heavy loads for 1911 ria

[coonhound66]

I reload my own ammo and just bought my first 1911 ria was planning on 200 grain bullet over 4.6 to 5 grains of red dot or promo powder that I was lucky enough to find. Wondering if anyone out there has found to hot of a load. an

[g.willikers]

Here's the load data for .45acp, from the Alliant web site:
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...4&cartridge=35
It doesn't tell a whole lot, though.
If you have a chronograph, and try some loads in small steps, like .1 grain at a time, over the ones listed, you shouldn't get into trouble finding a suitably safe load.
Just watch for the usual signs of high pressure.

[Nick_C_S]

Speer #14 shows Red Dot from 4.1g to 4.5g, for their swaged lead SWC - but states they are loaded for accuracy - not to max pressure. Speer also has a plated TMJ, but doesn't give Red Dot data for it.

So that gives you a starting point. Of course, more research never hurts.

Careful with Red Dot - it bites. It can get unfriendly in a hurry. That said however, it does seem to be more forgiving in 45ACP than in many other cartridges. Just go slow and be observant when shooting. Chronographing is always a big help too.

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Red Dot seems to be the exception to the rule as fast powders go. Most fast powders produce less velocity with more pressure. Example: Tightgroup produces 17,400 C.U.P. with 895 fps max load where Red Dot produces the same velocity max load with 3000 less C.U.P .

It doesn't tell a whole lot, though.

That's my biggest quarrel with Alliant. No pressure data or start and Max load data listed. TG I have other sources. Lyman, data I have kept from my loads, and some good online sources for cast bullets.

I reload my own ammo and just bought my first 1911 ria was planning on 200 grain bullet over 4.6 to 5 grains of red dot or promo powder that I was lucky enough to find. Wondering if anyone out there has found to hot of a load. an

What bullet type? cast, plated, fmj, HP?

From the Lyman 49th:
Bullet mold= # 452460
bullet weight=200gr
bullet type=SWC
OAL=1.161"
Red Dot start load= 4.0gr fps=695 Pressure 8400 C.U.P.
Red Dot Max Load =5.3gr fps=895 Pressure 14700 C.U.P.

Red Dot was one of my favorite powders and until recently it could not be found around here. IT meters well. I tested 15 charges and 12 were on the money with the rest carrying by.1gr. Value is another characteristic I like about Red Dot. I get 1627 9mm reloads per pound plus it's cheaper per pound than the competing powders by $6+ per pound around here. It also fills the 9mm case well leaving just enough room for the bullet.

[Wreck-n-Crew]

BTW welcome to TFL!

[Jim Watson]

Alliant. No pressure data or start and Max load data listed.

The loads Alliant lists are the maximum, I presume at maximum chamber pressure. If you read the introductory page instead of just clicking on "Enter the Guide" to get to the numbers as soon as possible, you would see their recommendation:
"REDUCE RIFLE AND HANDGUN CHARGE WEIGHTS BY 10% TO ESTABLISH A STARTING LOAD.
The exceptions to this are the loads listed as "target" in the 38 Special and 45 ACP data tables. "

[Wreck-n-Crew]

The loads Alliant lists are the maximum, I presume at maximum chamber pressure. If you read the introductory page instead of just clicking on "Enter the Guide" to get to the numbers as soon as possible, you would see their recommendation:
"REDUCE RIFLE AND HANDGUN CHARGE WEIGHTS BY 10% TO ESTABLISH A STARTING LOAD.

I get you Jim. It's there, though not in the traditional listing fashion and easy to miss for someone like me. It seems out of place I recon, being on the Warning page. Really more of an "I would like to see them do that" than a quarrel.

[HiBC]

I suggest if you have your new RIA 1911,and you are going to get started loading for it

The best first step would be to lose the "hot" idea.

Try loading about where John Moses Browning designed the gun to work.Those 200 gr bullets will get 45ACP business done just fine at 850 fps.

What will make your 1911 effective is you,the shooter,developing yourself.

That means feeding your handgun a lot of ammo while you practice.

Nothing about more noise,recoil,and accelerated wear on the gun will help.

[coonhound66]

That is why I was asking I didn't want hot should have been clearer in my post. Thanks for the help