I just purchased my first pistol (Kimber Custom Classic)and want to start reloading for it. Does anyone have a favorite, clean load for the .45 185 gr Hornady XTP HP? I can't seem to find one in my books. Is it safe to use a load for a Speer Gold dot of the same weight/configuration and cut it by 5 or 10 percent to start with?
Does anyone have a favorite, clean load for the .45 185 gr Hornady XTP HP? I can't seem to find one in my books. Is it safe to use a load for a Speer Gold dot of the same weight/configuration and cut it by 5 or 10 percent to start with?
To suggest that jacketed-bullet data is interchangeable is utterly irresponsible; jacketed bullets are not alike except perhaps in weight (but better weigh some to check).
There will indeed be some variation in load recipes for some 185 grain bullets, but, I doubt you'll find all that much difference "start charge/max charge" in most "185 JHP" recipes for the XTP...
You are much more likely to see a difference using different loading manual sources (who's max charge is right, Winchester or Hornady?? Or Sierra? Or Lyman??) than with different manufacturer's JHP bullets....
With the .45acp's 'massive" 14k-18 k pressure range, it just won't matter "much" unless using near max charges in searching for the elusive load that safely reaches 1200 feet/sec with 185 grain bullet at 18k psi...it ain't happening within normal pressure constraints....!
Ultimately, if using charges near the middle 1/3 of established manuals/sources, it's honestly hard to screw up a .45 acp reload set to 1.24" OAL or so! (I certainly don't pay attention to brass headstamp or primer selection as being that critical in a .45 acp reload)
Unique, or 231, neither are disasters waiting to happen with sensible loads!
To suggest that jacketed-bullet data is interchangeable is utterly irresponsible; jacketed bullets are not alike except perhaps in weight (but better weigh some to check).
The bullseye guys are using the Nosler 185 JHP over N310 powder - there are stories about that being the most accurate load found for the 45acp. N310 powder is very clean.
These are usually light loads - the Marine shooting team load is suppose to be 4.1g of N310 - I've seen where 4.4g of N310 shot very good groups.
These loads would require a lighter spring. I tried the Marine load but couldn't get reliable functioning even with an 8 lb spring which was disappointing since the load was very accurate.
I'm not sure what the max load using N310 powder and a 185JHP would be.
And more importantly I don't know how the Nosler compares to the XTP - that would require careful load development.
I've shot a lot of the 185g Noslers over 5 or 5.2g of N320 - very good accuracy and very clean - N320 is a tad slower that N310 and very similar to Win 231 as far a charge weights.
Thank you for the responses. I'm still in the process of getting all of my equipment (a chronograph is next) and appreciate everyone's input on the proper load recipes. I received my .45 ACP "Loadbook" yesterday and had a chance to look through it. Hornady makes the statement that "Bullseye, Unique, and N320 performed best with the lighter bullets" yet they don't have a load using Unique until you get to their 230 gr bullets. Bullseye and W231 seem to be the most common powders used in the lighter bullets from all manufacturers.
I think I'll get a pound of Bullseye, Titegroup, and W231, some CCI 300 and Federal 150 primers, clean my brass and have it at.
Browsing through my new "Loadbook", I found the following loads for 900 fps, 185 gr bullets:
These are in the middle range of the Hornady recommend range for 185 XTP HP and SWC (Fed 150 primers):
Titegroup - 5.5 gr (6.6 max)
Bullseye - 5.7 gr (7.0 max)
W231 - 6.3 gr (7.2 max)
Going to the Sierra 185 JHP and FPJ Match bullets at 900 fps lists (Fed 150 primers):
Titegroup - 5.5 gr (6.2 max)
Bullseye - 5.3 gr (5.6 max)
W231 - 6.0 gr (6.3 max)
Looking at the Speer 185 gr GD-HP loads (CCI 300 primers):
Titegroup - no load shown
Bullseye - 5.7 gr @ 874 fps (6.4 max)
W231 - 6.6 gr @ 837 fps (7.4 max)
Nosler 185 gr HP (Fed 150 primers):
Titegroup - no load shown
Bullseye - 4.9 @ 780 fps (5.4 max)
W231 - 5.6 @ 747 fps (6.1 max)
Conclusion: all 185 jacketed loads are not created equal but a few are very similar.
Looking at the Winchester powder site I see that they have a load for the Hornady 185 gr. JSWC using W231, 5.0 gr @ 762 fps with a max. of 5.9 gr @ 906 fps. Hornady recommends the same loads for both their 185 HP-XTP and SWC of W231, 6.3 gr @ 900 fps with a max of 7.2 @ 1000 fps. That seems like a big discrepancy to me. Who do you trust?
Bullseye, W231, and Titegroup are ranged at the 'fast' burn rate end of the available choices; not recommended for maximum-velocity ammo.
'Medium' rate powders can often provide more reliable, safer, more accurate ammo under the lighter bullets.
I suggest instead of Bullseye you buy a lb of Alliant Power Pistol.
Or HS6.
Or AA5.
W231 is a standard 45 ACP powder, with many uses (I've used it under bullets weighing from 165g up to 252g).
Titegroup has its fans, although I don't care for its case-sooting nature.
Bullseye is often capable of producing superior accuracy, but at the expense of cleanliness.
Titegroup.
W231.
AA5 / HS6 / Power Pistol.
Check your burn-rate chart(s).........
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