Working up a .45 acp load

[majordisorder]

Just had an interesting mail back from Starline about which of the .45 Super and .45 +p cases is "stronger"

The Auto+P is thicker than the Super. The Super is stiffer than the +P. The +P is stronger in sloppy, poorly supported chambers where a thicker more malleable case stands out. The Super is stonger in tight, fully supported chambers.

[majordisorder]

So I've been working up some hotter loads in .45 ACP for outdoor 100m+ shooting.

After speaking with a few guys on some US forums I've worked my way up to 17.5g of AA#7 which I was shooting today, still without any pressure signs. Can anyone with Quickload (or something similar) let me know what pressure / velocities I might see with this charge and up to 18.5g? MikMak chrono'd my 17g loads @ 1790fps, so I'd be interested to see what I'm currently getting (or could get) as I don't have access to a chrono at the moment.

I'm using 185g Speer 4476 http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics ... spx?id=204

and

Sierra 185g 8810 https://www.sierrabullets.com/index.cfm ... k_num=8810

I know I'm way over the max recommended loads for .45ACP (I'm actually using cut down 460 Rowland cases) but the findings on some of the US forums match what I've seen in terms of consistent, reliable shots. Maybe a switch to a slower powder would be a good next move...

[mag41uk]

Cutting down 460 Rowland cases seems an expensive way of getting brass.
Probably missing something!
Why don't you use 45 Win Mag cases?
Vectan SP3 with 200gn bullet gives up to 1549fps out of a 10inch barrel.
Data also given for BA10 with a 255gn bullet for 846fps same barrel length.
Not sure if this helps!
Sounds like a fun project though.
Tony

[ovenpaa]

Cartridge : .45 Super (ACP)
Bullet : .451, 185, Speer TMJ-FN 4476
Useable Case Capaci: 19.074 grain H2O = 1.238 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.275 inch = 32.39 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Accurate No.7

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.351% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-13.5 84 16.00 1768 1284 27332 1063 90.5 1.480 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-12.2 86 16.25 1793 1321 28640 1080 91.2 1.454 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-10.8 87 16.50 1818 1358 30011 1096 91.8 1.429 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-09.5 88 16.75 1843 1396 31449 1112 92.4 1.405 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-08.1 90 17.00 1868 1434 32956 1128 93.0 1.381 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-06.8 91 17.25 1893 1473 34539 1143 93.5 1.358 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-05.4 92 17.50 1918 1512 36200 1157 94.1 1.336 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-04.1 94 17.75 1943 1551 37944 1171 94.6 1.314 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-02.7 95 18.00 1968 1591 39778 1184 95.1 1.293 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-01.4 96 18.25 1992 1631 41706 1197 95.5 1.272 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+00.0 98 18.50 2017 1671 43734 1209 96.0 1.252 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+01.4 99 18.75 2042 1712 45869 1220 96.4 1.232 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.7 100 19.00 2066 1753 48118 1231 96.8 1.213 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

[majordisorder]

Thanks ovenpaa,

[Steve E]

I am of the opinion that if you think that your loads are getting close being 'hot' then you should be submitting them to the Birmingham Proof House for pressure testing. You should be doing this not just for the sake of you gun but also for duty of care to yourself and people around you when shooting.
I know that I am being controversial but I think that it should be mandatory for all people who hand-load to submit their ammunition for proof testing, its all part of duty of care.
All my loads for .308, .303 and .223 have been submitted to the proof house so I know that I am being as safe as I can.

[Burner]

What is the obsession with speed?
Faster is not always better.
We shoot 5-8 inch groups at 100 m with our 5" barreled 1911's shooting a 230g cast bullet over 4.5g of bullseye, lubed with Lee Liquid Alox.
It would make since that with a longer barrel/ sight picture, you should shoot tighter groups.