Reloading 45acp LSWC

Meckmeister

Meckmeister

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I'd like some advise please. In these days of limited components I have reached a point of not so good results using Unique and Titegroup with 185gr LSWC in 45acp, using SPP. I have tried several loads up and down the chart with those powders and getting failure to eject, etc I also have a small amount of W231 that I have some records on from many years ago. At the end I could waste a lot of components finding the optimum.

My only question is, which of those three powders have given y'all the best results with .45? Thanks for any help.
 
If I read that right, you had a recipe that worked and now it doesn't?
 
I have some W231 I think, and I don't use it much. I'll check my pile and maybe swap you for your Unique?
 
I had the same issue and was using 231. I was shooting in a fnx45acp tactical and was having issues with ejecting. After some advice from a fellow forum member I realized that gun liked ammo loaded a little hotter. I loaded a little hotter and haven’t had any issues since.
 
More information would be useful. What is the hottest load of Unique you have used? Describe the failure to eject? What firearm are you using? Do factory rounds function properly?
 
Charlie said:
More information would be useful. What is the hottest load of Unique you have used? Describe the failure to eject? What firearm are you using? Do factory rounds function properly?
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Right now I'm just plinking out to 20 yds. Im using a P220 and a Para Expert 1911. I shot factory hollow points (no problem) today and hand loads with Unique @5.5 and T group @5.3. The ejects were turned sideways, some failure to LBLR. As suggested above, I have yet to go closer to max.
 
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Sounds as if you might want to put a little more powder in those rounds. It is worth a try. Consult several data sets so you have a good idea of how high you can probably go safely. Remember that lead bullets generally, but not always, take less powder than do jacketed bullets.
 
As it’s been said, you may want to bump it up a bit. My go-to for 185SWC and Unique was 6.2gr. And it felt like a light load. It was with LPP though.
Unique also likes a stout crimp to help burn fully and consistently.
 
I have never had a problem getting small pistol primers to ignite Unique in my 45 Auto loads but do think they are somewhat of a pain to separate. I generally hand prime my 45 Auto cases before I run them through my Dillon and can easily keep the two sizes separate. It would be justice for the people who make the small primer 45 Auto cases to be plagued with boils and ingrown hairs.
 
Of the powders listed, you should have no problems igniting them with SPP, but you may have to go up 0.1gn to get the same performance you would get with LPP. Also, of the powders listed, I had the best results in 45acp using Titegroup (with plated bullets) but they should all work well.

Some chrono data would be invaluable.
 
All recently manufactured Blazer 45acp is small primer. They switched a few years ago. Federal makes both, Speer makes both. RWS makes small primer brass. Winchester has their “NT” headstamp that is small primer AND crimped. There is another SPP brand that I can’t remember right now.

I’ve used a bunch of small primer 45. I don’t mind using it, and I have traded people to get the small primer brass.
 
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Meckmeister said:
I'd like some advise please. In these days of limited components I have reached a point of not so good results using Unique and Titegroup with 185gr LSWC in 45acp, using SPP. I have tried several loads up and down the chart with those powders and getting failure to eject, etc I also have a small amount of W231 that I have some records on from many years ago. At the end I could waste a lot of components finding the optimum.

My only question is, which of those three powders have given y'all the best results with .45? Thanks for any help.
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if You use 231, try 5.6-6gr for a light Target load for 185gr bullet. I prefer 200 & 230gr for 45acp. For real light Target loads try 3.5-3.6gr Bullseye for the 200gr and 3.3-3.4gr for the 230gr. Sounds real light, but those are my go to loads these days and work great. I think @Bahamadon is using the light loads with good success.
 
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Meckmeister said:
Also another 'buyer beware' , I think all Blazer brass is SPP. The start of a difficult reloading chain until patience and pack-ratting no longer works.
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...as Do I. Even the 10mm cases ive seen are small pistol primed
 
Are these the same SWCs you used before?
Only asking because the profile of 200gr SWC are all over the place and it can make a large difference in min/max charges.
 
In general Unique likes to run on the hotter side to burn well.
 
Beef15 said:
Are these the same SWCs you used before?
Only asking because the profile of 200gr SWC are all over the place and it can make a large difference in min/max charges.
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Yes, the same SWC made by Acme. They came packaged in a flat wooden box. I thought they sent me cigars! I've loaded some W231 at 5.8 and 5.9. Will test next week. The powder is over 10 yrs old and may have lost some punch.
 
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H&G 68 or H&G 68 MiHec Clone Mold 200gr SWC
5.1 grs. - 5.7 grs W231
Federal / WCC brass LP (CCI-300)
Depending on which 1911 as the springs are different
The AMT Longslide likes the upper end

Zero 185gr JHP
4.1 grs. N310
Federal / WCC brass LP (CCI-300)
These are fired in Clark Customs with Bar-Sto barrels

I do reload SP Federal cases, these are my shoot n loose ammo
CCI-500 Primers
H&G 68's 200 gr. SWC
5.5 grs - 5.7 grs shoot fine and cycle the action fine

Check to see what weight spring(s) you have and change If you
want / need to. The AMT Hardballers prefer "ball" rounds or
bullet profiles like the "ball" bullets, they have heavy springs in
them.

The Para Warthog like the Zero's and other RN profile bullets.
It shoots and feeds the ole Speer Flying Ashtray bullets (200 JHP)


-Snoopz
 
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Try Bullseye. Start at 4.2 grains and work up to 4.6 grains max With a 200gr LSWC. It has worked at Camp Perry for decades. Taper crimp to a .470” mouth diameter and see if that doesn’t work.
WATCH OUT FOR DOUBLE-CHARGE LOADS,
They will ruin your day🤯
 
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You have to be in a fairly specific niche to consider it a good idea to modify your pistol because your ammunition is out of spec. I'll work on the ammo a long time before I resort to that.
 
Catfish said:
You have to be in a fairly specific niche to consider it a good idea to modify your pistol because your ammunition is out of spec. I'll work on the ammo a long time before I resort to that.
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agreed...Barrel was an older Colt NM, Ammo was Military Match. the rest of my barrels are untouched basically and all are Bar-Sto.
Should of clarified it better... with details

-Snoopz
 
Snoopz said:
View attachment 489757

I Will clear that part out "fixed"
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In over 50 years spent wrenchin' on the 1911 pistol, I've never had call to "open up" a breechface to cure a feed/RTB issue. They've all fallen between .482 and .486 inch. The problem isn't with the breechface guides. It's with the extractor. Specifically, excessive deflection...too much of the extractor tensioning wall laterally protruding into the breech area. It's a 15 minute fix with the proper file and knowing what needs to be done.

For what it's worth, I've seen this advice given a couple times. I put it right up there with "Polish the feed ramp" and "Use a heavier spring" every time a feed problem pops up.

So...still no. If a given lot of ammunition has out of spec case rims...change ammunition. Don't go whittling on the slide and/or frame to make the gun work with bad ammunition lest you create a problem with good ammunition.

Cheers
 
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MacEntyre said:
So, you mean you can't trust everything you read on the internet???

:(
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Mac...I've spent too much time and energy tryin' to straighten out problems that came from "How to" tutorials on the internet. In a way, I'm glad my eyes have given me an excuse to tell'em: "Sorry. wish I could help ya."
 
John Travis said:
Mac...I've spent too much time and energy tryin' to straighten out problems that came from "How to" tutorials on the internet. In a way, I'm glad my eyes have given me an excuse to tell'em: "Sorry. wish I could help ya."
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I met John thru this forum years ago, when I had strange problem with my 1911. He knew how to fix it in seconds and did so. When he speaks, I listen and don't argue.
 
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What's strange about that article is that it agrees with John about what caused the problem... then it offered a ridiculous solution, I suppose because they don't understand extractor tuning. I barely understand extractor tuning.
 
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MacEntyre said:
I suppose because they don't understand extractor tuning.
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What they don't understand is that extractor tuning often involves more than tension, and the ones who do hack up the extractor and bring on last round ejection problems in addition to the original problem often still in play.

Not too long ago, I had a Springfield Mil Spec on the table that had been back to the factory twice for intermittent failure to go to/return to battery. They'd done the usual...polish the feed ramp and breechface..."tune" the extractor, without resolving the problem.

The problem was excessive deflection...something I see more and more frequently over the last 20 years or so. Spent all of 15 minutes on it, including disassembly and reassembly. To the best of my knowledge, it hasn't missed a beat since.
 
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