I'm trying to find out what to reload some Hornady XTP, 250 GR 45 Caliber bullets with Green Dot powder, I've been looking everywhere, and can't find the information, thank you.

[This message has been edited by rugervaquero (edited 05-21-2001).]

Hello RV-man,

Closest I found for you was in the Alliant Reloader web site: http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloader.pdf pg Pistol & Revolver Loads (continued).

240 gr JHP; Federal 150 primer; min OAL=1.210 for a 5" BBL.

Chg Wght=5.4 gr yields 920 fps with a psi @ 19,300.

I would use this as a starting point only. You will probably need to adjust this formula down.

Since I am not a proponent of extrapolating these formulas yet, and I personally have never loaded this recipe, I would urge you to wait for some additional feedback.

Best regards,
Alex

[This message has been edited by Alex Szabo (edited 05-17-2001).]

Not trying to second guess you here, but isn't that bullet a bit heavy for the .45 ACP? Most bullet weights for the .45 ACP run from 135 grains to 230 on the heavy side. Are you loading for the semi-auto, or a revolver, perhaps chambered in .45 Colt?

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Happiness is a 200 yard bughole.

[This message has been edited by Powderman (edited 05-17-2001).]

It is a bit heavy, but I want it to do as much damage as possible on the way in and out. I'd hate for 'em to get back up on me. It's for a semi-auto. Thanks for your reply, I wasn't expecting a reply so soon, Appreciate it. rugervaquero.

Hey, thanks for the website, I'll try it out as soon as I can. Apreciate it.

rugervaquero

Sorry but you are going against what you want to do. If you check things out you will find that a lighter bullet going faster will do more than a big slow one. Check the +P factory loads. Good luck

Hey, I always thought a slower bigger bullet had more knock down power than a faster one?

I was wondering if you had any idea where I could find the information for reloading. 45 ACP, 250 gr., Hornady XTP with green dot powder.

My friend, if you are looking at a self defense load, if I may offer a bit of advice: Use FACTORY ONLY for your carry load. Believe me, if you ever use a handload for self defense, unless you can prove that you were traveling to or from the range and it was all you had (or something else in that vein) you might be letting yourself in for more trouble than it is worth. My personal recommendation for the .45 ACP is the 230 grain Federal Hydra-
Shok. It is possibly the most effective load on the market, next to the red-hot Cor-Bons, Mag-Safes or Glasers. The Federal round is super accurate, too. Easy to duplicate the ballistics for practice--use the 230 grain ball with 6.8 of Alliant Power Pistol, with a Federal primer. I carried the .45 Hydra-Shok as a duty round, and currently carry the .40 180 grain Hydra Shok. Again, it is a great round.

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Happiness is a 200 yard bughole.

Thanks for the advice and your previous service. I have alot of respect for peace offcers. I know that the hydra-shocks are great, that's what my brother shoots. Why is it a bad Idea to use reloads for self-defense?

The use of factory loads as carry loads is simply closing one more door to possible liability. How so?

Let's say that you load some defense loads, using brand-new cases, and a good hollow point bullet; say, a Hornady XTP, Speer Gold Dot, Sierra JHP, etc. The worst case scenario occurs--you are forced to use deadly force.

A smart (read as: slimy) attorney for the now deceased or crippled assailant argues, "Your Honor, this madman loaded his own ammunition, specifically tailored to cause destruction to human beings!!"

Never mind that there are commercially available rounds that are much, much more effective than a handloaded round. It is just one more headache that you don't need. Actually, a good suggestion might be to simply check out your local police department, and to select the round that they use. That way, if push does come to shove, you can correctly state that your round is used by your local police--and, after all, they are trained to make an attacker stop their action--NOT to kill.

I'd be interested in knowing what round you choose. Good luck!

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Happiness is a 200 yard bughole.

Good point sir. I can see where you're coming from. I guess I might have to look around for some good rounds somewhere. I think I'll stick with my XTPs for hunting though. Alright, thanks for the advice.
rugervaquero.

Powderman,

I have a 1911 that I carry for "reassurance" in the woods. Specifically, I carry it because the black bears out here are more numerous than ever and have very little fear of humans. (thank you, yuppie sub-division residents...) I realize that this is not the ideal bear gun. Having said that, what would you recommend for (a.) Factory Loads and (v.) handloads in the .45 ACP ?

Okay, we're getting into some SERIOUS social purposes here.

As far as bear medicine, IMHO, you would be well advised to get a top end for .45 Super, or even .460 Rowland.

If this is not an option, a good heavy bullet will be better than nothing. I would personally be well served with any one of the premium HP's available, such as the Hydra-Shok, Golden Saber, Gold Dot, or the XTP.

You can purchase the Hydra Shok, Golden Saber, Gold Dot, or the Hornady XTP as a component. Just make darned sure that you follow a good recipe from a reloading manual. If you're carrying for bear (literally) assemble your loads using new or once-fired cases, cleaned inside and out. Load all of your rounds to the same OAL as a .45 FMJ round. Use a firm taper crimp. For practice, or as a primary bear powder, may I suggest Alliant Power Pistol. Meters well, and is super clean. I think of it as H110 or W296 for semiautos. Good shooting.

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Happiness is a 200 yard bughole.

Lighter bullets may have a higher muzzle velocity, but heavier bullets retain velocity over a longer range.

Because they retain their velocity, heavier bullets also have a flatter trajectory. This may not be important in a handgun, but it's worth knowing.

Out in the woods, for defense against animals, I'd opt for a 44 mag double action with a bbl. length that is reasonable to carry. Longer barrel means more velocity.

For large animals you want a soft-point bullet pushed at max velocity. Hollowpoints sometimes won't effectively penetrate hide. HP bullets may dissapate their energy before they reach bone or vital organs in an animal.

So . . . rugerguy . . . you still haven't specified what you're possibly shooting here.

For HUMAN varmints you should stick with factory ammo on account of the cited legal issues. That said, I carry heavy bullet/load ammo in my defense/carry guns -- JHP. Out in the woods I carry a 45 ACP 1911 and handloads in 185 gr. Rem. JHP loaded +P @ 1162 fps. But I'm out in the woods and not loaded for civilians. Also, I load extensively for bench/target and varmints so the "sits in the basement and loads up killer ammo for field tests" argument is not going to fly very well.

The 45 ACP is mostly to cover me until I get to the truck and the 12 gauge loaded with 00 buck and/or SKS (but any carbine semi-auto is a good choice). I have a 44 mag Ruger Blackhawk for the woods too. (Cougars are a problem in my hunting areas.)

You want to be able to deliver a big punch from a shotgun or a lot of lead frome a semi.

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Rugervaquero,

If you want to load your own heavies in the .45 ACP, I suggest that Green Dot will not give you the best ballistics. [However, I have gotten good accuracy results in .44 Spl and .41 mag with Green Dot in target loads].

I suspect that something in the burning range between Unique and Blue Dot would be required. The Alliant web site references Blue Dot in a non-PlusP load with the 260 grain Speer bullet.

However, if you, as your handle suggests, own a Vaquero, and it's chambered in .44 mag or .45 Colt, a stout load in either cartridge in a Vaquero would be a much better bear repellent than any .45 ACP load I can imagine.

Just my two cents.....

I fully and most emphatically agree. I included the load recommendations that I did in case you carried your 1911 out of personal preference, or maybe it's the only gun you have--or for any other reason. But, for the record, guess what I carry with me when I'm in the woods? A stainless Bisley Vaquero, in .45 Colt, with a healthy helping of Blue Dot under a 230 grain or heavier JHP. Good luck, and good shooting.

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Happiness is a 200 yard bughole.