Reeder Custom Guns - Loading for the 45 ACP Mini-Howdah..

For starters the TC Contender is much stronger than the 1911. This is pretty much a no brainer, but...

Several things lined up perfectly on this project. The barrel is 7" to start with. That extra 2" makes a difference as powder capacity increases. The barrel has a long, smooth throat which allowed me to seat bullets out. This gives much more powder capacity and puts the bullet closer to the rifling.

For me, the 45 deserves heavy bullets. I started with 230 grn FMJ-FP. These things hit like a brick and penetrate well.

The normal length of a loaded 45 ACP is around 1.250" I believe. I loaded mine to 1.355". Now I realize that 1/10th of an inch isn't much. But, it makes a huge difference in the pressure curve.

By using powders such as AA#7 and Longshot, I reached 1200 fps with the 230 grainers. That's getting dangerously close to 44 Magnum Revolver powder.

The long seated bullets eliminate any possibility of these making it into an auto. Accuracy is about 1" at 25 yards with the Millett Red Dot.
[image]

Huey bought) with the longer seated bullet and lack of losing gases due to the slide moving back, I would think it would be no problem equaling the 45 Super specs. I had figured 1400 fps with a 185 grain bullet would not be out of reach.

200 gr and Longshot powder. I get mid 1400 with 185gr with the Super in a government 1911 and I am 1.5 gr below max

Longshot powder. My figures were with 2400 powder.

out of that little piss ant 45 ACP barrel, they would laugh at you.

sold me his 375 Howdah barrel. A few months later he sent me a little 6" 375 Jurras Howdah barrel. Being I already had the full length 375 Jurras Prototype barrel that I used on this piggie at Tellico Junction I just set the little mini barrel aside.
[image]
Being a bit of a dim witted Tennessee boy I never hunted with that little barrel, figuring it would have no power. I eventually sold it to a Jurras collector there in Tennessee. But a couple of years ago when Lee and I were talking about me bringing back the Howdah series he mentioned for me to build some little short barrels, that the folks would love them. That is what brought about the little Howdah barrels we are building now. And there are more to come.

I honestly believe 1200 fps is possible with slick 250 grn cast bullets. I have some coming that seat shallow and think will work great.

As is, I'm matching the old classic 44 Special loads now. Long seating provides just about the same powder capacity too.

Very impressive little gun...

They seat shallow and are ideal for this chamber. Will size some .451" and get them loaded.
[image]

I will be needing a 45 super, Howdah barrel for that G2 now. ;0)

Are these howdah barrels going to be for the Encore or G2 frame?

we may do some for the encore.

Or just switch over to the 460 Rowland and send that 230 grainer over 1450 fps.

well and cheaper.

In the TC. I have 460 Rowland setups in both 1911 and Glock configurations.

But, in the TC there are zero differences except loading.

While some whine about cases strength, that is more to avoid blowouts due to the design of the auto loading weapons. In the TC's chamber, the issue disappears.

Being able to seat bullets out gives the advantage here. Both in performance and preventing ammo from entering the wrong guns.

For that cartridge in my opinion is way to hot. I have shot “Factory “ ammo and the pressure is so high it flows the primer back through the firing pin hole. To run that high a pressure and publish it is insane. It is a disaster waiting to happen. $.02

What I was saying and, I think what Gary was saying, is there is no advantage to using the 460 Rowland chamber or brass in the Contender.

The longer Rowland case prevents it from entering the 45 ACP chamber. It does not increase powder capacity due to COAL being the same.

As far as "upper end" loads, the Handloader just has to use good sense and recognize what gun he is loading for.

I have the 45 Colt in Peacemaker Clones and 5-Shot Customs. The "upper end" loads vary with the gun.

This is exactly why I leave out one component when posting. I post the gun, powder, bullet, cartridge, OAL, etc. But, never post the charge weight.

Even impressed with your reloading knowledge and ability. I was just stating for the record how I feel about that cartridge. Nothing more Sir.

Originally. Love the cartridge loaded to my safe limits. But, I don't like high pressures either.

The 45Super will do everything the roland will do,and do it better and cheaper. That guy just renamed the 451 Detonics, and ran with it. He is just like 300 blackout crowd. Re market someone else’s idea.

stole J.D.'s 300 Whisper.

- No text -

Not quite. The 460 Rowland is substantially more capable than the Super or Detonics.

I had a long talk with one of their techs. I asked the difference between the Rowland, the Super and the Win mag cases. There is no difference between the Rowland and 45super case other than case length witch has no impact on strength or case volume do to over all cartridge length being equal. The Win mag is much more beefy case and can handle much higher pressure. When the detonics and 45 Super where developed the powders available limited there efficiency. The Rowland is nothing more than a modern loading of the old cartridges. I didn’t reinvent super just did what modern reloaders do. Like you and Linebaugh and the 38-40. The 45 Super will match the Rowland. As will the Detonics if the gun is set up right
I have done both.

I did not post that...

- No text -

Huey,

What kind of red dot are you running on the 45 acp? I got the 357 last week and have been eyeing the Burris fast fire to put on.

[image]

- No text -

powered by my little forum