IMR 700-X reload experience on a .45 ACP

R

roadcarver

CGN frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
26   0   0
Location
Ontario
I finally setup my Lee Turret Press for a .45 ACP reload. I looked up the load data for a 230gr RN with IMR 700-X and the min load is 4.5 and max at 5.0 grains.

Brass were mixed, all large primer type cases.
Primer used were Winchester large primer.

I setup my Lee Pro disk powder measure, configured the disk to use .60. When I did about 30 powder throws it ranged from 4.4 to 4.7, and occassionally it would get a 4.9. I tried to be consistent on the upward and downward stroke.

I measured most of my loads and it was coming to about 4.6 or 4.7. I zeroed each case on the digital scale and when I poured the charged in it would register 4.6 or 4.7. The ABC of reloading mentioned to try the min load and work the loads up. I decided to go in between or part way.

Today, I went to the range and tried two re-loaded rounds. The recoil was noticeably 'weaker' compared to the factory round that I used which was the Winchester white box.

I'm assuming that the felt recoil on my reloads compared to the factory round is due to the fact that the factory round was close to the maximum?

I don't have a chrony so I couldn't tell if what the speed of the bullet was.

I only loaded one round in the magazine each time during my test and after each shot, the slide locked into the open position.

This is my first experience shooting my own re-load with a .45 ACP.
 
From what I've been reading the flake 700x doesn't meter all that well as compared to a ball powder like W231.It does very well in pistol loads from what I've read.I always used W231 but have 2 pounds of 700x to try on 9mm and .45acp.Keep the hopper near half full or 3/4 way full to keep a load on the 700x and/or thump the powder measure once in a while to keep the powder coming down steady.The good thing about the 700x is that being a little off on your drops isn't that big a deal because it is forgiving .A slight difference in powder drops +/-.2 grains is not all that noticeable with the 700x.Factory ammo is always at max velocities to make sure it works every action regardless of spring rate.Reloading gives you the choice to load down from max to get a nice practice load that still cycles the slide and gives good accuracy.
 
700x is a good powder.... Except when you need to use it in a progressive press. I put a baffle in my hopper, and bought a small battery operated, um, "personal massager", which I strapped to the hopper with an elastic.

I'm still + - .1 grains :/

Still, it makes for accurate loads in the .45
I also like 800x in the 45 and 40
 
Smcx said:
700x is a good powder.... Except when you need to use it in a progressive press. I put a baffle in my hopper, and bought a small battery operated, um, "personal massager", which I strapped to the hopper with an elastic.

I'm still + - .1 grains :/

Still, it makes for accurate loads in the .45
I also like 800x in the 45 and 40
Click to expand...
I've heard of people strapping an aquarium pump on the hopper to keep it moving but that seems a tad extreme. Keeping it fairly full and bumping the hopper on a regular basis should work fine depending on what you are using.My Dillon already has a baffle so I'm going the thump/bump and loaded method .
 
Thanks folks. It wasn't until I started reloading that I understood what other re-loaders were mentioning about using an aquarium pump on the reservoir. I did notice tapping the container every so often helped make the charges a bit more uniform.
 
What loads do you normally charge the case with? Do you ever go max at 5gr when using a RN 230gr bullet? I'm using the CanPro bullet, it looks to be plated or FMJ.
 
I have been using the auto disk for over 25 yrs, while reloading I keep a small screwdriver on the table. when the handle goes down to drop the powder i use the handle of the screwdriver to give the disc a light tap seems to ensure uniform drops. It becomes part of the rythem on a lee pro 1000 i can crank out 50 rounds in about 15 mins.
 
I use it a lot for subsonic .308 loads 5gr under a 200gr gives 925fps with a large rifle primer

this is some results with 45 ACP I got from google.

5" barrel, WW WLP primers, 66 degrees Fahrenheit, Prvi Partizan cases, powder 700x:
200 LSWC, OAL 1.250", 4.2 grains, 761 fps
230 FMJ, 1.263", 5.1 grains, 812 fps
230 LRN, 1.263", 4.7 grains, 800 fps.

gives you some data to compare to the factory stuff.

this is data from the Winchester ammo

Technical Information
•Caliber: 45 ACP
•Bullet Weight: 230 Grain
•Bullet Style: Full Metal Jacket
•Case Type: Brass
•Muzzle Velocity: 835 fps

it gives you an idea...
 
Used it for a while in .45 acp. Worked fine for the range just plinkin around, but couldn't trust it to pass a IPSC Level III chrony check, too inconsistent in the powder charge drop rates, velocities were all over the map.

For competition I use Titegroup. General plinkin, anything will do.
 
roadcarver said:
What loads do you normally charge the case with? Do you ever go max at 5gr when using a RN 230gr bullet? I'm using the CanPro bullet, it looks to be plated or FMJ.
Click to expand...

CamPro are plated not FMJ and I like them.In theory you load plated bullets like lead bullets.I don't load max rounds because the extra power just seems to be a waste of powder and puts the frame of the gun thru unnecessary stress.I use 5.1 grains of W231 behind a CamPro 200gr. and this gives me great accuracy,economy,reliability in my Colt and Smith & Wesson .45's
 
Were you volume measuring or weighing each charge?

TACTICAL111 said:
Used it for a while in .45 acp. Worked fine for the range just plinkin around, but couldn't trust it to pass a IPSC Level III chrony check, too inconsistent in the powder charge drop rates, velocities were all over the map.

For competition I use Titegroup. General plinkin, anything will do.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks LouF.

I'll slowly work my load up from 4.7 to 4.8 and see what the results are. I may need to find someone with a chrony.

LouF said:
CamPro are plated not FMJ and I like them.In theory you load plated bullets like lead bullets.I don't load max rounds because the extra power just seems to be a waste of powder and puts the frame of the gun thru unnecessary stress.I use 5.1 grains of W231 behind a CamPro 200gr. and this gives me great accuracy,economy,reliability in my Colt and Smith & Wesson .45's
Click to expand...
 
I tried 700x with 230gr Zero FMJ bullets and got my best load at 4.6gr.

Like others, I had problems measuring 700x consistently in my Lee powder measure so I switched to my Hornady pistol powder measure and got more consistent loads +\- 0.1gr.

700x can be a b**ch to measure but does give good results on paper. I also use it for light .38 spl plinking loads.
 
Did you find the felt recoil was not as hard as factory ammo @230gr?

Armored Metal said:
I tried 700x with 230gr Zero FMJ bullets and got my best load at 4.6gr.

Like others, I had problems measuring 700x consistently in my Lee powder measure so I switched to my Hornady pistol powder measure and got more consistent loads +\- 0.1gr.

700x can be a b**ch to measure but does give good results on paper. I also use it for light .38 spl plinking loads.
Click to expand...
 
I was actually doubting the load that I put in at 4.7 since I was equating softer recoil = less velocity which means less accuracy. I loaded 50 rounds of cartridges at 4.7gr, I'll go to the range this weekend to see the accuracy at 15 yrs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom