More 45 Super chrono data...updated with pressure data

[highxj]

Some additional load data, this time with the Hunter's Supply 275 gr. FN bullet. New Starline 45 Super brass, F150 primers, 1.240" OAL. Fired in my XDm 5.25", 22 lb recoil spring, AGP mag springs.

Power Pistol powder
6.2 gr. 843 fps.
6.5 gr. 876 fps.
6.8 gr. 911 fps.
7.1 gr. 932 fps.
7.4 gr. 966 fps.
7.7 gr. 986 fps.
8.0 gr. 1022 fps.
8.3 gr. 1042 fps.

Longshot powder
6.8 gr. 887 fps.
7.1 gr. 915 fps.
7.4 gr. 934 fps.
7.7 gr. 978 fps.
8.0 gr. 995 fps.
8.3 gr. 1034 fps.
8.5 gr. 1052 fps.
8.7 gr. 1061 fps.

The following loads were shot in a bone stock Remington 1911 with 18.5 recoil spring. HS 275 gr. FP, Starline 45 Super brass, WLP primers:

Power Pistol
5.8 gr. 814 fps.
6.1 gr. 854 fps.
6.4 gr. 883 fps.
6.6 gr. 912 fps.

The 6.6 gr. load exhibited perfectly normal behavior, with brass ejecting no more than about 6-8 feet. It actually felt about like shooting hardball ammo, and I have no qualms about shooting this load in any standard 1911 configuration with no mods whatsoever.

I have a somewhat unique opportunity to actually have some loads pressure tested. I have a friend in the industry who works in one of the major ammo and reloading tool plants, who has offered to test some loads for me on their equipment. I am planning on sending in the above top loads with Power Pistol and Longshot to see where we are.

[lharrell79]

Any ill looking effects on the brass or primers? Any failures? I like your numbers. I think i'm going to give the 45 Super a try here soon. I've been playing with hot 45 LC lately, and it's just not fun for the hands. I think the XD would be much more forgiving.

[highxj]

Only very slight flattening of the primers and some mild cratering. There was some firing pin swiping on all the loads, this pistol does that even with factory stuff. Beginning to see some signs on the case head from the breech face but nothing to be concerned with and no unusual 'smilies' or bulges of any sort.

Also, only light leading in the first inch or so of the bore but again nothing real detrimental. Just a light wash that brushes right out.

No functional issues at all. I like this bullet a lot and have ordered another 500 of them.

It'll be interesting to get back the pressure data. I'll stick it here when I can.

Dan

[lharrell79]

Originally Posted by highxj

Only very slight flattening of the primers and some mild cratering. There was some firing pin swiping on all the loads, this pistol does that even with factory stuff. Beginning to see some signs on the case head from the breech face but nothing to be concerned with and no unusual 'smilies' or bulges of any sort.

Also, only light leading in the first inch or so of the bore but again nothing real detrimental. Just a light wash that brushes right out.

No functional issues at all. I like this bullet a lot and have ordered another 500 of them.

It'll be interesting to get back the pressure data. I'll stick it here when I can.

Dan

Sounds good. Also, on the leading. If you run a few FMJ's through at the end of your session, it will clean most of that lead if not all out. Happy shooting.

[NoJoy]

highxj, I like the way you have your gun set up. It's cheaper than the 460 conversion, and 45 Super is still a potant round. Would you feel comfortable shooting Buffalo Bore's or Underwood's 45 Super through your gun without any ill effects? Their ammo runs pretty hot. I don't have the dies yet to start reloading, so I will be shooting "production" 45 Super until I do.

[lharrell79]

Originally Posted by NoJoy

highxj, I like the way you have your gun set up. It's cheaper than the 460 conversion, and 45 Super is still a potant round. Would you feel comfortable shooting Buffalo Bore's or Underwood's 45 Super through your gun without any ill effects? Their ammo runs pretty hot. I don't have the dies yet to start reloading, so I will be shooting "production" 45 Super until I do.

highxj's velocities are right on par with BB and Underwood. So I would think you'd be fine shooting them.

[highxj]

As I posted earlier, I had an opportunity to have a few loads pressure tested by a friend in the industry. This was a limited opportunity and I only sent 3 loads for testing in their pressure barrel. These were the top three loads I'd previously fired in my XDm 5.25. All used new Starline 45 Super brass and Fed 150 primers.

230 gr. LFN, Montana Bullet Works, 1.230" OAL
9.3 gr. Power Pistol, 1155 fps, 33,000 psi avg.

275 gr. Hunter's Supply cast, 1.240" OAL
8.3 gr. Power Pistol, 1035 fps, 37,000 psi avg.
8.7 gr. Longshot, 1063 fps, 40,000 psi avg.

These velocities are very close to what I obtained in my XDm so it's pretty safe to assume pressures are close to what was experienced in my chamber given that the pressure test barrel was 5".

I wish I could have sent a larger assortment of loads but we can extrapolate some data from this. I had hoped that the slightly slower Longshot might have given a bit higher velocities without a pressure penalty but that appears to not be the case, at least with this bullet.

Dan

[john_bud]

nifty! I wish I had access to such a great resource (affordable access that is)

[Mercmar]

Those pressures seem pretty high to me. What's the "usual" pressure range for .45 Super???

[highxj]

They are higher than I had anticipated. I've seen the 45 Super listed at 28,500 psi. A couple of these are into 460 Rowland territory.