Any low FPS factory loadings for .45ACP?

Is there any factory loaded ammo made currently for .45 acp that's a lower FPS (Below 800) with lighter bullets, that approximates the bullseye loadings people use? Need some in case my reloading doesn't work out for the next match.

My .45 ACP reloading is not progressing as fast as I would like it to. I'm having issues with crimp and spacing in my revolver (shooting bullseye with revolver this year).

Hello kayakingsteve,

ASYM National Match....185 grain Nosler at 775 feet per second.  Excellent target quality ammunition.

Jim

Thank you sir! Will get some to have backup to be ready for the next matches!

Looks like it's discontinued or out of stock everywhere... Anyone know of an alternative?

Federal Gold Metal Match 185 grain SWC run at 770 fps.  Work well in my wad gun.

arrange to chat with Len on here. he's very successful loading for the revolver if I remember right...

I had some new 45 Auto Rim brass to try in my 25-2.  Loaded up 200 SWC and 185 SWCHB swaged from Bear Creek supply over 3.9 Bullseye and a .468 crimp.  This is about my standard BE load.  It shot like this out of my revolver.    This was the 185 which tended to shoot better.

I shot a lot of Wilson Combat ammo before I started reloading. They have a lower Velocity 200 gr swc round.
Kurt

Also the Zero brand ammo.  My gun really likes the ASYM National Match that someone else mentioned,
but the Zero is about 1/2 the price.

kayakingsteve wrote:Looks like it's discontinued or out of stock everywhere... Anyone know of an alternative?

Hello,

ASYM loads their ammunition in runs/batches.  My son-in-law bought some a couple of weeks back....keep checking.  Federal Match is good also.

Jim

Thanks for the info guys!

Wobb: Do you use a factory crimp or taper crimp die? I'm not sure of the best way to measure crimp at this point. Just bought a taper die but haven't used it yet.

also, I can't really afford a Ransom rest right now. Anyone have advice for improving accuracy with rested groups?

I used a taper crimp die.  Measure the crimp at the case mouth.  You may need to grow an extra hand, but it can be done.

I taper crimp to get a very visible crimp line. It is much easier to see then it is to measure. I am trying for .463 but as long as they look like these they work.



I found this picture when I went looking for the bullet picture.

Darn good group for rapid fire with a revolver! Darn good group period! You single action or double action for that?

I got my 4 stage Lee precision press so I can use the separate taper crimp die. Ordered some Zero 185 grain lead SWC HP... now testing loads in my 625 versus my 25-2. (my 25-2 is a 1978).

Not sure I have the best resting technique for testing at 50 yards though... any pointers?

Heard a story of one place having an encore barrel or something in .45ACP in a big block of cement, so they could test various loads.

I have a Contender barrel in 45 acp and off a rest even my orphan/error ammo was x ring group.
I figured that it was a waste of time & ammo to test less than 50 yds with the contender barrel.

kayakingsteve wrote:Darn good group for rapid fire with a revolver! Darn good group period! You single action or double action for that?

I got my 4 stage Lee precision press so I can use the separate taper crimp die. Ordered some Zero 185 grain lead SWC HP... now testing loads in my 625 versus my 25-2. (my 25-2 is a 1978).

Not sure I have the best resting technique for testing at 50 yards though... any pointers?

Heard a story of one place having an encore barrel or something in .45ACP in a big block of cement, so they could test various loads.

The group was fired semi slow fire offhand at a local indoor range.  

As for resting, rest your forearm and wrist on a pile of sandbags.  Using an optical sight helps.

I have a Contender barrel in 45ACP which I use to test if the bullets will shoot.  You also need to test the loads in your target pistol for accuracy and function.  I don’t plan on bolting my barrel to any concrete.

The optic idea isn't bad. I do have scope mounts for the revolvers.

Thing that bums me out is the 625 has been consistently more accurate than the 25-2. I like the feel, the look and everything about the 25-2 more though.

Might have to swap out for an optic to get better resting results at 50 yards in both guns. 

You don't want to ruin your Contender barrel?

As I remember, most if not all the 25-2’s had .454 cylinder throats, the 625 has .452 throats. You may have to up the charge to obturate or use soft swaged bullets.
Just a view.

I shoot SA only. My 25-2 must be one of the .452 pistols. It shoots everything great.

LenV

At 68 optics are almost mandatory.

That's some gun porn right there! At 43 my eyes are still very good, so I have no excuse whatsoever for my lousy shooting.

I honestly haven't found anything that groups smaller than 6" at 50 yards out of the 25-2... but I love the gun so much I still used it at the last competitions. (with predictably bad scores).

kayakingsteve wrote:Thanks for the info guys!

Wobb: Do you use a factory crimp or taper crimp die? I'm not sure of the best way to measure crimp at this point. Just bought a taper die but haven't used it yet.

also, I can't really afford a Ransom rest right now. Anyone have advice for improving accuracy with rested groups?

A ransom rest and all the associated stuff you need for it, plus a dedicated place to set it up, is not for everyone.

kayakingsteve wrote:I honestly haven't found anything that groups smaller than 6" at 50 yards out of the 25-2... 

I'm no revolver expert, but lead in the throat can seriously degrade accuracy. 

Matching the bullet weight to the rifling is another important factor. According to Jerry Keefer (I miss his knowledge) 1:18 factory twist is a compromise to shoot anything, but is better for shorter WC/SWC bullets. For longer DEWC or HBWC you want 1:10 or 1:14.

Have you tested individual chambers? I knew an old revolver shooter who always used the same 5 chambers and he told of some shooters back in the day who shot slow fire out of one chamber.

ST: did not know that information re: rifling. Also had never thought about chamber specs etc... This really is the art of shooting you're talking about.

did anyone take calipers and measure chambers, or run a slug through each chamber and measure the slug?

So far that 25-2 just hasn't delivered any accuracy with any load or factory ammo at 50 yards rested, but I sure love it all the same.