Need +P recipe for 45 ACP

[MaineColt]

I'm looking for a recipe for 45 ACP +P in 230 grain flat nose bullet.

Anyone have one??

Thanks, Kev

[Foxbat]

What kind of velocity are you looking to get?

I am using 7.0 grains of Universal Clays, the velocities are in the 850fps range out of 4" barrel. No signs of overpressure at all.

[MaineColt]

Foxbat,

Thanks for responding.

Looking at loading a flat-nosed bullet, 230 or 250 grain. (Rather have the 250)
The fastest that I can get without loading to dangerous levels.

On another forum, a couple guys are loading 250 grain bullets with 6 grains of Unique.

Kev

[Edward429451]

Whu do you need +P in a 45? If you do need the extra power that a +P would give you I think you'd be better off going to a different cartridge. Riding the edge of the envelope is almost always not the best course of action pressure & safetywise.

JMO

[AlaskaMike]

6 grains of Unique sounds like it might be a little hot with a 250 grain bullet. For .45 ACP +P I use 7 grains of Power Pistol with a 230 grain bullet. I can definitely recommend PP for higher pressure loads--in my opinion it's more forgiving than Unique.

I'd suggest emailing Alliant for their suggestions. They've always been not only very responsive to my emails but very willing to suggest load data that has always later proven to be good.

Mike

[Foxbat]

Well, it depends. I like shooting hot loads, even in compact guns like Glock 30. Like I said - I do not see any signs of overpressure, and I have never seen any issues with such loads.

[MaineColt]

Quote- Edward429451,"[Whu do you need +P in a 45? If you do need the extra power that a +P would give you I think you'd be better off going to a different cartridge. Riding the edge of the envelope is almost always not the best course of action pressure & safetywise.

JMO]"


I'm not the only person wanting +P in a cartridge.

Probably why several million +P rounds are sold every year to thousands of pistol owners who do not want to buy a gun in "a different cartridge."

Thanks for the response though Ed.

Kev

[Foxbat]

Just a word of caution - if you are going to make your own TRUE +P ammo, going into 950fps, you should use good brass, not the standard random kind. Check with the folks at Starline, for instance, if they recommend theirs for such loads.

I have seen 230 grain bullets fly out of my 4" barrel at 937fps, with no ill effects whatsoever, but better safe than sorry.

[DannyAbear]

The Alliant website has several +P loads using PowerPistol.

[45Marlin carbine]

powerpistol for my loads shot from my .45 Marlin carbine fitted with a 21 lb recoil spring. whacks a steel plate (3/8" thick) with authority.

[Edward429451]

better safe than sorry.

That's what I'm saying. If I was loading +P I would hand weigh each charge and use new brass. You never know when that powder measure will throw .3 heavy and will it be on the one that seated slightly deep? No margin for error.

Feces happens. Be careful.

[Foxbat]

Just looked at Starline home page, they have brass for .45ACP +P loads, it is special stronger brass, here is what they say about it:

"45 Auto+P is a strengthened version of the 45 Auto with the same external dimensions. A thicker web and heavier sidewall at base strengthens the case in potentially unsupported areas. This case has approximately 2 grains less internal capacity than the standard 45 Auto."

Also, when loading to extreme, a good chrono is MANDATORY!!! If you simply go by published numbers, your velocities and pressures can be different by 20% sometimes.

Another small tip... when using special brass, like the +P Starline, it makes sense to mark it so you would not lose it at the range, and not mix with other brass that looks the same. Simply putting a line or a cross on the base, across the primer, with a permanent marker, seems to be the most reliable way. Putting marks on the sides is not as good, as it gets rubbed off easily by chambering/extraction process. This is much easier on your eyes than reading the stamps.

[freakshow10mm]

Hodgdon also has +P data on their site.

[WESHOOT2]

Most highly recommend Alliant Power Pistol and CCI300.

Most highly recommend new cases only (and size them first).

Most highly recommend regular Winchester case.

Most highly recommend (hey! pay attention!) ensuring sufficient case neck tension.

Most highly recommend chrono-mapping in .1g increments after passing Alliant data.

Caution: using high-performance loads will increase wear and decrease service life.
Be safe.

[Alleykat]

So, WeShoot, why wouldn't you "most highly recommend" genuine +p brass?

[nate45]

I use 7.6grs of Power Pistol with a 230gr XTP. Rem +P brass and standard primers.

I hand weigh each charge and run them through a Lee factory crimp die. They are every bit as reliable as premium factory rounds.

[WESHOOT2]

I most highly don't recommend it due to its reduced internal capacity.

I wish IMI brass 45 ACP (verybest 45 case) were readily available......but Winchester works.

We are talkin' +P aren't we?



[insert italics here]".....sounds of insane laughter still echoing....."[end italics]

[Foxbat]

I most highly don't recommend it due to its reduced internal capacity.

The internal capacity is included in the load calculation.

What velocities do you normally get?

[WESHOOT2]

In my guns I prefer a 230g LRN at 737fps; my personal 'defense' ammo uses a 230g non-bonded Golden Saber under 815fps.
I suggest more velocity is not required for proper bullet performance.

I have no personal need for +P 45 ACP.
At this time (came back to add this ;-)

I have and use R-P +P nickeled brass for numerous applications.

I have some experience developing custom loads, some exceeding 1000fps, using 230g jacketed bullets of varying type, based on customer requirements.

[W. C. Quantrill]

I am getting about 880 fps with Accurate #2 Improved. I also went to a heavier recoil spring, 18.5# I believe, to tame it. It is a good clean accurate load.

We played with some loads approaching 1000fps, but found them difficult to control and turned them down for accuracy. We adhere to "You cannot miss fast enough to win."