1911 4" and Lee 452-230-TC

[ol skool]

Have a Sig Sport 1911 in 45acp. Alloy frame, SS slide with 'nitron' finish.

I need to work up a load for this pistol using the Lee 452-230-TC.

My question is what velocity is resonable for 4" 1911 with a 230 boolit? I don't need mule kicking, dragon snorting loads. Would rather stick with the basic idea of 850fps for 230 in 5". So does that mean +/- 800fps for a 4 inch?

[HiVelocity]

I have this same mold, excellent general purpose projectile. My pet load for 2 1911's is 5.4 grains of Titegroup. Velocity is around 900ish. If you click the "CastPics" tab below, there are tons of handloads available (by caliber) to suit every need; check it out.

HV

[Jupiter7]

5grs bullseye will get you around 800+/- 15-20fps.

[Cmm_3940]

I have this mold, a 5", and a 4" 1911. The results you seek are quite reasonable and can be achieved with a large variety of different powders. Are you asking about the velocity difference between a 4" and a 5" 1911? I load the same for both, especially in medium-ish loads like you are describing.

[35remington]

Reasonable for what?

If for practice, the projected 800 fps range or a bit over (my pistols shorter than 5 inch are 4.25's) is enough to give familiarity with the pistol and is well below what is hard on it. Tell us the powder you have and we'll suggest something.

[MtGun44]

Military specification is 825 fps for a 230 JRN. That is in a 5" gun. Expect less
in a 4" gun, maybe 50-75fps less. So, about 750 fps is what mil spec ammo
should do in your gun. Do your loading accordingly, and in accordance with
published loading data and you will be OK. Published data can slightly exceed
mil spec with some powders in some guns.

For practice, I suggest the H&G 68 saves lead (15% less at 200 gr) and is
an extremely reliable feeder in the 1911 platform.

Bill

[ol skool]

I have a bunch of 800X that needs to be used, so that's the powder of choice for a while. 6.5gr is suppose to give up 850fps in a 5" barrel. The starting load of 6.0gr is consistent at 710fps. Just wondering what to expect from the chrono for a standard type load.

Thanks for the repsonses, appreciate it.

[Rodfac]

ol skool, I've had good luck with Lyman's 452374 235 gr. Rnd Nose, cast from 3:1 WW/Pb, air quenched, and sized .452" in my Sig 1911 RCS Compact with a 4" barrel. I used mixed brass, Win Lg Pistol caps and Win 231 or HP38 (it's evil twin). My load is 5.2 grains of Win 231, with the bullet seated to an overall length of 1.260". I've not chrono'd that combination in the Sig, but it clocks at 793 fps from a Colt Combat Commander with a 4-1/4" bbl. In the Sig, it's good for less than 2" at 25 yds, and does as well in the old Colt too. A nice load. As always, these prescriptions work well in my guns, but your's may vary...work up to them with due attention to pressures etc.

An equally good or slightly better one has the same components, but with a 4.8 gr charge of Win 231...milder by quite a bit, tho the 5.2 gr load shows no untoward pressure signs...ejection is 5-6 ft, and primers and case expansion are normal.

Looking through my old Ken Waters, "Pet Loads" books, I saw that he found 800x to be really good powder for his work with a Colt Double Eagle .45. The article was published in July of 1990 and my copy was a part of Supplement #5 to Pet Loads, Third Edition. He touted the 7.0 gr load as the best overall for that gun with a number of cast bullets. He used Speer and W-W cases, Winchester Lg Pistol primers and seated the 225 gr bullets to 1.240. The two 230 gr bullets were seated to 1.250 and 1.260, respectively.

Velocities for a 225 gr Carroll FN were 814 fps for the 6.5 gr load of 800x; and 875 fps for the 7.0 gr load from his 5" barreled Double Eagle. The 7.0 gr load was listed as Maximum when seated to an OAL of 1.240".

Velocity for a 230 gr Bull-X FN was 845 fps for a 6.8 gr charge. He listed this one as near Max at 1.250" OAL.

Velocity for a 230 gr Carroll RN was 833 fps for a charge of 6.5 gr of 800x; listed as near Max. and 886 fps for a 7.0 gr charge of the same powder. The 7.0 gr charge was listed as Max at 1.260" OAL.

HTH's and check out these loads with a good manual before using...Rod

[ol skool]

Rodfac:

Thanks. Sounds like something around 800fps that shoots well would be good. I have several books but only 2 with 800X in it plus your info above. Now to work. Thanks!