Who makes the hottest .45 acp ball?
- Thread starter MP-44
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bamaranger
New member
video
It may depend a bit on your specific gun. However, I just watched a video recently by Paul Harrel, and W-W white box tested high by a bit in all 3 guns he tried.
It may depend a bit on your specific gun. However, I just watched a video recently by Paul Harrel, and W-W white box tested high by a bit in all 3 guns he tried.
Problem with looking for a "hot" 45ACP load is that most 45 ACP ball ammo is loaded to the old military specs, so deviation between companiwes is low due to the standard of 230 gr FMJ at 850-900ish fps. Companies like CorBon and Bufflao Bore load them hot, just most don't due to the most common firearm they are chambered for, the 1911 pistol.
It was not 850-900 fps. I read a contract specification sheet dated 1968 (while I was in Vietnam) and the velocity was specified as 830 fps, +- 15 fps. That gives a range of 815 to 845. Original Ball from 1911-1912 was claimed to be 820 fps. A year or so back I chronographed current production Federal Ball and it was ~865 fps so some of today's Ball is hotter than original.
I have to say I do not understand the need or desire for the "hottest ball". The 1911 and the 45 ACP cartridge made its legendary reputation for stopping with standard pressure and performance Ball ammo, however YMMV!
Dave
From TM 43-0001-27, ARMY AMMUNITION DATA SHEETS, SMALL CALIBER AMMUNITION FSC 1305 dated April 1994, page 8-13,
Cartridge, Caliber .45, Ball, M1911:
Use:
Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M3A1; and Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911A1. The cartridge is intended for use against personnel.
Description:
BALL Cartridge. The cartridge is identified by the plain bullet tip.
Propellant:
Type ------------ SR 7970
Weight---------- 5 gr
Performance:
Chamber pressure----- 19,000 psi
Velocity ---------------- 885 ± 25 fps, 25.5 ft from muzzle
That compares with current SAAMI specs for the 45acp of 21,000 psi and 45 acp+P of 23,000 psi.
Cartridge, Caliber .45, Ball, M1911:
Use:
Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M3A1; and Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911A1. The cartridge is intended for use against personnel.
Description:
BALL Cartridge. The cartridge is identified by the plain bullet tip.
Propellant:
Type ------------ SR 7970
Weight---------- 5 gr
Performance:
Chamber pressure----- 19,000 psi
Velocity ---------------- 885 ± 25 fps, 25.5 ft from muzzle
That compares with current SAAMI specs for the 45acp of 21,000 psi and 45 acp+P of 23,000 psi.
Cheapshooter
New member
Check them here.
https://www.midwayusa.com/45-acp/br...%7C1&Ntpc=1&Ntpr=1&customerSelectedSort=False
Claimed velocity from 830 fps to the highest for Federal American Eagle at 890fps.
Your target isn't going to know the difference in 60 fps if there actually a difference because who knows what parameters are used in their testing.
So I guess if it makes you feel better thinking you have the "hottest" 45 ACP fmj factory ammo, get the American Eagle.
https://www.midwayusa.com/45-acp/br...%7C1&Ntpc=1&Ntpr=1&customerSelectedSort=False
Claimed velocity from 830 fps to the highest for Federal American Eagle at 890fps.
Your target isn't going to know the difference in 60 fps if there actually a difference because who knows what parameters are used in their testing.
So I guess if it makes you feel better thinking you have the "hottest" 45 ACP fmj factory ammo, get the American Eagle.
I'm not particularly an expert,and I could be wrong...
But since you specify "Ball" ,here are my thoughts. Hardball just punches a hole. Typically ball is 230 gr. The ammo manufacturer s limited to < SAAMI max pressure.
I doubt any target will notice the small velocity advantage any non-boutique factory load will give you. You might gain a small percentage of barrier penetration.
It might be good to select a load proven reliable in your handgun,but 35 or 40 fps just is not significant return .
But since you specify "Ball" ,here are my thoughts. Hardball just punches a hole. Typically ball is 230 gr. The ammo manufacturer s limited to < SAAMI max pressure.
I doubt any target will notice the small velocity advantage any non-boutique factory load will give you. You might gain a small percentage of barrier penetration.
It might be good to select a load proven reliable in your handgun,but 35 or 40 fps just is not significant return .
Cheapshooter
New member
"Ball" in 45 ACP being most often considered target ammo, and prone to serious over penetration without much tissue damage when used for SD, why the interest in who makes the hottest?
BE CAREFUL!!! Unless the entire case is suportted,
you may blow the case out of the 1911 type barrel as the feed ramp does not
fully support the case.
the .45 ACP is capable of one shot stops BUT you have to place in correctly.
Continue using standard hardball and practise at a bowling pin shoot, to work on shoot placement.
you may blow the case out of the 1911 type barrel as the feed ramp does not
fully support the case.
the .45 ACP is capable of one shot stops BUT you have to place in correctly.
Continue using standard hardball and practise at a bowling pin shoot, to work on shoot placement.
possible with any round but rarely an issue with .45ACP.
"Standard ball" is rarely allowed at bowling pin shoots due to the hard round nose tendency to "skid off" the rounded surface of the pins.
If you want the "hottest" 230gr FMJ around, go get a .45 Win Mag. 230gr @ 1500fps!
of course, there's no free lunch, the guns are bigger, heavier and more expensive...Aguila Blanca
Staff
According to the Sight 1911 web site, the original .45 ACP adopted by the government had a velocity of 830 feet-per-second. That's what I have always considered to be the benchmark.
http://sightm1911.com/Care/45acp.htm
According to the Basic Field Manual FM 23-35, the nominal velocity was 800 feet-per-second:
http://sightm1911.com/manual/Untitled-24.htm
http://sightm1911.com/Care/45acp.htm
According to the Basic Field Manual FM 23-35, the nominal velocity was 800 feet-per-second:
http://sightm1911.com/manual/Untitled-24.htm