heavy .45 acp loads

bamaranger · September 7, 2011, 11:22 PM

I have a quantity of 250 gr RNFP long Colt slugs that I am thinkng about loading for .45acp.

With Unique, what would be a good start point and possible max.

Loads fired in a SIG P220.

Any better powder suggestions?

Mike / Tx · September 8, 2011, 03:31 AM

bamaranger,

I cannot off the top of my head pull up where I have seen the loads your looking for posted, but I HAVE seen them. In fact somewhere round here in the data of this PC I have a bunch listed. There was a write up in the "Blue Press" on them I know as this is some of the data I have.

The issue your going to find will be working with the longer bullets the pressures will need to be considered since you will be seating bullets a bit deeper in the cases. Function is reported to be determined by tweaking the loads up in .1gr increments.

Shoot me a PM to remind me and I will shoot you a copy of the data I have.

MADISON · September 8, 2011, 07:39 AM

A 250 gr load with 5.0 grains of UNIQUE is very unconfortabke to shoot!

GeauxTide · September 8, 2011, 11:48 AM

Loaddata lists 5.0 of Unique for 745, but doesn't list pressure. Hope your bullets are not over .452.

bamaranger · September 13, 2011, 10:51 PM

I snooped around in some old Speer Manuals and found .451 260 gr JACKETED bullets that went to 6.2 gr Unique. As jacketed loads seem to build more pressure than lead, that seemed like a fair guideline for a max.

Same manual listed .45 auto rim w/ lead 250's to 6.4 Unique.

I started at 5.2 and went up to 6.0 grs w/ no trouble. All function seems normal, spent cases seem normal. Recoil was not excessive at all, almost mild in feeling actually. Ejection seemed normal as well.

BTW my lead slugs seem to mic .454.

Why am I doing this? Got stuck w/ a quantity of 250 gr RNFP after a .45 LC project for another guy, figured I might as well shoot them up.

TXGunNut · September 14, 2011, 09:29 PM

Buy a Ruger in 45 Colt. Trust me on this one, my friend. It'll be your new favorite cartridge in a matter of weeks.

bamaranger · September 15, 2011, 02:24 AM

You don't have to sell me on Rugers, as I am already a fan, but no .45. I came very close to buying a .45 LC S&W mountain revolver 15-20 yrs ago but did not, my logic being that , as I had a .44 same, I did not want another caliber.

That big .45 LC lead slug/case is intriguing though.

GeauxTide · September 15, 2011, 04:46 PM

I'm with TGN. I don't hardly shoot anything else but my Bisley 44SPL and 45LC.

dickttx · September 15, 2011, 09:22 PM

I have a 1971 Blackhawk .45 Colt with a 7 1/2' barrel that I bought new.
It had been pretty much packed away for 40 years until about a year ago.
Sent it to cylindersmith and had the cylinder reamed.
I am amazed at how well that thing shoots, and how much fun it is. I generally use the 250gn RNFP, but have just loaded some 200gn RNFP to try out. The first 30 shot as well as the 250gn.
Buy you a .45 Blackhawk, then order some more of those bullets from MBC!!

Wireman134 · September 16, 2011, 12:57 PM

My Springfield Loaded 1911-A1 likes 5.5gr. Unique with this 253gr. as cast sized. to .452", 15 Bhn slug. Loaded to just below the crimp grove 1.210" oal. Feeds fine with polished, throated barrel and Wolf 18.5lb. variable spring. I'm guessing at 800-850fps. Search for "pin loads"
I would not use it in a non steel frame auto though.

fatmax · September 18, 2011, 07:10 PM

I'm a big fan of heavy bullets in 45acp. The only load I run thru my S&W 22-4 45acp revolver is 255gr hardcast lswc bullets pushing 920fps. I had a S&W 45colt Mountain gun, but got rid of it because I found I couldn't really load the 45colt much hotter than I could the 45acp in a S&W revolver. If it were a Ruger, that would not be the case, but in a S&W you don't want to really push the 45colt to hot. Anyway, I found I could push my favorite bullet to the same velocity in the 45acp as in the 45colt, but use less powder.

If you are shooting a revolver, try Double Tap's 255gr 45autorim loads. They are a great load, accurate and hard-hitting. I've pretty much switched over to 45autorim in the revolver, and Double Tap sells the 255gr bullets for reloading, too.

My next step is to try heavier bullets in 45gap. I have a Glock 37 and Glock 38, and have been loading 225gr lead truncated cone bullets to about 900fps. I'd like to try 250gr lswc bullets, or maybe even the 255gr DT bullets. If anyone has any experience with this type of load, let me know.

Thanks
Fatmax

zeke · September 25, 2011, 09:19 AM

.4525 255 lrnfp, 1.247 col, fed 150 primer, RP brass, 5.0 unique for about 820 fps from 5 inch SA trophy match. Most accurate load tried in this pistol, and it allows the the longer COL due to a "lede" cut in the chamber. This col places bullet cannulure out side of case mouth.

1.171 col and 4.7 grains unique for hard ball (minimal or no lede) cut chambers at about 800 fps. This col places bullet cannelure just inside of case mouth, and the bullet diam is same just in front of cannelure on several 255 lrnfp's tried. 255's from Lee mold would be the exception.

Am using a 18 lb spring. Would not be surmising a .454 lead slug produces less pressure than a .451 jacketed slug, and would surmise the opposite is true unless you have a barrel with large bore diameter.

Specific COL is largely dependent on your particular pistol and dia of particuar bullet.

September 7, 2011, 11:22 PM	#1
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,312	heavy .45 acp loads I have a quantity of 250 gr RNFP long Colt slugs that I am thinkng about loading for .45acp. With Unique, what would be a good start point and possible max. Loads fired in a SIG P220. Any better powder suggestions?

September 8, 2011, 07:39 AM	#3
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	250 gr A 250 gr load with 5.0 grains of UNIQUE is very unconfortabke to shoot!

September 13, 2011, 10:51 PM	#5
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,312	OK I snooped around in some old Speer Manuals and found .451 260 gr JACKETED bullets that went to 6.2 gr Unique. As jacketed loads seem to build more pressure than lead, that seemed like a fair guideline for a max. Same manual listed .45 auto rim w/ lead 250's to 6.4 Unique. I started at 5.2 and went up to 6.0 grs w/ no trouble. All function seems normal, spent cases seem normal. Recoil was not excessive at all, almost mild in feeling actually. Ejection seemed normal as well. BTW my lead slugs seem to mic .454. Why am I doing this? Got stuck w/ a quantity of 250 gr RNFP after a .45 LC project for another guy, figured I might as well shoot them up.

September 14, 2011, 09:29 PM	#6
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Buy a Ruger in 45 Colt. Trust me on this one, my friend. It'll be your new favorite cartridge in a matter of weeks. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

September 15, 2011, 02:24 AM	#7
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,312	.45 LC You don't have to sell me on Rugers, as I am already a fan, but no .45. I came very close to buying a .45 LC S&W mountain revolver 15-20 yrs ago but did not, my logic being that , as I had a .44 same, I did not want another caliber. That big .45 LC lead slug/case is intriguing though.

September 8, 2011, 03:31 AM	#2
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	bamaranger, I cannot off the top of my head pull up where I have seen the loads your looking for posted, but I HAVE seen them. In fact somewhere round here in the data of this PC I have a bunch listed. There was a write up in the "Blue Press" on them I know as this is some of the data I have. The issue your going to find will be working with the longer bullets the pressures will need to be considered since you will be seating bullets a bit deeper in the cases. Function is reported to be determined by tweaking the loads up in .1gr increments. Shoot me a PM to remind me and I will shoot you a copy of the data I have.

September 8, 2011, 11:48 AM	#4
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	Loaddata lists 5.0 of Unique for 745, but doesn't list pressure. Hope your bullets are not over .452.

September 15, 2011, 04:46 PM	#8
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	I'm with TGN. I don't hardly shoot anything else but my Bisley 44SPL and 45LC.

September 15, 2011, 09:22 PM	#9
dickttx Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2011 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 500	I have a 1971 Blackhawk .45 Colt with a 7 1/2' barrel that I bought new. It had been pretty much packed away for 40 years until about a year ago. Sent it to cylindersmith and had the cylinder reamed. I am amazed at how well that thing shoots, and how much fun it is. I generally use the 250gn RNFP, but have just loaded some 200gn RNFP to try out. The first 30 shot as well as the 250gn. Buy you a .45 Blackhawk, then order some more of those bullets from MBC!! __________________ Education teaches you the rules, experience teaches you the exceptions (Plagiarized from Claude Clay)

September 16, 2011, 12:57 PM	#10
Wireman134 Member Join Date: October 27, 2009 Posts: 22	Lee 255gr.RF My Springfield Loaded 1911-A1 likes 5.5gr. Unique with this 253gr. as cast sized. to .452", 15 Bhn slug. Loaded to just below the crimp grove 1.210" oal. Feeds fine with polished, throated barrel and Wolf 18.5lb. variable spring. I'm guessing at 800-850fps. Search for "pin loads" I would not use it in a non steel frame auto though. Last edited by Wireman134; September 18, 2011 at 11:46 AM.

September 18, 2011, 07:10 PM	#11
fatmax Member Join Date: May 23, 2008 Location: Vermont Posts: 45	I'm a big fan of heavy bullets in 45acp. The only load I run thru my S&W 22-4 45acp revolver is 255gr hardcast lswc bullets pushing 920fps. I had a S&W 45colt Mountain gun, but got rid of it because I found I couldn't really load the 45colt much hotter than I could the 45acp in a S&W revolver. If it were a Ruger, that would not be the case, but in a S&W you don't want to really push the 45colt to hot. Anyway, I found I could push my favorite bullet to the same velocity in the 45acp as in the 45colt, but use less powder. If you are shooting a revolver, try Double Tap's 255gr 45autorim loads. They are a great load, accurate and hard-hitting. I've pretty much switched over to 45autorim in the revolver, and Double Tap sells the 255gr bullets for reloading, too. My next step is to try heavier bullets in 45gap. I have a Glock 37 and Glock 38, and have been loading 225gr lead truncated cone bullets to about 900fps. I'd like to try 250gr lswc bullets, or maybe even the 255gr DT bullets. If anyone has any experience with this type of load, let me know. Thanks Fatmax

September 25, 2011, 09:19 AM	#12
zeke Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 1999 Location: NW Wi Posts: 1,671	.4525 255 lrnfp, 1.247 col, fed 150 primer, RP brass, 5.0 unique for about 820 fps from 5 inch SA trophy match. Most accurate load tried in this pistol, and it allows the the longer COL due to a "lede" cut in the chamber. This col places bullet cannulure out side of case mouth. 1.171 col and 4.7 grains unique for hard ball (minimal or no lede) cut chambers at about 800 fps. This col places bullet cannelure just inside of case mouth, and the bullet diam is same just in front of cannelure on several 255 lrnfp's tried. 255's from Lee mold would be the exception. Am using a 18 lb spring. Would not be surmising a .454 lead slug produces less pressure than a .451 jacketed slug, and would surmise the opposite is true unless you have a barrel with large bore diameter. Specific COL is largely dependent on your particular pistol and dia of particuar bullet.