What velocity loss have you seen between 5" and 3" .45ACPs with full but not +p 230 grain loads?
Does powder burn rate effect it? Ranch Dog lists some powders as burning fully in 2.5" and some in 5".
What velocity loss have you seen between 5" and 3" .45ACPs with full but not +p 230 grain loads?
Does powder burn rate effect it? Ranch Dog lists some powders as burning fully in 2.5" and some in 5".
We have chrono'd a good many, as we are 1911 fans and found that there is not a lot of velocity loss...or at least, not enough to stop us from carrying them.
I read a test of 3,4, and 5" 1911's a while back. As I recall, the spread was less than 50 fps.
828 avg on a 5 and 790s with a 3.5 if I recall correctly. Can't remember the load, factory or homebrew but most likely it was a 230 fmj load.
I shoot a 200 grain #68 H&G style SWC in my 3" Kimber Ultra Eclipse and in my Kimber 5" Gold Match. Back when I was shooting 4.9 grains of Red Dot, the 3" gave me 820 fps with 43 extreme spread. The 5" gave me 922 fps with 43 extreme spread. I never tried 230 grain boolits and use Win. 231 now since I got a good deal on 5 pounds of it and meters better than Red Dot. Red Dot had the accuracy edge though.
Thanks, good info so far.
The economics and availability of the Vectan powders is calling, but I've found no TL452-230TC (Only 45 this new caster has so far) data.
I'd match burn rates and match chronograph averages with a ladder of loads, but all the data is for 5" and all of mine are 3" guns.
My 3.6" Colt O.M. looses about 75 fps from my 5" Colt. This holds true with every load I've tried.
Type of powder didn't change much, used B.Eye, titegroup, and BE86.
Last edited by Boogieman; 09-27-2016 at 08:55 PM.
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I haven't done side-by-side comparisons with short and standard length 1911 platforms, but have compared an ordinary GI M1911A1 pistol to revolvers of various lengths:
Ammunition__________S&W 625 3"______Ruger BH 4-5/8"____M1911A1 5"_____S&W M1917 5-1/2"
____________________cyl. gap .006_____cyl gap .005________solid bbl________cyl. gap .008
FC61 Ball____________778, 9 Sd________820, 9 Sd__________862, 4 Sd_______837, 13 Sd
Speer 230GD ShtBbl___764, 22 Sd_______800, 14 Sd_________844, 4 Sd_______845, 10 Sd
Win. 230 SXT_________757, 12 Sd_______803, 5 Sd_________858, 8 Sd_______ 851, 16 Sd
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HE wants to know what YOU know.
Keep it to yourself.
Look at ballisticsbytheinch.com for some interesting data on various factory loads in tc barrels cut down an inch at a time.
"In God we trust, in all others, check the manual!"
The loss of the 3in over the 5 [or even the commander]
is why I tend to use Hardball in the short barrel.
Ideal would be a flat nose,or if CCI would bring it back out , the 200gr SWC TMJ Combat Match.
Best reply so far
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/45auto.html
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Here's a comparison in castpics...
http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Sur...s/45acp_BD.htm
Thanks all.
This in composite indicates 3" barrels achieving 90% of 5" specs in standard ball and target loads and 87% in hotter SD loads. This gives me something to work from.
Groo, you've a good point. At these velocities (and likely even some higher) a big solid flat point is likely better and more reliable than expanding designs.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |