.45 Hardball Report (more later)

Finally got the chronograph to pick up some velocities, and 6.75 gr of Power Pistol pushed a 230-gr FMJ 852 fps at 8 feet off the muzzle. ES 26.5 fps.

WCC 62 Match (actually the NM headstamp) went 858, with an extreme spread of 16.3.

Got only three shots on each, so the "true" numbers could be a bit away from those values.

Checking 6.45-ish and 6.9-7.0 next to see if there is any accuracy difference. Since all I could find was Winchesters and their bases/heels are not all perfect, not sure what I should expect at 50...

The more and more 45 hardball I shoot, the more confused I get.  My rifle and 9mm loads shoot very similarly on any given day.  If they group well one day, they group well the next.  But, my 45 hardball loads are inconsistent at best.  I think it takes an outstanding gun, barrel, or load for a 45 hardball gun to shoot well.  There is no shortage of bullets that fly better than a 230 fmj at 50 yards.   

Also, achieving a given velocity doesn't guarantee a good grouping. 

Good luck with the pursuit.  For me, it's been like trying to find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

Believe me, the "target" velocity is just the starting point. On-target grouping is king.

And the results have been, um, rather ordinary. I'll spring for some Sierras next time I actually SEE some. Who else makes hardball bullets that actually group?

Will target some of that match ammo too, probably next time.

Zero and Magnus both group well. 

I haven't seen 45 230gr Fed Gold Medal Match in years.

Dewey:

The stuff in stock here is WCC 62 Match. Got a few boxes. The chrono was the first time it's been opened up in years.

Back in the days of Federal 711A, I wasn't paying much attention to their pistol ammo (was shooting smallbore rifle), except for noticing my Dad's small stock of .38 full wadcutters. Red boxes, don't remember any Gold Medal on centerfire pistol stuff.

Anyway, since Roze Distribution has been sold out of everything I've ever checked on for a few months and they don't appear to take backorders, any suggestions on where else to look for .45 FMJs???

I was able to find some at Powder Valley recently.  They appear sold out now. I could probably drop some in the mail for you depending on how many you need for testing and tiding over to resupply.

For 230 grains hardball:

FMJ bullets....go Nosler or Hornady.

For loaded ammunition....go ASYM Precision.  In 230 grains; their National Match and Practical Match are the best available.

Jim

Jim: 
Thanks. Good to hear that Hornady 230s work well. They are now my favorite bullet company. A LOT of their stuff is quite accurate, and they don't predatory price (IMO) like Sierra has for decades. Hornady seems more committed to the sport and competitive shooters than the others.

What's the difference between ASYM National and Practical Match ammos? 200-gr SWCs on the "Practical"??? That's how *I* think, anyway.


Oh, I actually measured the groups with the Winchester 230s, and either the 815-ish or the 850-ish group was a bit under 3 inches once I ignored the CALLED shot out at 9:00. What's disappointing is that it went twice as far as I called it. Will follow up on that.

Hello GrumpyOldMan,

Both use the same 230 grains FMJ bullet, cases and primers....

National Match is loaded to 850 feet per second

Practical Match is loaded to 750 feet per second

I particularly like the P.M. round.  Of course; ASYM's ammunition is the current Gold Standard of the industry.

Jim

Anybody try the armscor bullets. Got a few 100 laying around