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Looking for ballistics on a pipsqueak 45 ACP loading

820 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Pyrite, Oct 24, 2021

Pyrite

Discussion Starter · Oct 20, 2021

I've googled as much data as I can think of. Still didnl't find a ballistics calculator that I can enter variables in.

I am curious what my target loads of 3.5 gr. Bullseye and a 185 gr. semi wadcutter is doing.
I know it's accurate.

Any suggestions or answers?

Thanks.

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Firpo

· #2 · Oct 20, 2021

When you say “what it’s doing” are you asking for a muzzle velocity or something else? Just find any 185 grain bullet and the charge you’re using in your manual and that should get you pretty close.

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Pyrite

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 20, 2021 (Edited)

velocity and energy

Whoops, just found velocity. 826 FPS

.45 acp Load Data

A database of .45 acp handloads.

www.powderthrough.com

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A Ven

· #4 · Oct 21, 2021

Prrite that is a great load I use the same load for both 45 ACP and 9MM. Doesn't pound the frame and easy to control.

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Pyrite

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 21, 2021

A Ven said:
Prrite that is a great load I use the same load for both 45 ACP and 9MM. Doesn't pound the frame and easy to control.

It's strange that the standard ballistics for factory loads reads:

"The typical . 45 ACP load is a 230-grain bullet fired at 830 fps for about 355 foot-pounds of muzzle energy."

So they're saying our TARGET loads exceed the velocity of factory hardball.

That don't make no sense!

But.... bullet weight....
Gotta delve further into this.

In ...MY... gun, factory hardball ejects cases 12 FEET or so....and...
......this 3.5 Bullseye just drops em at my feet.

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Old School or Nothing

· #6 · Oct 21, 2021 (Edited)

Search "ballistics calculator" and select hornady's site. It lets you enter FPS, BC, and bullet weight and is't set up for only a particular bullet or factory load.

It will give you drop, energy, and fps in what ever interval you enter and you can also put in your site above bore and zero range.

Its a calculator so isnt 100% accurate on drop but it will be close as any other calculator and its free.

The problem with calculators is you have to select g1 or g7 bullet type and no bullet actually fits into either but the projectile type will have the BC based on either or and most are given as g1 by the manufacturer.

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GigG

· #7 · Oct 21, 2021

Pyrite said:
"The typical . 45 ACP load is a 230-grain bullet fired at 830 fps for about 355 foot-pounds of muzzle energy."

So they're saying our TARGET loads exceed the velocity of factory hardball.

But a 185 Grn bullet is much lighter than a 230 grn one.

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Old School or Nothing

· #8 · Oct 21, 2021 (Edited)

GigG said:
But a 185 Grn bullet is much lighter than a 230 grn one.

The original military ball ammo was 230 grain FMJ at 850 fps from a 5" 1911 service pistol. You can get that with w231/true blue/blue dot and stay under max std pressure.

I find 230 grain cast TC w/ no2 lyman alloy works well at 860 fps ave in my 1911 colt gov mdl. 1-1/2" at 25yrds and at point of aim. SD is around 10fps. Constaint bullet weight, a close OAL, and accurate charge weight is required in all small charge cases plus you have to use the same type brass with good flash holes if you want tight groups. The smaller the case the more precise you have to be with your loading process.

The biggest issue I see with all selling points for ammo based on fps, energy, and bc is that they do not consider inerita. The heavier the bullet you use the more "I will keep going" it will have. Thats why the military spec was for a heavy bullets during T Roservelt. The 7mm freaked them out though and now they are stuck with itty bitty bullets that go fast. None of the buffalo bullets of days gone by would pass the high vel smell test of today but all the buffalos got gone. ? A 500 grain bullet does misterious things even at 1200 fps.

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gwpercle

· #9 · Oct 22, 2021

The lowest charge I can find is 3.8 grains Bullseye , 185 gr. cast SWC , 5 " bbl = 685 fps
Drop 0.3 grains to 3.5 and you probably have at best 640 to 650 fps ! Typically 0.1 grain Bullseye = 20 fps , although not exactly a unilinear reduction ...it's close
dropping 3 grains = 50 to 60 fps loss ... 685 fps - 50 fps = 635 fps ... maybe 640 or 650 fps tops .

In my experience a 185 gr. bullet at 650 fps isn't going to work a 1911 slide ... you must be shooting a revolver ?
Gary

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Pyrite

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 22, 2021

gwpercle said:
The lowest charge I can find is 3.8 grains Bullseye , 185 gr. cast SWC , 5 " bbl = 685 fps
Drop 0.3 grains to 3.5 and you probably have at best 640 to 650 fps ! Typically 0.1 grain Bullseye = 20 fps , although not exactly a unilinear reduction ...it's close
dropping 3 grains = 50 to 60 fps loss ... 685 fps - 50 fps = 635 fps ... maybe 640 or 650 fps tops .

In my experience a 185 gr. bullet at 650 fps isn't going to work a 1911 slide ... you must be shooting a revolver ?
Gary

It started out working a Gold Cup just fine. Great, in fact.
Also runs the Govt model just as well.

12 # springs of course.

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gwpercle

· #11 · Oct 22, 2021

Pyrite said:
It started out working a Gold Cup just fine. Great, in fact.
Also runs the Govt model just as well.

12 # springs of course.

I see , 12# springs explain it ... I shoot an AMT Hardballer , Colt Gold Cup and Colt Commander all with stock 16# springs ... I can't get away with loading them that light . The 16# spring came stock in the Gold Cup which surprised me ... target gun and all ... 12# spring allows some light target loads , may have to give that weight a try ! I enjoy light target loads ... thanks for the infomation !
The AMT Hardballer and Colt Commander get a little hardball ammo run through them now and again so I'll just leave them alone .

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howlnmad

· #12 · Oct 22, 2021

Not sure what spring RIA puts in their Gov model 1911, but mine shoots 185 SWC without a hick-up.

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Pyrite

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 23, 2021

gwpercle said:
I see , 12# springs explain it ... I shoot an AMT Hardballer , Colt Gold Cup and Colt Commander all with stock 16# springs ... I can't get away with loading them that light . The 16# spring came stock in the Gold Cup which surprised me ... target gun and all ... 12# spring allows some light target loads , may have to give that weight a try ! I enjoy light target loads ... thanks for the infomation !
The AMT Hardballer and Colt Commander get a little hardball ammo run through them now and again so I'll just leave them alone .

Tested a new batch of reloads just this morning.
Functioning great. Very very accurate in both Gold Cup and Govt.
Both series 70.

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Pyrite

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 24, 2021 (Edited)

Looking through a 1951 Gun Digest (yeh, I collect em) in the ammo table I saw a 45 ACP 185 gr "Target Master" listed.
No ballistics but I bet it was close to what I am loading.

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