45 ACP loads with Zero 185 JHP…

I’m going to load some 185 JHP Zero bullets (bought thru Magnus)…I’m planning on using them in my Clark Hardballer in Service Pistol category.   I’d be interested in anybody’s favorite loads with these bullets.  I have the following powders: Bullseye, WST, 452AA, N310.  I know the USMC load is 4.2-4.5 N310, but I’m sure there are plenty of others that work.  I’m planning on .468 crimp and OAL will duplicate some leftover LoaderMonkey ammo.  

Thanks for any input!

4.5 Bullseye. I run that load for both my wadgun and service gun.

4.5- 4.6 of Bullseye has given me groups of 1"- 2" with the majority of the groups hovering around 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" out of at least 6 Wad guns and old Hardball guns. All had Kart barrels. Crimp was .469-470 depending on brass mfg. All were shot from my Ransom Rest at 50 yards in an indoor range.

Good luck,
Al

4.5 VV310

IMHO those are all quite "stout" loads. I mostly use Zero 185JHP and have good results with 4.20 to 4.25 grains of N310 (because, despite all the tricks and best practice, I cannot keep my Dillon PM's dropping consistently tighter than this range). 0.467" crimp.

Never RR'd my reloads, but I have shot X ring groups with this recipe offhand at 25yards in training.

I use 4.4 N310 with that 185g Zero JHP for my 50-yd load.

Wobbley wrote:I’m going to load some 185 JHP Zero bullets (bought thru Magnus)…I’m planning on using them in my Clark Hardballer in Service Pistol category.   I’d be interested in anybody’s favorite loads with these bullets.  I have the following powders: Bullseye, WST, 452AA, N310.  I know the USMC load is 4.2-4.5 N310, but I’m sure there are plenty of others that work.  I’m planning on .468 crimp and OAL will duplicate some leftover LoaderMonkey ammo.  

Thanks for any input!

I use the weight range that you describe, 4.2 - 4.5 with VV N310, with 4.3 my favorite. If WST, I increase the range by 1 - 2/10ths with 4.4. my favorite. BE is also good in the 4.3 - 4.6 range, but I have drifted away from BE. No help with 452AA.

I use mostly Federal brass and flare removed at neck to .469 - .470

OAL as short as 1.176 not longer than 1.205 with 1.200" used most often using the ZERO 185 JHP-C bullets. ZERO makes another 185 JHP, not designated as C or conical. The conical is most similar to the Nosler 185 JHP profile. The other ZERO JHP resembles the typical "rounded" nose profile JHP.

Martin

Virgin Starline brass seems to work best for those long line loads.

I've been shooting 4.4grs of N-310 and crimped at .470 and using an OAL of 1.200 with Zero JHP 185's.
But I'm going to do some more experimenting this off season with the following powders 231 and Clays.

Thanks to all.!

Centerline wrote:I use 4.4 N310 with that 185g Zero JHP for my 50-yd load.

4.2 at 50 and 3.9 at 25 for me. Really shoots well. 

Best, 
Arthur

4.0 of Bullseye with Starline brass (for matches), mixed brass for practice.  Usually CCI lpp as I gave you all my spp 45 brass. 

Greetings,

I was going to load and barrel test some of the Zero 0.451" 185 JHP and using QuickLoad and Gordons Reloading Tool I calculate 3.6 grains of VV N310 for a velocity of 775 FPS.

In the past, most Federal, Winchester, Western, Peters, and Remington 185 grain match ammo chronographed about 775 FPS average.

4.5 grains of VV N310 calculates out to 900 FPS?!?!

Has anyone actually chronographed any of their reloads?

My calculations are based on an overall cartridge length of 1.200" (I measured some Atlanta Arms Ammo)

Cheers,

Dave

I chronoed 4.5 Bullseye, CCI300 primers, Zero 185 JHP, and 1.220" OAL at an average of 746 FPS. This was February in NC, about ~50F outdoor temp.

Would 4.5 N310, a Winchester WLP primer, and a shorter 1.200" OAL result in higher velocity? Probably so... but I strongly doubt it would be 900 FPS. I have shot 4.5 N310 before and I did not notice recoil being significantly different from 4.5 BE.

chiz1180 wrote:4.5 Bullseye. I run that load for both my wadgun and service gun.

+1

fc60 wrote:Greetings,

I was going to load and barrel test some of the Zero 0.451" 185 JHP and using QuickLoad and Gordons Reloading Tool I calculate 3.6 grains of VV N310 for a velocity of 775 FPS.

In the past, most Federal, Winchester, Western, Peters, and Remington 185 grain match ammo chronographed about 775 FPS average.

4.5 grains of VV N310 calculates out to 900 FPS?!?!

Has anyone actually chronographed any of their reloads?

My calculations are based on an overall cartridge length of 1.200" (I measured some Atlanta Arms Ammo)

My 185 Zero at 1.200" OAL runs at 747 fps with 4.1 gr N310, 800 fps with 4.3 gr N310, and 838 fps with 4.5 gr N310. Starline brass, WLP primer. 5.0" Kart barrel.

fc60 wrote:Greetings,

I was going to load and barrel test some of the Zero 0.451" 185 JHP and using QuickLoad and Gordons Reloading Tool I calculate 3.6 grains of VV N310 for a velocity of 775 FPS.

In the past, most Federal, Winchester, Western, Peters, and Remington 185 grain match ammo chronographed about 775 FPS average.

4.5 grains of VV N310 calculates out to 900 FPS?!?!

Has anyone actually chronographed any of their reloads?

My calculations are based on an overall cartridge length of 1.200" (I measured some Atlanta Arms Ammo)

Cheers,

Dave

As much as I use mathematical models, this is one of those times that if you are looking for a specific target velocity, you really need to work up the load.

Another note, just because my load is made to X specification , doesn't mean that someone else who loads to the "same" specification will give the same results.

My gun shoots WST and 4.5gr N310 well, but LOVES 4.2-4.4gr Clays.  The problem with Clays is it meters horribly though.

4.5 grains of VV N310 calculates out to 900 FPS?!?!

Has anyone actually chronographed any of their reloads?

My data from ransom rest indicates 4.3 n310 gave me my best group with that 185 JHP bullet <3" at 50 yd.  I tacked on another .1 because it shot better by hand. BTW the best in that gun for a 200g LSWC was 4.2g N310. That produced 1" groups. They are both a bit hot but that's where they are accurate. I can't argue with a 1" group but I still dial it down just a bit to save my arm.