Chrono data - 250 grain 45ACP pin load, G-21

[m_deaner]

I went to MCFG today to work up a pin load for 45ACP using Missouri Bullet Company 250-grain "pinbuster" bullets. I was looking for a load that really clears pins off the table.

I have read on other forums that Power Pistol is the ideal powder for heavy 45ACP loads. Unfortunately, I didn't have any, and I haven't seen it for sale around here. I did not want to put in an order for 8lbs of it either, since I only shoot pins once per month and it would take me forever to use that much powder. Hazmat and shipping make buying smaller quantities online uneconomical.

So, I used what I had on hand, HP-38 (also known as Win 231).

The data appears below. The first load shot really soft for the recorded power factor. The second two loads, not so soft. The third might be a bit too hot for pins, as shot recovery time was increased.

None of the loads showed pressure signs. I believe I could get this load over 900 fps without worry. I’m surprised at the velocity I am able to get with this combo. Standard 45ACP hardball is about 195 power factor. The last load got up to 215PF without difficulties.

Now, the data:

Gun: G21, stock barrel
Cal: 45ACP
Bullet: 250 grain Missouri Bullet lead
Case: Win
OAL: 1.18
Powder: 5.0 grain Win 231 / HP-38
Primer: Win LP
1) 765.6
2) 766.6
3) 772.4
4) 767.3

High: 772.4
Low: 765.6
E.S.: 6.8
Ave.: 768
S.D.: 2.6
95%: 5.5
PF: 192
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Powder: 5.3 grain Win 231 / HP-38
1) 839.7
2) 834.8
3) 841.8
4) 818.6
5) 819.6

High: 841.8
Low: 818.6
E.S.: 23.2
Ave.: 830.9
S.D.: 9.9
95%: 15.4
PF: 207.725

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Powder: 5.65 grain Win 231 / HP-38
1) 853.6
2) 863.6
3) 872.0
4) 861.1
5) 847.2

High: 872
Low: 847.2
E.S.: 24.8
Ave.: 859.5
S.D.: 8.5
95%: 13.2
PF: 214.875


YMMV; test in your own gun, start low and work up!

 

[jimbo-indy]

I have started using Longshot for 45ACP with 230 gr. bullets.
My load was 6.8 gr. Longshot under a 230 gr. Rainier plated roundnose.
Crono says avg of 10 shot string was 880 with an SD of 17.5.
This was in a CZ97B with a heavy recoil spring.
Shoots very well and no pressure signs in my gun. Note: the CZ is a fully supported barrel and built like a tank.

 

[DougBarnes101]

Just a quick question - What is the bullet shape on the pin buster. I have used Longshot for 230 gr roundnose but can't find my load data at this time.

 

[m_deaner]

Just a quick question - What is the bullet shape on the pin buster. I have used Longshot for 230 gr roundnose but can't find my load data at this time.

It's a really unique bullet profile. The Missouri Bullets web site classifies it as a RNFP, but it has a really pronounced flat profile and a sharp, rounded ogive. I wouldn't call it a round nose.

I had to load it short to keep the bullet off of the rifling. Much shorter than I would like - I usually load to 1.20-1.25 OAL for 45ACP for more of a margin of safety. I had to go down to 1.18 for this load.

 

[m_deaner]

Just a quick question - What is the bullet shape on the pin buster. I have used Longshot for 230 gr roundnose but can't find my load data at this time.

I found a picture on their website:

 

[m_deaner]

I just thought I'd update this thread now that I've had a chance to try these loads in a pin match.

I loaded up 50 of the 208 power factor (PF) load (recipe #2, in my original post), and 100 of the 215 PF load (recipe #3) and went to the MCFG pin match this afternoon. I started off with the lighter load. It performed much better than expected; I had a couple of runs with no extra shots needed (which is not common for me).

I later moved on to the second load, and it crushed the pins with godlike power. The pins seemed to literally explode, but temps were low, and this tends to happen anyway... the wood and plastic become brittle in the cold. I think the extra recoil extended my shot-to-shot recovery time (which is not good) and although the effects of the heavy load were more spectacular, I think I'm sticking with the 208 power factor load. It cleared pins with authority and was easy to shoot fast.

 

[uniquejohn]

thanks for your update, appreciate your work and info