Heavy Bullets in .45ACP

[Savage]

I seem to remember that someone on this forum has worked up loads using the heavier bullets in the .45ACP. I recently came into some 255 LSWC bullets. I loaded up 5 rounds using 4.5 grains of Bullseye with Winchester SPP in mixed brass @ 1.21 OAL. Recoil was mild, as was the report. The rounds were fired in a Sig 220. The only problem I see with this load was a bit of firing pin smear on the primers. This tells me that the barrel is unlocking before the firing pin has retracted. I'm assuming this is due to the fast burn rate of BE. I know it could also be a weak firing pin spring, but doubt that at this time. I have data for a load using 4.9gr of Unique with this bullet that I might try next. I have a couple of the 4.5 BE rounds loaded to try in a 1911 as well to see if there are any pressure signs there. Does anyone have any proven load data or experience loading this bullet in .45ACP that they would like to share with me?
Savage

[Mikey]

Savage:  first off it sounds like the load may be a bit too hot if you have 'firing pin smear' on the primers.  The other load you mentioned, 4.9 of Unique sounds a bit more reasonable.  I have used 5.8 gns of Unique behind a 300 gn slug without pressure signs from primers, so your Unique load sounds within range.

If you scroll on down to page 3 in this Forum you should find the thread entitled 'deer with a 45 acp, by cheesehead'.  There is a lot of discussion there about the use of heavy slugs in the acp and I believe at least one post about the use of the particular bullet you mentioned. 

You may find it interesting and I HTH.  Mikey.

[Savage]

Thanks Mikey. Still haven't tried the rounds I loaded with Unique. Maybe tomorrow----------.

Savage

[myronman3]

i have some nice 255 grain swc's loaded up (dont know the powder or charge weight offhand) but they recoil the same as others and knockdown power is there (on bowling pins anyway).  i used charge weights out of the speer manual for their 260 gr bullet.  it has a wide meplat; but i have never chrono'ed it.   

[Bitterroot Bob]

Howdy,
Mikey turned me on to the Lyman #452423 bullet, a 240 grain SWC designed by Saint Elmer. Being a curious sort, I managed to find double and single cavity mould blocks and poured a bunch of them. I loaded some with my nutcracker tool over 5.8 grains of Unique and my Chi-com 1911 has never shot better!
The SWC has more bearing surface than the RN, and I sized them .452" also. Recoil is stiff, but there are no signs of over-pressure. The pistol groups better with this bullet than with the FMJ's that I have been shooting.
I'm not sure I'd want to try loading a heavier bullet, though. It would seem that the tapered case walls would prevent a relatively long 250 weight bullet from seating deep enough for the pistol to function correctly.
After trying the Keith bullet, I may even buy a set of 7/8-14 dies for the Rockchucker. Thanks, Mikey!

Bitterroot

[Mikey]

Hey Bob - nice to hear from ya.  Hope all is well.  You are right about your concern with heavy slugs in the tapered ACP case and going to the heavy 255 grain slugs gives lots of folks some problems.  This is why the folks who developed the 300 (and later 260) grain rebated base slugs designed them that way - so the taper of the rebated base would fit into the tapered ACP case without either crushing or bulging it. 

Hmmm, if your 5.8 gn Unique load shot well without sign of overpressure then possibly my loads with that bullet with heavier powder charges were too hot, which may be why I had leading problems previously and accuracy that was in the 'not so hot' category.  I'll try the lower charges as soon as I can throw some.  Thanks for the insights.  Mikey.

[Savage]

A quick update:
I fired the 255gr SWC over 5 grs of Unique for groups this week. At 25yds, four of the rounds went into about an inch and a half. The fifth round opened the group up to about three inches. I fired them thru a Sig 220 from a rest. Function was flawless @ 1.210 OAL. A friend tried some in his Springer 1911 yesterday and found that they would not chamber due to the shoulder of the wad cutter bottoming out in the chamber. I have not had that problem in two of my 1911s. No signs of excessive pressure, and recoil feels about like my 200gr IDPA load. Happy with the combination so far!
Savage

[hicard]

I used to shoot bowling pins with the 255 SWC Colt bullet in my 45 acp using 4.5-5.0 grs of Unique.  I enjoy shooting the 4.5 loads and found them to be very manageable.  Might start their and work on up to 4.9 or 5.0 grs.  You wont have any chambering problems if you seat the shoulder of the bullet right at or just above the case mouth and they fed reliably.

[vinconco]

I used the 255 LSWC for bowling pins too.  I used HS-6  pushing them at 900 fps if I remember correctly. They busted pins real good

[44 Man]

A friend of mine has a Springer with a very tight chamber also.  It won't chamber any .452 bullets at all.  He sent it back and was told it was in spec's so he had to order tight reloading dies for it. 
I have loaded and ran a Lee RFN 255 gr loaded over Unique also and my Colt's loved it.  I had a limited supply of bullets on hand so I used most of them for .45 colt.  If I can get a supply ahead again some day, I'd like to shoot some more in the a.c.p.  It was a good shooting bullet.  44 Man.

[Hawg Haggen]

I use a 255 gr. Keith with 5.0 grs. of W231. Works very well for me. I have to seat them right at the edge of the shoulder to get them to feed through my 1911 mags tho.

[BUSHMASTER1]

My father's springer has a tight chamber also. Some 230 fmjs that I loaded to normal oal shoot fine in all of my Kimbers and Colts will not allow his action to close.

[dogsoldier0513]

I've loaded Speer 250 grain LSWCs in .45ACP for an S&W M645 using Speer's load data for the .45 AutoRim. ZERO problems. Accurate and HARD hitting.

[Lee Robinson]

What is your most accurate 225-230 grain load that also feeds reliably?

[Mule]

I was pouring some 45 cal Maxi-Balls for my muzzleloader from a TC mold.  On a whim, I poured a small batch from wheel weights.  Ran them thru the Lubri-Sizer and filled those big grooves up with bullet lube.  They weigh right at 230gr.
Loaded over 5.0 WW 231 they fuction perfectly in my 1911.  So far it has been plinking only.  I guess I will have to shoot a target to see if the potential accuracy is better than minute of coke can.