are pretty cheap on the pocketbook as well. For example, do the math - .38 spl using 2.5 grains of Bullseye...let's see - 7000 grains per pound, 2.5 per case......2800 loads per pound. Even if you have to give too much for the pound you get a lot of bang for the buck. So, for the .45 I shoot Unique's sister - Bullseye - I push a 230 grain Remington Golden Saber over a CCI primer with 4.9 grains of Bullseye. Works first time, every time! Welcome to the hobby - get some good loading manuals and read them! God bless and good shooting! Margiesex And remember: Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and soon!

September 18, 2009, 08:49 AM	#8
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	+ Them I've used 7.0 gr. of Unique with 200 LSWC for many years with standard primers. THAT IS A STOUT LOAD THAT I USE IN A FULL SIZE 1911!!! START AT 6.0GR. No need for mag primers.

September 18, 2009, 07:43 AM	#4
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	When it comes to powder charges when using jacketed bullets in non magnum rounds you can use any suggested load data for the same weight bullet. I have looked at all my books and none show a Unique load for that bullet, I have never used Unique and my feelings are that it’s a little slow for that bullet weight and case. In fact the Hornady books has no loads under 230 GR for Unique, I think this might mean that it’s not the best choice. The powder that I would suggest for any ACP is WIN 231 it works well with all power levels from min to max and you won’t need to mess with Mag primers, but the Win Stand/mag work well. I picked up 10,000 last year and I'm down to about 4000. 231, It’s also clean. Good luck. http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

September 18, 2009, 08:22 AM	#5
schmeky Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2006 Posts: 810	jtstretch, Ozzieman is giving excellent advice. I have been loading and shooting 45ACP for nearly 30 years and I have tried many powders including Unique. Unique is a great powder, but WW231 is better overall for the 45. You can use it with virtually any 45 ACP bullet, it meters well, shoots very clean, produces low smoke with cast grease-groove type bullets, and the accuracy is legendary. Plus there is lots of load data available for 231.

September 18, 2009, 08:44 AM	#7
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Page 381 of the "Lyman Reloading Handbook" 49th Edition. Jim

September 18, 2009, 02:29 PM	#9
TEDDY Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2006 Location: MANNING SC Posts: 837	45 acp I use cast bullets 200 GR SWC with 3.6 gr of 700X[bullseye] and get tack driver to 50yds .why wast jac bullets.save them for serious business.

September 18, 2009, 02:37 PM	#10
Dustin0 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2008 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 701	I load my 185gr. Jacket HP with 3.8 grains red dot. Works great.

September 18, 2009, 07:17 PM	#11
jtstretch Junior Member Join Date: October 12, 2008 Posts: 9	cool, thanx all for the input. now i wont feel scared to go on.

September 28, 2009, 10:51 PM	#12
jtstretch Junior Member Join Date: October 12, 2008 Posts: 9	looking to reload 9mm too. i got 125gr bullets but the recipe i see for my powder is for 124gr. will this still work?

September 30, 2009, 06:39 PM	#13
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	Yes, even up to 5 gr off for bullet weight. Just remember to start on the low side and work up.

September 30, 2009, 11:30 PM	#14
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	Lyman 49th Edition tests Hornady 185 XTP's with Unique but uses RP 2 1/2 primers, RP cases. The overall length that Lyman used is 1.175" with the 185 XTP-HP Unique Powder----start 4.8-630fps---maximum 7.8-985 fps ________ Lyman 47th has the same data but used Federal cases and CCI 300 primers ________ Midways 45ACP LoadMap says: start 5.8-701fps----6.2-754----6.6-808----7.0-861----7.4-914----7.8-967 but they tested them at a very long overall length of 1.269 which is way too long. Hornady says 1.230" overall length and that is what I'd use for the 45ACP 185 XTP-HP. I recommend starting low and working up. Don't start with a maximum load.

October 1, 2009, 12:48 AM	#15
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	I have had very good results with 185gr XTP/HP and Nosler JHP's using Unique and WLP, start at 6.8gr and a COAL of 1.195-1.200"

October 3, 2009, 10:37 AM	#16
jtstretch Junior Member Join Date: October 12, 2008 Posts: 9	when using the sizer die, do i just use the tip? like the 1st 1/4 inch or so. hahahahaha! thats what she said! also is there a book that is caliber specific and goes over most reloading scenarios? Last edited by jtstretch; October 3, 2009 at 10:44 AM.

October 3, 2009, 06:58 PM	#17
jtstretch Junior Member Join Date: October 12, 2008 Posts: 9	well i just loaded my 1st ten rounds ever. 45acp 200gr swc cast bullet with 6gr unique. COL of 1.270...wish me luck, im heading to try them out. got confused on the whole grain thing though. 6gr is .38 +/- grams correct? also the case looks a bit distorted compared to before i reloaded them. is this normal? Last edited by jtstretch; October 3, 2009 at 07:06 PM.

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