Reloading The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol)

(WC= WadCutter, SWC= Semi-WadCutter,
HP= Hollow Point, RN= Round Nose), SP=Soft Point
(JHP= Jacketed Hollow Point and if GC indicated, means Gas Check at bottom of lead bullet)

Loads for .45 ACP:

New 2012 note on .45 ACP cases using small pistol primers vs. the large pistol primers. Not long ago shooters began to report brass that had a small pistol primer pocket instead of the traditional large, due to the use of a more “green” environment primer. More and more range ammo is being sold with the less air polluting primers fitting cases with small pockets. The DANGER here is mixing up a batch of used cases and trying to seat a large primer in a small pocket. Most likely if you use a fair amount of force on the press, it will explode as it is being crushed from not fitting in the small pocket. Loads are generally the same and no documentation has been presented saying anything but if changing from tested maximum loads with one type, back off a bit before using the opposite primer.

(Note: These are near MAXIMUM loads, you should use 10% less to start.)

(See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.) (See note on NEW Nitro 100 powder at bottom of page)

Bullet sizes vary from .451″ for jacketed to .452″ for some lead in diameter. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up.

ACP is an acronym that stands for Automatic Cartridge (& Colt) Pistol. It was used by various John Browning cartridge designs primarily used in Colt and FN pistols.

(Note H110 & W296 are the same as of 2008 as is HP-38 & W231)

(IMR 4227 is same as H-4227 if made in Australia)

155 grain LSWC (Lead, Semi-Wad Cutter)

180 grain LEAD FP

185 grain Berry’s Plated RNHB (Round Nose Hollow Base)

185 grain Matt’s Lead HP bullet

185 grain JHP or JSP (Jacketed Hollow or Soft Point)

200 grain LSWC or LRN (Lead, SWC or Round Nose)

200 grain FMJ full jacketed RN Hornady

205 grain Matt’s Lead HP bullet

225 grain Speer JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)

230 grain LSWC or LRN (Semi-Wad Cutter or Round Nose)
(these loads work for the RN Plated bullet,too-don’t use max)

* Alliant shows this a Maximum load

230 grain FMJ or JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)

260 grain FMJ or JHP Revolver Loads

*If you have an older can of Scot Nitro 100 or Accurate Nitro 100, please note, it is NOT the same as the new formulation at Western Powders. I have been told as of 2011 that the NEW and current N-100 is faster burning in pistol calibers than the old. Use 10% UNDER any values you see here for older N-100. The older was slower burning in pistol calibers.

Discussion: The small case and short powder burning time of the .45 ACP requires a faster burning powder, like Bullseye or Unique. Trail Boss is new for the .45 ACP, but it shoots very well with a lead bullet (you can use jacketed also) and is quite mild but works the slide well in loads I have tested so far. The almost standard bullet is the 230 grain round nose (lead, jacketed or plated), since it feeds so well in autos. More shooters are using the 200 grain SWC as of 2011 that in the past. You need the driving bands to hold the bullet tightly with just the taper crimp on the .45 ACP. Be careful with the lightweight bullets. If they get driven into the case with recoil or feeding, you are in for a lot of trouble and possibly an explosion.

However, the SWC has a round enough nose that it feeds well in most autos and makes a cleaner target cut-out. If you were to be hunting or for protection, you might consider the Jacketed Hollow Point bullet shown in the loaded round. Whether you use the lead or full metal jacketed bullet is up to you, but the lead is, of course, much cheaper if you shoot very much. Because of lead fumes in the air, you should consider using a jacketed or copper plated bullet indoors unless well ventilated.

*
Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders.
Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders.
IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company.
No. 2, No. 5, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company
WMR, WSF, WSL, 760, 748, 231 and 540 are products of Winchester, Components Div.

References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet – – Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders’ Guide (1995) – – Hodgdon’s Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) – – Speer Reloading Manual, #12 – – Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition – – Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. – – VihtaVuori Oy Company, reloading booklet (1995) – – Numerous magazine articles on reloading special calibers and personal loads where noted.