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View Full Version : correct OAL for .45 ACP with GI 230gr FMJ bullets?


smle-man
10-24-2014, 9:10 PM
I loaded up some .45 with 6.2gr Unique and 230gr FMJ bullets. The loads seemed to kick harder than previous efforts so I chrono'd them today and got 910 FPS! Yikes!! No flat primers but I'm wondering if the load data I used has the bullets being seated too deep and this is raising pressure and velocity. they feed fine and are super accurate but sure kick hard.

What are you using for the OAL length?

lpspinner
10-24-2014, 9:32 PM
Speer #14's manual list the max OAL is 1.275". With a 230gr TMJ RN, they tested at 1.260" (which is what I seat to).

They list a max charge of 6.5grs of Unique with a velocity of 832 fps.

stilly
10-25-2014, 1:34 AM
I load all my plated to 1.249 (cause I am done with trying to get 1.250) and have 0 issues. Even moving into the cast lead PC pills I use the same length with:
WST
Power Pistol
Blue Dot
WSF
HP-38
800-x
whatever else I missed...

J-cat
10-25-2014, 4:31 AM
I play with OAL as 230 FMJ bullets are different and .015" makes a big difference in accuracy. I start with 1.275" and work my way down.

Paperchasin
10-25-2014, 6:45 AM
OP what is your current OAL? Have you considered lowering your powder to 5.8-6.0 gr?

'ol shooter
10-25-2014, 8:05 AM
I seat at 1.260".

Chief-7700
10-25-2014, 8:09 AM
1.240" works for all my 1911s using LSWC, FMJ and JHP.

Mot Mi
10-25-2014, 11:11 AM
1.250 for me for any round nose bullets

smle-man
10-25-2014, 3:59 PM
OP what is your current OAL? Have you considered lowering your powder to 5.8-6.0 gr?

I used to do 6.0 but I read of getting better accuracy with the load I tried. Back to 6.0 for me.

thanks

sghart
10-25-2014, 5:36 PM
Maybe it's corny but an old timer once taught me that 45 ACP is easy to remember. The OAL is "12345". !.23" for 45. I have used it for 30+ years in everything from actual GI issued 1911's to HK USP's to Ruger P345"s.

Paperchasin
10-25-2014, 6:30 PM
I used to do 6.0 but I read of getting better accuracy with the load I tried. Back to 6.0 for me.

thanks
Try working up a new load like you do when first starting out....I'd say load up as many different recipes as you can in a quantity that will allow you determine which recipe works best for you. Recipes given over the net should only be used as guidelines that give you a range.

lpspinner
10-25-2014, 8:49 PM
Do you vary between primers, also what type and how tight do you crimp to? ( I crimp to about .471" for FMJ's and .472-.473 for Moly bullets)

A tighter crimp can lead to increase pressure. Most people don't, but to cover all bases...you don't trim your .45 brass do you?

smle-man
10-25-2014, 8:51 PM
I don't trim any handgun brass. Primers are all WW.

John Browning
10-26-2014, 2:13 AM
Since it seats off the ogive and different brands have it in different locations, I put in a 230gr USGI ball round with my seater backed out. I screw down the seater until it hits, and boom, done.

This has yet to give me any issues in thousands and thousands of rounds.

smle-man
11-01-2014, 1:42 PM
I checked and they were set for 1.235; I'm adjusting them to 1.500 to see how that goes.

Thanks for your help.

J-cat
11-01-2014, 5:46 PM
U mean 1.250"?

mjmagee67
11-01-2014, 6:06 PM
Don't look for primers signs on a 45 ACP, it's a low pressure round and if you see flat LPP you are WAY over pressure, way over.

smle-man
11-01-2014, 6:26 PM
U mean 1.250"?

Yep, sorry!

Germz
11-01-2014, 6:58 PM
Since it seats off the ogive and different brands have it in different locations, I put in a 230gr USGI ball round with my seater backed out. I screw down the seater until it hits, and boom, done.

This has yet to give me any issues in thousands and thousands of rounds.

I read too fast and saw your statement as "Since it headspaces off the ogive" and I was all like:
:willy_nilly: WHAT!? OH COME ON NOW!!! :willy_nilly:

Then I reread it and felt dumb. lol. :)

uhlan1
11-02-2014, 5:24 AM
Any RN 1.125. I'd lower the charge as well.

M27
11-03-2014, 7:12 PM
I load all my 230 gn 45acp ball to 1.265". 1.275 would sometimes 3 point jam in tight chambers. I have never had a need to go any shorter.

Bikertrash
11-04-2014, 11:31 AM
Forgive my newness to this, but how would OAL differ between RNFP & RN? My 1911 doesn't cycle properly With RNFP seated to 1.250" but does at 1.224". Is this OAL dangerous under 6gr Unique?

I found this on Nosler's site which is the bullet I'm using in 230gr. Their OAL is shorter than mine. I may just be overthinking things. http://www.nosler.com/nosler-load-data/45-auto-acp/

sofbak
11-04-2014, 2:15 PM
Forgive my newness to this, but how would OAL differ between RNFP & RN? My 1911 doesn't cycle properly With RNFP seated to 1.250" but does at 1.224". Is this OAL dangerous under 6gr Unique?

I found this on Nosler's site which is the bullet I'm using in 230gr. Their OAL is shorter than mine. I may just be overthinking things. http://www.nosler.com/nosler-load-data/45-auto-acp/

Good question.... For some reason, Unique demands a longer OAL than other powders, but I don't know why. The BofLee for this load specifies 1.260" as the min, and the Alliant Reloaders Guide specifies 1.270" for OAL.

All other powders I have used for .45 with that same Nosler bullet specify a min OAL at 1.200" in the BofLee. So why Unique needs so much more room is a mystery to me. Only thing I can think of is more air for complete combustion, but that is a swag on my part....

Note that the Nosler data you linked doesn't list Unique. At that load weight, I don't think 1.224 is going to be a problem, and I would try it in my gun (at least once). But still it would be good to know why Unique needs so much more room.......

Bikertrash
11-04-2014, 2:29 PM
Note that the Nosler data you linked doesn't list Unique. At that load weight, I don't think 1.224 is going to be a problem, and I would try it in my gun (at least once). But still it would be good to know why Unique needs so much more room.......

Thank you for that. But scroll down on the link. There is another pic.

sofbak
11-04-2014, 2:48 PM
Thank you for that. But scroll down on the link. There is another pic.

Oops, didn't see the second chart. Still shows a "tested" OACL of 1.200", and unique loads greater than yours. You should be gtg.....

Still curious why Alliant and Lee say Unique needs more room....

BTW, that's a really good bullet. I have the best consistency with that one.

kcstott
11-04-2014, 2:55 PM
velocity is not a reliable indication of pressure. Sammi throws out any data that is less then +/- 50 fps in low power hand gun rounds.

I would not be concerned with 910 FPS and as far as OAL goes I load them so they fit in the mag. Not to concerned with handgun accuracy. At least not in a defense caliber.

Bikertrash
11-04-2014, 3:00 PM
Oops, didn't see the second chart. Still shows a "tested" OACL of 1.200", and unique loads greater than yours. You should be gtg.....

BTW, that's a really good bullet. I have the best consistency with that one.

Thank you for the information Sofbak. Midway had them on clearance for $26/250 so I got a lot of them.

Sorry for the thread jack.

navydad2010
11-07-2014, 4:08 PM
Maybe it's corny but an old timer once taught me that 45 ACP is easy to remember. The OAL is "12345". !.23" for 45. I have used it for 30+ years in everything from actual GI issued 1911's to HK USP's to Ruger P345"s.

^^^ This^^^

I seat a Lee molded 228 GR cast lead, tumble lubed and Lee sized bullet 1.234 OAL over 4.0 grains of Bullseye, no crimp, of course. Tried and true. :oji:
:chris:

RR.44
11-07-2014, 4:20 PM
Definitely 1.250 for 230gr RN, HP's are another matter.