45 acp load recommendations

[jski45]

This is the 185 gr SWC Space Coast bullet in question.

[Sandspider500]

Your bullet is an hg 130 clone. The 180 swc from the data is a laser cast 180gr, which is probably from the same magma mold that Missouri bullet company uses. That Missouri bullet is the bullseye #2 and is .61 long.

[justindad]

Using hard cast RN bullets from Space Coast Bullets in Melbourne, FL. They offer an excellent product. The only difference I could imagine that might make a difference is BHN. Space Coast hard cast bullets have a BHN=18.

No one has ever been able to imagine and demonstrate all factors of bullet design that impact the pressures developed for a given velocity.

[jsizemore]

Could you post a pic of the base of the bullet showing the sprue cut and one of your caliper showing the diameter, please?

[jski45]

[jski45]

The question I have is seating depth. How far past the lube ring should this bullet be seated?

I noticed that the geometry of Berry’s 185 SWC bullet and my Space Coast bullets are close (they have the same size nose). The Western Powder pdf recommends a COL=1.195” for the Berry’s 185 gr SWC. Does that apply for my hard cast Space Coast bullet?

[jsizemore]

I have loaded that bullet in the past. I load it and about all lead bullets in auto loaders so 1/16th or 1/32nd of an inch of the driving band is exposed to take the brunt of being banged against the feed ramp or hood going in the chamber. Ultimately seating depth is controlled by how the round passes the plunk test in the chamber with the bullet seated out to my previous dimensions or shorter.

[jski45]

Of course that’s not an issue for me because I’m using a S&W model 25-14 wheelgun.

[Delkal]

Once you get away from a published load with the exact bullet any OAL is little more than a suggestion. Every different bullets nose shape / ogive is different and so is the OAL.

For pistols my feeling is that the amount of the bullet is seated in the case (potentially reducing case capacity) is the most important pressure factor followed by how hard the bullet is jammed into the rifling (assuming it will chamber). For an unknown bullet like this with little data on the powder you are using I would find a mid powered target load and be happy. Unless you want to use these for more than punching paper why do you need a max +P load? Start with the the 230 grain loads and maybe work it up a bit. Then shoot them up.

[jski45]

I plan to use mid range non +P loads. In addition, all S&W wheelguns and autoloaders chambered for 45 ACP since 1996 are manufactured for +P loads. My S&W wheelgun was manufactured in 2007.

[jski45]

I plan to use:

185 gr SWC, COL=1.2” with 8 gr of TB
230 gr RN, COL=1.267” with 7.3 gr of TB

Those seem moderate for non +P loads.

My son-in-law has had good results with 7.3 gr of TB with the 230 gr RN bullets in his Ruger 1911.

[jski45]

BTW, this is the Hodgdon description for TB:

TRUE BLUE is the perfect powder for classic calibers such as the 38 Special, 44 Special, and 45 Long Colt. Its a double-base, spherical powder with great metering properties that make it an ideal choice for consistent results using high volume, progressive reloading equipment. It works well with cast bullets and is also an excellent choice for 9mm law enforcement rounds. Made in Belgium.

Seems ideal for 45 ACP loads.