Old ammo...too hot of a load?

[Love Life]

I came across some ammo I loaded about 6 years ago for 45 acp. At the time I was shooting a S&W 625-8 revolver chambered in 45 acp.

The load is:
Berry's 230 gr RN plated
5.9 gr W231
1.270
CCI LPP

I've reference several books and have seen loads up into 6 gr of W231 as a max and seen several manuals where the max is 5.7 gr or under.

My notes say: " Good to go. No high pressure signs. Accurate."

Do you all think these loads are safe for a semi-auto? Should I pull them? Has anybody else loaded and shot 230 gr plated RN over 5.9 gr of W231 powder?

[runfiverun]

that's my unique load, iv'e always shot 5 grs of 231 sooo. your call.

[Love Life]

Dang. Maybe I'll just give them to my brother.

[35remington]

What did they chronograph at? Let that help you decide as well.

[Love Life]

10 shot string in notes varies from 865-890+ fps. Seems legit. I really don't want to blow up my Tupperware even though the speer manual says they are safe.

The speed says otherwise though so looks like it's time to break out the bullet puller.

[9w1911]

5.3 is my current target load for 231 in my 1911, and I see signs of low pressure. Not that this helps.

[Uncle R.]

My standard load for .45 ACP with 230 gr jacketed or cast has been 5.6 grs. 231 almost since before Bad Water Bill was issued his first rifled musket. Even that is an overload according to some newer "lawyerized" manuals but I've never had a bit of trouble with 'em in several different 1911s. I'd fully expect a 625 to handle that 5.9 gr load without the slightest strain, but I'd consider it (as your research suggests) right at the top or maybe even a bit above for most auto pistols. Probably the biggest question is how much exposed brass does your Tupperware pistol leave over the feed ramp? If the case is unusually well supported you'd probably be fine. If not - um - well...
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This situation clearly indicates your need for a dual cylinder .45 Blackhawk. Those hot loads would be just a light lunch to a Blackhawk, and you wouldn't have to pull 'em down.
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Enabler - that's me...
:bigsmyl2:
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Uncle R.

[Love Life]

You know, the idea of a dual cylinder black hawk makes sense.

[Uncle R.]

You know, the idea of a dual cylinder black hawk makes sense.

Pictures.
We're gonna want pictures...
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:bigsmyl2:
A co-worker had a very nice specimen of a dual-cylinder Blackhawk .45 for sale a couple of years ago. He offered it to me at what turned out to be a very good price but for some inexplicable reason I passed on the deal. After I had utilized my (Ahem) posterior mounted skull extraction tool a few hours later and realized I'd passed up a great gun at a bargain price I learned it was too late. Apparently the second guy he offered it to didn't suffer from cranial rectal inversion and snapped it up on the spot.
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Sigh...
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Since then I've had ample time to reflect on just how useful a dual-cylinder Blackhawk could be - especially to a reloader and caster. They can handle anything from powder puff ACP target loads up to monster-stompin' "Rival a .44 magnum" 45 LC loads with equal aplomb, and do it in a hand-fitting sweetly balanced relatively lightweight and accurate platform.
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I'm gonna go and kick myself again now...
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Uncle R.

[plainsman456]

I don't load much 231 these days but i run 6.0 grains of bullseye in my 45 acp.

[35remington]

Just an opinion but......I see that velocity with 231 as producing pressures at the upper end of the standard range to low end Plus P. In other words, if you don't have a lot of it to shoot and a 625 to shoot it in.....shoot it up. I have a 625-3 myself and consider what it can reasonably accept as somewhat more velocity than that.

If you don't have a 625-3 and not a lot of rounds to shoot up, I'd shoot em up.

[Love Life]

It's only about 130 rds so I'll shoot them up. I'm thinking of holding the pistol sideways while doing it.

[williamwaco]

Hodgdon says 5.3 is Max.

You be the judge

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

[Del-Ray]

Don't forget, you should use the data from books made at the time your powder was made. Powders can and do change. If your old book saids you're safe.... You might be safe.

Though that blackhawk idea sounds pretty dang good.

[NewbieDave007]

It's only about 130 rds so I'll shoot them up. I'm thinking of holding the pistol sideways while doing it.

That right there sounds like a solution. Gangsta "Love" Life. Lol

[Love Life]

I shot some of them up and they worked fine. They were accurate to boot!!

[NewbieDave007]

Good to hear it.