Too hot a load for Major?

[Rangertim]

I started reloading about 4 months ago on a Dillion SDB. I reload Meister .45 200gr. LSWC with Win 231 powder. I was used a chrono at the local club to test my load to make sure it made Major. At 5.9gr. of 231 the chrono only came out to a 166PF. After reading some other threads and doing a little research, that seems like a lot of powder to only reach 166PF. I now actually load 6.0gr. just to make sure I average major. It seems to shoot fine through my 5" 1911. Could there have been a problem with the chrono? Does that seem like an excessive amount of powder? Any thought? Thanks.

Edited July 11, 2007 by Rangertim

[jasmap]

What length are you loading to?

[Patrick Sweeney]

Yes, what cartridge length. Also, what barrel length? You could have the slowest barrel ever made, in a Commander, and thus need 6.0 to make Major. Your buddy could have the fastest barrel ever made, and only need 5.7. That's life.

[Rangertim]

Yes, what cartridge length. Also, what barrel length? You could have the slowest barrel ever made, in a Commander, and thus need 6.0 to make Major. Your buddy could have the fastest barrel ever made, and only need 5.7. That's life.

I'm loading to 1.250 and shooting through a 5" springfield 1911.

[HoMiE]

<Bob Barker voice>That's too much!</Bob Barker Voice>

Winchester list 5.6 gr. as max load for 200 LSWC. I load it to 5.0 gr. and make major with OAL of 1.255". I switched to WSF and it make major no problem without being at max load.

[Rangertim]

<Bob Barker voice>That's too much!</Bob Barker Voice>

Winchester list 5.6 gr. as max load for 200 LSWC. I load it to 5.0 gr. and make major with OAL of 1.255". I switched to WSF and it make major no problem without being at max load.

I honestly think there was a problem with the chronograph. I plan on using a different chrono this week to figure out exactly what is going on. Thanks for sharing the info with the rookie reloader.

[superdude]

as an interesting experiment, place the two chronos in line and shoot over both of them at the same time. if one of them is wacky, it will be obvious in just a few shots.

one thing to watch for with chronos is that sometimes when the sun is out, they can give wonky readings, especially with the screens in place. direct sunlight on the screens can sometime be a problem - don't know why. i've found that overcast skies can be the best conditions for chronographing.

[LPatterson]

Also make sure the start screen is at least 10 feet from the muzzle.

[BSeevers]

I used load 5.7 in the old 175 PF days

[tightloop]

<Bob Barker voice>That's too much!</Bob Barker Voice>

Winchester list 5.6 gr. as max load for 200 LSWC. I load it to 5.0 gr. and make major with OAL of 1.255". I switched to WSF and it make major no problem without being at max load.

Have shot 231 for over 25 yrs...and NEVER saw any 5" gun make major with 5.0 under any 200 SWC....you sure you did not mean 5.6 or 5.7???

[Glenn Tracey]

Ken Oehler of the chronograph fame is now writing about ballistics in Shooting Times magazine. In a relatively recent artical, he suggested that to verify chrono readings in general, shoot several strings with either .22 rim fire or even an air rifle. Both tend to have known and constant velocities unaffected by the vagaries of centerfire cartridges and minimal muzzle blast. I mention the magazine because you may be able to find his articals online.

At the 2007 Shot Show I spoke with Ken because I own the 35P and was concerned about lack of parts. Not to worry was the reply, but,....in discussing chronographing the .45 ACP, he said results can very often be misleading and inconsistent.......because of that cartridges forward moving shock blast. I guess what he was saying was: a chrono can be affected by the shock,or muzzle blast or the screens see that blast, or the muzzle is too close to the screen. Beats me, but he said the .45 ACP was a particularly bad offender.

His cure: Shoot through a vertical port in a piece of plywood to get rid of the blast potential and verify functioning for consistency by use of the .22 or air rifle.

So, try your chronograp with either the .22 or air rifle and see if readings (speed and SD) are where they ought to be. If yes, perhaps the blast is giving it a fit.

I hope that gives you some potential answers.

[HoMiE]

<Bob Barker voice>That's too much!</Bob Barker Voice>

Winchester list 5.6 gr. as max load for 200 LSWC. I load it to 5.0 gr. and make major with OAL of 1.255". I switched to WSF and it make major no problem without being at max load.

Have shot 231 for over 25 yrs...and NEVER saw any 5" gun make major with 5.0 under any 200 SWC....you sure you did not mean 5.6 or 5.7???

Maybey my chronograph is starting to act up? I will try 5.0 and 5.5 with 231 and see what I get.

[HoMiE]

OK, I loaded up some 45's and made it out to the range today. Tightloop was right, my 5" didn't make major with 5.0 of W231. It did make major with 5.3 and probably would squeak by with 5.2 gr. of 231 (gonna try that later). Found my old notes and I used to load 5.5 gr., not 5.0 gr. So here are my results...

Shooting Chrony Professional ~10' from muzzle...

Oregon Trail Lazercast .452 LSWC bullets...

W231 5.0 gr. OAL 1.255" Crimp .468 WW Brass

FPS

767

817

799

805

819

786

778

AVG. 795

ES 52

SD 19

PF 159

W231 5.3 gr. OAL 1.255" Crimp .468 WW Brass

FPS

832

840

851

854

851

852

836

AVG 845

ES 22

SD 8

PF 169

W231 5.7 gr. OAL 1.255" Crimp .468 WW Brass

FPS

891

899

911

883

886

893

850

AVG 887

ES 61

SD 18

PF 177

And also chrono'd my WSF load just cause I had some with me...

WSF 6.3 gr. OAL 1.255" Crimp .468 WW Brass

FPS

876

884

841

830

AVG 857

ES 54

SD26

PF 171