N340 Loads with 230gr JHP Bullets

alzo · February 12, 2006, 02:14 PM

Do any of you have chrono data for N340 loads you've tried with 230gr JHP bullets in 45acp?

918v · February 12, 2006, 03:37 PM

What bullet? What gun? What OAL? Do you have the components or are you still shopping? I'll tell you right now that you won't be able to exceed 900 FPS safely and you'll probably settle on a load somewhat south of that velocity.

alzo · February 12, 2006, 04:18 PM

I didn't want to limit people's responses too much.

I am using a Zero brand 230gr JHP loaded to 1.215" with Winchester large pistol primers, and 0.469" crimp at the case mouth. I am only trying to achieve 850fps so I'm not pushing any extreme limits. I am shooting 5" 1911's, either a Wilson CQB or Kimber Custom Classic.

I am curious to see what velocities others have chrono'd with N340 and 230gr JHP bullets. I have seen enough data for 230gr FMJ and want to see how comparable they are.

918v · February 12, 2006, 05:33 PM

All conventional 230gr bullets are comparable in that you'll never get past 900 fps safely. There are no magic bullets. One thing I can tell you is that if you're planning to approach 900 FPS, get a stronger recoil spring and a shock-buff, cause you'll really feel that slide slap the frame.

alzo · February 20, 2006, 07:03 PM

...

Nortonics · February 20, 2006, 08:18 PM

Don't have chrony results on these particular loads, but I'd bet they're just about exactly 850 fps:

Damn good combo that N-340 with 230 grains of lead.

TKHover · February 22, 2006, 07:45 PM

I recently switched to Zero 230 gr. JHP. I had been using Montana Gold 230 gr. FMJ. I worked up the following load:

6.4 gr. N340
1.225 OAL
.471 crimp
Winchester LP Primers

685 fps
ES - 30
SD - 12

Very accurate load, better than I had with the Montana Golds, which were also very good.

I'm real happy with this combination.

Tom

alzo · February 24, 2006, 09:40 PM

I made it out to the range today (35 deg F). I loaded a spread of loads using Zero 45acp 230gr JHP, COL=1.215", Winchester LP primers, N340 powder:

5.9gr Mean=792fps, ES=92.2, SD=29.0
6.0gr Mean=812fps, ES=75.8, SD=24.5
6.1gr Mean=807fps, ES=56.5, SD=19.4
6.2gr Mean=847fps, ES=64.3, SD=16.8

I think the 6.1 grain result is an anomaly. I sorted by headstamp this time and the 6.1gr load was almost all Remington brass. I noticed that I got lower velocities across the board with the Remington brass for some reason. If I look at just the Federal brass for the 6.1gr load, the mean is about 823, which makes more sense.

TKHOVER: Is that a typo in your post ? Should it be 865fps ?

Nortonics · February 24, 2006, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alzo

TKHOVER: Is that a typo in your post ? Should it be 865fps ?

Thank you for that alzo! I sat there and wondered the same exact thing when I first read that - there's just no way. Made me rethink my previous post too, which ain't such a bad thing anyways. But your results hit mine right on the nose for the 6.3 grains for 850 fps. I figure if JB liked that speed, I should too, and I do! Another amazing thing I think you'll find is the ES can be brought down to within 10 fps or less with these particular combos with a little patience - I done it before with numerous guns in numerous calibers. The excellent volume pack using this powder under 230 grains of lead has a lot to do with it - that bullet snugs right up to that powder at the 6.x grains load with a nominal OAL.

Interestingly another powder that comes awful darn close to this one in this application is Alliant Unique, believe it or not. It's right about the same weight charge with the same bullet, and is an outstandingly accurate load just like the N-340. And it burns VERY cleanly in the .45 ACP cartridge, so don't let it's reputation of burning dirty in the .45 Colt world turn you away from trying it.

I took both these powder/weight tips right out of the .45 ACP section of Hornady's reloading manual, and I gotta' tell ya they're both winners in my book.

TKHover · February 25, 2006, 09:38 PM

Alzo,

My mistake. Definitely 865 fps. Thanks for keeping me honest.
Tom

February 12, 2006, 02:14 PM	#1
alzo Junior Member Join Date: February 12, 2006 Posts: 14	N340 Loads with 230gr JHP Bullets Do any of you have chrono data for N340 loads you've tried with 230gr JHP bullets in 45acp?

February 20, 2006, 07:03 PM	#5
alzo Junior Member Join Date: February 12, 2006 Posts: 14	... __________________ Wilson Combat CQB Kimber Custom Classic CZ75B-SA

February 20, 2006, 08:18 PM	#6
Nortonics Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2004 Location: Murderapolis Posts: 521	Don't have chrony results on these particular loads, but I'd bet they're just about exactly 850 fps: Damn good combo that N-340 with 230 grains of lead. __________________ Tom.

February 24, 2006, 09:40 PM	#8
alzo Junior Member Join Date: February 12, 2006 Posts: 14	I made it out to the range today (35 deg F). I loaded a spread of loads using Zero 45acp 230gr JHP, COL=1.215", Winchester LP primers, N340 powder: 5.9gr Mean=792fps, ES=92.2, SD=29.0 6.0gr Mean=812fps, ES=75.8, SD=24.5 6.1gr Mean=807fps, ES=56.5, SD=19.4 6.2gr Mean=847fps, ES=64.3, SD=16.8 I think the 6.1 grain result is an anomaly. I sorted by headstamp this time and the 6.1gr load was almost all Remington brass. I noticed that I got lower velocities across the board with the Remington brass for some reason. If I look at just the Federal brass for the 6.1gr load, the mean is about 823, which makes more sense. TKHOVER: Is that a typo in your post ? Should it be 865fps ? __________________ Wilson Combat CQB Kimber Custom Classic CZ75B-SA

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

February 12, 2006, 03:37 PM	#2
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	What bullet? What gun? What OAL? Do you have the components or are you still shopping? I'll tell you right now that you won't be able to exceed 900 FPS safely and you'll probably settle on a load somewhat south of that velocity.

February 12, 2006, 04:18 PM	#3
alzo Junior Member Join Date: February 12, 2006 Posts: 14	I didn't want to limit people's responses too much. I am using a Zero brand 230gr JHP loaded to 1.215" with Winchester large pistol primers, and 0.469" crimp at the case mouth. I am only trying to achieve 850fps so I'm not pushing any extreme limits. I am shooting 5" 1911's, either a Wilson CQB or Kimber Custom Classic. I am curious to see what velocities others have chrono'd with N340 and 230gr JHP bullets. I have seen enough data for 230gr FMJ and want to see how comparable they are.

February 12, 2006, 05:33 PM	#4
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	All conventional 230gr bullets are comparable in that you'll never get past 900 fps safely. There are no magic bullets. One thing I can tell you is that if you're planning to approach 900 FPS, get a stronger recoil spring and a shock-buff, cause you'll really feel that slide slap the frame.

February 22, 2006, 07:45 PM	#7
TKHover Member Join Date: October 24, 2001 Location: Hillsborough, NC Posts: 31	I recently switched to Zero 230 gr. JHP. I had been using Montana Gold 230 gr. FMJ. I worked up the following load: 6.4 gr. N340 1.225 OAL .471 crimp Winchester LP Primers 685 fps ES - 30 SD - 12 Very accurate load, better than I had with the Montana Golds, which were also very good. I'm real happy with this combination. Tom

February 25, 2006, 09:38 PM	#10
TKHover Member Join Date: October 24, 2001 Location: Hillsborough, NC Posts: 31	Alzo, My mistake. Definitely 865 fps. Thanks for keeping me honest. Tom