[GONIF]

I know this is the 10mm forum ,but I also know there are some very savy hand loaderes here that know the answer. I have a Colt Defender that has a 3 inch tube and I want to duplicate the Winchester Ranger RA45TA+P 230 grain load for it . This will be strictly an up close SD situation . I do not care if it wears out the spring or gun . It will be shot only in an emergency after testing for relieability. I was thinking fast burning powder like 800x or Longshot with a Speer 230 JHP might get 800 to 875fps and work well . Anyone have any experiance with short barrel 45acp loads ?

 

[OhioGlockMan]

for what its worth I've clocked the winchester ranger 230 gr. +p loads from my 3 inch Kimber Ultra II at high 600's, mabey a few hit 700 FPS. I don't think the bullets would even expand at those velocities. When shooting a .45 from a 3 inch tube, I don't think you are going to have much difference between ball and any JHP in regards to stopping power.

 

[GONIF]

Speer makes a special 230 grain short barrel bullet , I think it is a 4482 that is suposed to expand . My goal is at least 800fps .

 

[Rob1109]

I know this is the 10mm forum ,but I also know there are some very savy hand loaderes here that know the answer. I have a Colt Defender that has a 3 inch tube and I want to duplicate the Winchester Ranger RA45TA+P 230 grain load for it . This will be strictly an up close SD situation . I do not care if it wears out the spring or gun . It will be shot only in an emergency after testing for relieability. I was thinking fast burning powder like 800x or Longshot with a Speer 230 JHP might get 800 to 875fps and work well . Anyone have any experiance with short barrel 45acp loads ?

I have to wonder is the Speer Gold Dot Short barrel would be any good for you.

 

[OhioGlockMan]

I too use my 3 inch .45 for concealed carry and am in a quest to find a round that will have good stopping power from the 3 inch. The issue with the .45 is that it is a real slow velocity round to start out with in the long 5 inch tube. I am aware of the speer 230 grain bullet tuned for short barrels and the ammo speer makes loaded with that bullet. I have not tested it yet- BUT I have researched this and their .45 short barrel ammo is tuned for a 4 inch barrel NOT 3 inch. Everything I have run over the chrono from my 3 inch .45 is substantially slower then the listed factory velocities, as I cited a few posts above the +p 230 gainers barely hit 700 FPS. If someone can hit over 800 FPS with a +p 230 grain handload in .45 acp from a 3 inch barrel I'm all ears

 

[GONIF]

If it is possible to get 800fps with that bullet it would indeed be the hot ticket for the SB 45 . Those 4482 bullets are hard to find in stock . if I have to go down to a 185 or 200 grain I will ,but an 800fps JHP would be the best for SD with a 3 incher.
http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics/detail.aspx?id=209

 

[21Carrier]

Here's the only load data I can give you for .45ACP, and it's not +P, but still pretty warm. I loaded the following: Winchester used brass, CCI 300s, Magnus 230gr JHPs, Unique 6.3gr, COAL 1.230". From my G21SF's 4.6" barrel, I got a 10-shot average of 870fps (standard deviation was 28fps). I would expect around 750-800fps from your shorter barrel. However, since I expect you will be using +P brass, you could bump that load up a bit. I'm thinking 6.6-7.0gr would get you where you want to be. Just make sure you work up to that level, since I've never tested it.

Also, check out this page, it has some load data for 230gr .45ACP+P:

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/d...&Weight=230&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

 

[OhioGlockMan]

I've seen that where some users submit their +p .45 auto loads- the thing that gets me is there is no official listed .45 +p data anywhere. Heck they sell .45 acp +p brass, and they say it has thicker sidewalls then the standard brass, unlike other calibers like 9mm where the +p brass is just a headstamp, the brass has the same thickness. Anyways, with the short 3 inch barrel I bet if you did use real .45 +p data and used a fast burning powder, I sappouse 800 fps would be possible

 

[Jitterbug]

I don't know if this will help but I loaded a 230 grain XTP with 8.1 grains of AA5, it gives me 862 fps from my 4" Kimber Compact with Aluminum frame, so I don't want to push it.

This is from the Hornady 7th, max load is 8.3 grains.

Extremely accurate, no flash, hit's POA, doesn't seem to be heavy on the gun, penetrates 3-1 gallon water jugs, bouncing off the 4th and opens into a beautiful mushroom at about .658"

Speer 230 grain Gold Dot's, standard load gave me 842 fps.
Winchester Range T's standard load RA45T gave me 886 fps.

So I figure I'm in the ballpark with this one.

I chrono at a minimum of 5200 foot elevation, which may effect velocity.

This works in my gun, use your own due diligence.

 

[Meathead9]

Here's my RA45TP chrono results from my G30SF (3.78" barrel):

G30SF
RA45TP
Winchester Ranger T 230gr +P

927 887
918 896
909 917
918 909
916 892

Average: 909fps
ES: 40

 

[Jitterbug]

Not a lot of difference between the +P load eh, Meathead?

 

[Meathead9]

Not a lot of difference between the +P load eh, Meathead?

I'd call it a little more than 50fps, considering the barrel length differences. I was really surprised, and pretty happy about getting a 230gr JHP @ 900fps out of my G30SF. I'm guessing I'll get around 80fps more when I chrono them out of my GEN 4 G21.

Anyone know the velocity window for expansion with the 230gr Ranger T's?