160 grain .45 acp?

S

Super-Dave

New member
Whats the highest velocity you can get a 160 grain .45 acp out of standard pressure and then +p pressure? 5" barrel of course.

I am not a reloader so I have no idea.
 
The highest velocity factory-loaded .45 ACP ammo in that weight range that I know of is Cor-Bon's 165grn JHP which is rated at 1250fps from a 5" barrel. In perusing handloads.com, that seems to be about the upper end of velocity for bullets in that weight range.
 
Corbon makes a 165gr JHP .45 ACP that does 1250 fps from a 5" barrel
Penetration is about 2"
Click to expand...

Penetration of 165grn JHP's isn't as poor as you might think. A quick perusal of the gelatin tests over at brassfetcher show that of the 3 165grn loadings tested (Federal Hydra-Shok, Federal EFMJ, Cor-Bon Pow'RBall) in bare gelatin shows anywhere from 9-14.6" of penetration with the average being 10-11". While this may not be as deep as many (myself included) might like, it's still a good bit better than it's often made out to be.
 
If Double Tap can get 1225 fps for 185 grain bullet (not even +p .45 acp) I thought for sure you could get 1300-1350 fps for a 160 grain bullet.
 
The 165gr DPX has a bullet length and sectional density that's the same or similar as 185gr lead-core JHP bullets, and does not have the underpenetration issues that the lead-core 165gr JHP bullets have. Remember, copper isn't as dense as lead..

I am highly doubtful of Double Tap's posted velocity and terminal ballistic claims - people on other sites have chrono'd their loads and fell short of what DT produced.

230gr bullets have a most excellent reputation, and i see no need for a 165gr JHP loading. Exactly what niche does it fill?

Want high velocity? Get a .357 Sig, 10mm or 7.62x25
 
The only 160grn loading that Double Tap lists uses the all-copper Barnes XPB bullet. Because copper is less dense than lead, an all copper bullet of a given caliber must be longer than a traditional lead-core bullet of the same weight. Because all cartridges have maximum overall length requirements, the longer bullet must be seated deeper in the cartridge case than a shorter, lead-core bullet. The deeper seating depth reduces powder capacity and tusly less powder can be safely used. This is why so many loadings with all-copper bullets either use rather light-for-caliber bullets or are do not attain as high velocities as lead-core bullets of comparable weight.

Really, I agree with Rampant Colt about 165grn .45 ACP loadings. The main advantage of the .45 ACP, in my opinion, is that you can use heavier bullets and thusly negate the need for extremely high velocities. A 200-230grn +P loading can give you roughly the same energy levels as a fast 165grn loading but will typically penetrate better and have less concussive muzzle blast.

In nearly every cartridge, you will eventually reach a point of diminishing return when it comes to velocity. A given weight bullet can only be driven so fast and stay within safe pressures. In order to get higher velocity without increasing pressure to unsafe levels, bullet weight must be reduced. If you keep reducing weight and increasing velocity, two things will eventually happen. First, you will eventually reach velocities that are beyond the bullet design's capabilities and you will have issues with overexpansion and fragmentation. Secondly, your energy-to-momentum ratio will become so large that penetration will become quite shallow.

I agree with Rampant Colt in that if high velocity is what you're after, you'd be better served by a different cartridge such as .357 Magnum or 10mm Auto which has bullets available which are designed to hold up to very high velocity. The .45 ACP, in my opinion, is best with 185grn or heavier bullets with 200-230grn bullets being preferable.
 
If you are looking for higher FPS go with a 40 S&W or 357mag. Just curious as to why you are interested in all the speed of the bullets?
 
Super-Dave, why do you want to know? Asking a question like that without having any reason for asking it isn't logical.
 
Because if I ask my wife these questions she will say "I don't know".

People here actually have answers sometimes

I thought a 160 grain copper bullet out of .45 acp going 1350 fps would be a good idea.

I guess the opinion here is that it is stupid.:(
 
I really can't help you on the 160 I mostly shoot 230 ball :o My 1911 is old and hates HP.

I was merely inquiring if you where a newer gun owner, just curious, or getting into hand loading. That is all. I said before I meant no offense.
 
super Dave

I have a super idea and I'm not being a smart ass or trying to offend so here goes. I know you don't reload but here is a cool opportunity to start a couple of cool hobbies. First lee make a .45 16o grain rnfp bullet mold you can pick it up at midway right now for about 16 bucks get a reloading kit I think lee has a starter kit for around 100 bucks. Now with lead you should be able to get better penetration and with reloading you can tailor your load to go as fast or slow as you want and believe it or not you can push lead very fast and not have to deal with leading. Btw I've read lots of guys are shooting that lee160 grain bullet out of their autoloaders with no problem
 
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