My .45 ACP Loading Results

[PLINK]

Just wanted to share some of my .45 ACP reload data with you guys. I did some testing with Wulf today. He let me use his Chrono. Thanks again.

These were fired from a Springfield Mil-Spec with a 5in barrel. I fired seven rounds to get my average velocity. Then used Bullet Weight in Grains, Times Velocity, Divided by 1,000 to get the power factor. W x V / 1000= PF


Laser-cast 230 grain LRN .452 dia
4.8 grains Hogdon Clays Universal
COL 1.260
*These fire and cycle OK at this length but stick on ejecting live rounds*

Average Velocity = 685 fps
Power Factor = 157.55


Laser-cast 230 grain LRN .452 dia
5.4 grains Hogdon Clays Universal
COL 1.260
*These fire and cycle OK at this length but stick on ejecting live rounds*

Average Velocity = 803 fps
Power Factor = 184.65


Bear Creek 230 grain LRN .452 dia
5.4 grains Hogdon Clays Universal
COL 1.260

Average Velocity = 738 fps
Power Factor = 169.74


Bear Creek 230 grain LRN .452 dia
5.9 grains Hogdon Clays Universal
COL 1.235
*These were Wulf's reloads, just wanted to see what they did in my gun. We came to the conclusion that these rounds are a bit hot for my gun*

Average Velocity = 916 fps
Power Factor = 210.68


Here is the load data I got from Laser-cast for the same bullet using a government 1911. *I had to call to get this info but they do sell their own Load Data book.

Laser-cast 230 grain LRN .452 dia
COL 1.260

5.4 grains of Hogdon Clays Universal - 714 fps
5.9 grains of Hogdon Clays Universal - 844 fps


Anyway, enjoy the info. Please use load data at your own risk.

[Ninja45]

Thanks, Plink. I don't have a chrono so this will be a good guide when I load for my 1911.

Ninja45

[PLINK]

Bear Creek 230 grain LRN .452 dia
5.4 grains Hogdon Clays Universal
COL 1.260

Average Velocity = 738 fps
Power Factor = 169.7


Anyway, enjoy the info. Please use load data at your own risk.

I changed my COL on these to 1.240. I have not Chrono'ed these yet but I don't expect much of a change. I did this because I felt that they were a little long even though they ejected (emply, live) and cycled fine at 1.260.

In USPSA match shooting it is not uncommon to eject live rounds (to show clear) when you finish a stage. I did not want to chance a jam when manually unloading.

[Wulf]

Did shortening up solve that problem?

[PLINK]

Did shortening up solve that problem?

The problem did go away. Thanks for all of the advice.

[1norcalvarmintHunter]

Hey i was gonna start relaoding .45 acp too, where is a good place to get powder cheap for them?

[Wulf]

"Powder deal" is almost an oxymoron unless you're seriously into quantity.

You can buy retail and get plundered (by the store owner) or you can buy online and pillaged (by UPS with their $15 hazmat fee plus the extra shipping handling necessary for that kind of shipment). Personally I'd rather get plundered because it helps keep the local gun seller in town in business which is worth a few extra bucks per pound IMHO.

If you're bound and determined to get a deal, you'll need to order, either by yourself or with a local group buy, a quantity of powder that maxes out the pound limit for the UPS hazmat fee; a number which escapes me at the moment.

[PLINK]

Hey i was gonna start relaoding .45 acp too, where is a good place to get powder cheap for them?

The Sportsmans Warehouse in Rocklin sells powder at good prices. I bought a 4 lbs caddy of Clays Universal for $56.99 plus tax. This is good for approx. 4000 plus rounds.