Working up a .45 acp load

[majordisorder]

So I'm still waiting on a barrel being manufactured for my new gun. To fill the time I've been thinking about how you go about working up a load to suit (I'm a newb to reloading).

I've picked up some Vectan SP2 which I've heard is rather good for .45ACP and I've also got some Unique. I'm happy with the Unique loads I've put together for indoors but would like to make some very fast loads for longer range stuff - 100m.

I've now got some 460 Rowland cases to use for the fast stuff and they'll take up to 40,000psi. Given that I've found the official Vectan load data below for SP2 how would you go about putting together a load for 185grn RN TMJ that goes way faster?

SPEER SHP 200 RP SP2 11 1109 17907
n°4477

SPEER HP 225 RP SP2 10,8 1020 16385

SPEER FMJ 230 RP SP2 10 951 14790

[Alpha1]

You need to stick to the re loading data. The powder manufactures have all ready done the work for you. If you are new to reloading start at the minimum load data and work up DO NOT exceed the maximum recomended charge and you will be OK.
Shoot them in three shot strings through a chronograph at your target at 100yds. Check you group size OFTEN. Record your DATA. Good luck.

A typical load for a 185grain jacketed 45ACP round using Unique would be a maximum load of approx 8.2grains and this would give you about 18900psi.
DO NOT GO STRAIGHT TO MAXIMUM LOAD WORK UP
I have no experience with SP2 powder.

[majordisorder]

So what do you do in the case that there is no data, or not enough data to match your needs?

The loads I've found look fine for the indoor stuff but given I've got a much stronger case with over double the pressure rating of a standard 45 acp I'd like to take advantage of (at least to see what it's like shooting one @ 1700 fps for example).

Is it "just" a case of adding .2 - .5 grain until there are the "pressure signs" I've been reading about?

[Alpha1]

In your posts you have quoted two figures fps and psi they are not the same.
I dont know were you do your shooting but if you are a member of a club you need to take advice from a experienced reloader before you go on this journey with this barrel you are getting made.
I would hate for you to get hurt in the early stages of your introduction to the black art of re loading.
Please ask lots more questions before you embark on this project you need to fully understand what you are doing before you put even one cartridge in this new gun that you have hand loaded and pull the trigger.

[ovenpaa]

Is this a rifle being built by Mik? If so he should give be giving you full load data when it is finished.

[ronboy]

Hi when we had pistols, it was 230gn bullet pushed by 4/5gns Bullseye, in a 5inch barrel. I would be very cautious as I have never considered
the 45acp a pressure round. If you want power, why not a .44 magnum or .45 long colt. In the states they stoke up the 45 and there is lots of data.

[majordisorder]

Is this a rifle being built by Mik? If so he should give be giving you full load data when it is finished.

Didn't know I'd get this

What inspired this latest question was finding data using AA #7 for the 460 Rowland http://www.concealco.com/ccu_460row.html after looking at data for the .45ACP.

[Sandgroper]

1. Why don't you have the rifle chambered for 460 Rowland and use 460 Rowland data?

or

2. Given that the 460 Rowland and the 45 ACP are the same OAL and all you are doing is shortening the Rowland cases to conform with 45 ACP dimensions, why not use 460 Rowland reloading data?

or

3. Given that the 460 Rowland is fairly specialised, why not use the powder recommended for that case? Hodgdon recommends Longshot only for the 460 Rowland http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp (You'll need to go in a search for the Rowland)

If I had continued with this train of thought, in all honesty I would most likely be considering running two powders - one for 45 ACP and one for 460 Rowland. However, this was one of the reasons why I dropped the 460 Rowland case idea - I considered the risks of mixing powders and load data too great.

If I were you, I would be starting with recognised 45 ACP loads (or the loads Mik gives you) and when comfortable then thinking about taking the next step in performance and then work up to 460 Rowland level.

HTH.

[majordisorder]

1. Why don't you have the rifle chambered for 460 Rowland and use 460 Rowland data?

or

2. Given that the 460 Rowland and the 45 ACP are the same OAL and all you are doing is shortening the Rowland cases to conform with 45 ACP dimensions, why not use 460 Rowland reloading data?

or

3. Given that the 460 Rowland is fairly specialised, why not use the powder recommended for that case? Hodgdon recommends Longshot only for the 460 Rowland http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp (You'll need to go in a search for the Rowland)

If I had continued with this train of thought, in all honesty I would most likely be considering running two powders - one for 45 ACP and one for 460 Rowland. However, this was one of the reasons why I dropped the 460 Rowland case idea - I considered the risks of mixing powders and load data too great.

If I were you, I would be starting with recognised 45 ACP loads (or the loads Mik gives you) and when comfortable then thinking about taking the next step in performance and then work up to 460 Rowland level.

HTH.

Thanks for the continued input

I'm currently thinking option 2 is the best bet, I've got a load of Rowland cases now that I'm just waiting to trim down. Although I'd heard you can shoot acp from the Rowland chamber some say you get a load of leading since the jump is pretty big.

I think now that I've seen some proper manufacturer data on the Rowland that I'll just buy different powder for indoor acp loads and outdoor Rowland rather than risk blowing myself up

[Sandgroper]

No worries happy to help. With any luck mine should be good to go later in the year.

Although I'd heard you can shoot acp from the Rowland chamber some say you get a load of leading since the jump is pretty big.

I wouldn't advise trying it as doing so is creating a potential headspacing issue.