Lead Loads for GT45?

Folks,

Looking to partake in your wisdom: does anyone have good experience with lead bullets in Pardini GT45?
I have spoken to Pardini USA and their recommendation is - JHP.
I have searched this forum for good loads for GT45 and everyone is recommending JHP.
I don't want to swim against the current but I have no JHP bullets! I do have some JHP rounds (ASYM ammo that I bought last year) and it should take me through this year's matches but that leaves precious little for training.
Therefore, I am asking for any good experience with lead loads in this pistol.
I will also post in the trading subform to see if anyone can help me and trade their JHP for my Lead Hollow Point bullets.

Best Regards,
Oleg.

What is the rifling form?  Regular land and groove or polygonal?

Since I don't really know how to tell one from the other, here is the picture of my old barrel, which is now usable only as a case gauge (there is a story behind it that is too painful to mention).

Greetings,

I had a GT45 for a while.

It did not like bullets with sharp shoulders.

Consider a bullet with a "truncated" nose. i.e. H&G 292

H&G 292

Lee and RCBS may have similar designs.

Oh yes, the barrel on my GT45 was eight groove and measured 0.450".

Cheers,

Dave

Thanks, Dave. And, of course, I have plenty of Lead Hollow Point Semi-Wadcutter (sharp shoulders) bullets! Figures...

Best Regards,
Oleg.

Greetings Oleg,

Give the HPSWC a try.

You may have to vary the seating depth for best functioning.

What I think happens is that the ejected case rim catches on the shoulder of the cartridge below causing a "hiccup" and malfunction.

Surprisingly, Remington factory FMJWC ammo fed well in my pistol.

A very nice pistol, enjoy.

Cheers,

Dave

In limited testing I've done with GT45, I had no issues shooting coated SWC, using 200gr #68 and 185gr #130.  For that matter latter shot quite well using CCI350 & WLP primers and 3.3gr of N310 under the bullet. OAL 1.150".  No functional issues at all.  Testing was limited to 25Y indoor.

#292 is 230gr conical bullet - 292.jpg (600×450) (hensleygibbs.com)
#130 is 185gr and has elements of both, conical part like #292 and resemblance of SWC.  However there is no distinct shoulder as one in SWC.  Instead cone gently rounds up, -  130_6.jpg (1200×900) (hensleygibbs.com)

AP

I would find a coated TC or these they are similar in profile to the Nosler just without the hollow point. https://www.xtremebullets.com/45-200-FP-p/xc45-200fp-b0500.htm

Rich,

Any reason for pointing me to the 200 Gr extreme bullets, instead of 185 Gr? And thanks for this. I will try extreme bullets.

Alex,
Looking at the HensleyGibbs website, I only see the molds. Does this mean that I need to learn to cast my own bullets? Not in the plans right now!

Dave, would any of your Brazos bullets fill my need?

Oleg,

Links to H&G meant to show profile of bullets.  I do not know who manufactures #130 nowadays. 

Brazos has 45 RNFP that worth trying - 45 200gr Round Nose/Flat Point/Bevel Base/Grooves (517ct, $0 (brazosprecision.com).  However I would advice against using X-Treme plated RNFP or FP bullets due to being not accurate, especially at 50Y.

AP

Oleg G wrote:Rich,

Any reason for pointing me to the 200 Gr extreme bullets, instead of 185 Gr? And thanks for this. I will try extreme bullets.

Alex,
Looking at the HensleyGibbs website, I only see the molds. Does this mean that I need to learn to cast my own bullets? Not in the plans right now!

Dave, would any of your Brazos bullets fill my need?

I used the Penn Bullets 200gn over 3.6 BE and it cycled my guns and was accurate. Xtremes are supposed to be better than Berry's.

Check with Magnus.  I think their #801 is essentially the old #130 profile or very close.

Dr.Don wrote:Check with Magnus.  I think their #801 is essentially the old #130 profile or very close.

Magnus 801 is actually a Special Mold they developed to mimic the profile of the Federal Match Jacketed Bullet.