Some opinions on .45 ACP powder for 3.5" bbl

[Damascus]

I just got a new pistol for carry, a Kimber Ultra CDP II. It's a sub-compact with a 3.5" bbl (IIRC). I've loaded for .45 for a while, but always for my full size 5" pistols, and I have only used AA No.7, Power Pistol, and Unique (although I don't like it).

I don't load "light target" loads, I load everything full power. I am looking to develop a load for this compact for carry/defense use. Velocity is paramount. I am going to be developing around the Hornady 185gr. XTP, and maybe a couple 200gr. bullets, after I obtain some for testing. I am shooting better groups (factory ammo) with this compact with 185 grainers, namely Hornady Critical Defense 185's.
I got a free coupon for 500 free Speer bullets, and am going to order 500 of their 185gr. Gold Dots as well, but should accept similar load data to the 185 XTPs.

Any advice/suggestions/opinions are greatly appreciated!

 

[Trickymissfit]

I just got a new pistol for carry, a Kimber Ultra CDP II. It's a sub-compact with a 3.5" bbl (IIRC). I've loaded for .45 for a while, but always for my full size 5" pistols, and I have only used AA No.7, Power Pistol, and Unique (although I don't like it).

I don't load "light target" loads, I load everything full power. I am looking to develop a load for this compact for carry/defense use. Velocity is paramount. I am going to be developing around the Hornady 185gr. XTP, and maybe a couple 200gr. bullets, after I obtain some for testing. I am shooting better groups (factory ammo) with this compact with 185 grainers, namely Hornady Critical Defense 185's.
I got a free coupon for 500 free Speer bullets, and am going to order 500 of their 185gr. Gold Dots as well, but should accept similar load data to the 185 XTPs.

Any advice/suggestions/opinions are greatly appreciated!

try AA #5 with a 185 grain or 200 grain bullet.
gary

 

[kennygss]

try AA #5 with a 185 grain or 200 grain bullet.
gary

I still like the unique at about 7 grains. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Damascus]

I thought about AA No.5, since I figured my short barrel would benefit from a faster powder than my normal No.7... However, I have heard that No.5 is extremely temperature sensitive....

I forgot to mention, I want a load/powder that isn't too temp sensitive, since living here in the N.C. mountains, sometimes the mornings are 30*F, and get up to 60 - 65*F by 2pm... (lately), usually winter stays around 15*F - 40*F, and summer 75*F - 90*F... so temp fluctuations are pretty bad.

Do you get severe temp sensitivity with AA #5?

 

[moosekiller99]

I've been using Winchester WSF with 185 grain XTP's in my Kimber Ultra Carry. 7.7 grains functions well. I use a 185 grain LSWC with WST for my plinking and practice round.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

try AA #5 with a 185 grain or 200 grain bullet.
gary

#1 on the AA#5
or hs6-- that'll put the pills out pretty well too.

 

[johnnyk]

I am shooting the 230gn XTP in my Kimber Pro Carry II (4") using 8.1gn of Power Pistol/WLP. Chrono's at 916fps and usually stays under 2" at 25yds. I practice with these but use factory ammo (Corbon DPX 185gn) for carry.
I trust my reloads but don't want/need the possible litigation that the CC forum guys say could occur should I shoot someone using a max power load. JohnnyK.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I use power pistol

 

[Trickymissfit]

I still like the unique at about 7 grains. Your mileage may vary.

I used to use that powder, but it just burn so dirty. I tried others here and there, and happened upon the Accurate brand by chance. In a 3.5" barrel the AA #2 and #5 would be my absolute choices. #7 and #9 are too slow for the 45acp, and they burn extremely clean in my 45LC's.
gary

 

[Trickymissfit]

I thought about AA No.5, since I figured my short barrel would benefit from a faster powder than my normal No.7... However, I have heard that No.5 is extremely temperature sensitive....

I forgot to mention, I want a load/powder that isn't too temp sensitive, since living here in the N.C. mountains, sometimes the mornings are 30*F, and get up to 60 - 65*F by 2pm... (lately), usually winter stays around 15*F - 40*F, and summer 75*F - 90*F... so temp fluctuations are pretty bad.

Do you get severe temp sensitivity with AA #5?

I've never shot #2, and don't own any. But do own #5,#7,and #9. Never noticed much difference with outside temperatures and the powders. I do load some fairly heavy loads out of #7 and #9. We have similar temperature ranges here (usually a 20 to 25 degree difference from early morning too late afternoon
gary

 

[Trickymissfit]

#1 on the AA#5
or hs6-- that'll put the pills out pretty well too.

second the HS6
gary

 

[wyomingblizzard]

When I was shooting in hand gun compation I alway used clays in my 45 acp. So I still use it in my practice loads. A legal expert told me it is best in a defencive situation to only use factory loaded ammo. This is due to the invesagators ability to duplicate balistics and no one can say you were useing special "killer loads". I will believe him, he has both defendant and prosecuted such cases. I use 200 grn. Gold dots out of a oficers model for my carry load.

 

[diriel]

AA #5 and Win 231/hp38 are two of my go to combinations for std velocity / utility and overall stability. That being said...I do still use good old Unique some times as well

P.S. By the way if you plan on carry for protection I will 2nd what Wyomingblizzard said. Now for practice I shoot what is economical, even if an LE friend of mine told me to NEVER EVER shoot anything but pure factory in a real deal carry pistol. He keeps 2 identical pistols, one with a horridly Orange Painted grip for practice

 

[Damascus]

I know about the "handloads for defense" controversy, I read Ayoob's article.. I'm just one of those stubborn old pricks who wants that extra little bit of accuracy from my handloads to be able to still hit the S.O.B. 35 yards away as he's trying to run away LOL. Eh' really though, my pistol likes Hornady Critical Defense 185's and Hornady Custom 185 XTPs, but I dont like the prices! So thata why I was looking to duplicate those ... Also, I generally have an AR or 12 in the vehicle with me 99% of the time, so if I get into a fight bad enough to actually need my concealed sidearm, the court's opinion of my selected load is the least of my worries lol... thats another conversation altogether.
Today, I tried some Power Pistol and Universal... Powerpistol shot great, but I was unhappy with the velocity- just too slow... behaves almost exactly like the No.7 I tried previously. The Universal, when I got hot with it, got great speed, but accuracy was for crap. Im wanting some No.5 and HS6, but was sold out.
Anyone tried IMR 4759 in .45? They had a ton of that in stock, and Ive tried it in 10mm and .357 Sig, and never liked it very much.
Thanks for all the input! This is my first go at loading for something with such a short barrel - Im generally a rifle-only guy.