Conflicting info on 45acp

Good point.... I was thinking 185's in general....with HP38, it seems like 850-900 fps is the target and over 900 is hot.

Still, I would bet anything over 900 has crap for accuracy!
 
Last edited:
An XTP is jacketed. So is a 'JSWC'. Who made it or its shape doesn't matter.
Click to expand...

It can matter, using low loads should be fine but this is that odd one they list a narrow window for.

Various shapes have various differences in performance.
 
The JSWC only needs 5.0 grains af HP38 to cycle the gun, the XTP takes 5.5 grains to cycle my USP.
I can only imagine how hot the Hornady 185 JSWC is at 6.9 grains of HP38. I was really surprised to see those two bullets lumped together in the Hornady manual. (USA Load Books actually)
Click to expand...

Both Sierra and Hornady dump a lot of non common shape bullets into the same loading page.

While I like both manuals I always do some crass checking, more so if its that narrow a listing and not a wider range for a low start load.

It makes for an interesting read of the QL data in this case.
 
s8200 said:
I'm loading 45acp with 185gr xtp with HP38. The 3 books I own have conflicting info on how much powder to use.

Hornady: 6.5 - 6.9
Lyman: 3.5 - 5.8
Lee: does not have any HP38 for 185xtp but does have 5.0 - 5.9 for 185 jacketed

I took a guess and loaded some rounds at 5.0... will be testing them out this weekend.

What would you guys do?
Click to expand...
Here is my unscientific way :
get three or four max/min loads as you have done.
Add them all up and take the average , in this case : 6.5+6.9+3.5+5.8+5.0+5.9 = 33.6
33.6 divided by 6 = 5.6 grains. So my starting load would be 5.6.
I would load 10 or 15 each loaded with 5.5 , 5.6 and 5.7 grains and test them out at the range.
In the last 50 years I've found the middle of the road a good place to start...you notice 5.6 grains is not over any book's maximum load nor is it below any minimum load.
Experience has taught me those extremes are usually not the best and working up from the very absolute minimum is a waste of time powder and bullets. The middle is the baby bear place to start and most often is where I find my best loads.
Gary
 
I hate to point it out, buuuuuttttt.....

Nobody has yet to ask, or say what the Hodgdon manual says...

Don't just look to the bullet manufacturer, check out the powder manufacturer also.
 
gwpercle said:
Here is my unscientific way :
get three or four max/min loads as you have done.
Add them all up and take the average , in this case : 6.5+6.9+3.5+5.8+5.0+5.9 = 33.6
33.6 divided by 6 = 5.6 grains. So my starting load would be 5.6.
I would load 10 or 15 each loaded with 5.5 , 5.6 and 5.7 grains and test them out at the range.
In the last 50 years I've found the middle of the road a good place to start...you notice 5.6 grains is not over any book's maximum load nor is it below any minimum load.
Experience has taught me those extremes are usually not the best and working up from the very absolute minimum is a waste of time powder and bullets. The middle is the baby bear place to start and most often is where I find my best loads.
Gary
Click to expand...

The above averaging method puts the same weight on max charge as starting charge. Doesn't seem like a prudent way to establish a starting load.
 
There is an Internet Confusion that the manual's starting load is a minimum load. It is not, it is usually just 90% of the maximum. Except for Lyman who takes some bullet and powder combinations way low, down to 7000 psi.

I am regularly loading below book level .45 ACP to spare my arthritis.

A $100 chronograph is a big help. Do not be surprised if your velocity is below the book's or less than factory; but be concerned if you get higher velocity. It can be a sign of a tight chamber or barrel or some fluke in the components.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top