45 APC REVOLVER pet loads???

[jeepyj]

Maybe its only me (doubt it) but is anyone out there wanting to find data on some plinking / steel shooting light loads? It seems to me that the majority of the reference manuals are geared towards a 45 load with enough power to run the action on a pistol. my opinion that it seems to be substantially more that what is needed in a revolver for light competition / gong shooting.
I've tested 5 different loads so far with 3 different powders and the best I've come up with so far is 3.7 grains of Clays over a Lyman 225 grain 452375 hardball. The initial test, This load seems to be quite comfortable in my 625 and groups decent and consistent.
Personally I'm not stuck on just that boolit but the round nose drops in very well with the moon-clips so I think I would stick with something similar because at some point i'd like to compete with it.
Any input would be helpful to me and seems as though to others as well.
Jeepyj

[str8wal]

I load 4.8 grains of TG with a 230, WLP primer. It is accurate in both pistol and revolver, and easy shootng.

[bob208]

get an old book and look up .45 ar loads.

[Groo]

Groo here
How light do you want to go????
Start with a light bullet , like a 185gr swc then put in a starting load from the lyman manual.

[Certaindeaf]

I'd use some Red Dot under a semi or full wadcutter.

[pjames32]

Red dot or AA#5 behind a 185gr wadcutter for plinking in my 625.
PJ

[imashooter2]

3.2 of Clays under the Lee 452-228-1R is my steel load. You can practically run down range and catch it…

4.3 of Bullseye under the same boolit makes USPSA major, but is still very soft compared to factory duplication loads.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I use 4.0-4.1 grains of Red Dot with the RCBS 225 RN and the H&G #34. Not much recoil, burns clean and groups well from a 1917 and S&W M25. LLS

[wv109323]

There was a gentlemen that went to Camp Perry and used revolvers. I have read an article on what modifications and load data that he used to make the 25 a tack driver. You may want to look on the Bulleye pistol sites.

[PS Paul]

452389 is a button-nosed wadcutter. At 185 gr., it's a powder-puff with 5.0 gr of BE, WST, Red Dot, et al.
i shoot it from a convertible BH in the new, med frame flattop.

[GSM]

H&G 130 and about 4.0 gr WST. Comfortable in a 25-2.

The 130 drops about 192 gr with blended alloy (not pure Lino).

[StrawHat]

...Personally I'm not stuck on just that boolit but the round nose drops in very well with the moon-clips so I think I would stick with something similar because at some point i'd like to compete with it ...
Jeepyj

Jeepyj,

What kind of competition are you considering? It might make a difference in what loads you can use. I have used a SAECO 453 mold to cast 240 grain full wadcutters and loaded them over Bullseye for a good load. I also use some SWC and RNFP boolits. I find that sometimes the lightest recoiling load is not the most accurate. Some boolits need a bit of steam to hit where they are aimed.

Kevin

[Lead Fred]

230gr round nose boolit, or jacketed ( I got a bunch for a dime each)
7gr 800x (900fps)
Winchester primers
range brass

rap, I didnt see the word revolver, this is my P220 load

[stubbicatt]

I use 4.4 grains of 231 under a 200 grain SWC bullet in my Smith and Wesson 45 ACP revolver. The rounds do not drop into the cylinder as readily as do round nose bullets. I am contemplating a 200 grain truncated cone mould in the future some time. The revolver is presently at the gunsmith to have the chambers chamfered, and an action job, and to round out a couple of "oval" charging holes to make it a little easier to load up.

An added plus at 4.4 grains it will reliably cycle my Ruger SR1911 as well. Shoots really nice too. I have read elsewhere that one can go down to 4.2 grains and still obtain reliable cycling, but I have not tried that yet.

[Shooter6br]

I use Universal or Unique(AKA Flaming Dirt) Cast MP 200 HP (210 FP) 1911 Kimber Target II and Smith 6 in 25-2. I just plink

[bangerjim]

In a revolver? Generally any small amount that will get the boolit out the end!!!!! I use from 1.8 to 3.2gn of any fast powder in 38SPL and 45LC all the time. Standard weights from 160-200gn and even round balls work just fine for me & my revolvers. Light loaded Round balls are fun to shoot and make a bit more noise than a good air rifle. Surprisingly accurate at 50-80 feet. Do not be scared of light loading. It is the other end of the load data you need to be very careful!

You WILL get dirty brass, as any powder does that with light loads. If you want REEEEEELY dirty brass on light loads........... use Unique~~~~!

Be sure you clean your gun when done.

Have fun with your plinkers!

banger

[jeepyj]

In a revolver? Generally any small amount that will get the boolit out the end!!!!! I use from 1.8 to 3.2gn of any fast powder in 38SPL and 45LC all the time. Standard weights from 160-200gn and even round balls work just fine for me & my revolvers. Light loaded Round balls are fun to shoot and make a bit more noise than a good air rifle. Surprisingly accurate at 50-80 feet. Do not be scared of light loading. It is the other end of the load data you need to be very careful!

You WILL get dirty brass, as any powder does that with light loads. If you want REEEEEELY dirty brass on light loads........... use Unique~~~~!

Be sure you clean your gun when done.

Have fun with your plinkers!

banger

I've been loading light loads in my 38 for a few months now as a camp load (quieter for the neighbors) 1.9 gr of BE over a 115gr W/C and a SWC. I prefer the full W/C they seem to be more accurate. Experimenting with that load is what prompted me to start looking for a lighter load for the 625 but even some of my older manuals didn't give much for the basement loads like the 38 so I tapped the wealth of knowledge here on C/B.
I use a lot of Unique and yes its not the cleanest but now I wet tumble the brass and still dry tumble the nickle. I use 4.5 grains of unique for my 686 and it looks like it's a blued version after a hundred or two. I still think it's worth it as it is very accurate for my needs.
I'll keep at it that's for sure. thanks for the input!
jeepyj

[jeepyj]

Jeepyj,

What kind of competition are you considering? It might make a difference in what loads you can use. I have used a SAECO 453 mold to cast 240 grain full wadcutters and loaded them over Bullseye for a good load. I also use some SWC and RNFP boolits. I find that sometimes the lightest recoiling load is not the most accurate. Some boolits need a bit of steam to hit where they are aimed.

Kevin
There is a local club that holds some action competition that I visited a while back and it's kind of been burning in the back ground ever since. I fell in love with the revolver class immediately and have been practicing every time I can get out but to date I haven't fell in love with a load like I have in my 38 so I keep searching (and buying) different options including Moulds, powder & etc. I totally agree that there is a difference or a sweet spot for each load/boolit that is why I only load 50 of each to give them a good test. For some I've gone back and loaded 50 more just to confirm my first test. As mentioned so far the 3.7 of Clays has been one of the best for light loads.
jeepyj

[44man]

Best thing we did for the ACP revolver was go to SP brass. Cut groups by 2/3's with every load.
They shot so good, my friend bought 1000 cases from Once fired brass .com. Speer brass.
Use a standard SP.
My deduction was the LP was moving the boolits early.
I built him a 1911 long ago that will shoot 1/2" groups at 30 yards and even it showed an improvement, now able at 50 yards.

[jeepyj]

Best thing we did for the ACP revolver was go to SP brass. Cut groups by 2/3's with every load.
They shot so good, my friend bought 1000 cases from Once fired brass .com. Speer brass.
Use a standard SP.
My deduction was the LP was moving the boolits early.
I built him a 1911 long ago that will shoot 1/2" groups at 30 yards and even it showed an improvement, now able at 50 yards.
Interesting, I have a couple hundred from a previous deal I'll give it a try. Thanks
jeepyj

[Michael J. Spangler]

4.5 grains of bullseye with a MP 454-200 HP cast of 50/50 COWW and Pure.
Lined with C Red or hi-tek.
Super accurate. I've done 5 grains also. More of a standard pressure load and still shoots beautiful out of my 625-3

[44man]

Interesting, I have a couple hundred from a previous deal I'll give it a try. Thanks
jeepyj
Let me know what you find.
After we shot I sat at the bench and stared at the rounds. I told him "too much primer for a revolver." I made bushings to seat SP primers and results were drastic to say the least.
If you read me I use nothing but standard Fed 150 primers in the .44 mag. Mag primers are not good. Federal has never used a mag primer in their factory loads either. I called them and the lady said there is no record of ever using a mag primer.
I can actually tell you what primer is in your .44 loads after shooting. I have been raked over the coals for it.

[44man]

I move to LP mags in the .475 and .500's but have tested standards. Mags are better as brass size gets larger. .454 should use LP mags. Cut .460 brass and find how great a .454 can be.

[jmorris]

I use 45 GAP brass in my revolvers, you don't need tools to moon/demoon them.

[44man]

Friend has a 1917 S&W for ACP. Or auto rim. I need to clean the gun and lube it. Can auto rim brass be found or I will have him find moon clips.
Sadly I give away all ACP brass so I have none here.

[Nueces]

Starline currently has the Auto Rim in stock.

[44man]

Starline currently has the Auto Rim in stock.
Great. I still need to talk him into it. He has not brought the gun yet. It is filthy and the cylinder hardly turns.

[flint45]

Get the auto rim brass some aa#5,231,red dot and 180-260 gr.boolets and have fun the .45ar. has been my go-to gun for more then20 years I love it.

[shorty500M]

the classic H&G 200g semi-wadcutter pushed to chronographed 776fps by 4g of 700X tends to work well in my m625

[Cornbread]

I shoot 255gr rnfp, water dropped COWW, with 5.5grn of Unique in my convertible Blackhawk. So it is a heavy for caliber load but it sure is a tack driver at 50 yards. When chronograph-ed out a friends convertible they were doing right at 830fps. Real good groups and with a nice tight crimp it seems to burn up all the Unique without making so much of a mess.

[Michael J. Spangler]

I have shot some 453423 over decent charges of universal (per handloader article by Brian Pearce) with great accuracy and a heck of a thump for a 45 acp.
He got some 250s over 900 fps from what I remember.

[Whiterabbit]

For me, loading 45 acp in a revolver is not about being allowed to use light boolits due to no action to cycle, but rather it is about being allowed to use large meplat boolits due to no feeding concerns.

Thus, my pet for a 45 acp revolver is the LEE 300 gas check boolit and bluedot. Load data from the NRA loading guide. Speed is I think around 900 fps.

[Michael J. Spangler]

For me, loading 45 acp in a revolver is not about being allowed to use light boolits due to no action to cycle, but rather it is about being allowed to use large meplat boolits due to no feeding concerns.

Thus, my pet for a 45 acp revolver is the LEE 300 gas check boolit and bluedot. Load data from the NRA loading guide. Speed is I think around 900 fps.

which loading guide is that? an old one?

[Blackwater]

HAven't had a LC in years now, trying to standardize my calibers/molds, but a buddy dotes on his Vaquero (the older larger frame gun) with 6.7 gr. Red Dot and the Oregon Trail 250 gr. SWC's. That gun has shot many sub 1" groups at 20 yds. with that load, and according to him, it's a safe load in any LC, but check that before you load it in a Colt or Colt clone. This is with CCI primers, which he says give him best accuracy with this particular load, and yes, they CAN sometimes make a difference.

[Whiterabbit]

which loading guide is that? an old one?

my best manual.

http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/fss/2b4f4fa789be65eab98bda8416f25489

http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/fss/38b1a13804bd8ac7cf3985d90c99079

[Michael J. Spangler]

my best manual.

http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/fss/2b4f4fa789be65eab98bda8416f25489

http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/fss/38b1a13804bd8ac7cf3985d90c99079

Awesome! Thank you for the info.

[hockeynick39]

I love shooting my S&W 625 JM. For the half-moon/ moon clips and pure 45 ACP plinking use I load 4.4 gr Bullseye or 5.5 gr Unique under a 220 gr wadcutter by Accurate molds (452220W).

For hunting loads, I use 9.7 gr of Unique under an Ideal 452460 converted to hollowpoint by Erik Ohler in a 45 Auto Rim case (avg. 1223 fps):
http://i1027.photobucket.com/albums/y338/hockeynick39/452460HP001_zps19256888.jpg (http://s1027.photobucket.com/user/hockeynick39/media/452460HP001_zps19256888.jpg.html)

Results after digging about 12 to 16 inches into a wet packed sand berm:
http://i1027.photobucket.com/albums/y338/hockeynick39/452460HP002_zps515a4ca4.jpg (http://s1027.photobucket.com/user/hockeynick39/media/452460HP002_zps515a4ca4.jpg.html)

Ready to load up:
http://i1027.photobucket.com/albums/y338/hockeynick39/Ideal452460HPSWC006_zps23f865d2.jpg (http://s1027.photobucket.com/user/hockeynick39/media/Ideal452460HPSWC006_zps23f865d2.jpg.html)

Mold/ boolits/ soda/ beer can gas checks:
http://i1027.photobucket.com/albums/y338/hockeynick39/Ideal452460HPSWC002_zpsbb6d47ca.jpg (http://s1027.photobucket.com/user/hockeynick39/media/Ideal452460HPSWC002_zpsbb6d47ca.jpg.html)

How I make my gas checks:
http://i1027.photobucket.com/albums/y338/hockeynick39/45CalPBGCBullets009_zps55afc7b2.jpg (http://s1027.photobucket.com/user/hockeynick39/media/45CalPBGCBullets009_zps55afc7b2.jpg.html)

Another hard hitting solid SWC load is the 8.9 gr Unique under a RCBS-452-200-SWC, 210 gr SWC (avg. 1220 fps):
http://i1027.photobucket.com/albums/y338/hockeynick39/45AutoRimChronographTarget003_zps6046b709.jpg (http://s1027.photobucket.com/user/hockeynick39/media/45AutoRimChronographTarget003_zps6046b709.jpg.html )

[MT Gianni]

452423 and 6 gr Unique out of the Blackhawk.

[44man]

Very nice but the box of auto rim ammo is a collector item.
Starline has brass at $120+ for 500 cases. The man would never shoot that much. Then he needs loading dies, etc.

[murf205]

Very nice but the box of auto rim ammo is a collector item.
Starline has brass at $120+ for 500 cases. The man would never shoot that much. Then he needs loading dies, etc.

Hockeynick39, PLEASE take care of that box. What is it about us old guys that love old stuff(and grandchildren)
Murf

[MtGun44]

I have compared SP and LP .45 ACP in 1911s and can find zero difference in accuracy with any
loads I have tried.

Bill

[44man]

I have compared SP and LP .45 ACP in 1911s and can find zero difference in accuracy with any
loads I have tried.

Bill
True, not as fussy but we did see a little change because the 1911 I built for him is over match accuracy. The revolver suffers from the primer moving the boolit out too soon.
Hardly anyone will tell in an auto. His 1911 will clover leaf 7 shots at 30 yards. You need to be there before telling anyone there is no change.
Never have I built up a 1911 as good but the link was a pain. All he bought did not work, had to make my own. Trigger pull is about 1# or so. The average 1911 does not know much.

[Good Cheer]

jeepyj,
225 grain is my favorite for 45ACP. That general weight allows for the good geometry to avoid failures and it has enough weight to let the boolit do it's job. This is a Lyman round nose back fitted with a hollow point.

http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy192/SNARGLEFLERK/mysterymetal_zpsb27efe0f.jpg (http://s791.photobucket.com/user/SNARGLEFLERK/media/mysterymetal_zpsb27efe0f.jpg.html)

[Good Cheer]

By the way, that slug wasn't fired from a revolver. I like it 'cause it always goes bang in a 1911.

[44man]

Looks great and might be a good deer bullet too.