Reloading 45acp again

charleym3 · February 27, 2009, 01:46 PM

I've started reloading again after a long break. I'm using so old, but i believe well stored Bullseye powder for 45ACP. I'm shooting in a revolver and measureing velocity over my PACT chronograph from about 12 years ago.
Speer casings, WLP primers. 5.4grns of Bullseye under a 200grn Grandmaster Bullet Co slug. crimped in.

Okay, here's the interesting part. For 6 rounds that average velocity was 612.

SD was 26 ES was 46.

Something is realy really not right here. Is this a sign that my powder has gone bad? Am I haveing issues with the chronograph? I put a coule of 38Special rounds over it as a sanity check before the load I was developing. Those two were in the 600 range. I was expecting a velocity around 750.

I was using the center of the sky screen area. Overcast and gusty day. Should realign to put the bullets an inch above the screens like I used to. Any guidance would be helpful.

shepherddogs · February 27, 2009, 05:42 PM

What's your barrel length? Are you seeing unburned powder? I would expect closer to 900 fps with that charge. Doublecheck your scales. If you shoot any more of them watch for squibs.

**Unclenick** · February 27, 2009, 06:03 PM

QuickLOAD's guess is for 5" tube is 880 fps. Pretty good agreement with Sheperddogs' guess. I know my old 200 gr. SWC's over 4.2 grains of Bullseye ran close to 750 fps. 600 fps would run about 3.3 grains of Bullseye. Anything under 4.2 grains with jacketed bullets and about 4.4 grains with lead required me to reduce the recoil spring from the standard 16 lb spring to get reliable functioning. So, if you have a 5" tube and the loads are functioning your action with a standard recoil spring, then the velocity reading is just wrong. I'd call PACT and ask them to look it over and maybe you can pay to get it upgraded to a current version?

By the way, 4.8 grains of Bullseye under 200 grain cast bullets will function either a standard 1911 or a Commander with its shorter, stiffer spring. You can try that load to double-check the powder strength. If the gun cycles normally with it, you definitely have no significant issue with the powder.

Slamfire · February 27, 2009, 06:56 PM

I usually shoot a well established load over my screens for a reality check. I don't know if your loads were calibration loads, or just guesses.

Still my guess, you have an instrumentation issue.

Sevens · February 27, 2009, 11:06 PM

Guys, note that the OP stated that these are being sent out of a revolver... so discussion of slides, feeding, recoil springs et all aren't applicable.

5.4 grains of Bullseye pushing a 200 grain LSWC is a hot load, plain and simple. The (almost!) most recent Alliant guide lists 4.0 as a max load, but that's for target LSWC. For other LSWC in 200 grains, they don't even list a load for Bullseye. They do list 5.4 grains of Bullseye as pushing a 180 grain lead bullet to 945 FPS.

I run my 200 gr LSWC with 4.4 grains of Bullseye and that's out of a 7-inch barrel & longslide 1911, with a W-C 18 pound spring. It's a decent target load. 5.4 grains behind the same bullet is HOT, it's no 600 fps. Alliant doesn't list any load in .45 Auto that sends a bullet slower than 700 fps. Nor does Hodgdon, at a quick glance.

WESHOOT2 · February 28, 2009, 02:49 PM

I'd shoot over the chronograph on more than one day.

February 27, 2009, 01:46 PM	#1
charleym3 Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2001 Location: Central NC Posts: 538	Reloading 45acp again I've started reloading again after a long break. I'm using so old, but i believe well stored Bullseye powder for 45ACP. I'm shooting in a revolver and measureing velocity over my PACT chronograph from about 12 years ago. Speer casings, WLP primers. 5.4grns of Bullseye under a 200grn Grandmaster Bullet Co slug. crimped in. Okay, here's the interesting part. For 6 rounds that average velocity was 612. SD was 26 ES was 46. Something is realy really not right here. Is this a sign that my powder has gone bad? Am I haveing issues with the chronograph? I put a coule of 38Special rounds over it as a sanity check before the load I was developing. Those two were in the 600 range. I was expecting a velocity around 750. I was using the center of the sky screen area. Overcast and gusty day. Should realign to put the bullets an inch above the screens like I used to. Any guidance would be helpful. __________________ -When the need is great enough, limitations are meaningless. -Small helpings of experience become wisdom, while large servings become bitterness and despair. -I was once described as self-righteous and patronizing! I pointed out that I am actually arrogant & condescending.

February 27, 2009, 06:03 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	QuickLOAD's guess is for 5" tube is 880 fps. Pretty good agreement with Sheperddogs' guess. I know my old 200 gr. SWC's over 4.2 grains of Bullseye ran close to 750 fps. 600 fps would run about 3.3 grains of Bullseye. Anything under 4.2 grains with jacketed bullets and about 4.4 grains with lead required me to reduce the recoil spring from the standard 16 lb spring to get reliable functioning. So, if you have a 5" tube and the loads are functioning your action with a standard recoil spring, then the velocity reading is just wrong. I'd call PACT and ask them to look it over and maybe you can pay to get it upgraded to a current version? By the way, 4.8 grains of Bullseye under 200 grain cast bullets will function either a standard 1911 or a Commander with its shorter, stiffer spring. You can try that load to double-check the powder strength. If the gun cycles normally with it, you definitely have no significant issue with the powder. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle Last edited by Unclenick; February 27, 2009 at 06:09 PM.

February 27, 2009, 11:06 PM	#5
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Guys, note that the OP stated that these are being sent out of a revolver... so discussion of slides, feeding, recoil springs et all aren't applicable. 5.4 grains of Bullseye pushing a 200 grain LSWC is a hot load, plain and simple. The (almost!) most recent Alliant guide lists 4.0 as a max load, but that's for target LSWC. For other LSWC in 200 grains, they don't even list a load for Bullseye. They do list 5.4 grains of Bullseye as pushing a 180 grain lead bullet to 945 FPS. I run my 200 gr LSWC with 4.4 grains of Bullseye and that's out of a 7-inch barrel & longslide 1911, with a W-C 18 pound spring. It's a decent target load. 5.4 grains behind the same bullet is HOT, it's no 600 fps. Alliant doesn't list any load in .45 Auto that sends a bullet slower than 700 fps. Nor does Hodgdon, at a quick glance. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

February 28, 2009, 02:49 PM	#6
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	what I would do (if I didn't have calibration ammo) I'd shoot over the chronograph on more than one day. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

February 27, 2009, 05:42 PM	#2
shepherddogs Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 1,007	What's your barrel length? Are you seeing unburned powder? I would expect closer to 900 fps with that charge. Doublecheck your scales. If you shoot any more of them watch for squibs.

February 27, 2009, 06:56 PM	#4
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	I usually shoot a well established load over my screens for a reality check. I don't know if your loads were calibration loads, or just guesses. Still my guess, you have an instrumentation issue.