Going under starting load? (n00b question)

[SuperDave]

I'm presently starting to reload to feed my hungry hungry .45 ACP Sig P220 and I want to find the lightest load I can get to while still having the action cycle reliably.

I'm using Frontier 230 grains copper plated bullets with Hodgdon HS-6 powder and the starting load in my Speer #13 manual is 7.8 grains (for copper plated 230 grains projectiles). I went down to 7.7 grains and the gun still cycled flawlessly. I'm wondering if it would be dangerous to go any lower because of a risk of detonation or if it is safe to do so.

BTW, I tried Hodgdon Clays before that and I hated it. I had to get very close to maximum load to get the gun to cycle properly. And by comparing the appearance of the primers, the Clays powder has lower velocities at higher pressures when compared to HS-6. I guess it is not an appropriate powder for the combination of caliber/bullet that I'm using.

 

[apu]

Try going lower, worst thing that might happen is that it won't cycle, you won't kaboom. I never had much enjoyment with the HS6 in my 220. I just shoot powder puff loads using tightgroup these days.

 

[johnkwok]

not sure how it might work with your sig, but for my 1911 setup, i like 5.2 to 6.0 grain of winchester 231 and 200 swc lead bullet

the 231 has been the best powder for my 45 reloads, check it out.

 

[hatman1793]

Receipe search

Go to any of the powder manufacturers website and look up reloading recommendations for loads.
I like Alliant's PROMO powder and ClayDot. Both will work fine in 45acp.

 

[Splatter]

Like apu said. No danger here. Where you want to beware of too-light loads is with very slow powders in large cases.