need a recipe for a .45acp

coonan357 · April 17, 2002, 06:22 PM

ok maybe you all can help me out , I need a light load recipe for .45acp , the reason is this person is getting into firearms and she never shot a 45 before and I don't want to scare her with my full house loads , the requsites are 230gr plated round nose (I use berrys ) AA#2 , or Hp-38 powders , I also have unique and power pistol on the shelf too . it has to cycle the slide on a para-ord . I will work up from that start load and assume you are not responsable for your postings , Tia
Coonan

JimmyDee · April 17, 2002, 06:48 PM

I think something around 4.8gr to 5gr HP38 might work. Making sure the action cycles is the big question.

rg1 · April 17, 2002, 06:58 PM

Midway's 45ACP LOADMAP has info on plated 230gr. bullets with hp38 and Unique. With Remington cases and Rem2 1/2 primers they list a starting load of:
1. hp38--4.7 grains---674 f.p.s.
hp38 near maximum--5.7 grains--816 fps
hp38 at 5.3 grains--759 fps should be mild and cycle your 45
2.Unique--5.7 grains--760 f.p.s
Unique near maximum 6.3 grains--843 fps
Unique at 6.0 grains--about 800 fps is a good all around 45 load
The cartridge over all length with the above info is 1.275"

You might consider getting a box of 185 grain factory ammo for her 1st time shooting a 45. Less recoil than 230 grainers.

Jim Watson · April 17, 2002, 07:34 PM

Don't be dogmatic about using stuff you have on hand, this is IMPORTANT.

Buy a box of 185 grain JHPs, they will probably feed better than the stubby factory match bullet. Start with about 4.2 grains HP38 and work up to get function.

I have an old Pachmayr that will run with a 175 gr LSWC and 3.8 grains 700X for about 700 fps. The girls love it. Less recoil than a 9mm or .38 but enough to let them know they are shooting a "real gun" and not a mere .22. And it makes HUGE holes.

coonan357 · April 17, 2002, 08:09 PM

well the reason why I am specifying certain perameters Is that the fact that I was laid off in Nov and have this stuff on hand ,until I go back to work (hopefully soon) I want to use what I have on hand .sorry I should have said that in the original post . and I cannot use lead bullets at the indoor range where I am teaching her . that and I don't like to have to delead barrels .

Jim Watson · April 17, 2002, 11:37 PM

I see.
OK, that means you have more time to experiment.
Take the lightest load given and see if it will function your gun. If not, go up until it does.
If so, cut it back until you find the very lightest load that will operate it. Then go back one notch of maybe .2 grain, she might not have a strong enough grip for powder-puff loads.

coonan357 · April 18, 2002, 07:15 AM

thanks jim , actually the time is more spent looking for a job than reloading I do that at night and range time is on weekends intrade for parttime employment (to help pay bills ) ,

April 17, 2002, 06:22 PM	#1
coonan357 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2002 Location: in a state of confusion and disbelief ! Posts: 726	need a recipe for a .45acp ok maybe you all can help me out , I need a light load recipe for .45acp , the reason is this person is getting into firearms and she never shot a 45 before and I don't want to scare her with my full house loads , the requsites are 230gr plated round nose (I use berrys ) AA#2 , or Hp-38 powders , I also have unique and power pistol on the shelf too . it has to cycle the slide on a para-ord . I will work up from that start load and assume you are not responsable for your postings , Tia Coonan __________________ N.R.A. Lifer and proud of it ! You can't argue with a .357 Mag. Well, you can try, but you'll end up bleeding an aweful lot. -GEORGE HILL 4-08-2002 My Coonan is Not For Sale please do not ask!

April 17, 2002, 08:09 PM	#5
coonan357 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2002 Location: in a state of confusion and disbelief ! Posts: 726	well the reason why I am specifying certain perameters Is that the fact that I was laid off in Nov and have this stuff on hand ,until I go back to work (hopefully soon) I want to use what I have on hand .sorry I should have said that in the original post . and I cannot use lead bullets at the indoor range where I am teaching her . that and I don't like to have to delead barrels . __________________ N.R.A. Lifer and proud of it ! You can't argue with a .357 Mag. Well, you can try, but you'll end up bleeding an aweful lot. -GEORGE HILL 4-08-2002 My Coonan is Not For Sale please do not ask!

April 18, 2002, 07:15 AM	#7
coonan357 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2002 Location: in a state of confusion and disbelief ! Posts: 726	thanks jim , actually the time is more spent looking for a job than reloading I do that at night and range time is on weekends intrade for parttime employment (to help pay bills ) , __________________ N.R.A. Lifer and proud of it ! You can't argue with a .357 Mag. Well, you can try, but you'll end up bleeding an aweful lot. -GEORGE HILL 4-08-2002 My Coonan is Not For Sale please do not ask!

April 17, 2002, 06:48 PM	#2
JimmyDee Member Join Date: December 30, 2001 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 79	I think something around 4.8gr to 5gr HP38 might work. Making sure the action cycles is the big question.

April 17, 2002, 06:58 PM	#3
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	Midway's 45ACP LOADMAP has info on plated 230gr. bullets with hp38 and Unique. With Remington cases and Rem2 1/2 primers they list a starting load of: 1. hp38--4.7 grains---674 f.p.s. hp38 near maximum--5.7 grains--816 fps hp38 at 5.3 grains--759 fps should be mild and cycle your 45 2.Unique--5.7 grains--760 f.p.s Unique near maximum 6.3 grains--843 fps Unique at 6.0 grains--about 800 fps is a good all around 45 load The cartridge over all length with the above info is 1.275" You might consider getting a box of 185 grain factory ammo for her 1st time shooting a 45. Less recoil than 230 grainers.

April 17, 2002, 07:34 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,545	Don't be dogmatic about using stuff you have on hand, this is IMPORTANT. Buy a box of 185 grain JHPs, they will probably feed better than the stubby factory match bullet. Start with about 4.2 grains HP38 and work up to get function. I have an old Pachmayr that will run with a 175 gr LSWC and 3.8 grains 700X for about 700 fps. The girls love it. Less recoil than a 9mm or .38 but enough to let them know they are shooting a "real gun" and not a mere .22. And it makes HUGE holes.

April 17, 2002, 11:37 PM	#6
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,545	I see. OK, that means you have more time to experiment. Take the lightest load given and see if it will function your gun. If not, go up until it does. If so, cut it back until you find the very lightest load that will operate it. Then go back one notch of maybe .2 grain, she might not have a strong enough grip for powder-puff loads.