Newbie .45 ACP HELP!

KITT · October 1, 2000, 07:46 PM

I am just starting to reload and was going to load up some .45 target loads of 235 gr. swc & 5 gr of unique powder, but I made a mistake and bought 255 gr. swc bullets instead. None of my reloading books have a listing for 255 gr bullets. Does anyone have a listing for 255 gr. lead swc and unique powder??? THANX

ArmySon · October 1, 2000, 07:52 PM

Unless I am mistaken, 255 grain LSWC's are for .45 S&W Schofield and .45 Long Colt.

bergie · October 1, 2000, 07:59 PM

Midway's LoadMAP for the .45 ACP lists Unique for the 255 gr. lead SWC with loads starting at

4.2 gr. 12600 psi, 683 fps (in their test barrel.)

going up to a max of

5.4 gr. 21000 psi, 848 fps.

bergie

Art Eatman · October 1, 2000, 09:54 PM

You're going to have to watch your overall length, and possibly might have problems with proper feed...

I'd recommend shooting some of the 4.2-grain loads, first, before going any hotter.

When you say "target", are you talking competition, or "just practice/plinking"? If the latter, 5.5 grains of 231 behind a 200-grain SWC is a pleasant load to shoot. 5.8 to 6.0 grains will just make IPSC major (old days IPSC).

FWIW, Art

KITT · October 2, 2000, 09:00 PM

Thanks for all the info. I'm going to load up a few of these 255 grainers with 4.5 grains of unique and give them a try. I'm just shooting targets in the backyard. KITT

beemerb · October 2, 2000, 09:57 PM

Be carefull.You are not only useing heavy bullets but if they are for the 45LC they are bigger diameter by about 2 thausands.Stay at the low end of the loading data.

Johnny Guest · October 3, 2000, 12:03 AM

beemerb--

It is very difficult to find lead bullets sized to .454 nowadays. I had to order some for a pre-war Colt New Service, because i wanted semi-wadcutters for hunting. Most people with prewar .45 Colt caliber guns use the hollow base Winchester bullets, which slug out and fit the bore nicely. All .45 Colt guns since the 1940s have had .452 barrels.

Kitt, I've shot a great many 250 and 255 SWC bullets in .45 ACP. Most of them with a lot more than 4.5 gr. of Unique. It is a better idea to limit yourself to 4.5, up to not over 5 gr.

But you needn't worry about blowing up your pistol if you use any restraint at all. Speer Manual Number 12 lists their 260 JHP (Yes, Two-six-zero grains, and Jacketed) with up to 6.3 gr. Unique. All the loads in that book are at or below 21,000 psi, the industry limit.

Best of luck--
Johnny

------------------
---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---

October 1, 2000, 07:46 PM	#1
KITT Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 1999 Posts: 172	I am just starting to reload and was going to load up some .45 target loads of 235 gr. swc & 5 gr of unique powder, but I made a mistake and bought 255 gr. swc bullets instead. None of my reloading books have a listing for 255 gr bullets. Does anyone have a listing for 255 gr. lead swc and unique powder??? THANX

October 1, 2000, 07:52 PM	#2
ArmySon Staff Alumnus Join Date: April 14, 2000 Posts: 2,926	Unless I am mistaken, 255 grain LSWC's are for .45 S&W Schofield and .45 Long Colt.

October 1, 2000, 07:59 PM	#3
bergie Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 1999 Posts: 567	Midway's LoadMAP for the .45 ACP lists Unique for the 255 gr. lead SWC with loads starting at 4.2 gr. 12600 psi, 683 fps (in their test barrel.) going up to a max of 5.4 gr. 21000 psi, 848 fps. bergie

October 1, 2000, 09:54 PM	#4
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	You're going to have to watch your overall length, and possibly might have problems with proper feed... I'd recommend shooting some of the 4.2-grain loads, first, before going any hotter. When you say "target", are you talking competition, or "just practice/plinking"? If the latter, 5.5 grains of 231 behind a 200-grain SWC is a pleasant load to shoot. 5.8 to 6.0 grains will just make IPSC major (old days IPSC). FWIW, Art

October 2, 2000, 09:00 PM	#5
KITT Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 1999 Posts: 172	Thanks for all the info. I'm going to load up a few of these 255 grainers with 4.5 grains of unique and give them a try. I'm just shooting targets in the backyard. KITT

October 2, 2000, 09:57 PM	#6
beemerb Junior member Join Date: October 2, 1999 Location: AZ Posts: 1,759	Be carefull.You are not only useing heavy bullets but if they are for the 45LC they are bigger diameter by about 2 thausands.Stay at the low end of the loading data.

October 3, 2000, 12:03 AM	#7
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	beemerb-- It is very difficult to find lead bullets sized to .454 nowadays. I had to order some for a pre-war Colt New Service, because i wanted semi-wadcutters for hunting. Most people with prewar .45 Colt caliber guns use the hollow base Winchester bullets, which slug out and fit the bore nicely. All .45 Colt guns since the 1940s have had .452 barrels. Kitt, I've shot a great many 250 and 255 SWC bullets in .45 ACP. Most of them with a lot more than 4.5 gr. of Unique. It is a better idea to limit yourself to 4.5, up to not over 5 gr. But you needn't worry about blowing up your pistol if you use any restraint at all. Speer Manual Number 12 lists their 260 JHP (Yes, Two-six-zero grains, and Jacketed) with up to 6.3 gr. Unique. All the loads in that book are at or below 21,000 psi, the industry limit. Best of luck-- Johnny ------------------ ---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---