Testing 45 auto loads, Double Eagle and Gold Cup

[joshb]

I started to try different loads in my two Colt autos. Been reading all the posts. Thanks to those of you who gave me a direction to head towards. I'm starting with the stuff I have, while the store gets my orders in. The guns I'm using, are a Double Eagle [used] and a new Gold Cup 80 Series. Powders were thrown from an RCBS measure, weighed every 5th round. Cases were fully sized, no crimp. Federal primers. I'm shooting 25 rounds of each load, in 5 shot per target sessions, and "averaging" the groups. I'm shooting from a home made rest, at 15 yds. I figured I'd start with a few loads and move towards the best results, then "fine tune" from there.Double Eagle:Factory-Rem 230 gr.FMJ RN-2.5 in.;7625, 6 gr., 230 FMJ RN-3.5 in.; 7625 6 gr. 230 gr. lead RN-2 in. Unique, 6 gr. 230gr. FMJRN-3in., 6 gr. unique, 230 lead RN-2 in. Bullseye, 4.8 gr. 230 FMJ-3.5, 230 lead-3 in. Gold Cup;[same loads as above] Factory Rem-2.5,7625 FMJ-2.5, Lead-2in.,Unique FMJ-2in. Lead-1.75 in., Bullseye FMJ-3.5 in., Lead-3in. Seems, so far, that the Unique with the Speer Lead swaged bullets gave the best results for both guns. There are so many possible combinations. I'm just getting started. My first try, with the DE didn't go so well. I still don't know what the problem was. I'm now weighing every 5th load, to check, and sorting cases per head stamp. Thanks to those who posted that advice. These autos seem to be "fussier" than my revolvers.

[smkummer]

By recording your results, you will develope loads that work best for your situation and YOUR gun. In some cases, good old unique still works great. But as you have discovered, one can find hundreds of combinations that work. Years ago IMR 700X was being sold by military surplus powders dealers (it was used in 50 Cal. blanks) for about $8 per pound. This is when I switched to 700X in many of my pistol/revolver applications and of course its still a favorite 12 Gauge trap load for 1 oz. and 1 1/8 oz. loads. The military surplus of 700X has dried up but I ended up getting hooked on it. 4.5 grains of 700X and the Lee TL230 grain cast lead bullet is my standard hardball load for 45 ACP in 1911s and submachineguns. The great thing about Unique is that it will work great in about all pistol/revolver combinations. It won't give the highest velocities in magnums, but using lead bullets negates the highest velocities. It won't be the most economical in target/starting loads and it tends to be dirty when loading too light with low pressure but it still works. You may find one powder that works well in most of your applications, then you can buy in 4 or 5 lb jugs to save even further.

I have never fired a double eagle Colt. I am guessing as a service type of handgun, function and safety was more important than the accuracy achieved by the Gold Cup. My series 70 Gold Cup has about a 3.5 LB trigger pull and it beats many autos and some revolvers for match or range use, but I would never carry it as a duty gun with that light of a trigger.

[joshb]

I might try your load. You're right about unique. To save money, I tried to find a powder I could use in all my guns. Now that I've got the time[retired] and extra money, I'm gonna play. I got the Double Eagle, on a whim, as a "carry" gun. I like the double action aspect, and it's a Colt Stainless Steel version. Never warmed up to the Smith autos I had. First time out, with the DE was a disaster. I'm gonna tame her, or she's gonna tame me. Either way, it's "under my skin" to get her to hit the bull, like the Gold Cup. Or at least close as I can get.