Building a 45 Super/SMC conversion

[Magnumite]

Post shooting inspection of pistol. No barrel bump, trigger still 3 pound 10 ounces even going to 3 pound heavier mainspring (normal), frame slide impact abitment good. Also slide stop pin pattern shows nice almost 90 degree full contact with both lower lugs and link. First for me. My other fits are contact at top snd rear of slide stop pin.

 

[Magnumite]

pics of fired cases

Primers good, about like Magnum class normal loads.
No cases bulges. The only close indocator was the shortest line at the barrel’s ramp/chamber transition. Circled in red.
Notice seated primer in unfired round, lower right of 230 grain box. This is very nice ammo.
Also, depth of serrations to control expansion…deeper on lower velocity 230 grain fodder.

 

[lazarus]

Very nice. One thing I’d throw out there is I’d consider hard cast for MD hunting. Or track down some bonded 230s. It makes it harder to make energy (lil gun should be able to get you there. But scant 45 super reloading data). But the bit I’ve been reading and watching, most of the 185 JHPs for .451” are going way too fast to hold together. They really need to be kept under 1200 at the muzzle.

The thing I find interesting is I just got a Dan Wesson 44 mag and worked up some hand loads on my first range trip. Loading 9gr of titegroup under a 240gr Xtreme coated. It hits about 1110fps. Just about on the nose with the 45 super energy here. Of course it’s a revolver, not a browning action semi-auto. Plus it weights about 3lb versus the 2lbs my 6.6” Glock 21l weighs. That’s my plinking load I think I’ll load for my 44 (well or MBC 240s which rock about 1150fps with he same powder charge). I also have some 240 XTPs on the way I am looking to load to around 1200-1250fps. I am sure I’ll experiment loading some real fire breathers with H110.

I am hoping soon to work up some 45 super hand loads. I’ll probably experiment with 230gr ball a bit, but mostly load 230gr XTPs, which I happen to have around 700 of. My plan is to load the hottest 230 XTP I can. For ball, I am looking to load it to 1050fps or just under. Try to keep it subsonic, but get it a lot closer than what 45acp can do. That way I can still shoot suppressed without the crack.

 

[lazarus]

pics of fired cases

Primers good, about like Magnum class normal loads.
No cases bulges. The only close indocator was the shortest line at the barrel’s ramp/chamber transition. Circled in red.
Notice seated primer in unfired round, lower right of 230 grain box. This is very nice ammo.
Also, depth of serrations to control expansion…deeper on lower velocity 230 grain fodder.
View attachment 383637 View attachment 383638 View attachment 383639 View attachment 383640 View attachment 383641

The cases look pretty good. Interesting that they are nickel and starline. Though I think only starline has made brass for 45 super before.

I’d be curious how well they resize, but I’d think no problems. If you do get around to reloading that brass mind updating how it goes? My 45S reloading experiments are probably a couple months off.

 

[Magnumite]

I”ll let you know with the reloading endeavors.

You are right on the nose about reloading data. I check several sources, looked at powders close to the listed powder I have on the shelf.

Years back I did experiment with heavier doses of Blue Dot (popular when USPSA was a 45 game) and 185 grain jacketed bullets to get comp efficiency. The load made the comp efficient. Looked at a Hornady manual I have for 45 and they did list a Blue dot load so there is a starting point. If you don’t drive it too fast it is a very good powder.

Looking at bullet performance Underwood uses Nosler ASP.

I have a favorite HP sihlouette load of a 240 grain hard cast bullet at 1050 fps. It is a good load up to 125 yards which is furthest I have shot it.

 

[balttigger]

Did a quick run through QuickLoad for powder selection(s)

 

[Magnumite]

Thank you for that. I checked put the info…thanks!