Reloading Speer .45ACP

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rikkards

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Decided to start loading 45ACP, and need some advice (I didn't see a reloading section so figured this should be relevant enough here)
I picked up the Speer 300 rd pack of 230gr TMJ bullets at Cabelas and want a second or third opinion on how I am going with it:
Using Winchester Small Pistol Primer and TiteGroup

According to Hornady loading manual
COL 1.210
Starting 700fps: 4.3gr
750fps: 4.5gr
Maximum 800fps (max): 4.8gr

According to Hodgdon
COL: 1.20
Starting: 744fps 4.4gr
Maximum: 818fps 4.8gr

What I have done is mix them as such
7 rds at 1.21 COL in the following loads:
4.3gr
4.4gr
4.5gr
4.6gr
4.7gr

The plan is to shoot from lowest up and monitor the primer for cratering. My concern right now is I read that Speer recommended 1.27 COL but I don't know what powder that was for and as Abraham Lincoln said "don't trust everything you read on the Internet" and my concern is if the 1.21 vs 1.27" could really ramp up the pressure.
Comments welcome!
 
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The little difference there, won't change much, if any. Pull your gun apart and check a loaded round in the chamber. You might find it has to be even shorter yet. If it was me, I'd load as long as possible. As long as they fit in the magazine and feed reliably. Not so long as the bullet jams in the lands though. Just back from that. Then work up your load based on accuracy or until you see pressure signs. Faster isn't always better with 45 acp.
 
Why not just buy a reloading manual and stay within the minimum and maximum loads?

My Lyman 48th Reloading Manual lists a cartridge OAL of 1.275" for all of 8 different powders using a Speer 230 grain TMJ bullet (#4480).

Titegroup was not listed, but the other powders (Unique, Bullseye, Power Pistol, 700X, Blue Dot, N340, SR-476, and SR-7625) are all pretty different, so 1.275" would seem to be standard for this bullet.

It also lists a cartridge OAL of 1.272" for the lead round nose #452374 Lyman cast bullet, which is virtually identical to a RN TMJ bullet in dimensions.
 
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Your OAL is just fine, so long as it does not engage the rifling. Noricos have very short throats, for example.

That string of powder charges is a good way to find a load. Personalty, I test in 0.3 gr increments.

Did you load 10 of each? That would make a good test. I bet the 4.3 works better than the 4.7.
 
rikkards said:
The plan is to shoot from lowest up and monitor the primer for cratering.
Click to expand...

45 Auto is a low pressure round and will never flatten a primer unless you go way, way beyond published load data. I agree with the others that max loads won't likely be the best for accuracy, I have had good luck well below the maximums. Unless you have a power factor to make I would load as low as will function 100% and shoots straight for you.

BTW, there is a reloading section under the heading "Feeding the Pigs".


BigRobb said:
The little difference there, won't change much, if any. Pull your gun apart and check a loaded round in the chamber. You might find it has to be even shorter yet. If it was me, I'd load as long as possible. As long as they fit in the magazine and feed reliably. Not so long as the bullet jams in the lands though. Just back from that. Then work up your load based on accuracy or until you see pressure signs. Faster isn't always better with 45 acp.
Click to expand...

Good advice here. Always check that rounds will drop freely into and out of the chamber when you start loading a new bullet. 45 Auto headspaces on the case mouth, so don't crimp at all. Just set your seating die to straighten out whatever flare you use to ease starting the bullet into the case, no more.

I agree with loading as long as will fit and function properly. In my 1911's I found they all worked better with ammo on the longer side, especially with cast SWC bullets. They were all pretty insensitive to COL with FMJ round nose bullets.


Mark
 
Lonesome Donkey said:
Why not just buy a reloading manual and stay within the minimum and maximum loads?

My Lyman 48th Reloading Manual lists a cartridge OAL of 1.275" for all of 8 different powders using a Speer 230 grain TMJ bullet (#4480).

Titegroup was not listed, but the other powders (Unique, Bullseye, Power Pistol, 700X, Blue Dot, N340, SR-476, and SR-7625) are all pretty different, so 1.275" would seem to be standard for this bullet.

It also lists a cartridge OAL of 1.272" for the lead round nose #452374 Lyman cast bullet, which is virtually identical to a RN TMJ bullet in dimensions.
Click to expand...

I did (note the Hornady settings that is from their book), my concern was that Hornady is saying 1.2" but Speer (and as you say Lyman) are saying 1.27 and that since I am using Speer bullets it may crank up the pressure. From what it sounds like I am being overly paranoid.

I only loaded 7 since the magazine only holds 7
 
Forgot to mention I took it apart and it fit in the chamber perfectly which being a shorter overall length I would expect, I may run them this weekend and see (although I am thinking I may make some long enough to just fit. I have some blaze cartridges and I think they were 1.235 or 1.25 (can't remember and too lazy to go measure)
 
Did a bunch more from 4.3-4.5 at 1.26 COL. Planning on trying the original load and these this weekend. Emailed Speer and they have never used Titegroup so they couldnt help
 
Just a followup, Seems that 4.4-4.5gr of TiteGroup at 1.265 which is Mag length will work.
4.5 and 4.7 at 1.2" ended up with flattened primers. No cratering though
 
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