.45 L-SWC not giving clean holes

novega

novega

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Calgary, AB
A little background:
- Been reloading .40, 9mm, 357SIG, .308 and .204 Ruger for almost 10 years
- First time loading Lead
- First time using anything besides a TC or RN FMJ
- First time reloading .45 ACP
- First time using Bullseye Powder
- Loading once fired Small Primer .45 Win NT brass
- Using Federal Magnum SPP
- My 200 gr L-SWC looks like this
2046447977.jpg


I'm trying to load a "powder puff" combo just for recreational shooting. Most load data shows LPP, some show SPP but I couldn't find anything with Small Pistol Magnum Primers and Bullseye... So I load these up using standard (for me) load development, Starting at 3.8gr and increasing incrementally to 4.0, 4.2, 4.5, 4.8, and 5.0 grains of Bullseye.

Shooting at regular paper (from my home printer) @ 10 meters:
The 4.8 grain loads seemed to shoot better groups but the holes in the paper seemed to be torn, it definitely wasn't what I would expect a SWC to do.
The 5.0 grain loads seemed be a little more spaced out, groups weren't as tight but the holes were crisp.

So the question is, Are torn holes a sign of a poor load? Do I just accept them or do I search for another load a little higher up the load ladder?

(Before anyone asks why I'm using the combination that I am..... You shoot what you can find R:d: )
 
It may be the quality of the paper.
I shoot a similar-shaped 9mm cast bullet and they leave a clean hole in cardboard and heavy-stock targets, but leave a ragged hole in thin paper targets like the ones given away free by Canada Ammo.
 
Looks like you've answered your own question. If not, Geoff B has. If you can find a lighter (185g ?) SWC and put a little more powder under it you'll get higher velocity and perhaps, cleaner holes. I wouldn't worry too much about groups with a 45 ACP at 10m. Minute of forehead is what its designed for.
 
The end of Pinocchio's nose is hitting and ripping the paper long before Pinocchio's head hits the paper.

Staple your paper target to some cardboard and your paper won't tell you anymore lies.

(don't ask me how I nose this) :redface:
 
bigedp51 said:
The end of Pinocchio's nose is hitting and ripping the paper long before Pinocchio's head hits the paper.

Staple your paper target to some cardboard and your paper won't tell you anymore lies.

(don't ask me how I nose this) :redface:
Click to expand...

Yep. A stiff target backer will fix the ragged holes.
 
185/175 gr with 3.5 BE is about as soft as you can get , @ 1.235 loa [ shoulder of the bullet just above the case mouth ] , .004 crimp .
 
Your problem is the paper the targets are printed on. It has nothing to do with your load. For some reason high quality bond paper tears when bullets pass through it. I suspect that it is because the paper is made with long fibres which are harder to cut with a bullet. Most proper commercial targets are made out of short fibre wood pulp (similar to newsprint but thicker). Because the fibres are short they do not tear the paper when the bullet passes through. My standard target 45 load is 3.9 gr. of Alliant Promo (same as Red Dot) under a 200 gr. SWC and it cuts perfectly round, clean holes in commercial targets without a target backer.
 
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