(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 GAP (Glock Auto Pistol):
This new round is like a short version of the .45 ACP. It’s a shorter case for use in smaller magazines in smaller handguns. Loads can equal its big brother, the .45 ACP. It is well suited for very compact autos.
(Note: These are near MAXIMUM loads (unless otherwise indicated as a START load), you should use 10% less to start, or use the START loads.)
(See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.)
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.
155 grain LSWC (Lead, Semi-Wad Cutter)
| Titegroup | 4.7 gr. | 1,014 | FPS (Hodgdon load start) |
| Titegroup | 5.3 gr. | 1,152 | (Hodgdon MAX load) |
| Clays | 3.9 gr. | 974 | (Hodgdon load start) |
| Clays | 4.4 gr. | 1,047 | (Hodgdon MAX load) |
185 grain JHP or JSP (Jacketed Hollow or Soft Point)
| Longshot | 6.5 gr. | 923 | (Hodgdon load start) |
| Longshot | 7.5 gr. | 1075 | (Hodgdon MAX load) |
| HS-6 | 8.0 gr. | 890 | (Hodgdon load start) |
| HS-6 | 9.0 gr. | 1017 | (Hodgdon MAX load) |
| Universal | 5.5 gr. | 864 | (Hodgdon load start) |
| Universal | 6.3 gr. | 1027 | (Hodgdon MAX load) |
| HP-38 | 4.8 gr. | 841 | (Hodgdon load start) |
| HP-38 | 5.5 gr. | 951 | (Hodgdon MAX load) |
| Titegroup | 4.3 gr. | 875 | (Hodgdon load start) |
| Titegroup | 4.9 gr. | 974 | (Hodgdon MAX load) |
| Clays | 3.7 gr. | 816 | (Hodgdon load start) |
| Clays | 4.1 gr. | 881 | (Hodgdon MAX load) |
200 grain Speer Jacketed Hollow Point
| Longshot | 6.0 gr. | 892 FPS | (Hodgdon load start) |
| Longshot | 6.8 gr. | 1,000 | (Hodgdon MAX load) |
| HS-6 | 7.0 gr. | 795 | (Hodgdon load start) |
| HS-6 | 8.0 gr. | 921 | (Hodgdon MAX load) |
| Universal | 5.2 gr. | 838 | (Hodgdon load start) |
| Universal | 5.7 gr. | 924 | (Hodgdon MAX load) |
| HP-38 | 4.5 gr. | 796 | (Hodgdon load start) |
| HP-38 | 4.9 gr. | 860 | (Hodgdon MAX load) |
| Titegroup | 4.1 gr. | 829 | (Hodgdon load start) |
| Titegroup | 4.6 gr. | 908 | (Hodgdon MAX load) |
| Clays | 3.3 gr. | 718 | (Hodgdon load start) |
| Clays | 3.7 gr. | 796 | (Hodgdon MAX load) |
230 grain FMJ (Full Metal Jacket, Round Nose)
| WW231 | 4.2 gr. | 720 | (Winchester START Load) |
| WW231 | 4.6 gr. | 790 | (Winchester MAX load) |
| WSF | 5.1 gr. | 745 | (Winchester START Load) |
| WSF | 5.8 gr. | 850 | (Winchester MAX load) |
| Universal | 4.5 gr. | 737 | (mild) |
| Pwr Pistol | 5.8 gr. | 817 | (moderate) |
| N340 | 4.9 gr. | 741 | (mild) |
230 grain JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)
| WSF | 4.7 gr. | 740 | (Winchester START Load) |
| WSF | 5.1 gr. | 805 | (Winchester MAX load) |
Discussion: The small case and short powder burning time of the .45 GAP needs a faster burning powder, like Bullseye, Clays, 231, or Unique. Round nose bullets feed better in autos. More loads for the 230 grain and heavy bullets will be added later. However, the SWC has a round enough nose that it feeds well in most autos and makes a cleaner target cut-out. 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 use a jacketed or copper plated bullet indoors. Copper plated lead bullet loads vary slightly from all lead bullets, and you should contact the bullet company for loads for plated bullets.
* Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders. Clays, Titegroup, Longshot, HS-6, HP-38, and Universal 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.
2 Responses
I would like to load my Speer round nose 45cal 230gr bullet (non jacketed) into 45GAP cartridge. Would like to know what powder and load I should start with.
Can I use Hodgdon CFE in 45GAP