Back from the Lab! (.45acp Reloading data)

J.T.King · August 9, 2000, 01:12 AM

Well, I am back from beautiful Lake Tahoe!

As some of you who helped me out know, I visit my father from time to time and do a bit aof reloading. This was the first use of our new Lee LoadMaster progressive press.We loaded strictly .45acp this time.

In addition, He bought a new Pact One chrono on the advice of some TFLers and we had a blast with it, clocking everything we could get downrange!

My goal was to load up some HOT loads for my robust H&K USP45f. I am a power freak and thoroughly enjoy learning to handle recoil in an authoritative manner.

DISCLAIMER
These are the loads I used in *MY* gun. Reloading is not for careless people. Work your own loads up slow and check all fired cases and primers for damage before continuing! (not that I am an expert, but this seems only wise) Use any of these loads in *your* gun at *your* own risk!

So here are the loads that I worked up:

"STANDARD RELOAD"
45acp 230gr FMJ (Remington)
Brass: Remington Nickel Plated +P (reloads)
Primer: CCI300 Large Pistol
Powder: 5.4gr Alliant Bullseye
OAL: 1.265"-1.270"
Crimp: Firm .468" casemouth
Notes: First large run on Loadmaster, loaded 500 rounds in 2.5 hours. setup took 4 hours (first time. No misfires, no failures to feed.

"STANDARD RELOAD" Balistic data (10 random rounds)
Avg FPS: 854
Hi FPS: 867
Lo FPS: 842
Avg Deviation: 7.9

"ELITE HANDLOAD"
45acp +P+ 230gr FMJ (Remington)
Brass: Remington Nickel Plated +P (new)
Primer: CCI300 Large Pistol
Powder: 7.8gr Alliant Power Pistol
OAL: 1.270"-1.275"
Crimp: Firm .468" casemouth
Notes: Power round. workup 7.2gr, 7.4gr, 7.6gr, 7.8gr, 8.0gr. No bulging cases or primers even at 8.0gr. No misfires, no failures to feed. Loaded 650 in 4 hours. Setup 15 mins.

"ELITE HANDLOAD" Balistic data (10 random rounds)
Avg FPS: 941
Hi FPS: 962
Lo FPS: 917
Avg Deviation: 16.0

8.0gr PP Workup Balistic Data
Avg FPS: 1020
Hi FPS: 1076
Lo FPS: 976
Avg Deviation: 21.0

Final Notes:
Bullseye produced far more consistent results at the lower charges. Power Pistol burns a lot cleaner though. There seemed to be a sweet spot with the Power Pistol at 7.8gr in a 1.270" OAL:
7.2gr PP AvgDev = 5.8
7.4gr PP AvgDev = 18.6
7.6gr PP AvgDev = 21.8
7.8gr PP AvgDev = 13.4
8.0gr PP AvgDev = 21.2
But the actual production run was a little worse deviation than the workup loads (which were hand measured).

All in all, I had a blast and I hope this info is useful or at least entertaining!

J.T.

As usual FWIW, IMHO, YMMV and all that

Patrick Graham · August 9, 2000, 03:06 PM

Question
Can you put slam pads on the H&K USP45f?

I put slam pads in my 1911's anytime I go over 850 fps in 45 acp with 230 gr bullets.

7.8 grains of PowerPistol with a 230 fmj is a hotsy totsy load. I settled on 7.1 grains of powerpistol, it averaged about 847 fps with 230 gr fmj.

Looks like the 5.4 gr bullseye load is right on the money for a milspec 45 acp load.

[This message has been edited by Patrick Graham (edited August 09, 2000).]

J.T.King · August 9, 2000, 10:16 PM

What exactly are "slam-pads" ?

**Mal H** · August 10, 2000, 12:37 AM

Recoil shok-buffers.

J.T.King · August 10, 2000, 02:46 AM

ok.. I give...

What are "Recoil shok-buffers"??

Is this a device that softens the impact of the slie on the frame once it recoils all the way?

If so, then the H&K USP45f already has a recoild reduction system built in. There is a second short spring (20lbs if I recall)that absobes the remaining recoil after the case has been ejected enabling the pistol to take greater forces safely than most 45's and softening the felt recoil for these types of hot loads I am loading.

If I am way off base, someone let me know! :P

J.T.

alan · August 12, 2000, 01:30 AM

The following load has worked well in a couple of "government model" 45's, with 200 grain swc sized .452".

Winchester primers, random cases, mostly u.s. military. Load follows, work up to it. 5.2 grains Red Dot for slightly over 900 ft/sec.
oal 1.260, case od at mouth, taper crimped .470. Shoots straighter than I can hold.

Patrick Graham · August 12, 2000, 08:20 AM

"What are "Recoil shok-buffers"??"

They are the little plastic hootie thingys that you put in 1911's to keep the slide from bashing back into the frame with hot 45 loads. AKA slam pads.

J.T.King · August 13, 2000, 03:10 AM

ok.. I understand the concept, but I have never seen them. I do know the 1911 as it was my issue sidearm in the Army... so where exactly do these "slam-pads" go?

Obviously they wont be applicable to the USP, but i'm still curious.

Thanks!

J.T.

Patrick Graham · August 13, 2000, 08:17 AM

Slam pads go on the recoil spring guide.

August 9, 2000, 01:12 AM	#1
J.T.King Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 345	Well, I am back from beautiful Lake Tahoe! As some of you who helped me out know, I visit my father from time to time and do a bit aof reloading. This was the first use of our new Lee LoadMaster progressive press.We loaded strictly .45acp this time. In addition, He bought a new Pact One chrono on the advice of some TFLers and we had a blast with it, clocking everything we could get downrange! My goal was to load up some HOT loads for my robust H&K USP45f. I am a power freak and thoroughly enjoy learning to handle recoil in an authoritative manner. DISCLAIMER These are the loads I used in MY gun. Reloading is not for careless people. Work your own loads up slow and check all fired cases and primers for damage before continuing! (not that I am an expert, but this seems only wise) Use any of these loads in your gun at your own risk! So here are the loads that I worked up: "STANDARD RELOAD" 45acp 230gr FMJ (Remington) Brass: Remington Nickel Plated +P (reloads) Primer: CCI300 Large Pistol Powder: 5.4gr Alliant Bullseye OAL: 1.265"-1.270" Crimp: Firm .468" casemouth Notes: First large run on Loadmaster, loaded 500 rounds in 2.5 hours. setup took 4 hours (first time. No misfires, no failures to feed. "STANDARD RELOAD" Balistic data (10 random rounds) Avg FPS: 854 Hi FPS: 867 Lo FPS: 842 Avg Deviation: 7.9 "ELITE HANDLOAD" 45acp +P+ 230gr FMJ (Remington) Brass: Remington Nickel Plated +P (new) Primer: CCI300 Large Pistol Powder: 7.8gr Alliant Power Pistol OAL: 1.270"-1.275" Crimp: Firm .468" casemouth Notes: Power round. workup 7.2gr, 7.4gr, 7.6gr, 7.8gr, 8.0gr. No bulging cases or primers even at 8.0gr. No misfires, no failures to feed. Loaded 650 in 4 hours. Setup 15 mins. "ELITE HANDLOAD" Balistic data (10 random rounds) Avg FPS: 941 Hi FPS: 962 Lo FPS: 917 Avg Deviation: 16.0 8.0gr PP Workup Balistic Data Avg FPS: 1020 Hi FPS: 1076 Lo FPS: 976 Avg Deviation: 21.0 Final Notes: Bullseye produced far more consistent results at the lower charges. Power Pistol burns a lot cleaner though. There seemed to be a sweet spot with the Power Pistol at 7.8gr in a 1.270" OAL: 7.2gr PP AvgDev = 5.8 7.4gr PP AvgDev = 18.6 7.6gr PP AvgDev = 21.8 7.8gr PP AvgDev = 13.4 8.0gr PP AvgDev = 21.2 But the actual production run was a little worse deviation than the workup loads (which were hand measured). All in all, I had a blast and I hope this info is useful or at least entertaining! J.T. As usual FWIW, IMHO, YMMV and all that

August 9, 2000, 03:06 PM	#2
Patrick Graham Junior member Join Date: January 18, 1999 Location: Kokomo, Indiana USA Posts: 674	Question Can you put slam pads on the H&K USP45f? I put slam pads in my 1911's anytime I go over 850 fps in 45 acp with 230 gr bullets. 7.8 grains of PowerPistol with a 230 fmj is a hotsy totsy load. I settled on 7.1 grains of powerpistol, it averaged about 847 fps with 230 gr fmj. Looks like the 5.4 gr bullseye load is right on the money for a milspec 45 acp load. [This message has been edited by Patrick Graham (edited August 09, 2000).]

August 9, 2000, 10:16 PM	#3
J.T.King Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 345	What exactly are "slam-pads" ?

August 10, 2000, 12:37 AM	#4
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,949	Recoil shok-buffers.

August 10, 2000, 02:46 AM	#5
J.T.King Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 345	ok.. I give... What are "Recoil shok-buffers"?? Is this a device that softens the impact of the slie on the frame once it recoils all the way? If so, then the H&K USP45f already has a recoild reduction system built in. There is a second short spring (20lbs if I recall)that absobes the remaining recoil after the case has been ejected enabling the pistol to take greater forces safely than most 45's and softening the felt recoil for these types of hot loads I am loading. If I am way off base, someone let me know! :P J.T.

August 12, 2000, 01:30 AM	#6
alan Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 3,847	The following load has worked well in a couple of "government model" 45's, with 200 grain swc sized .452". Winchester primers, random cases, mostly u.s. military. Load follows, work up to it. 5.2 grains Red Dot for slightly over 900 ft/sec. oal 1.260, case od at mouth, taper crimped .470. Shoots straighter than I can hold.

August 12, 2000, 08:20 AM	#7
Patrick Graham Junior member Join Date: January 18, 1999 Location: Kokomo, Indiana USA Posts: 674	"What are "Recoil shok-buffers"??" They are the little plastic hootie thingys that you put in 1911's to keep the slide from bashing back into the frame with hot 45 loads. AKA slam pads.

August 13, 2000, 03:10 AM	#8
J.T.King Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 345	ok.. I understand the concept, but I have never seen them. I do know the 1911 as it was my issue sidearm in the Army... so where exactly do these "slam-pads" go? Obviously they wont be applicable to the USP, but i'm still curious. Thanks! J.T.

August 13, 2000, 08:17 AM	#9
Patrick Graham Junior member Join Date: January 18, 1999 Location: Kokomo, Indiana USA Posts: 674	Slam pads go on the recoil spring guide.