American Handgunner Jul/Aug 1981 - Jeffersonian

HANDLOADING
DAN COnERMAN
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MORE HELPFUL .45ACP INSIGHTS
GAINED FROM READERS LEnERS
A
damnable loss occurs when communications
from independent experimenters
wind up in some dust-laden mail
basket. That's why, last time around, I laid
the groundwork for including contributions
from you, the reader of this column.
In continuing such a plan-call it an open
exchange of ideas and experimental
discoveries-I am demonstrating faith in
my conviction that this is the best way to
share a maximum amount of useful data.
Much serious handloading is done outside
the so-called "gun press;' beyond the advantage
of mass publication. That's a condition
I hope to remedy.
As I said at the outset, it will not be possible
to print everything that is received.
COLT .45 BENCH TEST
Powder Ch. Wt (gr.) Group Size
Unique 5.6 4-.678"15-.950"
Bullseye 3.8 4-.665"15-1.15"
Hecco 6.0 5-1.28"
Heroo 6.2 5-1.40"
However, if you wish to take part in this
exchange, feel free to contribute information
on loads, components, and products.
Your comments and ideas will receive
thoughtful consideration.
The concept ofsharing information is
assuming healthy proportions, as is evidenced
by a constant increase in the volume
of mail received. Interest in the .45
ACP has, thus far, taken a position of priority,
and, although our exchange is aimed
at including all reloadable handgun cartridges,
the persistence of communications
dealing with this hoary favorite demands
exposure.
Jack Williams, ofSt. Joseph, Illinois, is a
dedicated handloader with whom I have
communicated for many years. He's like a
lot of us in that he loads his own ammo,
but also he does his own accuracy work.
His comments are interesting and may
prove useful to you.
"The gun I am shooting now is a standard
Colt Gov't 1911-AI. I got it from the
handloads he tested in the gun described.
Five-shot groups were fired at a distance of
25 yards with the use of a Lee machine
rest.
Williams explains, "Primers used were
Alcan L.P. seated with a Lee priming
tool, the new one with the tray, which I
like very much.
"I shot two control groups. One with
Remington factory 185-gr. SWC FMJ.
They grouped about 1.125" center-tocenter.
The other control group was with
Remington 185-gr. H.P. I had horizontal
stringing with the group. It measured
about 1.73" center-to-center. Three shots
were touching in a cloverleaf pattern.
TWO CONTROL GROUPS
"7oo-X in three loadings was bad:
4.1 grs.-3.192"
4.3 grs.-2.471"
4.5 grs.-3.l42"
"230 wasn't too good:
4.2 grs.-4.425"
4.3 grs.-1.687"
4.4 grs.-1.305"
"Bullseye in 3.6-grain charges gave
2.926", and with a 4.0-grain charge gave
2.53". Herco in a 5.8-grain charge opened
to 3.781". Unique in 5.4 grains gave
2.827", and with a 5.8-grain charge gave
2.7", with four going into I".
"All bullets were seated to a L.O.A.
equal to the factory Remington 185-grain
JHP.
"I have also been working with the
Taurus 200-grain lead semi-wadcutter. I
can get groups ofabout 1.6" with 6.0 grains
of Unique.
"Cases used were mixed military and
commercial with little attempt to separate
different cases. Cases were sized with an
RCBS carbide die. I used an RCBS tapercrimp
die set to take out the bell and not
too tight on the bullet. .
LEADING PROBLEM
"There is a leading problem, but not
DCM program through the NRA. All very much. It is easily removed. I fired 75
modifications are by me and are as rounds in this particular test with the Horfollows:
Colt NM barrel and collet bush- nady lead bullets, and then proceeded to
ing; recoil buffer; trigger job (also added run another 100 or so lead rounds through
trigger shoe); Bo-Mar rib; throated barrel the spout and the leading was minimal. A
ramp.
buddy ofmine says that the Taurus bullets
"I got a hold ofsome Hornady 2oo-grain are giving him real leading problems, but
lead SWC bullets and tried them with that could be his barrel."
Bullseye, Herco, Unique, 7OO-X, and WoW We should note that, although Williams
230." says the 230 didn't produce his best results,
Williams encloses the results of the (Continued on page 59)
AMERICAN HANDGUNNER· JULYIAUGUST 1981