.45acp and bullseye?

Biathlonman · May 15, 2002, 10:32 PM

Ok I am new to reloading so forgive me if this is a stupid question. First off I am very book conscience right now, but I have a question about upping a load over the book value.

All sources I have found list 230gr LRN slug as having a max charge of 4.0gr (alhthough some call this the "target" load), while they list 5.0 with jacketed 230. I am looking to make an equivavlent round nose to my 230gr self defense load. Can I up my charge of bullseye with the LRN?

Pressures seem to be really low with the 4gr charge, but I am so new at this that I am looking for help.

I do have a chronograph which I was planning on using to get the lead to match the numbers of a factory jacket 230gr, self defense load.

With all that being said, I am still looking for a good safe practice round.....Thanks for your help!!!!

C.R.Sam · May 15, 2002, 10:40 PM

Suggest work up two tenths at a time till you get it right.

Do not exceed 5gr.

If your bullets have proper lube, should be able to get the load to match. If proper lube on em, youre gonna get leadin. Watch for it.

Do not take my word for it. Second source ALL load data. Even that from printed pubs. Editorial gaffes and typos happen.

Sam

jjmorgan64 · May 15, 2002, 10:45 PM

Alliant's website lists 4.0 gr bullseye as the max.

Minimum OAL 1.190
(inches)

Bbl Length 5.0

Primer Fed.

Powder Charge Weight Bullseye 4.0
(grains)

Velocity 810
(fps)

Chamber Pressure 13,900
(psi)

This sounds like a pretty sound load. If you want to increase thye umph a little you may want to switch powders.

Stephen A. Camp · May 15, 2002, 11:19 PM

Hello. I've loaded a ton of 225/230 gr CRN .45 ACP loads using exactly 5.0 gr BE with no pressure signs and no problems...ever.
I'm not advising to go beyond published data.

Different guns have different "maximums" and the publishers of reloading manuals have to take all pistols that might fire a load into account.

That loads gives right at 800 ft/sec from my 5" Kimber.

Perhaps start off with 4.5 or 4.6 gr and work up until you get what you want.

Best.

PS: As you know, there's a difference between hard cast and swaged pistol bullets with the former being much harder. In some cases, Speer has stated that loads with their swaged bullets are on the low side to prevent leading.

Shoney · May 16, 2002, 01:41 AM

Not that I am advocating it, but my old Pacific manual lists a max of 5.7 gr Bullseye and 230 fmj. At 5.0 gr it only has a pressure of 16,200 PSI, while +P goes to 22,000 PSI.

Alliant even lists a +P load with 230FMC and Power Pistol.

I have been able to load copper washed, hard cast lead bullets to the velocity of jacketed.

Regards, Shoney

WESHOOT2 · May 16, 2002, 05:22 AM

OAL 1.250--1.265".

Biathlonman · May 16, 2002, 07:12 PM

Weshoot2--

That was my other question. The manual listed 1.19" as proper OAL length, but the bullets look really short.

Is this right or should I back the die out a little to make them a little longer?

Peter M. Eick · May 16, 2002, 07:14 PM

Like weshoot says, long load them, 1.265 is a great length for 230 hardball. I run 4.9 grns bullseye with no problems, rem 230 fmjs, starline brass, cci300 primers.

LAH · May 17, 2002, 12:38 PM

I use 4 grains of Bullseye with the 230 lead RN. OAL 1.270. My 45 Edition Lyman Manual list 4.7 at 854 fps as max. 5 grains is probably OK.

badboybob · May 17, 2002, 01:34 PM

I quit using Bullseye years ago. I is the dirtiest powder I've ever used. That said NEVER go beyond maximum recommended loads if you value your extremities.

Edward429451 · May 17, 2002, 02:10 PM

Awhile back I was using BE as a .45ACP powder. Charge weight was 5.0 grains with a 225 gr LRN. Forget the length and I'm on my way back out to work from lunch, so no time to look it up. IIRC, that was before I had calipers and I just seated them until they would work in a Colt Mag...

May 15, 2002, 10:32 PM	#1
Biathlonman Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Location: Kentucky/Ohio, both Posts: 98	.45acp and bullseye? Ok I am new to reloading so forgive me if this is a stupid question. First off I am very book conscience right now, but I have a question about upping a load over the book value. All sources I have found list 230gr LRN slug as having a max charge of 4.0gr (alhthough some call this the "target" load), while they list 5.0 with jacketed 230. I am looking to make an equivavlent round nose to my 230gr self defense load. Can I up my charge of bullseye with the LRN? Pressures seem to be really low with the 4gr charge, but I am so new at this that I am looking for help. I do have a chronograph which I was planning on using to get the lead to match the numbers of a factory jacket 230gr, self defense load. With all that being said, I am still looking for a good safe practice round.....Thanks for your help!!!!

May 16, 2002, 05:22 AM	#6
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	".....peep....." OAL 1.250--1.265".

May 17, 2002, 12:38 PM	#9
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,202	My Load I use 4 grains of Bullseye with the 230 lead RN. OAL 1.270. My 45 Edition Lyman Manual list 4.7 at 854 fps as max. 5 grains is probably OK.

May 15, 2002, 10:40 PM	#2
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	Suggest work up two tenths at a time till you get it right. Do not exceed 5gr. If your bullets have proper lube, should be able to get the load to match. If proper lube on em, youre gonna get leadin. Watch for it. Do not take my word for it. Second source ALL load data. Even that from printed pubs. Editorial gaffes and typos happen. Sam

May 15, 2002, 10:45 PM	#3
jjmorgan64 Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2001 Posts: 519	Alliant's website lists 4.0 gr bullseye as the max. Minimum OAL 1.190 (inches) Bbl Length 5.0 Primer Fed. Powder Charge Weight Bullseye 4.0 (grains) Velocity 810 (fps) Chamber Pressure 13,900 (psi) This sounds like a pretty sound load. If you want to increase thye umph a little you may want to switch powders.

May 15, 2002, 11:19 PM	#4
Stephen A. Camp Staff In Memoriam Join Date: April 17, 1999 Posts: 2,570	Hello. I've loaded a ton of 225/230 gr CRN .45 ACP loads using exactly 5.0 gr BE with no pressure signs and no problems...ever. I'm not advising to go beyond published data. Different guns have different "maximums" and the publishers of reloading manuals have to take all pistols that might fire a load into account. That loads gives right at 800 ft/sec from my 5" Kimber. Perhaps start off with 4.5 or 4.6 gr and work up until you get what you want. Best. PS: As you know, there's a difference between hard cast and swaged pistol bullets with the former being much harder. In some cases, Speer has stated that loads with their swaged bullets are on the low side to prevent leading.

May 16, 2002, 01:41 AM	#5
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	Not that I am advocating it, but my old Pacific manual lists a max of 5.7 gr Bullseye and 230 fmj. At 5.0 gr it only has a pressure of 16,200 PSI, while +P goes to 22,000 PSI. Alliant even lists a +P load with 230FMC and Power Pistol. I have been able to load copper washed, hard cast lead bullets to the velocity of jacketed. Regards, Shoney

May 16, 2002, 07:12 PM	#7
Biathlonman Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Location: Kentucky/Ohio, both Posts: 98	Weshoot2-- That was my other question. The manual listed 1.19" as proper OAL length, but the bullets look really short. Is this right or should I back the die out a little to make them a little longer?

May 16, 2002, 07:14 PM	#8
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	Like weshoot says, long load them, 1.265 is a great length for 230 hardball. I run 4.9 grns bullseye with no problems, rem 230 fmjs, starline brass, cci300 primers.

May 17, 2002, 01:34 PM	#10
badboybob Member Join Date: May 7, 2002 Location: Jacksonville, NC Posts: 34	I quit using Bullseye years ago. I is the dirtiest powder I've ever used. That said NEVER go beyond maximum recommended loads if you value your extremities.

May 17, 2002, 02:10 PM	#11
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Awhile back I was using BE as a .45ACP powder. Charge weight was 5.0 grains with a 225 gr LRN. Forget the length and I'm on my way back out to work from lunch, so no time to look it up. IIRC, that was before I had calipers and I just seated them until they would work in a Colt Mag...