powder recipe for .45 acp help

[JOLLYROGER]

just getting into reloading lucky enough to track down all components ...powder,bullets,primers, oh yeah and a loader...
going to be loading 230grn fmj .451 bullets with bullseye powder
looking for advice on what has worked for you experienced loaders as far as grains, oal crimp size, etc...

[350skylark]

alot of it is going to depend on what powder your going to use so we need that info first

[Bill Steele]

just getting into reloading lucky enough to track down all components ...powder,bullets,primers, oh yeah and a loader...
going to be loading 230grn fmj .451 bullets with bullseye powder
looking for advice on what has worked for you experienced loaders as far as grains, oal crimp size, etc...

I like 5.0gr of BE under a 230gr jacketed bullet. OAL 1.265", crimp just to take the belling out of the case.

You can work up as high as 5.7gr with that 230 bullet, but I never found the need. I have used 5gr of BE in lots of calibers and bullet weights, amazing really, I think 5grs of BE will cycle any gun wih any bullet. Great accuracy too, hence the name.

Have fun, good luck.

[JOLLYROGER]

for 350skylark im using bullseye powder

[smalltime]

There are many good loads between 4.5-5gr Bullseye for a 230gr FMJ. Start low and work up, get a manual if you don't have one. OAL around 1.26"

[rsrocket1]

Bill is right, 5.0g Bullseye under a 230g FMJ RN has been the standard load for around a century. I've down loaded to 4.5g and found it to be a little more tame, but for really tame loads, I simply use a faster powder such as Clays or Red Dot. No need to run Bullseye too low, otherwise like many other powders, it starts to get "dirty". At 5.0g you have margin above and below so a slight change in charge or seat depth won't cause a squib or kaboom.

As for crimp, there is no need to crimp 45ACP other than to remove the case flare in the expansion stage AND there is no need to over expand the case mouth. Flare it out just enough to enable the bullet to seat into the case straight. You don't need to expand the case for the full length of the bullet. Case neck tension is all that is needed to hold the bullet in.

Good luck and welcome to reloading.

[alfred1222]

All the advice is great, and dead on. Just a side more, for 45 ACP you're gunna need to taper crimp, not roll crimp.

[mjmagee67]

I'll second, third or forth (which ever number I'm at) the 5.0gr BE under a 230gr FMJ or plated bullet. I set my COL at 1.245 though, cycles through my Sig better.

[Divernhunter]

I use Win231 or Hi-Skor 700-X.
Buy the Lyman #49 manual, read it and it will answer most questions you will have.

[coronaman]

Here is a good link with good data.

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=45%20ACP&Weight=230&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

Dave

[BisDak]

.45acp

230 gr LRN / bear creek
5.5 unique (new unique - cleaner burning)
CCI LP
1.260 coal
Mixed brass

Very soft shooting target load.
Good enough for my 1911's.
Accurate for my kimber tle/rl2. Springfield loaded. Sig Tac. And RIA Tac.

[Swagman00]

I'll use Trail Boss behind my target loads for just about everything in slower lead pistol calibers. Supposed to work pretty good for .45 ACP as well.

[Corbin Dallas]

I use 5.3 bullseye under bear creek 230g rn. Runs in the high 800's for fps. 1.25 oal out of my glock 21