.45 ACP Reloading Tips.

[USMCM16A2]

Guys,



Do any of you have ANY advice for reloading .45 ACP, OAL, powders, primers. This will be for 230 FMJ only, blasting loads. Thanks, USMCM16A2

[M47_Dragon]

3.9 of Clay's under any 230 gr. RN is a great load and doesn't beat the crap out of your gun.
I use an OAL of 1.180 - 1.185, but that is for plated FP, so YMMV.

[Corbin Dallas]

https://www.handloads.com

[mike100]

6 grains of Unique under just about any 45acp bullet set to proper dimensions per reloading manuals.

[ZombieKiller]

6.0 of 231 using the 230gr FMJ works fine....make sure to taper crimp...
i used an oal of 1.26

[dexter9659]

6 Gr Unique is good. Taper crimp is very important. As for OAL: Fire for effect, as each gun is different and has slightly different tastes in food. Try loading different OALs making sure to label them. I sets of 10 (# up to you) and place tape over the top of the rows with the cartridge info on the tape.

It took me 5 years and hundreds of different combinations to find the absolutely perfect load for my 45 USP expert, but the wait is worth it.

[diginit]

I use a sharpie to mark my dummy rounds. Stays put and tumbles off.
It is STILL BEST to start low and work up. Winchester has load data on it's site for hogdon and 231. Check out their specs before reloading!!!! Here's a few light loads I use. Although I'm not using lead much anymore. Makes a mess out of the barrel.
I assume no responsibility for this information. Some guns like different OAL's

230 gr .452 LRN, FMJ
WIN 231 - 5.2 gr
OAL 1260 825 - 850fps
CCI 300 primers
Win brass

Speer .451.5 230 gr truncated cone
Win 231 - 4.9 gr (plinking) and 5.2 gr (Felt Factory)
OAL 1230
CCI 300 primers
Win brass

Western Nevada .452 230gr LRN
Win 231 - 5.2 gr
OAL 1260
CCI 300 Primers
Win brass

Western Nevada 220 gr .452 LRN
Win 231 5.2 gr
OAL 1262
CCI 300 Primers
Win brass

Speer .452 200 gr single groove LSWC
Win 231 - 5.5 gr
OAL 1250
CCI 300 Primers
Win brass

Western nevada .452 200 gr single groove Copper Coat SWC
Win 231 5.5 gr
OAL 1252
CCI 300 Primers
Win brass

.452 200 gr single groove LSWC
Bullseye 4.9 gr (lighter than factory)
OAL 1250
CCI 300 Primers
Win brass

.452 200 gr double groove LSWC
Win 231 5.5 gr
OAL 1227
CCI 300 Primers
Win brass

[Snapping Twig]

I'm using a 230g TC, cast from a Lee mould with 5.3g W231 in the engine room for a factory duplication round with a more agressive bullet.

Both my Sig and Kimber enjoy this round. I have to reduce the OAL for the Kimber, so I shoot the shortened bullet in both pistols with no ill effect.

[kurac]

I use either 230gr FMJ's or 200 LSWC over W231 because it meters very nice

[realmswalker]

I use 5.1 grains or 5.3 grains of red dot with 230 grain Rn 1.260 OAL in my USP and springfield mil spec, works great for me.

[BamBam-31]

452 200 gr double groove LSWC
Win 231 5.5 gr
OAL 2227
CCI 300 Primers
Win brass

Holy crap, that's a looong OAL!

I hear crimping to .471 is also a good thing.

[sammy]

My standard load is a 200g. LSWC over 5.1g. of 231. It makes about 770fps out of a 5" barrel and will reliably cycle a 5" 1911 with a 18.5# recoil spring. I use either CCI or Winchester magnum pistol primers with whatever brass I can find. The recoil is a very gentle push and it is extremely accurate.

[freakshow10mm]

Winchester doesn't make magnum large pistol primers. Only WLP. Winchester Large Pistol.

[ar15barrels]

Winchester doesn't make magnum large pistol primers. Only WLP. Winchester Large Pistol.

... which say "for standard or magnum loads" on the box.

[freakshow10mm]

... which say "for standard or magnum loads" on the box.

Yes, they can be used for standard or magnum applications but read what type they are:

WLP= Winchester Large Pistol

Winchester makes one large pistol primer type. They do not make a "magnum primer" like sammy said.