reloading the 45acp---questions

[irold]

Evening Gentlemen ,

I finally got around to reloading for my 45s ( a P-345 and a Springer GI 1911 ).  I'm presently using Hornady 200 XTP (.451) with 5.5 of Bullseye.  The 345 really sems to like it , sub inch grps at 15 yds.  And the old GI is poking along with 2 inch grps at the same yardage .  My questions...both are shooting 4 inches high at 15 yds....both have fixed sights.  If I go heavier grain ,say 230, will that bring me closier to POA.  Also , being the tight-wad that I am....I'm looking for inexpensive FMJ 230 bullets.  I was going to try Berries , I see they're .452 ...I was under the impression a .45acp shoots better with .451 ?? Anybody loading with lead R.N. , how do they work , any leading problems ?    Comments and / or opinions appreciated,  Thanks and Regards ,  irold

[Lloyd Smale]

nope a heavier bullet will shoot higher. You need to either go lighter or go faster with the bullet you have. To go faster though id recomend you switch to a slightly slower powder like 231 or unique or something in between. Your not going to want to put much more bullseye in that case .

[stimpylu32]

irold

LS is right , the only way to move POI is to speed up the bullet your using or go with a lighter bullet at a fast speed . Also don't go with much more Bullseye or your going to go from a Hand Gun to a Hand Garnade . 

As for cast , the Berrys plated would be a good choice , the .001 is not going to make that much of a diffrence for what your shooting , However stick with starting loads or real close as the pressures will be a slight bit higher .

stimpy

[kitchawan kid]

I use 4.0 grs. of Trial Boss (the cowboy powder) with200gr. LFN hand cast bullets,seems to work o.k. at 50ft. range.

[irold]

Thanks for the info , guys.  I don't plan on going any harder with the Bullseye....I'm using three different manuals .(.Hornady , Speer , Lyman handgun ) and all three list 5.8 or so as being MAX.  I did try Unique , the 5.5 load was almost identical to the bullseye , a little bit smokey....the 6 and 6.5 loads seemed a little harsh , ya know, the slide seemed to be coming back a little harder ,though no signs of high pressure.  The 6.5 of Unique really opened too , on both the 1911 and the 345 (2-2 1/2" grps, no called fliers )......so I'll stick with the 5.5 , if I decide to go with Unique.  What do ya think , at 25 yards , will I be higher yet....or will it be the same ?  I'm almost think the bullet is still rising and will be even higher at 25 yds.  ( all my grp testing was done at 15 yds. )    Thanks again ...Regards , Irold 

[stimpylu32]

irold

Yep it will be higher @ 25 , with that bullet / load combo your going to see a rise out to at least 50 yards before gravity starts to pull it back down , maybe even a little further .

stimpy

[Savage]

Just to clarify what stimpy and Lloyd are saying:
The heavier/slower bullet exits the bore later in the recoil cycle when the axis of the bore is above the line of sight. The bullet never rises above the axis of the bore. If you are set on your current load, go to a taller front sight and file it down till you have your vertical zero.
Savage

[irold]

OK , think I'll stick with the Bullseye...everything seemed to shoot well with that.  Most of my shooting done with my 45s is less than 25 yds anyway. And I believe defensive shooting is said to occur within 7 yds ??    I was looking over the targets again , I had told ya my GI 1911 was shooting 2 inch grps at 15 yds with the Bullseye load.....I got the calipers out and actually measured it , it was just under 1.5 inches......not bad for a $500 warhorse!  Not sure what it will do at 25 , but it doing quit well for what it is.  I just ordered some 230 RN from Berrys , and some of their cast RN , both are .452.  I'll work up something for those with the Bullseye or Unique.......Thanks for the help....regards, Irold