230gr GAP

[chad745]

Has anyone stumbles upon reloading data for the 230gr in 45GAP with Bullseye or Unique?

A worker at Cabela's today, who seemed trust worthy, said to use 5.4gr. That seems REALLY LOW to me! I don't want a squib.

What do ya'll think?

[Ak.Hiker]

I checked in the reloading manuals that I have and nothing heavier than 200 grain is listed. The factories may be using special canister powders to get the loadings they are putting out with the heavier bullet. I would not try any load with out a reloading manual as an information source.

[PsychoKnight]

I don't think Unique and Bullseye is a good idea - specifically in regards to 230gr in GAP. The trick to getting acp performance out of the gap dimensions was all in the powders used. Development testing showed the traditional favorites weren't any good and it took quite a bit of testing with newer (or at least non-traditional to acp) powders to achieve comparable performance from full-weight 230's. The lighter 200 and 185 were not that big of a deal. Exactly which powders the major brand name factory ammo uses in their 230gr GAP loads are a proprietary secret.

Why would you want to use Bullseye or Unique for 230gr GAP loads?

[chad745]

PsychoKnight,

Thanks for you're input.

Why would I use them? Because I have a very large amount of Bullseye!

Well, I'm going to be VERY careful in how I proceed with this. I'm on the lookout for the recipie, and I hear Speer is coming out with these recipies in thier next reloading addition.

[gary newport]

The Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook (Third Edition) has pressure-tested 230 grain loading data for .45 GAP. Bullseye isn't one of the powders covered for this bullet weight.

[Martindog]

The Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook (Third Edition) has pressure-tested 230 grain loading data for .45 GAP. Bullseye isn't one of the powders covered for this bullet weight.

So what powders are listed? And how did the velocity stack up? What barrel length was used?

[gary newport]

So what powders are listed? And how did the velocity stack up? What barrel length was used?

Among others, Ramshot True Blue, Hodgdon Universal (which is close to Unique in burn rate) and Power Pistol, and VV N340. Lyman used a universal receiver and a five-inch test barrel, so velocities are higher than you are likely to see from a real pistol.

The Speer Manual #14 has velocity data derived from an actual G37 and includes Bullseye and Unique -- but only lists loads for 185 and 200 grain bullets.

[MSgt Dotson]

Has anyone stumbles upon reloading data for the 230gr in 45GAP with Bullseye or Unique?



Well, 5.5 grains of Unique is a standard .45 ACP load, and the GAP has less case capacity, so I doubt there would be any danger whatsoever of a squib!

I'd not use the load without a 2md and 3rd opinion and published data source however...

[MSgt Dotson]

www.reloadammo.com has reloading data with 231 (4.2-4.8 grains?) using 230 grain JHP bullets, so I'd imagine the slightly slower Unique would also be a viable powder as well...

[PsychoKnight]

PsychoKnight,

Thanks for you're input.

Why would I use them? Because I have a very large amount of Bullseye!

Well, I'm going to be VERY careful in how I proceed with this. I'm on the lookout for the recipie, and I hear Speer is coming out with these recipies in thier next reloading addition.

Okay - I understand your answer to my question. If I had a whole bunch of Bullseye or Unique, I'd be tempted to make use of those powders also. Just understand that velocity will be very subpar. I don't know about accuracy. If you works out (accuracy-wise), please report back to us, as these powders can make for economical and soft-shooting plinking loads.