Load for E3 with 230 gr coated

[Huskyrider]

Looking for a good uspsa major load for 45acp. With E3 powder and 230 precision coated bullet.5 inch 2011

[johnmyster]

I'm about to swap WST from the powder hopper to begin a workup of e3 for 200g swc.  Internet research and those that have gone before says I'll wind up around 4.0-4.2 gr for 165+ PF (825 fps).

 

Alliant once advocated using red dot data for e3 in pistol.  For red dot, the 230 grain published max load is what, 5.1 grains for 840 fps?  To get 725 fps, a quick search says you might wind up around 4.0 grains.

 

I'm not experienced with red dot (or E3) so I can't comment on how consistent they are at lighter loads...sounds like we'll both be finding out.  Member zzt is getting really consistent chrono resutls with an even lighter 200 gr load (~725 fps) for bullseye use.

 

Please keep us informed as to where your start and what the results are.

Edited September 19, 2020 by johnmyster

[zzt]

If you have other bullet weights to choose from I'd suggest 185 or 200.  230s push to muzzle too high, so follow up shots are slower.  I tried 230s several times with various powders and always dropped them.  For me it is 200s for bullseye and 185s for other competitions.

 

FWIW e3 is a tad faster than RD and slower than Clays.  It exhibits none of the spikeyness of Clays when you approach max, so work up slowly and watch for pressure signs.

[jcc7x7]

3.7 to 3.9 e3 with 230.

Your milage may vary

[johnmyster]

Ten shots of 4.0 gr with 200 gr SWC gave 868 fps, SD of 15 from my 5" Baer.  Ammo was probably 50-60 F.

 

Most shots were right around 860, but a few peaky high ones that spread out the group.  

 

Don't know if it'll ultimately replace WST for me.  I'll probably go a bit slower before I try enough to gauge cleanliness.

[rustychev]

Working up a new 45 major load for SS 

Gun sig max 45

230gr blue bullets RN

powder E3

OAL 1.225

weather 45 sunny

loaded up 4 lots last night to test looks like I started to high.

3.7gr 9 shot avg 182.3 PF 797 fps 825 max 780 min

3.8gr 8 shot avg 185.0 PF 811 fps 833 max 795 min

3.9gr 8 shot avg 188.8 PF 827 fps 860 max 801 min

4.0gr 8 shot avg 191.8 PF 839 fps 848 max 830 min

 

All way to high PF so using that I dropped down some

Temp 55 all other date same

Match gun

3.4gr 10 shot avg 172.7 PF 754 fps 768 max 727 min

3.5gr 9 shot avg 174.7 PF 767 fps 818 max 722 min

 

backup/practice gun

3.4gr 10 shot avg 173.4 PF 757 fps 781 max 734 min

3.5gr 10 shot avg 174.5 pf 770 fps 814 max 744 min

 

All data collected from a lab radar

 

I plan to use the 3.4 load as it meets my load minimums of 5 PF over the floor with all rounds making the minimum for PF.  I was also surprised how fast its running here based on my online research and past experience running E3 in 9mm minor and 40 major and minor I was thinking 3.8 or 3.9 would be the right spot.  What I did find to be inline with the past loading was the the min and max spread seams to get smaller the harder E3 is pushed

 

[tomjerry1]

I am settling down on 3.9 gr E3, 230 gr plated round nose, I don't have the pf right now, but it does make major. I haven't made up my mind yet, will take a few rounds to decide if it's and better or not.

[tomjerry1]

3.9 gr E3 plated 230gr, the pistol loves it, on the search for more E3

[jcc7x7]

Shot some groups for chrono and final sight in.

25yds 11/2 to21/2" rested. I was pleased, both my les Baer and a colt I've rebuilt .

4.25grs avg based on 10throws, 200grs sec coated, 1.250 oal, cci lpp. Pf 171, sd 8

Very happy

[tomjerry1]

I'm back to the chrono again. With spp difficult to obtain, I'm switching back to lpp. I have lost a few fps and chrono at 709 fps av and a pf of 163.07