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uncle joe
03-09-2008, 08:20 PM
OK
I'm getting back into reloading after more years away than I care to count. I am trying to start loading 45 acp so I can practice with my 1911 and a new H K usp compact. I loaded a few rounds with 5.5 grs of Unique under a 230g lrn. The 1911 shot them fine but they were all over the target. The H K puked mostly not cycling the shells. I know the 45 acp is a hard one to handload but there has to be a good combination for a 230g lrn. Anyone got any shure fire recipies for this caliber?

kg42
03-09-2008, 11:39 PM
I've got to ask If you are positive the load was 5.5gr, if the cartridges would chamber freely in the HK, and how the 1911 would shoot other ammos.

If the 1911 is usually accurate, you would have to shoot undersized bullet to make it spray that much.
If the HK is new, it might have a stiff recoil spring.

runfiverun
03-10-2008, 02:44 AM
i shoot closer to 6 gr unique
and size to 452 or 453 if the 53's will chamber.
that is with my acww boolit some 1911's like a harder boolit though

uncle joe
03-10-2008, 02:46 AM
I'm pretty sure it was 5.5g I only loaded 16 rounds and measured about 30% of them after setting up the measure. The HK is like new and only had about 30 rounds through it. So I'm sure it's tighter than the 1911. Dad and I always used an old lyman die for 38 - 357 and fired them in a chief's special and a mod 27. I never heard of him measuring the chambers or barrels to compare to the sized bullet. I guess this may be where I need to start, I just bought a mould for the 45 so I could load some plinking loads.

WILDCATT
03-14-2008, 09:56 PM
standard target load for 1911 is 200 gr LSWC with 3.5 gr bullseye or 700X.will work my 3 1911s.the HK I dont know.:coffee:

uncle joe
03-17-2008, 10:27 PM
OK
I loaded a few rounds with bullseye 5 gr. under a rnww cast boolit. The mould says they should weigh in at 230 gr but mine are a little lighter even with the lube. I don't think I did a good fl resize on the few for the second round trial they shot in the hk but the headspace was not right. and the 1911 did have better accuracy. I think I will go down in power a half grain and try to watch the headspace better this time. Should hook up good.[smilie=w:[smilie=w:

runfiverun
03-18-2008, 03:32 AM
check and sort your cases by length you will find one that each gun likes

uncle joe
03-18-2008, 09:18 PM
Thanks
DUH I have not thought of that one yet
gotta get a good set of calipers

Seabreeze133
03-21-2008, 01:41 AM
H & G # 68 @200 gr w/7 gr Unique shoots well in every 1911 I have tried. 950 fps and accurate.

Don



Thanks
DUH I have not thought of that one yet
gotta get a good set of calipers

Henry Bowman
03-23-2008, 02:31 AM
Check to make sure you are NOT crimping the cases too heavily. Most 45acp dies wont do this but if you are "pinching" the case mouth too hard into the bullet, there will be headspace problems. The 45 acp headspace occurs completely on the case mouth. You have to leave a rim or step to stop the casemouth on the chamber where the bullet would enter the throat of the barrel. Any variation here will result in erratic accuracy.

uncle joe
03-23-2008, 02:35 AM
you are exactly right. I learned that one the hard way.
Thanks guys for all the info Keep it coming.

405
04-05-2008, 12:42 AM
Sure fire pretty much depends on gun, shooter and ammo :!:
My favorite loads for the 45 ACP are limited to my only 45 ACP- a Colt Double Eagle.... the forgotten one that nobody liked so Colt dropped it :mrgreen:

185 gr JHP either PRVI or Rem.
4.2 gr Trailboss
Taper crimp- OAL 1.210

180 gr cast, 18 BHN, RNFP, plain base, sized to .451
3.9 gr Trailboss
Taper crimp- OAL 1.165

uncle joe
04-05-2008, 01:55 AM
[QUOTE=405;4798]Sure fire pretty much depends on gun, shooter and ammo :!:

you're so right on this one, I have an accurized 1911a1 and an HK USP 45compact, and boy do they have different appitites. I'm going to have to work up something for them seperately.:evil:

Rapidfire
04-18-2008, 04:10 AM
I have some rounds that won't allow the slide to close, I eject the round and there is a ring around the end of the case. Like it is too long,,,, I measure them and they are fine,,, I am losing my mind with this?:confused:

kg42
04-18-2008, 06:43 AM
I have some rounds that won't allow the slide to close, I eject the round and there is a ring around the end of the case. Like it is too long,,,, I measure them and they are fine,,, I am losing my mind with this?:confused:

Fat bullets/thick cases (Federal?)

Do they have a light taper crimp? Try running them in the seating/crimping die again; and see if they chamber (remove the barrel from the gun if you do that at home).
Your reloads should chamber easily in a dirty chamber.

An other possibility is that at some point in the loading process, a bit of lead is shaved and added to the diameter of the bullet.

Make sure you present all bullets square on top of the flared cases, and that you go to the end of each stroke with the lever of your press.

kg

orvbudold
05-07-2008, 03:38 AM
I absolutely love 6.0 gr Unique with 230 gr JHP (The more "round nose looking JHP's) . Works well in Springfield, Kimber, and Taurus that I know of.

RePete
05-12-2008, 01:07 AM
5.0gr/Bullseye under a 230gr Frontier CMJ.

versifier
05-12-2008, 02:01 AM
I have some rounds that won't allow the slide to close, I eject the round and there is a ring around the end of the case. Like it is too long,,,, I measure them and they are fine,,, I am losing my mind with this?:confused:

Because you say they measure fine, it sounds like you may be flaring (belling) the cases too much before seating. Try backing off the flaring die until the bullet just barely starts. If this is the problem, a taper crimp or factory crimp die will save you the trouble of pulling the bullets and resizing.

I like Unique or surp102 and Lee 220RN's.