45 short barrel

[Nykop]

What do you carry for SD in you short barrel 45? I'v been trying out ammo for my PM45 so far she likes remington GS 185gr and 230gr speer GD and double tap185gr.She dont like federal. I had a few FTF. The golden sabers seem to work the smoothest.Going to try out hornady this week.

[45_Shooter]

Small, short barrel guns in many cases work better with lighter bullet weights. The .45 is a slow round and a short barrel will cut speed even further, so using a lighter bullet like a 185 grain helps ensure high enough velocity that hollow points expand and reduces muzzle flip for faster followups in light guns.

You may find that certain standard pressure 230 grain loads perform well also, the trick is to find loads that have fast enough powder to burn completely in the abbreviated barrel, and/or hollowpoints designed to expand at reduced velocities. If you have access to a chronograph it might help determine which loads are suitable as well.

Speer makes a load designed for shorter barrels, a "Short Barrel" 230 grain loading in .45 Auto that gives standard 5" barrel performance from 4" barrels (820 FPS), it may prove to work well in shorter barrels as well; it's worth a phone call.

[Chesster]

I've used Fed 230 HS and some vintage Speer 200gr flying ashtrays in my Colt Off and RIA Comp. Tactical.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m60/Chesster_photos/coltria006.jpg

[qwman68]

my pt-145 shoots 185 gr.golden sabers better than any bullet ive ever tried.. and ive tried alot

[Jim Downey]

Our tests (http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/45auto.html) convinced me: CorBon 185gr +P for my 3.5" Para. It feeds and cycles them just fine.

Jim D.

[Poseidon28]

Jim, NICE work.

I'd draw a different conclusion. I'd be looking at the figures for about a 3-5" barrel, and compare that to the speed in the longer barrels. The smaller the difference, the better job the company did with matching powder speed, bullet weight, for CCW, read shorter barrels.

I like the 230 grain Plus P Corbon
The Federal 230 grain Hi shok
and I think it's the
Federal 230 grain Hydra Shok JHP Plus P

I'd be more likely to look at Double Taps 230 Speer Gold Dot grain HP at 1015 fps, out of a 5" barrel.

Also, it appears that the heavier bullets 230 grains, provide more resistance, and, therefore are better for short barrels then lighter bullets, which move more quickly, without full powder combustion.

IIRC, your 3" is actually a 4" from the way your testing stuff is set up?

So, taking the 165's
1450-1050=400 fps 28%
1251-991=260 fps 21%
1195-870=225 fps 27%

vs. 230's
1065-893=172 16%
888-758=130 15%
937-787=150 16%

The 230's are closer to their design velocity then the 165's, and, the 230's are more efficient.

Should have looked at your pick, the Corbon 185 DPX:
1220-967=253 21%
NOT real efficient, but, the DPX does have a rep for penetration better then the normal JHP's, which with light bullets, and short barrels is an issue.

[GeauxTide]

In my PT 145, tried Federal 230 Hydra Shocks and Rem Golden Sabre 185s. The RGS were, hands down, better.

[michael t]

I have several 3 and 3 1/2" 1911's I use the 185DPX +P by Corbon in all of them also in my Commanders for carry 230 ball for play My 5" likes the 200grJHP Corbon +P

[Nykop]

Thanks for the info and so far I like the 185gr remington GS as far as function. I have been running a few boxes through my PM45 without a hitch. If they are a good SD round is another story. Its expensive enough just to get this far. I wish I had a place I could do some of my own test. Another factor for now is remington GS and dbl tap is the only ammo I can get my hands on. If anyone is looking for remington GS cabelas has them in stock. I bought a few 185 and 230gr boxes. Dont wait too long they will be gone.