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What is a good velosity for accuracy @ 50 yds. for a 45 ACP 200gr SWC. I've been using 5.1 gr of Unique for 25 and 50 yds. Been wondering if a higher velocity would be better at 50 yds. Thanks.

Are these bullets lead semi wadcutter, or are they jacketed semi wad bullets?

R,
Bullseye

Lead, should have specified.

You can try upping the powder level, within loading table specs, but take care to watch for excessive leading in the barrel. Leading will be counter productive to accuracy. Pushing lead bullets too fast will cause them to shave lead in the rifling and decrease accuracy.

R,
Bullseye

Thanks Bullsye, I found a load in my pet loads book that said 6.0 gr of unique was very accurate so I think I'll try it this weekend.

SShearer wrote:Thanks Bullsye, I found a load in my pet loads book that said 6.0 gr of unique was very accurate so I think I'll try it this weekend.

I use about that same load excpt Green Dot with the 200 LSWC as practice ammo for self defense, it will reliably run my SA Micro and my SA V-10 and my full size SA Loaded also.

Don't be overly concerned with how fast. Bullseye is a game of precision bullet placement, not how fast the bullet gets there. Do your range testing with the emphasis on how tight the groups are and how reliable the ammo is. Each gun barrel is going to be a rule unto itself.

What you're doing is normal, I did the same when I started loading the 45. Until one of the High Masters I shot with told me "the paper doesn't care how long it took the bullet to get there". It made sense and I haven't chronographed a 45 load in years. I couldn't tell you what the speed of my ammo is. I could guess, but that's it.

If you're loading for a certain power factor, that's a different story. But for Bullseye, it really is low on the priority table.

The only exception to the above post is for 230 hardball ammo. That needs to be at least 820 to keep the bullet stabilized for 50 yard shooting.

Here's a link to the Alliant website for the 45 w/200 SWC.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/ ... ulletid=62

FWIW
Stork

stork wrote: The only exception to the above post is for 230 hardball ammo. That needs to be at least 820 to keep the bullet stabilized for 50 yard shooting.

FWIW
Stork

Does this mean a wad-cutter bullet is more ballistically sound than a hardball bullet? Or does it depend greatly upon the speed at which the given style of bullet is going?

I can't answer the ballistic question, really don't know. I just know unless the speed of hardball is kept up there, it just won't shoot as well at 50. 25 is a different story, speed can be less there.

Perhaps it has something to do with the longer bearing surface of the SWC design engaging the rifling more or perhaps more fully obturating (sp)and filling the grooves. Just guessing!

FWIW