Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
Armory Sponsor
8/24/2009 12:49:19 PM EDT
I took my chrono to the range yesterday and ran a few different 45 ACP loads through it for giggles. I have never used it on any of my pistol rounds before so I am wondering about the results.

The loads were all 231 over CCI large pistol primers in various headstamps. It was about 72 degrees and low humidity (for KY in Aug). I ran 230 grain LRN, 200 grain flat point, and 200 grain LSWC. All loads had hand weighed charges. What suprised me was that each different load had an extreme spread of about 60 fps from high to low. I was not expecting it to vary that much. Is that what others typically see?
8/24/2009 1:36:46 PM EDT
[#1]
Yep, thats about what I see in revolver / pistol maybe even higher spreads with some loads.
8/24/2009 1:51:05 PM EDT
[#2]
I use the 231 powder with cast bullets in 45ACP too and get some what similar results.
Extremes are usually with in about 50 fps with standard or lower pressure loads.
As I pick up pressure/higher velocity the extreme get up inaround 70-80 fps.

My single favorite do-it-all load in 45ACP is 200gr SWC with 5.6 gr of 231 which gives around 900 fps out of my 1911A1 pistols.



8/24/2009 3:03:00 PM EDT
[#3]
Unless you trickled the charge out on a decent digital scale you'll find that W231 will easily throw .1gr high or low with most powder dispensers, even worse if it isn't vibrated down.

That accounts for some of the ES, but not all.

An ES of 60 isn't bad, but 50 is better.
8/24/2009 5:21:02 PM EDT
[#4]
I reviewed the data this evening...

230 LRN = avg 730 fps from 4.8 grains of 231
200 LFP = avg 814.5 fps from 5.6 grains of 231 EDIT: This is 100 fps second slower than Hodgdon's data says it should be.

The chrono was about 3 to 4 paces in front of me.

Both of these loads seem to shoot well at 15 yards and function in all my .45s
8/24/2009 6:05:46 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
I reviewed the data this evening...

230 LRN = avg 730 fps from 4.8 grains of 231
200 LFP = avg 814.5 fps from 5.6 grains of 231 EDIT: This is 100 fps second slower than Hodgdon's data says it should be.

The chrono was about 3 to 4 paces in front of me.

Both of these loads seem to shoot well at 15 yards and function in all my .45s


You are comparing apples to oranges......what Hodgdon got was with their equipment.....and they do tate the bbl length used in
their data work up.  But, they do not state whose 200gr LSWC they used  and nor did you.

Cartridge Information
Case:  Winchester Barrel Length:  5"
Twist:  1:16" Trim Length:  .893"
Primer:  FEDERAL 150  
   
45 ACP
Cartridge Load Data Starting Loads

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Maximum Loads

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Bullet Weight (Gr.) Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure
230 GR. HDY FMJ FP  231  .451"  1.200"  4.2  751  13,800 CUP  5.3  832  16,800 CUP  
230 GR. LRN  231  .452"  1.200"  4.3  699  12,200 CUP  5.3  834  16,900 CUP  

Cartridge Information
Case:  Winchester Barrel Length:  5"
Twist:  1:16" Trim Length:  .893"
Primer:  FEDERAL 150  
   
45 ACP
Cartridge Load Data Starting Loads

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Maximum Loads

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Bullet Weight (Gr.) Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure
200 GR. CAST LSWC  231  .451"  1.225"  4.4  771  11,000 CUP  5.6  914  16,900 CUP  
200 GR. SPR JHP  231  .451"  1.155"  5.2  794  12,700 CUP  5.9  906  16,700 CUP  

Armory Sponsor