Does anybody have a suggested load for this combination with any of the Hodgdon powders???

Marshall has suggested AA#5 reference his load in LoadSwap but it is tough for me to find any powders on the shelf in my neck of the wood other than Hodgdon (the shelf isn't exactly full of choices in that line either).

This bullet looks like a real hog stopper and I would like to start on this project this coming week. If I have to work with the AA powders it might be a month or so before I can get to it. As far as burning rate, HS-6 and H110 sit on both sides of the AA#5...

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/images/bullets/45AUTO-225-FNBBB.jpg

Can you find any WW231?

May be in Victoria but I didn't find any loads for that powder either. Basically, I haven't found a load in any of the material I have and I have looked at 1000 to 1500 loads. Nothing with bullets over 230-grains.

The other question I have is about the note attached to the load in LoadSwap about using the heavy recoil spring. How are springs graded? How do you know if you have one heavy enough? I've got the 1991 Commander and I've changed nothing exect the magazine on the pistola. What is the effect of shooting this heavy loads with the factory spring?

Don't really know much about these handguns except pull the trigger and keep them in ammo and they seem to do pretty good.

Speer manual, they have loads for 260gr. jacketed. I'd start with that.... I'll email you a few.

According to Hodgdon, their HP-38 is the same powder as WW231, if that helps any.
HS-6 sounds like a likely possibility, H-110 sounds much to slow, IMO.

Does anybody have a suggested load for this combination with any of the Hodgdon powders???

Marshall has suggested AA#5 reference his load in LoadSwap but it is tough for me to find any powders on the shelf in my neck of the wood other than Hodgdon (the shelf isn't exactly full of choices in that line either).

This bullet looks like a real hog stopper and I would like to start on this project this coming week. If I have to work with the AA powders it might be a month or so before I can get to it. As far as burning rate, HS-6 and H110 sit on both sides of the AA#5...

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/images/bullets/45AUTO-225-FNBBB.jpg

This pic looks more like a 225 gr FB2 than a WFN to me. I'm using AA9 for heavy cast bullet loads in .45 ACP.

Neal

I've got data for HS-6, 800-X, Herco, SR4756, Blue Dot and several less suitable powders, particularly W231 and Unique. Tell me what you find on the shelves and I'll pass on the data.

As for springs, a Commander should have an 18 lb. spring as standard. The easiest way to sort out a collection is by weight. An 18 lb conventional Wolff weights 136.5 grains, a 16 lb weights 121.2 grains and a 14 lb. weights 112.4 grains. YMMV slightly, and the variable power springs are a bit different, but close to convential spring weights.

Too heavy a spring hammers your slide stop and may cause feeding problems, as the slide goes too fast for the magazine spring. I'd try a 20 lb, or get the Extra Power Pak.
http://www.gunsprings.com/1ndex.html

Bye
Jack

Jack...

Thanks for the information and the link, I'm still reviewing all the choices and will get one of the packs ordered.

I got home and found a Load for HS-6 in for a 260-grain bullet in Lee's Modern Reloading II. I will start there.

Michael

Ranch Dog
My load with the LEE Cast 255 SWC is 5.4 gr W231, CCI LP OAL 1.183" ME 447ftlb for about 886 fps this is using the Speer #13 260 JHP data.

Gunnut, I have almost exactly the same load with a 255gr. 'gun show' semi-wadcutter. A pig, a rattlesnake, a fox, and a turkey have had the misfortune of being downrange of my P90 and this combination. Gonna try to get one of our small deer one of these days....

I have tinkered with this bullet for use in my P90. I'm at 5.8 gr of Unique with a COL of 1.150. The basic load came from an old American Rifleman article on 45 ACP, listing 6.0 gr of Unique as max. My COL is rather short to enable the gun to function with the WFN profile. I haven't got to chrony this load yet, but would expect around 800 fps plus or minus. Worked up to this without pressure problems, but won't go any higher due to the seating depth. Am happy with this load as is, and this bullet should be an excellent performer / penetrator, probably best in class for the 45 ACP.

I just noticed that the LoadSwap data for .45 ACP and 250 grain bullets is actually .45 Long Colt data. We'll get it out soon, but don't use it in the meantime.

Bye
Jack

I just noticed that the LoadSwap data for .45 ACP and 250 grain bullets is actually .45 Long Colt data. We'll get it out soon, but don't use it in the meantime.

Bye
Jack


I'VE BEEN SHOOTING HEAVY LOADS IN MY SIX INCH 1911 FOR SOME TIME NOW. STARTED WITH A 255 SWC AND IT SEEMS LIKE I'M ALWAYS LEARNING SOMETHING NEW. HOWEVER, I'VE FOUND THAT OVERALL LENGTH MUST BE PRETTY SHORT IN ORDER TO FEED CORRECTLY, SAME AS WITH THE WFN. HUNTER'S SUPPLY OFFERS A 275 GR LFN THAT IS EXACTLY THE SAME LENGTH AS MY OLD 255 SWC. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE NOSE I CAN LOAD THIS BULLET TO 1.240 INSTEAD OF THE 1.19O FOR THE SWC. MARSHALL HAS A GOOD REPORT OF WHAT THIS INCREASE IN CASE CAPACITY CAN DO FOR VELOCITY LEVELS AND WE PICK UP 20 GRAINS AS WELL. I'VE USED BOTH POWER PISTOL AND ENFORCER POWDER IN THESE LOADS.

MikeG
Yep this is my woods carry load for the off season ! I don't think Mr. Black bear or Cougar would like to be on the recieving end. Recoil is stout out of the P90 but it gets the job done. Very accurate!

Ranch Dog
My load with the LEE Cast 255 SWC is 5.4 gr W231, CCI LP OAL 1.183" ME 447ftlb for about 886 fps this is using the Speer #13 260 JHP data.

Gunnut,
Is this the Lee bullet that is listed as the 452-252 SWC? If so, can you give me some dimesions on the bullet? I'm looking for the crimp groove to nose length, the meplat diameter, and the length of the bottom driving band.

Thanks,
Neal

Neal
Sorry it took so long to get back to your questions-Been BUSY!!! Yes its the LEE 452-252 SWC.

Crimp(Top of Grove) to Nose =0.280"
Melpate= 0.245"
Driving Band(From bottom of Crimp grove to base)=0.310"
OAL = 0.633"

I have settled on BTB's 255gr WFN @975 (or CP's 265gr WFN @ 995) for my carry load out back. Sig 1911 with stock recoil spring, heavy duty firing pin spring and Novak mags (came with Sig). The Novak mags, made by Mec-Gar, are the only ones that reliably feed the last round when using this load. Remington +P or 45 Super brass, 7.1N350, Win LPP, 1.160. I have gone as high as 1200fps, but parts breakage and reliability were concerns. I decided the last thing I wanted was an inoperable gun at the wrong time because I tried to get a few extra fps. I have tried AA9, AA7, Enforcer, N340 and N350, with the N350 giving the best results.

I have tried heavy bullets in my S&W 625 5" with a 255 rcbs kt mold. A load with 13 grs 2400 gives me approx 1000 fps 13.5 is 1080fps. . I found the load in an article by Chuck Taylor if memory serves me well, but found it a litle hot and reduced some. I have also tried the same bullet with HS7 10grs = 945 fps, the Hornady 250xtp and 10 grs HS7 = 850 fps. C.o.l. 32 mm. I have tried the Lee 340 grs (cast 325 grs) in a Remington 1911 with original spring, loaded with Vithavuori 3N33, good accuracy and no function problems, but I think the load was prety hot.
I also belive the loads for the 625 are hot, so start low.

Neal
Sorry it took so long to get back to your questions-Been BUSY!!! Yes its the LEE 452-252 SWC.

Crimp(Top of Grove) to Nose =0.280"
Melpate= 0.245"
Driving Band(From bottom of Crimp grove to base)=0.310"
OAL = 0.633"


Thanks for the info.

Neal

I have alot of Blue Dot hanging around and was wondering if any of you have tried it with the 255 grain Kieth bullet in the 45 ACP. I have a 625 Smith and am wanting to load it heavy and am not going to cry if I don't achieve the 1050 fps that 2400 will achieve.

Universal is the closest Hodgdon powder, to AA5.
humpty