Hornady 240 grain XTP Mag .451 for 45 Colt +P?

RyeDaddy · August 10, 2009, 12:25 PM

About to work up some loads for my 45 Bisley Blackhawk. Wanting to get one that's about a 250 grain JHP in the neighborhood of 1400 FPS. I'm confident in my ability to get the load sorted out, but does anyone have experience with Hornady's 240 grain XTP Mag bullet for heavy 45 Colt? I know it's most commonly used for 454 Casull, and I'm wondering if the jacket's too tough for 1400 FPS to expand reliably. Any thoughts?

Pathfinder45 · August 10, 2009, 01:01 PM

in my Vaquero @ 18 grains of 2400. I tried a heavier charge of the same but it made more flame out the muzzle than I want. I haven't used it on game but I believe you're thinking rightly that it may need maximum velocity to expand. Of course, being a .45, maybe it doesn't have to expand?

Shoney · August 10, 2009, 01:03 PM

There are only 4 SAAMI designations of +P and NO +P+ exist

Cartridge and Maximum Average Pressure (PSI)

9mm Luger 35,000
9mm Luger +P 38,500

38 Special 17,000
38 Special +P 18,500

38 Super Auto +P 36,500

45 Auto 21,000
45 Auto +P 23,000

If you can get over 1000 fps from a 250 gr JHP in a 45 Colt, you are at the raged edge of disaster. I think you would be hard pressed to get 1400 fps with any .451 bullet.

Of course, if you wish to shoot for a Darwin Award, please try. I think you'll meet Screwy Lewie and the Big Kablooie first, and that will put you in the running for the Darwin Award.

AlaskaMike · August 10, 2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

If you can get over 1000 fps from a 250 gr JHP in a 45 Colt, you are at the raged edge of disaster. I think you would be hard pressed to get 1400 fps with any .451 bullet.

What are you basing those statements on? Hodgdon has published data (Ruger, T/C and Freedom Arms only) for 250 grain JHPs at 1400+ fps. The original poster says he's loading for a Blackhawk, so I don't see anything irresponsible about what he wants to do, much less any basis for referring to him as a candidate for a "Darwin Award".

Mike

Shoney · August 10, 2009, 04:15 PM

My most humble appology for post #3 above. I was using data that did not include the Hodgdon 45 Colt (Ruger, Freedom Arms & T/C only) data. That has now been corrected.

AlaskaMike · August 10, 2009, 05:58 PM

Ahh--I see, you'd missed his reference to the Blackhawk.

Don't worry about it, I've certainly done the same kind of thing many times.

Mike

CraigC · August 10, 2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

If you can get over 1000 fps from a 250 gr JHP in a 45 Colt, you are at the raged edge of disaster.

Yes indeed, this is pure nonsense. I'd be inclined to delete that whole post.

Hodgdon's site is a wonderful resource. Read the last word on the subject, "Dissolving the Myth, Discovering the Potential" by John Linebaugh.
http://www.customsixguns.com/writing...g_the_myth.htm

Gun 4 Fun · August 10, 2009, 06:59 PM

Hornady's brochure shows the 240 XTP mag in 45 caliber will expand at speeds between 1100-2100 fps, so you shouldn't have any trouble with that aspect.

Magnum Wheel Man · August 11, 2009, 06:12 AM

for deer hunting, using 250 grain XTP's with pretty good accuracy results... pushing the upper limits of accepted revolver pressures... bullets are performing well... I'd suspect the 240's would be fine for hotter revolver loads ( there's a pretty big difference between basic early Colt loads & a warm Blackhawk load )

RyeDaddy · August 11, 2009, 01:05 PM

Thanks all for the opinions, I'll have to test it out I guess. Knowing that they're designed to expand at 1100 FPS and up, that ought to be up to snuff.

August 10, 2009, 12:25 PM	#1
RyeDaddy Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 140	Hornady 240 grain XTP Mag .451 for 45 Colt +P? About to work up some loads for my 45 Bisley Blackhawk. Wanting to get one that's about a 250 grain JHP in the neighborhood of 1400 FPS. I'm confident in my ability to get the load sorted out, but does anyone have experience with Hornady's 240 grain XTP Mag bullet for heavy 45 Colt? I know it's most commonly used for 454 Casull, and I'm wondering if the jacket's too tough for 1400 FPS to expand reliably. Any thoughts?

August 10, 2009, 01:01 PM	#2
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	They shot well.... in my Vaquero @ 18 grains of 2400. I tried a heavier charge of the same but it made more flame out the muzzle than I want. I haven't used it on game but I believe you're thinking rightly that it may need maximum velocity to expand. Of course, being a .45, maybe it doesn't have to expand?

August 10, 2009, 04:15 PM	#5
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	My most humble appology for post #3 above. I was using data that did not include the Hodgdon 45 Colt (Ruger, Freedom Arms & T/C only) data. That has now been corrected. __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

August 10, 2009, 06:59 PM	#8
Gun 4 Fun Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2008 Posts: 956	Hornady's brochure shows the 240 XTP mag in 45 caliber will expand at speeds between 1100-2100 fps, so you shouldn't have any trouble with that aspect. __________________ S&WCA member NRA member NAHC Life member

August 11, 2009, 06:12 AM	#9
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	I'm loading a pretty hot load for my 10" Contender... for deer hunting, using 250 grain XTP's with pretty good accuracy results... pushing the upper limits of accepted revolver pressures... bullets are performing well... I'd suspect the 240's would be fine for hotter revolver loads ( there's a pretty big difference between basic early Colt loads & a warm Blackhawk load ) __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

August 10, 2009, 01:03 PM	#3
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	There are only 4 SAAMI designations of +P and NO +P+ exist Cartridge and Maximum Average Pressure (PSI) 9mm Luger 35,000 9mm Luger +P 38,500 38 Special 17,000 38 Special +P 18,500 38 Super Auto +P 36,500 45 Auto 21,000 45 Auto +P 23,000 If you can get over 1000 fps from a 250 gr JHP in a 45 Colt, you are at the raged edge of disaster. I think you would be hard pressed to get 1400 fps with any .451 bullet. Of course, if you wish to shoot for a Darwin Award, please try. I think you'll meet Screwy Lewie and the Big Kablooie first, and that will put you in the running for the Darwin Award. __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

August 10, 2009, 05:58 PM	#6
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	Ahh--I see, you'd missed his reference to the Blackhawk. Don't worry about it, I've certainly done the same kind of thing many times. Mike

August 11, 2009, 01:05 PM	#10
RyeDaddy Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 140	Thanks all for the opinions, I'll have to test it out I guess. Knowing that they're designed to expand at 1100 FPS and up, that ought to be up to snuff.