Luckynumberslevin Posted May 24, 2022 Share Posted May 24, 2022 I recently acquired a 45 ACP open gun, with a 2 port comp (soon to be 3) and looking to see what people have used in the past for loads. I have always shot 9mm major out of my open guns so this is a little new. I have 200gr jacketed projectiles, as well as a variety of cast molds. I'm open to most powders as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GigG Posted May 24, 2022 Share Posted May 24, 2022 I always shot 5.9 of Bullseye behind a 200 grn SWC. But that was back when the major floor was 175. They were VERY accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoRecon Posted May 25, 2022 Share Posted May 25, 2022 I'm trying AA#7 with 155 coated LSWC. Thinking the AA#7 will produce plenty of gas to work the comp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckynumberslevin Posted May 25, 2022 Author Share Posted May 25, 2022 36 minutes ago, PhotoRecon said: I'm trying AA#7 with 155 coated LSWC. Thinking the AA#7 will produce plenty of gas to work the comp. That sounds like a direction I may be headed. I just bought a 155gr swc mold from M&P. No lube groove so I can powder coat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuayThaiJJ Posted May 25, 2022 Share Posted May 25, 2022 I like Clays with my 200gr SWC loads, very soft, and with a comp like a mouse fart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 (edited) There is no reason to go to a 3 port comp for 45. If you are thinking of using lead or coated bullets, think again. Lead will lead up the comp rapidly. So you'll be spending lots of time scraping lead out of the comp. Coated are not much better. A little less lead, but some Smurf poo. Use plated or JHP. Jacketed bullets have expose lead at the rear. They will also lead the comp. Fast powders will give you the least recoil, but don't work the comp better. AA7 is a superb powder you 9mm major, but not (IMO) for 45ACP. You'll want to keep pressures up for a complete burn. I'd suggest WAC or Silhouette as the slowest powders to try. Stay away from Clays for this application. It IS really spikey near max pressure. You'll risk lots of kabooms. Alliant e3 is safe if you really want something that fast. Stay with lighter bullets. 155 if you gun likes them. Inch heavier if it doesn't. Anything heavier than 185s is a waste of time. 45 is a low pressure cartridge. So you want a lot of powder to make the comp work. Having said that, there is no law that says you have to work the comp, either fully or partially. There are two approaches to a comp'd 45. One is fast powder in the e3, Sport Pistol, N320 range. Stay away from anything that burns hot, like TG. The other is medium rate powders like WAC. When I was experimenting with this, my favorite was the 185 Nosler JHP and faster powders. Tuning the gun to the load with springs is a must. If you do it correctly, you'll have a mouse fart feeling load with little muzzle rise. It will also be relatively quiet. I was never able to quite get there with the medium rate powders. Lots more noise and drama with little benefit, unless you are going major. If that's the case, N330 is the fastest powder I'd use. Lots of headroom for safety. Edited June 1, 2022 by zzt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38super Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 zzt's advice is gold. If there is anything to add is a heavy comp for mass damping (long cone & full profile). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirrel45 Posted June 5, 2022 Share Posted June 5, 2022 Iv run the 155g swc a few years ago before going over to 9mm. If I recall I was running 7.6 win auto comp. This was through a two port comp. The gun shot flat for what it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckynumberslevin Posted June 8, 2022 Author Share Posted June 8, 2022 Thank you zzt for the advice. I've worked up a couple loads that I'm going to Chrono this weekend. Much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoRecon Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 Lucky: Curious how your load development turned out? My loading got delayed until yesterday. Today I'll be testing the 155 with Shooters World Major Pistol. Using the starting load in published load data. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckynumberslevin Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 23 minutes ago, PhotoRecon said: Lucky: Curious how your load development turned out? My loading got delayed until yesterday. Today I'll be testing the 155 with Shooters World Major Pistol. Using the starting load in published load data. I loaded up some 155gr swc from an MP mold, powder coated with no lube groove located on-top of silhouette and hs-6. Both are working well just getting enough powder to make PF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoRecon Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Just finished testing some 155s before the weather changed. With SWMP velocity is there and the comp was definitely working. Even at max there was plenty of unburnt powder getting into the action so won't be using it. HS-6 turned out to be a better choice than SWMP. Accuracy wise the 155 with Clays was the most accurate. The 155s I have are 21 brinnel and didn't see a problem with buildup in the comp with either poly or wax coated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJSTI Posted August 25 Share Posted August 25 (edited) 155 cast bullet & 4.8 grs of 231 always shot very well. I think it's a little slow to make major Edited August 25 by TJSTI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe4d Posted August 25 Share Posted August 25 BE86 , a newer powder, falls between unique and power pistol,, really clean, really consitent. formulated for coated bullets, No flash like power pistol.. I would probably be happy with this stuff if It was all I had for everything. Used it in by bowling pin loads. Non comped 6" 1911.. Usually ran 250's Penn bullets which were really soft.. They sent bowling pins into the berm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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