Josh Smith
02-09-2012, 06:47 PM
Hello,
I've been playing with a critter-getter load for my .45acp to control vermin up to the size of coyote, but mostly take raiding raccoon.
The idea is to make a 200 gain LSWC, in this case Lee micro-band, reliably operate the action of my 1911. It's a daily carry pistol that usually sees 230 grain bullets in the 890 to 950fps range (Federal and Winchester).
The recoil spring is 18.5lbs, the MS, 21lbs, and the firing pin plate is just slightly radiused. (I have one on the way that will have no radius; I am keeping it square.)
Now, I started loading at 4.4 grains of W231 and have been working my way up. The pistol started cycling reliably at around 5.5 grains. However, it didn't get 100% reliable until I hit 6 grains. That's a bit over max, but the bullet's seated depth is 0.240" or so. Crimp is 0.470, worked down from o.472.
I'm running about a half grain over max. I'm estimating my velocity at 950fps.
I've never run .45acp this fast before.
At about 5.0 to 5.5 grains, I started leading.
Lead is unknown hardness, but made from range lead and wheel weights. (I pick my lead out of the berm and reuse it, and got a junkyard just down the road!)
Lube is my stuff, the copper and graphite suspension.
Now, there's the weird thing: At about 5.6 grains on up, leading ceased! Also, accuracy went from ho-hum to nailing the target without even really trying!
I can't figure this out.
I only wanted to run faster so I don't have to change the recoil spring in the pistol when I change loads. Figured I'd have to play around in the range at which it cycled the pistol to get the precision I wanted.
But, at 15 yards, I was hitting a stick I set up. Said stick was only a couple inches wide and I was not resting the pistol.
Why did a higher velocity lead to less-to-no leading, and to greater precision? These are two things I never expected to find at +P pressures with lead boolits!
Thanks,
Josh
I've been playing with a critter-getter load for my .45acp to control vermin up to the size of coyote, but mostly take raiding raccoon.
The idea is to make a 200 gain LSWC, in this case Lee micro-band, reliably operate the action of my 1911. It's a daily carry pistol that usually sees 230 grain bullets in the 890 to 950fps range (Federal and Winchester).
The recoil spring is 18.5lbs, the MS, 21lbs, and the firing pin plate is just slightly radiused. (I have one on the way that will have no radius; I am keeping it square.)
Now, I started loading at 4.4 grains of W231 and have been working my way up. The pistol started cycling reliably at around 5.5 grains. However, it didn't get 100% reliable until I hit 6 grains. That's a bit over max, but the bullet's seated depth is 0.240" or so. Crimp is 0.470, worked down from o.472.
I'm running about a half grain over max. I'm estimating my velocity at 950fps.
I've never run .45acp this fast before.
At about 5.0 to 5.5 grains, I started leading.
Lead is unknown hardness, but made from range lead and wheel weights. (I pick my lead out of the berm and reuse it, and got a junkyard just down the road!)
Lube is my stuff, the copper and graphite suspension.
Now, there's the weird thing: At about 5.6 grains on up, leading ceased! Also, accuracy went from ho-hum to nailing the target without even really trying!
I can't figure this out.
I only wanted to run faster so I don't have to change the recoil spring in the pistol when I change loads. Figured I'd have to play around in the range at which it cycled the pistol to get the precision I wanted.
But, at 15 yards, I was hitting a stick I set up. Said stick was only a couple inches wide and I was not resting the pistol.
Why did a higher velocity lead to less-to-no leading, and to greater precision? These are two things I never expected to find at +P pressures with lead boolits!
Thanks,
Josh