Potentially Stupid Question...

[DiCarnage]

I know that you can always get faster/hotter ammo, and .45 is comparatively slow, but does anyone make lower velocity .45 ammunition?

[NYPD13]

How low do you want to go?

[DiCarnage]

If I knew the answer to that, I'd probably already know the answer to my original question.
What are my options? What's ballpark velocity? What's low? I've never seen FPS printed on a box of .45...
If you know of a company that does, then share.

[jimbob86]

I have loaded plated bullets as slow as 700 f/sec for a 200 gr bullet.

[RickB]

Some companies load ammo specifically for competition that does not require "full power" ammo. Federal makes a couple of match loads that are lower velocity than normal for the bullet weight, but they're premium rounds, and not cheap.

[jimbob86]

...... is that you can make what you want, and not just have to take what they are shovelling.

What's ballpark velocity? What's low? I've never seen FPS printed on a box of .45...
If you know of a company that does, then share.

230 gr ball ammo was supposed to be about 850 f/sec.

Why do you want lower velocity?

For reduced recoil, you can, if you handload, use bullets as light as 155 grains, and load them to 900 f/sec. ...... that's the slowest I have data for. You could probalbly find data to go slower, but you might have to worry about a stuck bullet if pressure is too low.

[thesheepdog]

Load some 230gr .45's in a short barreled auto and you'll be at the 800 FPS mark.

[Buzzcook]

I recently loaded down to ~650fps and there's a poster that makes 600fps loads.

I didn't have to adjust point of aim at 25yds. The 1911 cycled just fine. 230gr lrn 4.9gr Unique

There are reduced recoil rounds available for the .45acp. Federal and I think Remington

[grumpa72]

Good answers. But, you can THROW the bullets at someone, or perhaps, use a slingshot with them!

[jimbob86]

But, you can THROW the bullets at someone,

Betcha' spit'n 'em would be slower yet!

[mikejonestkd]

The joys of handloading...
I've gone as low as 3.2 gr bullseye under a 200 gr SWC and it still cycles 100 % and yields 630fps. Nice, easy to shoot and accurate. It may or may not cycle in your particular handgun.

[thundrr1]

You might want to check out Wilson Combat. They are now making ammo. Bill Wilson does know something about ammo.

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Wilson-C...partments/134/

I am not affiliated with Wilson Combat.

[Cheapshooter]

I've never seen FPS printed on a box of .45...
If you know of a company that does, then share.

Go to the Midway USA website: http://www.midwayusa.com/
Click on ammunition, chose what caliber you want. Then click on each brand, and load. They provide full information including velocity.
This ay help you find out what you are looking for.

[44 AMP]

Factory loads for auto pistols usually don't go much below "standard" velocity. There are some target loads that do, but they are pretty much specialty items.

The main reason is that people expect the ammo to cycle their guns. When it doesn't, buyers tend to get cranky. Ammo makers lightest loads will still be what they consider adequate to cycle about everything it is likely to be shot in.

Now, with handloading, you can load as light as you want, until the bullet fails to exit the barrel. And you are the only one who has to deal with the lack of cycling that you eventually will run into, as you reduce the load.

Not all guns have the same tolerance. I've shot 200gr swc light loads that litterally roll out of the ejection port of my BDA (SIg P220), but will not cycle one of my 1911s at all, and another only sometimes.

[Hoss Fly]

Why would you want slower than "standard" 800-850FPS

[lashlaroe]

The Federal Champion 230 gr fmjs I just bought, show the stats right on the box. FPS, muzzle energy, etc.

Since you asked.

[twhidd]

The Aguila Colibri is a .22 caliber round that travels at a blazing 375fps. The rounds do even have powder, they're just primer driven. They obviously wouldn't cycle an auto loader, but they're fun out of my Single Six. They hardly make a sound when they go off. Just a light pop. They won't draw any attention when fired at the stray neighborhood dog in your trash cans.

[DiCarnage]

Why would you want slower than "standard" 800-850FPS

Because paralysis is a hell of a thing.
Lower FPS means less recoil.
Less recoil means greater controllability for the shooter.
Greater controllability benefits ALL OF US when a cripple is holding a .45.
GET IT?

[jimbob86]

..... Handloading is a wonderful thing. You might try it.

[DiCarnage]

I DO wanna get into hand-loading, it's something I've been looking into rather wistfully for a while now. Besides being able to produce my own lower-velocity .45 I'd save huge on reloading my .270 and .30 carbine, but currently I just don't have the time or space.
I fantasize about having a workshop with a reloading press and a metal lathe, but we all know the saying about wishin' and crappin'.

I'll try to find some lower velocity factory stuff, but you guys have actually given me a great idea; I can probably find someone through my local range that might be willing to do some custom loads for me.

Thanks for all the input.
~D!~

[mes228]

Try some Fiochhie (spelling?) 165 grain .45 auto ammo. I think it very mild recoiling and also very accurate.

[Winchester_73]

If you happen to be asking in regards to a revolver, there is the 45 gap....
Other than that, roll your own....

[jimbob86]

but currently I just don't have the time or space.

My brother has loaded 1,200 rounds of 9mm with a Lee Hand Press Kit since the middle of November..... does case prep while watching Football on Sundays. Stores the whole deal (including consumables) in 2 shoe boxes.

I fantasize about having a workshop with a reloading press and a metal lathe, but we all know the saying about wishin' and crappin'.

If you wait for perfection, you'll never do anything.

You can do what it is you want to do for less than $100 start-up costs, and will save 40%, minimum on the cost of .45 ACP. Start saving your brass.

[James K]

An auto pistol is designed to work within certain parameters in ammunition. Too much power and the gun batters itself to destruction; too little and it won't function.

If one wants light loads, the only real choice may be to go to a revolver where, within reason, pressure and velocity don't matter.

Jim

[maxim629]

Since .45 is already subsonic it will be hard to find factory loads that are much lighter.