My load isn't knocking down the plates. How much should I go up?

DaveInPA · February 24, 2008, 03:55 PM

Hey everyone,

I loaded my first batch of .45 ACP rounds yesterday with 4.8 grains of WW231 behind a 230gr FMJ bullet. The rounds cycle the gun fine and are plenty accurate on paper, but they don't knock steel plates down unless I hit the very top of the plate. The WWB I had with me knocked them down no sweat.

So here's the question. How much should I increase my charge to resolve this? Could I safely jump up to 5.3 grains of W231?

Thanks
Dave

Charles S · February 24, 2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Could I safely jump up to 5.3

The short answer is yes...This is well within the load specs. However each gun is an individual and to be cautious look for pressure signs. I doubt you will have any.

My 45s have handled more 231 than that without any problems.

somerled · February 24, 2008, 06:56 PM

5.3 grains of 231 will be ok according to Winchester data at www.hodgdon.com. That is the max for the 230 grain Hornady jacketed FP. I used to load 5.5 grains for 230 grain ball in my Wilson. I used 1.265 in. for an overall cartridge length.

A chronograph will help in load development. If you find a load that gives around 825-850 feet per second with 230 grain bullets, you'll have a good plate knocker.

rwilson452 · February 24, 2008, 08:11 PM

I would say work your way up but don't exceed 5.9 gr if W231. Depending on your pistol and OAL you might be able to get higher than that but it would really be pushing the envelope.

Crimp · February 24, 2008, 10:10 PM

5.5gr will probably get those plates OK, but just for info, I routinely shoot 5.8gr of 231 under Winchester 230gr FMJs, COL of 1.260", with no pressure signs.

This is my standard .45 ACP load, and happens to be listed in Nossler's as "most accurate." Speer #13 goes up to 6.2gr with Win 231.

WESHOOT2 · February 27, 2008, 09:06 AM

My most-shot 230g rides on top of 5.0g W231; if more is needed then I go to 5.3g.

In the old days there were many launching 230s over 6.0--6.1g W231.

Not advised......better safer choices are everywhere.

DaveInPA · February 27, 2008, 09:41 AM

I loaded up a bunch of 5.3gr W231 at a 1.250 COL. We'll see how those work

Edward429451 · February 27, 2008, 09:58 AM

5.3 gr of 231 is my drop down to point when loading a different bullet than I'm used to, a full 1/2 gr under max. I've shot a bunch of FMJ's at 5.5 and they were fine. I've taken a 225 gr LRN bullet all the way up to 6.0 gr, but 5.8 was more accurate, and 5.5 is ok and has a greater safety margin.

Dave, a suggestion. Keep a few shot cases with the dead primer still in them, from each load. That way you can line them up and get a better look at the primers as the load increases. This is the way to watch primers for pressure signs. By comparing them to the previous loads. When you see the primer changing shape (flattening), you're there, back to the previous load.

T. O'Heir · February 27, 2008, 02:13 PM

What kind of plate? Some of 'em, like pepper poppers are made to be adjustable. Some are just plain too heavy for target loads.
Mind you, 4.5 grains of Bullseye with a 230 grain cast RN or FP knocks over any plate I've ever shot at.
5.3 of 231 is max for a 230 grain cast too. Safe, but your accuracy may drop off a bit.

DaveInPA · February 27, 2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

5.3 of 231 is max for a 230 grain cast too. Safe, but your accuracy may drop off a bit.

These are plated bullets and 5.3, from everything I've heard is nowhere near a max load.

February 24, 2008, 10:10 PM	#5
Crimp Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 276	5.5gr will probably get those plates OK, but just for info, I routinely shoot 5.8gr of 231 under Winchester 230gr FMJs, COL of 1.260", with no pressure signs. This is my standard .45 ACP load, and happens to be listed in Nossler's as "most accurate." Speer #13 goes up to 6.2gr with Win 231. __________________ -Montani Semper Liberi- West Virginians: Consider joining the West Virginia Citizens Defense League.

February 27, 2008, 09:06 AM	#6
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	mine My most-shot 230g rides on top of 5.0g W231; if more is needed then I go to 5.3g. In the old days there were many launching 230s over 6.0--6.1g W231. Not advised......better safer choices are everywhere. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

February 27, 2008, 02:13 PM	#9
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	What kind of plate? Some of 'em, like pepper poppers are made to be adjustable. Some are just plain too heavy for target loads. Mind you, 4.5 grains of Bullseye with a 230 grain cast RN or FP knocks over any plate I've ever shot at. 5.3 of 231 is max for a 230 grain cast too. Safe, but your accuracy may drop off a bit. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

February 24, 2008, 03:55 PM	#1
DaveInPA Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2008 Location: Berks County, PA Posts: 1,106	My load isn't knocking down the plates. How much should I go up? Hey everyone, I loaded my first batch of .45 ACP rounds yesterday with 4.8 grains of WW231 behind a 230gr FMJ bullet. The rounds cycle the gun fine and are plenty accurate on paper, but they don't knock steel plates down unless I hit the very top of the plate. The WWB I had with me knocked them down no sweat. So here's the question. How much should I increase my charge to resolve this? Could I safely jump up to 5.3 grains of W231? Thanks Dave

February 24, 2008, 06:56 PM	#3
somerled Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2005 Location: eastern Kansas Posts: 603	5.3 grains of 231 will be ok according to Winchester data at www.hodgdon.com. That is the max for the 230 grain Hornady jacketed FP. I used to load 5.5 grains for 230 grain ball in my Wilson. I used 1.265 in. for an overall cartridge length. A chronograph will help in load development. If you find a load that gives around 825-850 feet per second with 230 grain bullets, you'll have a good plate knocker.

February 24, 2008, 08:11 PM	#4
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	I would say work your way up but don't exceed 5.9 gr if W231. Depending on your pistol and OAL you might be able to get higher than that but it would really be pushing the envelope.

February 27, 2008, 09:41 AM	#7
DaveInPA Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2008 Location: Berks County, PA Posts: 1,106	I loaded up a bunch of 5.3gr W231 at a 1.250 COL. We'll see how those work

February 27, 2008, 09:58 AM	#8
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	5.3 gr of 231 is my drop down to point when loading a different bullet than I'm used to, a full 1/2 gr under max. I've shot a bunch of FMJ's at 5.5 and they were fine. I've taken a 225 gr LRN bullet all the way up to 6.0 gr, but 5.8 was more accurate, and 5.5 is ok and has a greater safety margin. Dave, a suggestion. Keep a few shot cases with the dead primer still in them, from each load. That way you can line them up and get a better look at the primers as the load increases. This is the way to watch primers for pressure signs. By comparing them to the previous loads. When you see the primer changing shape (flattening), you're there, back to the previous load.