45 Auto Rim load data

treebeard68 · January 26, 2007, 02:10 PM

Having recently acquired a new S&W Model 22, I am looking for some feedback on 45 Auto Rim loads. I have Titegroup, Bullseye, Universal Clays, and AA#5. I have some 200gr. plated RN I would like to load as well as some other bullets I use for 45ACP. I would appreciate it if you folks could throw me some of your favorite loads that you use. Thanks in advance.

Rimrod · January 26, 2007, 03:15 PM

In case you don't get any other responses, you can use .45ACP data, in case you don't already know that.

BillCA · January 26, 2007, 05:10 PM

My notes show a 200gr Speer LSWC load at 3.6gr of Bullseye for 750fps.
Similar load is a 200gr JHP pushed by 4.7gr of Bullseye for 865 fps.

arkie2 · January 26, 2007, 05:27 PM

Lee Modern reloading has data for the .45 auto rim and a note at the top of the page that says some loads are reduced .45 ACP. I take that to mean that with some powders you shouldn't be using ACP data. Also, it's not recommended you load plated bullets to the upper limit of jacketed bullets but instead stay in the lower to mid range loads recommended for jacketed bullets. The reason I mention that is that the Lee book doesn't mention plated bullets, only lead and jacketed.

Having said all that here's some Lee data for 200 grain jacketed bullets with the only powder you mention that's in the Lee book. Titegroup shows a starting load of 4.2 grains and a max of 4.7 grains. Looks like you would be OK with about 4.2 to 4.4 grains based on the recommendation to stay in the lower range of jacketed loads for your plated bullets.

Just as a check I looked at the data for .45 ACP 200 grain jacketed bullets and titegroup. The start load there is 4.7 grains and the max is 5.2 so you can see Lee recommends a smaller powder load for the Auto Rim with identical bullets and powder.

I also have a .45 autorim load for Bullseye from Cartridges of the World 11th edition which shows a load for 200 grain bullet of 4.9 grains. The book doesn't specify however whether this is for jacketed or lead.

treebeard68 · January 26, 2007, 06:34 PM

You da man. That's exactly what I am looking for. Thank you sooooooo much. I really wanted to load up these Rainier 200gr. plated RN this weekend so the next time it gets above 10 degrees here in NH I can shoot them. It's only -17 with the wind chill right now.

Rimrod · January 26, 2007, 07:28 PM

The Lee manual is a good one, but unfortunatly they leave a lot of information out. And since it's the cheapest one available it's the only one people think they should buy.

The only factory .45 AR round available was a lead RN available from Remington. It was pretty soft and would lead barrels at higher velocities so it was loaded "light". Since this was the only factory load, the SAAMI specifications for pressure were based off of that one load. Internally the AR brass is the same as ACP brass and loaded to the same data as ACP will give you the same pressures.

It's hard to tell what the statement in the Lee manual means because they don't explain it. It may mean that they didn't work the loads up and just reduced them from .45ACP data. What it does tell me is you can't own too many reloading manuals.

treebeard68 · January 26, 2007, 07:44 PM

I agree about not owning too many reloading manuals. I have the Hornady and the Lyman with the newest Lee and Hodgdon on the way.

ziggy222 · January 26, 2007, 08:50 PM

i found plenty of reloading data for 45 auto rim in modern reloading by richard lee and metallic cartridge reloading 3rd edition by m l mcpherson.companies that make plated bullets tell you to use reloading data for lead slugs,not jacketed.

**Mike Irwin** · January 27, 2007, 09:36 AM

I've always look sideways at the "reduce your Auto Rim loads!!!" recommendations, as well.

These guns were originally designed to shoot military ball .45 ACP ammo so there's no problem at all sticking with those specifications with either a jacketed or lead bullet, as long as the lead is hard enough to prevent fouling.

January 26, 2007, 02:10 PM	#1
treebeard68 Member Join Date: December 6, 2006 Location: NH Posts: 33	45 Auto Rim load data Having recently acquired a new S&W Model 22, I am looking for some feedback on 45 Auto Rim loads. I have Titegroup, Bullseye, Universal Clays, and AA#5. I have some 200gr. plated RN I would like to load as well as some other bullets I use for 45ACP. I would appreciate it if you folks could throw me some of your favorite loads that you use. Thanks in advance.

January 26, 2007, 05:10 PM	#3
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	My notes show a 200gr Speer LSWC load at 3.6gr of Bullseye for 750fps. Similar load is a 200gr JHP pushed by 4.7gr of Bullseye for 865 fps. __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)

January 27, 2007, 09:36 AM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I've always look sideways at the "reduce your Auto Rim loads!!!" recommendations, as well. These guns were originally designed to shoot military ball .45 ACP ammo so there's no problem at all sticking with those specifications with either a jacketed or lead bullet, as long as the lead is hard enough to prevent fouling. __________________ "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.

January 26, 2007, 03:15 PM	#2
Rimrod Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Behind enemy lines Posts: 1,309	In case you don't get any other responses, you can use .45ACP data, in case you don't already know that.

January 26, 2007, 05:27 PM	#4
arkie2 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2006 Posts: 475	Lee Modern reloading has data for the .45 auto rim and a note at the top of the page that says some loads are reduced .45 ACP. I take that to mean that with some powders you shouldn't be using ACP data. Also, it's not recommended you load plated bullets to the upper limit of jacketed bullets but instead stay in the lower to mid range loads recommended for jacketed bullets. The reason I mention that is that the Lee book doesn't mention plated bullets, only lead and jacketed. Having said all that here's some Lee data for 200 grain jacketed bullets with the only powder you mention that's in the Lee book. Titegroup shows a starting load of 4.2 grains and a max of 4.7 grains. Looks like you would be OK with about 4.2 to 4.4 grains based on the recommendation to stay in the lower range of jacketed loads for your plated bullets. Just as a check I looked at the data for .45 ACP 200 grain jacketed bullets and titegroup. The start load there is 4.7 grains and the max is 5.2 so you can see Lee recommends a smaller powder load for the Auto Rim with identical bullets and powder. I also have a .45 autorim load for Bullseye from Cartridges of the World 11th edition which shows a load for 200 grain bullet of 4.9 grains. The book doesn't specify however whether this is for jacketed or lead.

January 26, 2007, 06:34 PM	#5
treebeard68 Member Join Date: December 6, 2006 Location: NH Posts: 33	You da man. That's exactly what I am looking for. Thank you sooooooo much. I really wanted to load up these Rainier 200gr. plated RN this weekend so the next time it gets above 10 degrees here in NH I can shoot them. It's only -17 with the wind chill right now.

January 26, 2007, 07:28 PM	#6
Rimrod Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Behind enemy lines Posts: 1,309	The Lee manual is a good one, but unfortunatly they leave a lot of information out. And since it's the cheapest one available it's the only one people think they should buy. The only factory .45 AR round available was a lead RN available from Remington. It was pretty soft and would lead barrels at higher velocities so it was loaded "light". Since this was the only factory load, the SAAMI specifications for pressure were based off of that one load. Internally the AR brass is the same as ACP brass and loaded to the same data as ACP will give you the same pressures. It's hard to tell what the statement in the Lee manual means because they don't explain it. It may mean that they didn't work the loads up and just reduced them from .45ACP data. What it does tell me is you can't own too many reloading manuals.

January 26, 2007, 07:44 PM	#7
treebeard68 Member Join Date: December 6, 2006 Location: NH Posts: 33	I agree about not owning too many reloading manuals. I have the Hornady and the Lyman with the newest Lee and Hodgdon on the way.

January 26, 2007, 08:50 PM	#8
ziggy222 Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2006 Posts: 184	i found plenty of reloading data for 45 auto rim in modern reloading by richard lee and metallic cartridge reloading 3rd edition by m l mcpherson.companies that make plated bullets tell you to use reloading data for lead slugs,not jacketed.