XD Talk

Bad Pat · 10-02-2010, 07:48 PM

Want to load up some ammo using the Ramshot Silhouette and the Zero 230gr JHP. Haven't loaded any JHP just yet so looking for a bit o' info.

Anyone have any experience with Ramshot Silhouette and the Zero 230gr JHP? Specifically looking at COAL for the starting load. I know Ramshot lists 7.3gr at a COAL of 1.250 for the Sierra 230 FMJ as a starting load. Is there a standard reduction in COAL when going from a FMJ to a JHP? Tkx!

JustSomeGuy · 10-03-2010, 04:52 AM

There should be no adjustment necessary in COAL when shooting either a FMJ or a JHP at that loading. The JHP is slightly longer for the weight, but at 1.250 and the starting load mentioned you are very safe. Silhouette is a very stable and forgiving medium speed powder which will be at very low pressure at your loading. You have a lot of room to spare!

I have not loaded Silhouette in the .45 yet, but have used it a lot in .40 (many thousands of rounds) and it's not that touchy a powder giving similar results with a variety of bullets with different shapes of the same weight. I have tried it at many different lengths in the .40 with the same loadings and experienced no pressure signs at the shorter lengths, and not much difference in the longer lengths as to velocity. I used 1.125 all the way out to 1.162 in various guns but mostly XD's in 40 caliber, in which I settled on a length of 1.130-1.135. The .40 is a much higher pressure round than your .45 and Silhouette is a good medium speed powder with few faults. It will be just fine at the load and length you are contemplating in the .45 with any bullet of that weight you can put in it... even lead.

Bad Pat · 10-03-2010, 01:23 PM

Well thank you for the reply. I just don't think thing through sometimes. Of course with the hollow point a bullet of the same weight would have to be longer. Hell, I was thinking shorter for some damn reason and couldn't find the height (?) of the bullets anywhere to compare.

Right now I use Clay's for plinking but it maxes out about 4gr in the mid 700's somewhere with the 230gr RN. Yeah, the reason I chose to go with Silhouette was to get upper 800's or so in fps AND not be at max loading like so many other powders. IIRC the starting load will put me almost where I want it to be. Just couldn't find any data for the JHP so your input is much appreciated. Guess I should spend the money for a chrono......

JustSomeGuy · 10-04-2010, 02:19 AM

There are three tools besides the reloading equipment itself which are more or less essential to the avocation. A good scale, a caliper (digital preferred), and a chronograph.

You seem to have a scale and not some device that merely goes by volume to measure powder charges, so ok on that part.

A digital caliper for taking mechanical measurements of various kinds, like bullet length, OAL of the cartridge, the mouth of the case after crimping, etc. These can be had from various places for about $25-$30.

The chronograph to be sure of the velocity of the projectile with various loads and as a way of insuring you are correctly doing everything else... as in, if your data does not agree with or is not close to "book" then something is wrong! I might recommend a CED Pro Chrony for about $100 as they are, in my experience, accurate, easy to set up, provide all the data you need, and are lightweight and easily portable.

And yes, while Clays is a good powder for very light loads that still give good ignition, it is unsuitable for anything approaching mid range velocity or above... especially for someone new to reloading! Silhouette is a very good mid range powder that can take velocities from pretty low, up into factory duplication loads and beyond without overpressure. Others in that range might include, but are not limited to WSF, Universal, Unique, and Power Pistol to name a few. For even more aggressive velocities without pushing the pressure limits of various cartridges, I have found Longshot to be quite useful as well.

The thing is to find a powder, as you have seemingly thought to do, which safely brackets the pressure and velocity range of what you have in mind for your shooting need. I congratulate you on your choices so far!