.45 ACP Reloading Question

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 10:34 pm

I normally stick with the 200 grain bullets when reloading for the .45 ACP. My pet load for this is 5.3 grains of W231 and a Missouri Bullet Co 200 Grain RNFP. Recently I came across a sale of 230 grain FMJ bullets I loaded them with 4.8 grains of Titegroup. Yesterday, I made it to the range and got to shoot a few magazines full. The bullets seemed to hold a decent group 6" at 15 yards but when compared to the 200 grain bullets, they seemed to key hole or possibly were tumbling when they hit. The COL for the 230 grain is 1.250. Feel free to suggest a pet load or speculate on why they might have been tumbling.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 1:01 am

Were the 230 grainers .451 or .452? I usually strive about 850-900 fps out of my 5" 45 ACPs. never had any issues with keyholing or poor accuracy.

Did you have any leading in your barrel... (not knowing how hard your bullets were).

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 2:20 am

FWIW, I only change one thing at a time.....go back to the 231, and try again.

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 10:22 am

Griff, good point, I will have to meaure with my calipers. Blaine, excellent point, KISS has always worked for me. Keeping changes simple goes a long ways when you try to figure out what went wrong.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 11:01 am

Then too, there are those days, when I don't seemingly have to aim to shoot ten rings, and others where... let's just say it's like WORK!

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 12:42 pm

Well IMO, keeping 10 shots in a 6" bullseye is acceptable for me at 15 yards. I just found it odd to see the bullets key holing. I think you hit the nail on the head with the bullet diameter. The 230 grain FMJ are Barry's Plated Bullets. I normally use Missouri Bullet Co 200 grain RNFP. I definately think I get better accuracy with Missouri Bullets. I will measure the diameteters when I get home from work.

Catshooter · Post by **Catshooter** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 7:16 pm

Too small a bullet can keyhole because it didn't get stabilized by the rifling like it would have if it had been big enough. Doesn't always take much either.

Some calipers can measure accurately enough, some can't.

Cat

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:33 pm

I checked the diameter last night. It measured right at .450 with my calipers.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:10 pm

horsesoldier03 wrote:I checked the diameter last night. It measured right at .450 with my calipers.

Yep, I think that's the problem right there... should not be less than .451, most preferably .4515 or .452.

carbluesnake · Post by **carbluesnake** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:51 pm

Your bullet diameter certainly seems to be the culprit. Loads that I have used over the years are: 6.7 gr. Unique w/ 200 gr. WC., and my old standby is 5.4 gr. Bullseye with either 200 gr. WC or the 230 gr. RN. They shoot very well. A light load of Bullsye, 3.5 - 3.7gr. w/ 200 gr. WC is what I used in Nat'l Match competition. Unique load runs the 200 at about 930fps, The Bullseye load runs a 200 at 890 fps, and the light Bullseye load runs the 200 at 730 fps.

Thunder50 · Post by **Thunder50** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 12:09 am

Calipers can get you real close, but can be off a few thousandths. Do you have a micrometer? If so, check the diameter with it and see if it isn't different.

mikld · Post by **mikld** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:54 am

Every reloader should have a decent micrometer, 1", and a dial caliper, 6". The first thing to do when sumpin' don't fit; measure! Before any lead bullets are loaded; measure. Many, many fewer headaches...

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 1:31 pm

Nope, I do not have a micrometer, I do have a dial caliper. I do not cast bullets so I typically buy what is available on the shelf. This was the first time I have ever purchased this brand of bullets. I guess I need to stick with the brands I know.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 1:41 pm

At .450, those 230s are undersized for anything...you might be able to get your money back......

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 1:44 pm

BlaineG wrote:At .450, those 230s are undersized for anything...you might be able to get your money back......

That's exactly what I was thinking.

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 1:50 pm

sore shoulder wrote:
BlaineG wrote:At .450, those 230s are undersized for anything...you might be able to get your money back......
That's exactly what I was thinking.

I only bought a package of 250. It groups close enough for good range fodder. I will stick with the companies that I know to cast to proper size in the future.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 2:26 pm

mikld wrote:Every reloader should have a decent micrometer, 1", and a well-made steel dial caliper, 6". The first thing to do when sumpin' don't fit; measure! Before any lead bullets are loaded; measure. Many, many fewer headaches...

There, fixed that for ya!

Thunder50 wrote:Calipers can get you real close, but can be off a few thousandths. Do you have a micrometer? If so, check the diameter with it and see if it isn't different.

Those plastic things they call dial calipers, yes... good quality expensive steel dial calipers... no so much a problem. I have three, a RCBS, some made in China thing and a Mititoyo (sp?), that cost an arm & leg 30 years ago... it's never off. Even the RCBS unit is good quality... and easier to read without a magnifying glass. My son has a Starrett digital... as long as the battery is good, it reads accurately.

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