Loads for Penn 152Gr SWCBB 45acp

Hi

I'm thinking about trying the Penn 152 gr. swcbb in my 625, 325 and 1911.  Has anybody tried/used these successfully?  If so what load(s) have you used?

https://www.pennbullets.com/45/45152swcbbpm.html

...interesting.....

some of the guys here run the valiant 160 gr for the short line with their 1911s






they are running around 4.5 of bullseye if memory serves.




so that should be close with the 152s

Weren't the Ohio guys running 160's for shortline, too. 4.5 sounds speedy on a lead bullet to me. But then again, I only use 3.8 for a 185.

4.0 gr BE will barely function the pistol. 4.2 the groups start to tighten up. I hear 4.5 is common/typical.
Jon

Jon, is the issue overcoming lockup? 

The 152 is 33 gr lighter than the 185. That is about 20%. 4.5 is about 20% more than 3.8 with the heavier bullet. Is there a gain as far as recoil goes?

I think it's just because they are lighter they require more powder to drive them. There is less resistance. I've tried under 4.0 gr BE in rack grade sloppy loose GI 1911 and it won't function reliably. Won't lock back on last round and jams case straight right into barrel deforming the case mouth. So 4.2 gr BE is still too light in my opinion. Didn't group very well either at 25 yards. I'm still experimenting, but I'm thinking 185's are the better bullet recoil and accuracy wise.
Jon

for me the recoil between a 160 and my usual 185s for the short line was a wash.. really couldn't tell much if any difference so I'm staying with the 185s..

playing with the Hi-tek coating on the 185 to see if they shot as well as normal  lubed bullets...  anyone try this yet?

Let's not talk about coated bullets in this thread. Stick with the op ' s issue here.

It's ok to start a new thread about hi-tek bullets with some of the new products out there.

Give Bob Palermo at Penn Bullets a call.  Bob is very knowledgeable on loads for his bullets.

The 1911 operates on the recoil impulse of the bullet and powder,  if you have a very mild load that just operates the gun with a 185, you need tho go faster with a 160.  Recoil impulse is the mass of the bullet times its velocity.  So for a 160, the velocity needs would be 9/8 or 12% more than the 185. Or about 820 fps.

jmdavis wrote:Weren't the Ohio guys running 160's for shortline, too.

"Ohio guy" here. I shoot a 160gn Quality Cast (Bowser/Crow era) at the short line and have since forever. 4.3gn of 452AA (which should be pretty close to WST, and Bullseye for that matter) at about 820fps as stated above. Works for both iron sights and slide-mounted Ultradot.

It would be fun to try them loaded a lot lighter for the 625 or the 325. They are advertised as being very stable at lower velocities. Just a thought.

John Bickar,
Do you have to make recoil spring change from long line ammo to your short line ammo?
Jon

Jon Eulette wrote:John Bickar,
Do you have to make recoil spring change from long line ammo to your short line ammo?
Jon

ROFL

You ask that question as if you have no idea how lazy I am. (Reminder: really lazy.)

No way. I haven't changed a recoil spring in years.

ASYM at the long line and the above load at 25.

LOL.
Was just curious about function between the 2 loads. Thanks. 

Lazy Rules!
Jon

jmdavis wrote:Weren't the Ohio guys running 160's for shortline, too. 4.5 sounds speedy on a lead bullet to me. But then again, I only use 3.8 for a 185.

4.2 was pretty much the standard for the 160 but as in anything else it varied. I had 3 bushings  w/ the 4.2 in the middle and the heavier or lighter used depending on the powder lot. Buy the largest kegs you can get to avoid surprises. Test the new lot before done w/ the current, again avoiding surprises which as a rule of thumb, will occurr on matchdays.

If 4.5 is needed lighter springs and a long ejecter should be installed. Unless of course an individual(s) have a strong pref.

Ron Habegger

This is probably a rookie question, but why are the lighter weight bullets like the 152 mentioned here only used for the short line? What is the advantage of shooting a heavier bullet at 50 vs 25? I know the lighter bullets should recoil a bit less at 25, but why are they not the choice for the long line as well?

I'm the exception but shot the 160 for both. The home range was indoor 25 yds so only shot the long line outdoor. The Sierra 185 shot well for me but not as well. I am not an advocate of doing something different in matches. The bit of  testing I did and the results I saw at the local range here in FL  the 160's, as cast by Bob Crow would shoot better than any thing else.

Ron Habegger