.45 ACP Reloading Question
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- horsesoldier03
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.45 ACP Reloading Question
I normally stick with the 200 grain bullets when reloading for the .45 ACP. My pet load for this is 5.3 grains of W231 and a Missouri Bullet Co 200 Grain RNFP. Recently I came across a sale of 230 grain FMJ bullets I loaded them with 4.8 grains of Titegroup. Yesterday, I made it to the range and got to shoot a few magazines full. The bullets seemed to hold a decent group 6" at 15 yards but when compared to the 200 grain bullets, they seemed to key hole or possibly were tumbling when they hit. The COL for the 230 grain is 1.250. Feel free to suggest a pet load or speculate on why they might have been tumbling.
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- Griff
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Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
Were the 230 grainers .451 or .452? I usually strive about 850-900 fps out of my 5" 45 ACPs. never had any issues with keyholing or poor accuracy.
Did you have any leading in your barrel... (not knowing how hard your bullets were).
Did you have any leading in your barrel... (not knowing how hard your bullets were).
Griff,
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SASS/CMSA #93
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There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
FWIW, I only change one thing at a time.....go back to the 231, and try again.
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- horsesoldier03
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
Griff, good point, I will have to meaure with my calipers. Blaine, excellent point, KISS has always worked for me. Keeping changes simple goes a long ways when you try to figure out what went wrong.
“Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.”
- Griff
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Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
Then too, there are those days, when I don't seemingly have to aim to shoot ten rings, and others where... let's just say it's like WORK!
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
- horsesoldier03
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
Well IMO, keeping 10 shots in a 6" bullseye is acceptable for me at 15 yards. I just found it odd to see the bullets key holing. I think you hit the nail on the head with the bullet diameter. The 230 grain FMJ are Barry's Plated Bullets. I normally use Missouri Bullet Co 200 grain RNFP. I definately think I get better accuracy with Missouri Bullets. I will measure the diameteters when I get home from work.
“Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.”
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Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
Too small a bullet can keyhole because it didn't get stabilized by the rifling like it would have if it had been big enough. Doesn't always take much either.
Some calipers can measure accurately enough, some can't.
Cat
Some calipers can measure accurately enough, some can't.
Cat
- horsesoldier03
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Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
I checked the diameter last night. It measured right at .450 with my calipers.
“Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.”
- Griff
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Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
Yep, I think that's the problem right there... should not be less than .451, most preferably .4515 or .452.horsesoldier03 wrote:I checked the diameter last night. It measured right at .450 with my calipers.
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
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Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
Your bullet diameter certainly seems to be the culprit. Loads that I have used over the years are: 6.7 gr. Unique w/ 200 gr. WC., and my old standby is 5.4 gr. Bullseye with either 200 gr. WC or the 230 gr. RN. They shoot very well. A light load of Bullsye, 3.5 - 3.7gr. w/ 200 gr. WC is what I used in Nat'l Match competition. Unique load runs the 200 at about 930fps, The Bullseye load runs a 200 at 890 fps, and the light Bullseye load runs the 200 at 730 fps.
Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
Calipers can get you real close, but can be off a few thousandths. Do you have a micrometer? If so, check the diameter with it and see if it isn't different.
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All the knowledge in the world, is of no use to fools! (Eagles-long road out of Eden)
All the knowledge in the world, is of no use to fools! (Eagles-long road out of Eden)
Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
Every reloader should have a decent micrometer, 1", and a dial caliper, 6". The first thing to do when sumpin' don't fit; measure! Before any lead bullets are loaded; measure. Many, many fewer headaches...
Mike
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Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit...
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- horsesoldier03
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
Nope, I do not have a micrometer, I do have a dial caliper. I do not cast bullets so I typically buy what is available on the shelf. This was the first time I have ever purchased this brand of bullets. I guess I need to stick with the brands I know.
“Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.”
Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
At .450, those 230s are undersized for anything...you might be able to get your money back......
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
- sore shoulder
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Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
That's exactly what I was thinking.BlaineG wrote:At .450, those 230s are undersized for anything...you might be able to get your money back......
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- horsesoldier03
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 2074
- Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2007 7:32 pm
- Location: Kansas
Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
I only bought a package of 250. It groups close enough for good range fodder. I will stick with the companies that I know to cast to proper size in the future.sore shoulder wrote:That's exactly what I was thinking.BlaineG wrote:At .450, those 230s are undersized for anything...you might be able to get your money back......
“Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.”
- Griff
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Re: .45 ACP Reloading Question
There, fixed that for ya!mikld wrote:Every reloader should have a decent micrometer, 1", and a well-made steel dial caliper, 6". The first thing to do when sumpin' don't fit; measure! Before any lead bullets are loaded; measure. Many, many fewer headaches...
Those plastic things they call dial calipers, yes... good quality expensive steel dial calipers... no so much a problem. I have three, a RCBS, some made in China thing and a Mititoyo (sp?), that cost an arm & leg 30 years ago... it's never off. Even the RCBS unit is good quality... and easier to read without a magnifying glass. My son has a Starrett digital... as long as the battery is good, it reads accurately.Thunder50 wrote:Calipers can get you real close, but can be off a few thousandths. Do you have a micrometer? If so, check the diameter with it and see if it isn't different.
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!