Duplicating factory .45 acp - The Firearms Forum

azleite · 02-26-2011, 11:17 AM

Hi Folks, What would be a good powder charge using Win 231 with a 230grn FMJ to equal Winchester white box? I recently bought a new Springer Mil-Spec & it's too stiff to cycle my light load 200grn swc's.(I'm not looking for anything hot) Also what is a good OAL for this load? This pistol works great w/factory WWB. Thanks for any info-Dave

gdmoody · 02-26-2011, 11:27 AM

The maximum OAL for .45 ACP is 1.275, I have never used W231 on the .45ACP so I can't help you much there. I usually use 5.5 grains of Titegroup and have good results with it. If the light loads won't cycle the Springer, then you do need to go a little hotter.

TheGunClinger · 02-26-2011, 11:52 AM

Lee 2nd Edition:: 230g FMJ Minimum OAL 1.190 Max OAL 1.275
Win 231 Start 4.8g 740fps
Max 5.1g 785fps

TheRooster · 02-26-2011, 12:09 PM

What you could do is measure the OAL on a factory case, read the average fps on the box, then chrono your loads till you have as close to a factory load as you can.

Personally i don't handload for accuracy in pistols. All I do is take the lee .05cc scoop, dip it in Winchester Auto comp and call it good. It works good enough for this guy. It is a little hot but my Para eats it up.

JLA · 02-26-2011, 01:00 PM

1.272"

5.4 gr W231/HP38 or 5.0 gr Bullseye

Both will propel a 230 gr ball at 850

JLA · 02-26-2011, 01:02 PM

BTW, the 5.4 gr load of W231 under 230 gr ball in the .45ACP is Mike Venturinos go to load for 1911 .45ACP pistols...

mikld · 02-26-2011, 01:08 PM

Original factory loading for the 230 gr. RN is about 850 fps. Look in your manual for a load that duplicates that velocity...

TheGunClinger · 02-26-2011, 02:33 PM

Its kinda weird to look in my manuals and still see HP-38 and W231 listed with different data. Go figure. Hopefully in future manuals they will have addressed that issue so as not to confuse me.

azleite · 02-26-2011, 02:51 PM

Thanks Folks for the info-Dave

Popgunner · 02-26-2011, 03:19 PM

I wonder if Springfield offers a lighter spring for cast loads like I got with my Colt gold cup. They gave me a regular spring & also a green colored one that works great with light cast bullet loads.

woolleyworm · 02-26-2011, 03:33 PM

Work up a load with 231 in your gun and see what it likes; I do agree with JLA that 5.4gr is a great load for 230 ball, you'll probably end up somewhere around there. Who cares what WWB does, it's not that great; work up a AMB load !! ( Azleite My Box - others can go get their own

)

JLA · 02-26-2011, 04:21 PM

great advice worm

312shooter · 02-27-2011, 10:58 PM

I wonder if your springer needs a bit of breaking in, I shoot 4.5 gr bullseye/200gr plated SWC in my A1 and a wilson 18lb recoil spring produces no problems cycling. If reduced loads is what your after, buy a lower LB recoil spring to accomidate.

02-26-2011, 11:17 AM	#1
azleite V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: N. Texas Posts: 70	Duplicating factory .45 acp Hi Folks, What would be a good powder charge using Win 231 with a 230grn FMJ to equal Winchester white box? I recently bought a new Springer Mil-Spec & it's too stiff to cycle my light load 200grn swc's.(I'm not looking for anything hot) Also what is a good OAL for this load? This pistol works great w/factory WWB. Thanks for any info-Dave -->

02-26-2011, 11:27 AM	#2
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,407	Re: Duplicating factory .45 acp The maximum OAL for .45 ACP is 1.275, I have never used W231 on the .45ACP so I can't help you much there. I usually use 5.5 grains of Titegroup and have good results with it. If the light loads won't cycle the Springer, then you do need to go a little hotter. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

02-26-2011, 11:52 AM	#3
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,399	Re: Duplicating factory .45 acp Lee 2nd Edition:: 230g FMJ Minimum OAL 1.190 Max OAL 1.275 Win 231 Start 4.8g 740fps Max 5.1g 785fps __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

02-26-2011, 12:09 PM	#4
TheRooster V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 55	Re: Duplicating factory .45 acp What you could do is measure the OAL on a factory case, read the average fps on the box, then chrono your loads till you have as close to a factory load as you can. Personally i don't handload for accuracy in pistols. All I do is take the lee .05cc scoop, dip it in Winchester Auto comp and call it good. It works good enough for this guy. It is a little hot but my Para eats it up.

02-26-2011, 01:00 PM	#5
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Duplicating factory .45 acp 1.272" 5.4 gr W231/HP38 or 5.0 gr Bullseye Both will propel a 230 gr ball at 850 __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

02-26-2011, 01:02 PM	#6
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Duplicating factory .45 acp BTW, the 5.4 gr load of W231 under 230 gr ball in the .45ACP is Mike Venturinos go to load for 1911 .45ACP pistols... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

02-26-2011, 01:08 PM	#7
mikld Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 577	Re: Duplicating factory .45 acp Original factory loading for the 230 gr. RN is about 850 fps. Look in your manual for a load that duplicates that velocity... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast.

02-26-2011, 02:33 PM	#8
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,399	Re: Duplicating factory .45 acp Its kinda weird to look in my manuals and still see HP-38 and W231 listed with different data. Go figure. Hopefully in future manuals they will have addressed that issue so as not to confuse me. __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

02-26-2011, 02:51 PM	#9
azleite V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: N. Texas Posts: 70	Re: Duplicating factory .45 acp Thanks Folks for the info-Dave

02-26-2011, 03:19 PM	#10
Popgunner Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Contributor Posts: 1,764	Re: Duplicating factory .45 acp I wonder if Springfield offers a lighter spring for cast loads like I got with my Colt gold cup. They gave me a regular spring & also a green colored one that works great with light cast bullet loads.

02-26-2011, 03:33 PM	#11
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,888	Re: Duplicating factory .45 acp Work up a load with 231 in your gun and see what it likes; I do agree with JLA that 5.4gr is a great load for 230 ball, you'll probably end up somewhere around there. Who cares what WWB does, it's not that great; work up a AMB load !! ( Azleite My Box - others can go get their own ) __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

02-26-2011, 04:21 PM	#12
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Duplicating factory .45 acp great advice worm __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

02-27-2011, 10:58 PM	#13
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,158	Re: Duplicating factory .45 acp I wonder if your springer needs a bit of breaking in, I shoot 4.5 gr bullseye/200gr plated SWC in my A1 and a wilson 18lb recoil spring produces no problems cycling. If reduced loads is what your after, buy a lower LB recoil spring to accomidate. __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin