Who makes the hottest .45 acp ball?

MP-44 · March 13, 2020, 06:09 PM

Not counting the specialty manufacturers like Buffalo Bore.

When I am talking hot, I am not talking blow up your gun hot, I am looking for the hottest within SAAMI or CIP specs.

bamaranger · March 13, 2020, 09:41 PM

It may depend a bit on your specific gun. However, I just watched a video recently by Paul Harrel, and W-W white box tested high by a bit in all 3 guns he tried.

Scorch · March 14, 2020, 02:29 AM

Problem with looking for a "hot" 45ACP load is that most 45 ACP ball ammo is loaded to the old military specs, so deviation between companiwes is low due to the standard of 230 gr FMJ at 850-900ish fps. Companies like CorBon and Bufflao Bore load them hot, just most don't due to the most common firearm they are chambered for, the 1911 pistol.

Dave T · March 14, 2020, 10:21 AM

Quote:

old military specs

It was not 850-900 fps. I read a contract specification sheet dated 1968 (while I was in Vietnam) and the velocity was specified as 830 fps, +- 15 fps. That gives a range of 815 to 845. Original Ball from 1911-1912 was claimed to be 820 fps. A year or so back I chronographed current production Federal Ball and it was ~865 fps so some of today's Ball is hotter than original.

I have to say I do not understand the need or desire for the "hottest ball". The 1911 and the 45 ACP cartridge made its legendary reputation for stopping with standard pressure and performance Ball ammo, however YMMV!

Dave

COSteve · March 14, 2020, 11:47 AM

From TM 43-0001-27, ARMY AMMUNITION DATA SHEETS, SMALL CALIBER AMMUNITION FSC 1305 dated April 1994, page 8-13,

Cartridge, Caliber .45, Ball, M1911:

Use:
Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M3A1; and Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911A1. The cartridge is intended for use against personnel.

Description:
BALL Cartridge. The cartridge is identified by the plain bullet tip.

Propellant:
Type ------------ SR 7970
Weight---------- 5 gr

Performance:
Chamber pressure----- 19,000 psi
Velocity ---------------- 885 ± 25 fps, 25.5 ft from muzzle

That compares with current SAAMI specs for the 45acp of 21,000 psi and 45 acp+P of 23,000 psi.

**44 AMP** · March 14, 2020, 11:55 AM

Many sources I have seen over the years list GI ball as 830fps +/- 30fps, but either way its a small number of fps and you can get that much, or more variation from individual guns, so "850fps" is not unreasonable as a general number.

Cheapshooter · March 14, 2020, 11:57 AM

Check them here.
https://www.midwayusa.com/45-acp/br?...ctedSort=False
Claimed velocity from 830 fps to the highest for Federal American Eagle at 890fps.
Your target isn't going to know the difference in 60 fps if there actually a difference because who knows what parameters are used in their testing.
So I guess if it makes you feel better thinking you have the "hottest" 45 ACP fmj factory ammo, get the American Eagle.

JERRYS. · March 14, 2020, 12:07 PM

I think it was Cor-bon about a decade or more ago that made a 185gr. load that was advertised as turning your old 1911 into a .357 magnum. the photo for the Ad was fmj in the magazine.

T. O'Heir · March 14, 2020, 12:35 PM

You wouldn't notice the difference between 15, 25 or 30 FPS anyway.
"...am looking for the hottest..." What for? Just curious. Accuracy is far more important.
Is your pistol rated for +P? Hornady loads a 230 grain XTP with a MV of 950 FPS out of a 5" barrel.

HiBC · March 14, 2020, 12:59 PM

I'm not particularly an expert,and I could be wrong...

But since you specify "Ball" ,here are my thoughts. Hardball just punches a hole. Typically ball is 230 gr. The ammo manufacturer s limited to < SAAMI max pressure.

I doubt any target will notice the small velocity advantage any non-boutique factory load will give you. You might gain a small percentage of barrier penetration.

It might be good to select a load proven reliable in your handgun,but 35 or 40 fps just is not significant return .

Cheapshooter · March 14, 2020, 01:09 PM

"Ball" in 45 ACP being most often considered target ammo, and prone to serious over penetration without much tissue damage when used for SD, why the interest in who makes the hottest?

RickB · March 14, 2020, 04:02 PM

Quote:

GI ball as 830fps +/- 30fps

That's what I'm aware of.

jrothWA · March 14, 2020, 04:28 PM

you may blow the case out of the 1911 type barrel as the feed ramp does not
fully support the case.

the .45 ACP is capable of one shot stops BUT you have to place in correctly.

Continue using standard hardball and practise at a bowling pin shoot, to work on shoot placement.

**44 AMP** · March 14, 2020, 05:32 PM

Quote:

you may blow the case out of the 1911 type barrel as the feed ramp does not
fully support the case.

possible with any round but rarely an issue with .45ACP.

Quote:

Continue using standard hardball and practise at a bowling pin shoot, to work on shoot placement.

"Standard ball" is rarely allowed at bowling pin shoots due to the hard round nose tendency to "skid off" the rounded surface of the pins.

If you want the "hottest" 230gr FMJ around, go get a .45 Win Mag. 230gr @ 1500fps!

of course, there's no free lunch, the guns are bigger, heavier and more expensive...

TimW77 · March 15, 2020, 06:43 PM

If I need more than "standard" hardball velocities (8xx FPS)...

I go to the 10mm!

TW

**Aguila Blanca** · March 15, 2020, 07:33 PM

According to the Sight 1911 web site, the original .45 ACP adopted by the government had a velocity of 830 feet-per-second. That's what I have always considered to be the benchmark.

http://sightm1911.com/Care/45acp.htm

According to the Basic Field Manual FM 23-35, the nominal velocity was 800 feet-per-second:
http://sightm1911.com/manual/Untitled-24.htm

March 13, 2020, 06:09 PM	#1
MP-44 Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: VA Posts: 396	Who makes the hottest .45 acp ball? Not counting the specialty manufacturers like Buffalo Bore. When I am talking hot, I am not talking blow up your gun hot, I am looking for the hottest within SAAMI or CIP specs.

March 13, 2020, 09:41 PM	#2
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,312	video It may depend a bit on your specific gun. However, I just watched a video recently by Paul Harrel, and W-W white box tested high by a bit in all 3 guns he tried.

March 14, 2020, 02:29 AM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Problem with looking for a "hot" 45ACP load is that most 45 ACP ball ammo is loaded to the old military specs, so deviation between companiwes is low due to the standard of 230 gr FMJ at 850-900ish fps. Companies like CorBon and Bufflao Bore load them hot, just most don't due to the most common firearm they are chambered for, the 1911 pistol. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

March 14, 2020, 11:55 AM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,846	Many sources I have seen over the years list GI ball as 830fps +/- 30fps, but either way its a small number of fps and you can get that much, or more variation from individual guns, so "850fps" is not unreasonable as a general number. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

March 14, 2020, 11:57 AM	#7
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	Check them here. https://www.midwayusa.com/45-acp/br?...ctedSort=False Claimed velocity from 830 fps to the highest for Federal American Eagle at 890fps. Your target isn't going to know the difference in 60 fps if there actually a difference because who knows what parameters are used in their testing. So I guess if it makes you feel better thinking you have the "hottest" 45 ACP fmj factory ammo, get the American Eagle. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

March 14, 2020, 11:47 AM	#5
COSteve Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2009 Posts: 1,344	From TM 43-0001-27, ARMY AMMUNITION DATA SHEETS, SMALL CALIBER AMMUNITION FSC 1305 dated April 1994, page 8-13, Cartridge, Caliber .45, Ball, M1911: Use: Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M3A1; and Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911A1. The cartridge is intended for use against personnel. Description: BALL Cartridge. The cartridge is identified by the plain bullet tip. Propellant: Type ------------ SR 7970 Weight---------- 5 gr Performance: Chamber pressure----- 19,000 psi Velocity ---------------- 885 ± 25 fps, 25.5 ft from muzzle That compares with current SAAMI specs for the 45acp of 21,000 psi and 45 acp+P of 23,000 psi.

March 14, 2020, 12:07 PM	#8
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,969	I think it was Cor-bon about a decade or more ago that made a 185gr. load that was advertised as turning your old 1911 into a .357 magnum. the photo for the Ad was fmj in the magazine.

March 14, 2020, 12:35 PM	#9
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	You wouldn't notice the difference between 15, 25 or 30 FPS anyway. "...am looking for the hottest..." What for? Just curious. Accuracy is far more important. Is your pistol rated for +P? Hornady loads a 230 grain XTP with a MV of 950 FPS out of a 5" barrel. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

March 14, 2020, 12:59 PM	#10
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,288	I'm not particularly an expert,and I could be wrong... But since you specify "Ball" ,here are my thoughts. Hardball just punches a hole. Typically ball is 230 gr. The ammo manufacturer s limited to < SAAMI max pressure. I doubt any target will notice the small velocity advantage any non-boutique factory load will give you. You might gain a small percentage of barrier penetration. It might be good to select a load proven reliable in your handgun,but 35 or 40 fps just is not significant return .

March 14, 2020, 01:09 PM	#11
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	"Ball" in 45 ACP being most often considered target ammo, and prone to serious over penetration without much tissue damage when used for SD, why the interest in who makes the hottest? __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

March 14, 2020, 04:28 PM	#13
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	BE CAREFUL!!! Unless the entire case is suportted, you may blow the case out of the 1911 type barrel as the feed ramp does not fully support the case. the .45 ACP is capable of one shot stops BUT you have to place in correctly. Continue using standard hardball and practise at a bowling pin shoot, to work on shoot placement.

March 15, 2020, 06:43 PM	#15
TimW77 Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2008 Posts: 485	"Hot" .45ACP If I need more than "standard" hardball velocities (8xx FPS)... I go to the 10mm! TW

March 15, 2020, 07:33 PM	#16
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,469	According to the Sight 1911 web site, the original .45 ACP adopted by the government had a velocity of 830 feet-per-second. That's what I have always considered to be the benchmark. http://sightm1911.com/Care/45acp.htm According to the Basic Field Manual FM 23-35, the nominal velocity was 800 feet-per-second: http://sightm1911.com/manual/Untitled-24.htm __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic