45 Super, handloading and shooting!

The 45 Super, or the 45 ACP +P+P! We are handloading and shooting this niche cartridge! Do primers make a difference? Let's find out!

[@thewanderingmillwright]

Wiki lists 45 super as 28,000 psi. Barrel upgrades are a good idea for the 1911. I’ve used both CFE pistol and VV 3n38 because those have been easier for me to find. I like the 3n38 better. I haven’t done as many reloads with the 45 super as with the 45auto and only load to 45 super to 45 auto max loads or a little above. I don’t know how much I’d worry about my pistol frame because the right recoil spring should help to prevent any damage. That being said it’s all off book trial with the proper spring. It would be cool to see someone measuring slide velocities with different weight springs.

[@raylaux8295]

Standard .45 ACP cases can hold Super pressures. Super cases have less capacity which increases the psi faster. Select the slower powders and you'll get the same ballistics with lower pressures. Old W630 with a cast 255 RF runs 960fps out of most 5" barrels. This is a max load in Speer #10 that used the Speer 260gr. JHP @ 890fps. and does not exceed 19,900 CUP (22,000PSI.) or standard SAAMI . Lead boolits develop less pressure than jacketed and powder burns more efficient resulting in a bump in velocity near 1,000fps. A 1 piece 416 stainless barrel, 24lb. recoil spring, shock buff, and a flat bottom firing pin stop in a full length guide rod 5" 1911 is all that's required.

[@leveractiongypsy1848]

I used the RCBS 45-250 mold (263gr) PCd with Herco powder, Starline Super brass. I had no pressure signs at 950-1000fps, but stopped testing there. Good 1911 load for deep woods -

[@echosreloadingchamber7306]

I remember shooting mini 1911 chambered in 45 Winchester magnum. U talk about 45 ACP on steroids. We had a lar grizzly pistol at our shop that we used as a range gun. People would buy Samson ammunition for about $29 for 20 rounds back in 1990. This reminds me very much of that cartridge to a certain degree. Very good video John, I'm interested in doing this to one of my 1911's now. Thank you for sharing. Echo

[@motorgearhead]

70 Colt Gov model - Clark compensated barrel with fully supported chamber, 24 lb spring and shock buffer. Alliant Power Pistol has been my go to for years. I run 460 Rowland level loads using rifle primers. No issues. Converted this pistol 7 years ago. 900/1000 FT/LB possible with 185 & 230 grain loads. Purchased QuickLoad couple years ago and I do run loads approaching the 40K PSI chamber pressures of the 460 Rowland. 40K PSI loads propel 230 grn @ 1350 fps and 185's exceed 1550 fps. My standard range load is a 185 running about 1300 fps and recoil feels like +P loads in "normal" 1911 and generate about 27K PSI per QL modeling. DO NOT ATTEMPT to exceed 45 Super pressures/velocities without using a compensated barrel with a fully supported chamber. My first 460 Rowland pressure load was tested in Feb 2016. I do recommend rifle primers for loads exceeding 28,000psi.

[@AzBigD]

Today I reloaded and tested 40 rounds of 45 super 255gr with 13gr of PP and large primers and pushed the velocity to 1340-1390 with no negative effects except for casing dent from extraction..

[@bustabass9025]

I always use Federal primers over CCI. Never an issue with any of their varieties. Rifle or handgun, they always go bang, and never any post-mortem woes upon after shot inspection.

[@adonikam1]

You raised my eyebrow. When you filmed the reload the once fired brass was dented and you did NOT place it in the press properly. I'm NOT knocking you but I would rather you not get hurt. Watch the video closely. Good video. I subscribed.

[@404nitro]

Nice little video. Not to argue but none of these rounds are anywhere close to a hot loaded 45 Colt. In a strong 45 Colt, it is no trick to surpass all but the stoutest + P 44 mag loads., and the 45 Colt loads are much stouter than any of these auto loads can manage. Around my area, pistols and revo's run the same price or slightly less for revo's. I think the popularity of the auto is simply a matter of hollywood always using them and many newer shooters really have no clue about a revo, or are wanting maximum mag capacity vs 6-7 shots from a revo.. I own 45 ACP's, 45 Super in my 4506 S&W for carry, and a 460 Rowland in a 1911. Too many 1911 barrels these days are throated too much for safe, continuous use with 45 Super even though Super brass is stronger. BTW- 45 Super is rated at 28K psi and Rowland at 39K. Another bit of info you might find interesting- I read on a gun board not long ago was that Super brass and Rowland brass are the same strength with the only difference being the length. Most of the time, what is posted on the net is more opinion than fact, but this was one time it is true. I called and talked to a man named Nate at Starline and he verified that it is indeed the same strength brass with only the length being different. Since both rounds have the same OAL, a guy needing 460 Rowland brass can safely use 45 Super brass if he can't find the Rowland brass, but not vica versa.. One other thing you may want to do is add a flat bottomed firing pin stop to your 1911. It slows slide speed and thus battering of the gun and lessens recoil slightly. get an oversized stop from EGW and fit it. It's easy to do and will also help your extractor throw your cases more uniformly. Did you use a new, stronger firing pin spring? If so, you may want to fit a new oversized firing pin from EGW (also easy to do and both will help eliminate the primer issues) and no, I am not in any way associated with that company, but they make good stuff and are one of the few sources to get all this stuff from.

[@williamster2015]

Okay your smaller bore will have higher pressure. With your .45 Super (same case length size as .45acp) You Will have higher pressurez with 10mm, .40 Super, 9x25 Dillon, .357 Sig, or 9x19 ECT. If .45 super was going somewhere it would have yet it hasn't 10mm still holds it's own in that category. Now for a cartridge in which uses a similar case diameter from the same platform that didn't get more attention would the .40 Super.

[@stuckcase7775]

A heavier mainspring and flat bottom firing pin stop will do more for slowing the slide down than the heavier recoil spring will.

[@frankgagas9569]

Hey John, great video as usual. I’m always learning something new watching your channel.

[@toddreeder3082]

Thank you John excellent work brother 👏

[@Brykk]

Ive seen a couple of listings for 45 super pressures around 28,000 psi.

[@jcm4590]

Good info. Thanks!

[@luvtahandload7692]

Thanks for the vid! Ya gotta love Federal primers!

[@richardmendoza738]

Great video sir 🤘🤘🤘

[@jesseboutdoors]

Never heard of this round 👍🏻

[@HobbiesHobo]

Super interesting! I learned a lot tonight! I shoot .45 ACP 1911 Commander. Mike

[@TheCastleKeeper]

I have a Glock 30SF lower and Glock 36 upper, a poor man's Glock 30S. I got a fully supported KKM 45 barrel for it. Then changed the spring and guide rod out with a 24# system, with 10% extra power mag springs, extra power striker spring, and reduced power trigger spring. It runs 45 Super without issue. Brass looks nice and pretty after use.