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Old 03-23-2008, 10:02 PM
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Loads for .45 ACP:


(Note: These are near MAXIMUM loads, you should use 10% less to start.)
(See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.)
Bullet sizes vary from .451" for jacketed to .452" for some lead in diameter. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up.


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155 grain LSWC (Lead, Semi-Wad Cutter)
Bullseye 6.9 gr. 1,175 FPS
Unique 7.8 gr. 1,190
Universal 7.6 gr. 1,195
Clays 5.2 gr. 1,082
HP38 8.0 gr. 1,179
No. 2 7.5 gr. 1,204
No. 5 10.0 gr. 1,189
540 8.5 gr. 940
-----------------------------------------
185 grain JHP or JSP (Jacketed Hollow or Soft Point)
Bullseye 5.3 gr. 914 FPS
Unique 7.0 gr. 928
Unique 6.0 gr. 765 (actual in Colt45 for mild load)
Universal 7.2 gr. 993
Clays 4.9 gr. 981
HP38 5.9 gr. 906
HS-6 8.6 gr. 917
No. 2 7.5 gr. 1,077
No. 5 10.2 gr. 1,102
231 6.8 gr. 990
540 10.0 gr. 1,015
WST 5.6 gr. 935
WAP 8.9 gr. 1,045
-----------------------------------------
200 grain LSWC (Lead, Semi-Wad Cutter)
Bullseye 4.2 gr. 790 FPS
Unique 5.1 gr. 810
Universal 5.4 gr. 804
Clays 4.3 gr. 888
HP38 5.6 gr. 914
HS-6 8.4 gr. 907
No. 2 5.8 gr. 939
No. 5 8.7 gr. 1,025
231 5.5 gr. 910
540 8.3 gr. 925
WST 5.1 gr. 910
WAP 7.6 gr. 970
-----------------------------------------
225 grain Speer JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)
Bullseye 4.8 gr. 884 FPS
Unique 6.0 gr. 898
Universal 6.2 gr. 820
HP38 5.3 gr. 832
HS-6 8.2 gr. 825
No. 2 5.6 gr. ---
No. 5 8.5 gr. ---
231 5.2 gr. 824
WAP 7.9 gr. 895
-----------------------------------------
230 grain LSWC or LRN (Semi-Wad Cutter or Round Nose)
(these loads work for the RN Plated bullet,too)
Bullseye 4.0 gr. 810 FPS (target accuracy load)
Bullseye 4.8 gr. 884 hot load/Maximum.
Unique 5.5 gr. 795 (I got 738 fps in my gun)
Unique 5.5 gr. 913 (in Marlin auto carbine)
Unique 6.0 gr. 840* (I got 777 fps in my gun)
Unique 6.0 gr. 924* (in Marlin auto carbine)
Universal 4.8 gr. 782
No. 2 5.6 gr. 870
No. 5 8.5 gr. 968
231 5.1 gr. 870 (I got 734 in my S&W)
540 7.6 gr. 860
WST 4.5 gr. 805
WAP 7.3 gr. 915
* Alliant shows this a Maximum load
-----------------------------------------
230 grain FMJ or JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)
Bullseye 4.8 gr. 884 FPS
Unique 6.4 gr. 880
Universal 6.0 gr. 853
HP38 5.3 gr. 832
HS6 8.2 gr. 825
No. 2 6.1 gr. 874
No. 5 8.7 gr. 927
231 5.1 gr. 785
540 7.6 gr. 800
WST 4.9 gr. 800
WAP 7.4 gr. 885
-----------------------------------------
260 grain FMJ or JHP Revolver Loads
Bullseye 4.5 gr. 725 FPS
Unique 5.4 gr. 760
HP38 5.1 gr. 800
HS6 8.0 gr. 849
No. 2 5.5 gr. 785
No. 5 7.7 gr. 845
231 5.0 gr. 788
-----------------------------------------


Discussion: The small case and short powder burning time of the .45 ACP requires a faster burning powder, like Bullseye or Unique. The almost standard bullet is the 230 grain round nose, since it feeds so well in autos. However, the SWC has a round enough nose that it feeds well in most autos and makes a cleaner target cut-out. If you were to be hunting or for protection, you might consider the Jacketed Hollow Point bullet shown in the loaded round. Whether you use the lead or full metal jacketed bullet is up to you, but the lead is, of course, much cheaper if you shoot very much. Because of lead fumes in the air, you should use a jacketed or copper plated bullet indoors
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