Reloading 45 cal for Police Pistol Combat

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Mario

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Hi Guys,

Im looking for some advise on reloading reciepies for PPC using the good old .45 acp. I've played around with some loads and can down load my powder to around 2.3 gr- 2.5gr with my spring as is. Just wondered if anyone else has had any luck with how low you can go and still have an accurate shot. P.S. I'm using 230 grain round nose bullets and WST powder.
 
Remember the rule - the projectile has to penetrate the target and its backer.

When we shot PPC at Stittsville, the backer was 3/8" Aspenite. If the bullet sticks in the backer, it's counted as a miss. Rule 3.17.

RePete.
 
Ya, like he said.

I've played with running a 1911 in .40 running minor, and frankly it's a pain. A .45 is likely worse.

If your gun will feed the 200gr swc or lighter, I would try to keep the velocity at or just above 750fps. If at all possible, flatten out the trajectory by using lighter, faster bullets.

With switching hands at the barricade, I find running the gun with low slide velocity a good way to encourage stovepipes if you don't lock up solidly enough. Lighter springs can also translate into feeding issues.
 
Hi RePete,

I just completed my ppc course on the weekend and that question was asked about backplates. I was told by the instructor that you can request a cardboard backer and that the range was required to meet your request. I am not sure if this is in the rules. PPC looks like tonnes of fun and I can't wait to compete.

Steve.
 
. I was told by the instructor that you can request a cardboard backer and that the range was required to meet your request.
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CRAP!

The target backers are what the range supplies, not what the shooter wants. If your ammo isn't up to the task, then that's your problem. I, too, am a PPC instructor.

FWIW: 2.8gr/Bullseye and 3.0gr/231, under the 148gr HBWC will penetrate a 3/8" Aspenite at 50 meters.

Congrats on your course completion.

RePete.
 
I`ve shot PPC for the past 35 years, cardboard backer for the target is all that is needed, 2.7 bullseye for the 148 grain hbwc and 2.9 bullseye for the 158 grain semi wadcutter for distinguished. PPC is fun and a great bunch of guys shoot it.
Enjoy

jaydeee
 
For .45 I load 180 grain sw lead with 4.3 of bullseye. It is accurate and all you need. Try different different loads and bullet weights until you find one you are comfortable with and accurate.

jaydeee
 
Thanks guys I'm trying 3.1 grains of Clays first with 200 grain round nose to start, and work from there. Your all right, I've been shooting P.P.C. on and off for about 2 years. It's fun and the guys I shoot with from the Kingsville club are great and full of knowledge.
 
Q? why not just use full power loads? they are accurate and will penetrate. I frankly cannot see usng powder puff loads for Police Pistol Combat... it just doesn't seem right. :shock:

Remember that is just my personal opinion and not aimed to insult anyone or flame. :D
 
Most people download their bullets so there is less muzzle jump, therefore less time required to reaim at target. This is noticable more for the guys using wheel gun on the 7 yard line(12 shots in 20 seconds),because it takes them more time to reload compared to the guys using semi-autos.
 
This is noticable more for the guys using wheel gun on the 7 yard line(12 shots in 20 seconds),because it takes them more time to reload compared to the guys using semi-autos.
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This isn't altogether true.

I knew a few guys that could do that stage in 10 - 12 secs, accurately.

The time for match 1 was reduced from 25 secs to the current 20 secs. If I've been practicing, I can do the stage in a very easy 15 secs, and the very odd time faster. But way? if you have 20 secs, why not take it all?

I shot with a QPF officer that, if you kept to his cadence, you would have a round left in your gun when the time was up.

RePete.
 
Is a .45 even allowed in PPC?
3.5 grains of Bullseye works extremely well in my .45 with a 230 grain cast bullet for target shooting. However, you must work up a load for your pistol. A load that shoots well in mine, won't, necessarily, in your's.
"...how low you can go and still have an accurate shot..." Accuracy isn't the issue. Target shooting accuracy with a load that will still make the pistol function is.
 
Is a .45 even allowed in PPC?
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Sure is, I shoot with a bunch that use a .45.

I've experienced this - what seems to work during testing sometimes malfunctions during actual shooting from different positions/grips/movements.
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It's called 'LIMP WRISTING'.

Also, you have to be careful shooting from the left baracade, sometimes a case will bounce off the baracade and back into the ejection port locking up the gun.

RePete.
 
RePete said:
The time for match 1 was reduced from 25 secs to the current 20 secs.
RePete.
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Very true... back in the late 1950's and early 1960's when they started shooting the first PPC events, Stage 1 was 10 rounds in 25 seconds "FROM THE HIP" and the reload was done from loose rounds kept in the competitors pocket. They shot 5 round strings in those days (not 6 like today). Speedloaders were not used back then. Point shooting was still the accepted training so 7 yards was shot with the firearm below the shoulder and the elbow bent.

There were still some amazing scores... even back then.
 
Use An Accurate .45ACP Load Eh1

As above, use both an accurate and "up to velocity snuff" .45ACP load.

That said you DO need sufficient and regular velocity to get ACCURACY at the 50 yard marker. Unless you chronograph a number of shots you will never know just how accurate your loads could be. I was always amazed as to how some loads varied in velocity and others have very little variation.

I have shot both my "utterly stock" Colt Government 1911A1 .45ACP in PPC Matches not exceeding 25 yds (indoor PPC) and my Colt Gold Cup outdoors in Distinguished at the 50 yard marker. My pick was either the 230 grain bullet (UTTER Reliability) and an "accurate load" courtesy of any number of loading manuals and/or the 210/185 grain SWC/Truncated Cone type. the SWC cuts the full calibre hole which does eliminate all that eye squinting and use of overlays again and again when a 60 shot target is scored.

The WWW.CPCA-PPC.CA site has one thread just on this topic: Accurate 45CAP loads. The "really good news"is that the 45ACP has had a LOT of load development. The NRA has a BOOK just on ACCURATE loads for the 45ACP.

I agree with Popurhedoff; use at least a 700 fps or more load with an adequate size bullet verus reducing powder charges or using spring changes. IF the recoil seems excessive well thats why there are 9mms!

My pick would be 6.3 Unique with very good 230 grain cast bullets or the 210SWC or 185SWC with a sutiable charge of 231.

What I mean here by "very good bullets" is that some bullet casters are better than others. Try weighing the cast bullets or even examining their bases for voids or examining the sizing. Then try experimenting at 50 yards shooting from rest to see how well you can group or IF really daring use a Ransom rest.

Even simplify further; skip the Ransom rest and months maybe years of 45ACP load development for Match Loads. Just get some Remington Match or Winchester 185 grain Target loads for competition and shoot your reloads for practice. Winclean Target loads are relatively inexpensive given how much 45 ACP cases now cost just to reload.
10 cents a 45 case, 3 cents primer; 2 cents powder, 6 cents a bullet = 21 cents at least a load plus TIME to properly assemble eh!
Currently Winchest TR 186 grain loads sell for 30 cents apiece and you get to keep the case eh! Think of it as a dime a shot to start in "already loaded terms".

Factory loads seem to have a slight edge or is it HUGE edge in terms of 'always working"..chambering sizing case length and very few squib loads!
Unfortunately using factory ammunition removes one valid excuse such as "Woulda won the match except my reloads malfunctioned eh!".
 
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