Hey folks,

Just wondering if the dies I use to reload .45 acp will also work on the +p brass? Also anyone have a favorite recipe for these? Thanks in advance!

The standard dies will work just fine. +p just means the original ammo was loaded to higher pressure.

Personally I just load target ammo for my 45s. If I want more power I'll just use a bigger gun.

Thanks, I wasn't sure because the brass looked a bit heavier. I'm not sure if I'm gonna try them before I have some more loading time under my belt. I could always just bust out the .50

I once approached an amazing gunsmith and asked him about some +P loads in my Paraordinance 14-45 and he told me that as long as it was not a steady diet but only an occasional bunch it would be ok, but to be aware that the recoil spring is calibrated for normal loads and to either get a different stronger spring of use another bigger caliber. I went with the bigger caliber.

I don't think it's anything I would load allot, but thought it would be cool to have 20 rounds on hand of it. I don't want to jack up my 1911 though. What weight of recoil spring would I need to upgrade to? Thanks!

quote:

I don't think it's anything I would load allot, but thought it would be cool to have 20 rounds on hand of it. I don't want to jack up my 1911 though. What weight of recoil spring would I need to upgrade to? Thanks!

I run a 22 lb mainspring for my 800 fps 230 grain loads.

If you ever look at the recoil equations, spring contants are in the noise level for reducing recoil slide velocity. Pressure is the biggy.

What you risk with + P loads is frame peening. You will see it if you fire enough + P loads.

Slam what loads are u using?

Starline Brass- +P is thicker in the web area compared to there standard 45 acp brass. Its posted on there website. As for other brands, i do not know. Dies will reload both.

Yes standard dies will work for +p and for super brass for that matter. I run a 24 lb spring in my longslide and i can still shoot factory 230s up to supers that are loaded a bit hotter than spec. No frame battering yet after a few 1000 rounds and my 185s are cloaking over 1500fps, and 275s at 1150 through the 6 inch barrel. Pressures around 30k psi. Its a nice light gun that packs easy yet packs a punch.

Much appreciated everyone, Thanks!

SAAMI MAP (Maximum Average Pressure) for the 45 ACP is 21,000 psi(transducer). The MAP for +P is 23,000 psi.

Several lots of US Ball (WCC) 45 ACP run 16,500 psi out of Contender test barrel measured with an Oehler M43. Speer's old 200 gr HP runs 15,300 psi(M43. Cor-Bon 230 gr runs 21,300 psi(M43). The old stand by of a 185/200 gr HP (I use XTPs) over 7.5 gr of Unique in Federal cases with Federal 150 primers runs 17,800 - 18,700 psi(M43).

That Unique load with either of the XTP bullets of previously with the Speer 200 gr HP (FAT) bullet has been my mainstay defensive/hunting load for 35+ years. No I don't shoot a lot of them as a steady diet and have 18+ lb springs and buffers in my M1911s (Colt Series 70, Colt Combat Commander and Para P14) but I've not found they "batter" my pistols at all. In years past I tried other powders that were +P level loads but the didn't perform any better than the old standby Unique load. The 185s will push 1000+ fps and the 200 gr bullets 975+ fps out of 5" barrels with the Unique load BTW.

Perhaps with a couple of the newer pistol powders actual +P velocities may be practical but since the Unique load isn't broke and doesn't exceed the standard SAAMI MAP for the 45 ACP I've not tested any of them.

Larry Gibson

Thanks Larry!