i am shooting a glock 21sf, i am using 230 grain bullets from aim projectiles, my overall length is 1.257 using Winchester 231 measured at 5.5 grains confirmed on 2 different scales. i have a problem with the slide not staying open after the last shot, no problems with factory ammo. The hornady seventh edition say not to go past 5.6 grains and the Lyman 49th says not to go over 5.7 and The Winchester powder website not to go over 5.3 grains. I wanted to increase my powder to 5.6 grains to see if that would allow my slide to stay open after the last shot. But according to Winchester powder site iam all ready going to hot. so should i try a different powder instead of going to 5.6?
45 acp powder question
- Thread starter fullbug
- Start date
At 1.257" your COL looks a tad long. If you decide to seat deeper, not that I'm suggesting you should, just remember that your pressures can rise significantly without adding any powder. Don't simultaneously add powder and reduce COL.
Ok, here it goes:
General info:
W231 is a 'ball' powder that shouldn't be compressed while loading. Some (read -Winchester, Hodgdon) loading manuals deliberately don't list compressed loads or loads close to be compressed. Depending on the bullet type and shape and OAL (did you mean 1.275"?) you may go up to 6.2gr with FMJ or TMJ and up to 5.8gr with plated bullets (are AIM plated ones?), BUT - you really need to run your loads thru a chrono to be safe.
Suggestion:
Try loading at +0.1gr only if there are absolutely no signs of preasure, preferably after you confirm bullet velocity and make sure you don't load with short OAL, no shorter than 1.260"!!!
In the future use slower burning powder for larger calibers and heavier bullets. w231 is somewhat fast burner.
Be safe.
General info:
W231 is a 'ball' powder that shouldn't be compressed while loading. Some (read -Winchester, Hodgdon) loading manuals deliberately don't list compressed loads or loads close to be compressed. Depending on the bullet type and shape and OAL (did you mean 1.275"?) you may go up to 6.2gr with FMJ or TMJ and up to 5.8gr with plated bullets (are AIM plated ones?), BUT - you really need to run your loads thru a chrono to be safe.
Suggestion:
Try loading at +0.1gr only if there are absolutely no signs of preasure, preferably after you confirm bullet velocity and make sure you don't load with short OAL, no shorter than 1.260"!!!
In the future use slower burning powder for larger calibers and heavier bullets. w231 is somewhat fast burner.
Be safe.
I'm also using Win 231 and the AIM plated 230gr in a Glock 21 and SA 1911. I found the longer 1.25/1.26" length and load data would not chamber in my 1911, but did function fine in the Glock with similar powder amounts. I compressed some of these down to 1.2/1.19" with the same charge and they chambered fine in the 1911 but felt a lot hotter. I am now using the top end of the propper data for 1.2/1.19" 230gr data for 231 powder. Take a look at the 230gr data on the Hodgdon website.
If the slide do not lock back this is not a powder charge problem. Your load are hot enough. Look at your mag follower - slide release lever and if not factory - your recoil spring. You have also to make sure you are not limp wristing when you shoot.
I use 4.5 of bullseye with the 230 grain all the way up to 5.8 and have no issue with my STI 2011. W231 is a little bit slower according to manuals but a good choice for the .45 ACP.
I use 4.5 of bullseye with the 230 grain all the way up to 5.8 and have no issue with my STI 2011. W231 is a little bit slower according to manuals but a good choice for the .45 ACP.
If it cycles with dummies loaded with OAL 1.260-1.265" - load longer and you'll be safer to add more powder.
.45acp is a low pressure caliber but your gun is to withstand it
Much of buldging on the cases?
The Glock 21 is appropriate for conversions to 45 super, so it'll handle the hottest 45 auto rounds, the cartridge case will fail before the chamber with 45 auto.
I've always heard of this problem being either mag followers, limp wristing, or your thumb pressing the slide release. If the action is being cycled appropriately (100% reliable loading, brass thrown 5 feet +) on all the other rounds in the mag, it's not an ammo problem.
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
Switch to bullseye. 5-5.5 grains is all I used to shoot in my Norc 1911.
I load the 230 gr plated with 5.0 to 5.4 of 231 for a number of pistols. That is a pretty snappy load. If the slide is not locking back, it is not for a lack of energy.
I suspect there is something else going on.
I suspect there is something else going on.
230gr copper plated bullets from AIM (formerly EXCEL)
Winchester WLP primers
5.7gr of W231 powder
This is my pet .45ACP load. I've been using it for years and fired tens of thousands of them with no problem in any gun. Many of my friends are using it too, and no complains so far. All 1911s, Glocks, CZs, name it, work like a charm, of course with factory recoil springs. And I don't see any over preasure signs.
Fullbug, if you can make to GTA I can give you a handfull or two to try. If not, try to load 100 using my recipe. Good luck.
Kazimier
Winchester WLP primers
5.7gr of W231 powder
This is my pet .45ACP load. I've been using it for years and fired tens of thousands of them with no problem in any gun. Many of my friends are using it too, and no complains so far. All 1911s, Glocks, CZs, name it, work like a charm, of course with factory recoil springs. And I don't see any over preasure signs.
Fullbug, if you can make to GTA I can give you a handfull or two to try. If not, try to load 100 using my recipe. Good luck.
Kazimier
