powder for high performance 45acp

[ghostrider]

Anyone load 45ACP for short-barreled pistols? I'm looking for a good powder for 200-230gr bullets for 3.5" barrelled 1911s.

Hodgdon's site shows the slower powders (longshot) give the highest velocity, but with 230gr JHP over 6.6gr longshot, I see results of <400fps.

The fastest load I had was 185gr Golden Sabre over 6.8gr green dot: 524, 524, 535, 723, 724fps

With Speer GD 200gr +P factory I see: 580, 615, 591fps.

At first I thought it was a chrono problem (low battery?), but the same Speer load (from the same box) in a 5" barrel gave me: 1111, 1094, 1106, and 1093fps which is about what I would expect.

I'm going to try some power pistol next - I have some +P data.

thoughts? comments?

[Don2]

I have not loaded for Short 1911's, but I bet you can get an answer here. I have been a member here for a long time and these guys know 1911's.
A few guys there are pretty good, one named NICK is pretty knowledgeable.
Check it out, or maybe you already do???
http://forums.1911forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I hope I can mention other boards here? If not..I'm sorry.


Hope they can help.
Don2

[MoJo]

Welcome to the world of short barrels. I have found faster powder is better in short barrels I would try in no particular order Bullseye, WW231, HP38, Accurate No. 2, or Ramshot Zip. I use HP38 in my 2" snubby and get decent performance.

Slower powders develop great velocities in longer barrels. In short barrels they produce low velocities and large fireballs of muzzle flash because so much of the powder is unburned until it exits the barrel. Speer sells short barrel ammo that has a special powder to produce good velocities out of short barrels.

[ghostrider]

Blue dot does give me the best thump from my 460 rowland loads

I tried blue dot in 460 then moved to longshot.

[ghostrider]

I found some interesting info here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/inde ... 42816.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


'A black Sharpie marker is your friend if you are chronographing bullets. Color the bullet completely black and readings will be more consistent.'

and:

'You may want to try replacing the battery in the chrony. I had some erratic low fps readings in mine (even though the "low batt" indicator was not showing) and it solved the issue.'

I'm going to try both and see if I get better results.

[ghostrider]

I did say it was not an ideal powder - I use it because I was given about 16lbs of it, and I do not load for shotguns.

Actually, I found blue dot to be a good powder for several other calibres: 9mm, 40S&W, 44 mag.

[Jumping Frog]

Actually, I found blue dot to be a good powder for several other calibres: 9mm, 40S&W, 44 mag.

I don't like the way it meters, but the performance is good.

[ghostrider]

I don't like the way it meters, but the performance is good.

agreed. I've mostly used it calibres that I weigh each charge, so metering wasn't an issue.

[MoJo]

Alliant says not to use Blue Dot for .357 Magnum 125 gr loads and any .41 Magnum loads. There were a large number of KABOOMS in those caliber/bullet weights.

[ghostrider]

I'm going to look at ramshot silhouette. Apparently, its the same forumula as Winchester Action Pistol (WAP).

[Jumping Frog]

I'm going to look at ramshot silhouette. Apparently, its the same forumula as Winchester Action Pistol (WAP).

I am quite happy with all the Ramshot products I've tried: Zip, True Blue, and Silhouette.

[powerboatr]

i used accurates #7 with the 380, 9mm and tried it with the colt 1911 (1967 vintage)45 acp, even though 7 is not really for the 45 acp it does work
the only issue i had was the 45 if i ran a softer grain load it would every now and then it would not eject completely and it left unburned powder residue on the feed ramp which after 7 rounds caused a failed to load
i really wanted just one powder, but came to the conclusion that was not going to make me happy at the range.
so now i used accurate 5 for the acp and 7 for the others
but #5 is HARD find in a 8 lb tub for some reason