Guys: I've always used reloading manual data to get me where I want to go, but I have one unusual reloading situation that I can't find a solution for in the books. Hopefully, somebody with QuickLoad software can help me out.
Sometime ago, I purchased some "pre-sized" .45 ACP, 230 gr. LRN from a guy on CalGuns forum. What I ended up receiving were not 230s, but actually 240+ gr RNs that were unsized, and rather poor quality drops as well, lots of voids. So much for honesty in advertising. I decided to keep them anyway and see what I could do. Can always remelt if need be.
I sized them to .452 on the Lyman and after digging the lube out, I ended up at 238 grains. Not your standard MIL 230 gr, but not too terribly overweight either. I looked far and wide for load data on 240 gr LRN for the .45 ACP, but couldn't find anything even close. I did see some 250 gr SWC loads, but that is way different in boolit shape and weight.
Decided to use starting load data for a standard 230 gr LRN = 4.0 grs of WST. Even with a slightly heavier boolit, I reckoned this would still keep me somewhere down in the mid-to lower velocity/pressure range for this cartridge. Since the book load range for a 230 gr is 4 - 4.5 grs of WST, I also loaded a few at 4.1 and 4.2 grns to test out.
The 4.0 loads shot exceptionally well, with very tight groups and recoil felt mild-to-moderate, like a typical 230 gr target load. The 4.1 felt rather stout and 4.2 snapped so hard that I immediately stopped and took a look at the spent brass. I couldn't see any signs of overpressure, the primer wasn't flattened and didn't see any bolt imprints on the head. Problem is, the .45 ACP is a low-pressure cartridge - and unless one double-charges you probably wouldn't see any obvious overpressure signs anyway.
I'd really like to know what the safe loading range is for this particular setup. I don't have QuickLoad software, as I've never had a situation like this, and probably never will again. If somebody has it, and is willing to help me by running a simulation, I'd be very grateful. Or...is there some other method for determining what the safe load range will be for this particular situation?
Thanks,
Dennis
"Turkey Huntsman"