45 ACP JSP & Target SP

Bucksnort1 · January 12, 2017, 09:32 AM

I have a handful of 185 grain Tgt SP bullets and some 240 grain JSP bullets with .451" diameters. The target (I assume the Tgt on the box means target) soft points have a copper jacket covering the entire bullet except for a small amount of exposed lead at the tip. I cannot find loading data for either of these bullets. Do I load them as if they are FMJ or JHPs? Does anyone have recipes for these?

Longshot4 · January 12, 2017, 09:44 AM

I would be careful to use load data for similar weight bullets for my 1911. I would start at the bottom of the data and gradually work it up. I wonder if any one has more to add?

reddog81 · January 12, 2017, 10:13 AM

Look for something with a similar weight, bullet profile and similar construction (Jacketed, not Lead load data).

The 240 grain bullet is a little heavy for 45 ACP, but probably doable with light to medium 230 grain loads. 185 grain jacketed load data should be easy to find.

If the tip of the bullet is exposed or not makes no difference for load data. The tip of the bullet doesn't engage the rifling.

Bucksnort1 · January 12, 2017, 11:36 AM

Reddog81,

Is the 240 grain ok for a Colt SAA replica? I've not checked load data for the Colt.

reddog81 · January 12, 2017, 12:47 PM

The Lyman #48 manual I have downloaded on my computer has 185 and 240 jacketed data for 45 Colt. Typically a revolver bullet would have some place to crimp into, but not always.

I have never loaded 45 Colt ammo but it sounds like either bullet would be fine. Typically loading for a revolver is much more forgiving because the shape of the bullet nose is irrelevant as long as it fits into the cylinder.

**Unclenick** · January 12, 2017, 12:53 PM

For the target bullets use a target load. 4.2 grains of Bullseye was the old standby for 185 grain jacketed match FMH bullets, and is well below maximum pressure with any jacketed 185 I've ever seen. It is below starting loads for this weight in some manuals, but is right at the starting load weight in Sierra's manual. They are loaded with the shoulder of the bullet (where it goes from full diameter to begin the ogive) is left about 0.020" or about a thumbnail's thickness forward of the case mouth if the case is in spec.

The 240's should be OK with the right charge. Sierra makes a 240 grain JHC they seat to 1.185" in the .45 Auto and say it shoots most accurately with 6.1 grains of Unique. 6.7 grains is maximum. 5.3 grains is the starting load for your workup.

T. O'Heir · January 12, 2017, 02:09 PM

You do not need bullet manufacturer specific data. You load according to the weight and jacketed or cast, not who made it or the shape. Plated bullets use cast data. Solid copper bullets use solid copper data.
Like Nick says, for target bullets use target loads. Been using 4.5 of Bullseye with cast 230 RN and TC for eons myself.
A 240 is a .45 Colt bullet. However, Alliant shows up to 260's on Handloads.com(not listed on Alliant's site) with a 240 grain JHP start load of 4.5 of Bullseye, 5.0 being max. and 1.21" as the OAL.

Bucksnort1 · January 12, 2017, 02:24 PM

Correction:

The JSP, 240 grain bullets are .430" (44 magnum), not .451".

January 12, 2017, 09:32 AM	#1
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,121	45 ACP JSP & Target SP I have a handful of 185 grain Tgt SP bullets and some 240 grain JSP bullets with .451" diameters. The target (I assume the Tgt on the box means target) soft points have a copper jacket covering the entire bullet except for a small amount of exposed lead at the tip. I cannot find loading data for either of these bullets. Do I load them as if they are FMJ or JHPs? Does anyone have recipes for these? Last edited by Bucksnort1; January 12, 2017 at 09:40 AM.

January 12, 2017, 12:53 PM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	For the target bullets use a target load. 4.2 grains of Bullseye was the old standby for 185 grain jacketed match FMH bullets, and is well below maximum pressure with any jacketed 185 I've ever seen. It is below starting loads for this weight in some manuals, but is right at the starting load weight in Sierra's manual. They are loaded with the shoulder of the bullet (where it goes from full diameter to begin the ogive) is left about 0.020" or about a thumbnail's thickness forward of the case mouth if the case is in spec. The 240's should be OK with the right charge. Sierra makes a 240 grain JHC they seat to 1.185" in the .45 Auto and say it shoots most accurately with 6.1 grains of Unique. 6.7 grains is maximum. 5.3 grains is the starting load for your workup. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 12, 2017, 02:09 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	You do not need bullet manufacturer specific data. You load according to the weight and jacketed or cast, not who made it or the shape. Plated bullets use cast data. Solid copper bullets use solid copper data. Like Nick says, for target bullets use target loads. Been using 4.5 of Bullseye with cast 230 RN and TC for eons myself. A 240 is a .45 Colt bullet. However, Alliant shows up to 260's on Handloads.com(not listed on Alliant's site) with a 240 grain JHP start load of 4.5 of Bullseye, 5.0 being max. and 1.21" as the OAL. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

January 12, 2017, 09:44 AM	#2
Longshot4 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2014 Posts: 868	I would be careful to use load data for similar weight bullets for my 1911. I would start at the bottom of the data and gradually work it up. I wonder if any one has more to add?

January 12, 2017, 10:13 AM	#3
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Look for something with a similar weight, bullet profile and similar construction (Jacketed, not Lead load data). The 240 grain bullet is a little heavy for 45 ACP, but probably doable with light to medium 230 grain loads. 185 grain jacketed load data should be easy to find. If the tip of the bullet is exposed or not makes no difference for load data. The tip of the bullet doesn't engage the rifling.

January 12, 2017, 11:36 AM	#4
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,121	Reddog81, Is the 240 grain ok for a Colt SAA replica? I've not checked load data for the Colt.

January 12, 2017, 12:47 PM	#5
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	The Lyman #48 manual I have downloaded on my computer has 185 and 240 jacketed data for 45 Colt. Typically a revolver bullet would have some place to crimp into, but not always. I have never loaded 45 Colt ammo but it sounds like either bullet would be fine. Typically loading for a revolver is much more forgiving because the shape of the bullet nose is irrelevant as long as it fits into the cylinder.

January 12, 2017, 02:24 PM	#8
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,121	Correction: The JSP, 240 grain bullets are .430" (44 magnum), not .451".