45 ACP Load Question?

[Bushrod]

I'm loading 230 grain LRN over 6.6 grains of Unique. WLP Primers. Shooting out of a modern 1911 Kimber. Anyone think this load is too HOT?????

Lyman 47th. manual shows 225 gr. LRN up to 7.3gr. Unique
230 gr. jacketed up to 6.8gr. Unique

All input appreciated

[RayinNH]

Bushrod, the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual lists 5.0 grs/724 fps--5.7grs/815 for a 230 gr. LRN...Ray

[dubber123]

I have manuals that go higher than that, but if your muzzle velocity is much over the mid 800's, I believe you will be accelerating the wear on your Kimber unless you go to a stiffer spring. Your boolit weight is close to the origional ball ammo, but if you exceed the origional MV by too much, it will be rough on the gun.

[johnlaw484]

It's warm, but nothng to worry about.

[bearmn56]

Bushrod,
This load is probably in the +P range. I would suggest putting in one of the polymer shock buffers in your gun. This will buffer the shock to the frame. I have used 5.0 gr of Bulleye and this same lead bullet for years, with no ill effects. This load is +P as well and very accurate. However, I have always used one of the polymer buffers in my 1911A1.
Bearmn56
Montana Territory

[XBT]

I think your load is slightly on the warm side. In my 1911 with a 230 LRN boolit 6.0 grns of Unique chronographs at 830 FPS, very close to factory ball. In the same gun 6.5 grns chronographs at 902 FPS.

I settled on 6.0 for my loads.

[1874Sharps]

Bushrod,

If you are looking for a standard/plinking load might I suggest 4.0 grains of Bullseye. This load has proven both accurate and comfortable in my 1911. If you are looking for a +P and want to go for the load you cite, you may want to change out the recoil spring from the standard spring to a stronger one along with the polymer buffer.

[Shiloh]

Bushrod,

If you are looking for a standard/plinking load might I suggest 4.0 grains of Bullseye. This load has proven both accurate and comfortable in my 1911. If you are looking for a +P and want to go for the load you cite, you may want to change out the recoil spring from the standard spring to a stronger one along with the polymer buffer.

This is a good load accurate and economical. I have run these as low as 3.6 grain with no cycling problems. Current load is 3.8 grain. Accurate load, mild recoil.

Shiloh

[35remington]

bearm56, a correction is needed.

First, 5.0 of Bullseye with a 230 is not plus P. It is standard pressure.....I can quote you any number of sources that list it as the same, with either lead or jacketed bullet. 5.0 Bullseye with a 230 has been a standard, not Plus P load for the 1911 for a great many years.

Bushrod, the Lyman is an excellent loading manual, but I'm afraid the 7.3 grain load of Unique with the 452374 bullet is very sadly dated. They've listed it unchanged for too long and it's badly in need of reshooting, as are some of their other suggestions with the older powders. Such a load will give well over 1000 fps or more with a 230, and that's far, far too much, so don't use this load as a yardstick for other loads, as it's inadvisable.

Example? Sure. A Lee 200 SWC with 7.3 grains of Unique gets 1150 fps, which is very much on the warm side and not at all a factory equivalent load. It would be rather hard on the gun with regular practice use.

Believe me, you don't want to use 7.3 Unique with a 230.

Stay away.

6.5 Unique gets 900-920 fps with a 230 jacketed Hornady loaded to 1.270", and a 230 roundnose lead bullet like the 230-2R goes about 20 fps faster than that with the same charge in a 5 inch 1911.

Still wanna use 7.3 grains as a yardstick as to what is acceptable? Think again.

6.4 Unique is usually considered about upper end of standard pressure range with a 230 JHP, FWIW.

I doubt that 6.6 of Unique with a 230 jacketed bullet will blow the gun up or is unsafe, but it is more velocity than is needed or reasonable for high volume shooting in the 1911.

[Bushrod]

35 Remington---The load I am talking about is 6.6 grains of Unique behind a 230 grain Lead Round Nose. I have a buffer in place to protect the frame. What in your opinion should be the maximum load using 230 grain Lead Round Nose using Unique in a modern Kimber 45 ACP? I also question load data from the Lyman book. Thanks for your input. Shoot safe---BUSHROD

[DanM]

Bushrod....It sounds like you are making warm to hot loads without a chronograph. Not a good idea. You know that 230 ball ammo should be around 850fps plus or minus about 25fps. You should use your chrono, and tweak your charges for best accuracy within that range of 825-875fps. Sorry, but I can't imagine working up a warm or hot load without a chronograph.