[vanity] Reloading advice for Springfield XDS compact 45

Optimum loads ^ | 4/8/2014 | blueflag

[Blueflag]

Seeking advice and comment on the best reload spec for a Springfield XDS 3.3 compact 45.

[Blueflag]

Bought my wife a Springfield XDS compact, 3.3, .45 ACP. The store-bought loads that work well in my P220s have a slower powder burn that seems to be inappropriate for the far shorter barrel of the XDs compact. So I am seeking advice on the right powder/ grains/ bullet to optimize both shoot-em-up ammo and self-defense rounds. My brother retired from Lockmart and no longer has a place in his new home for his Dillon RL 500B progressive press. Oh darn. So, my first venture into reloading is about to begin!

figured I would start with a nice easy reload like the straight case 45 ACP; then move up to .223 and .308.

So what says FReeperdom? Best load for the short barrel 45s?

[Farmer Dean]

I’ve used 6 grains of Unique power with a Lyman 225 grain cast round nose bullet for years.Works well in every gun we’ve tried it in,including MAC 10s and Thompsons.

[Farmer Dean]

power=powder.

[buffaloguy]

Look at www.hodgdon.com and you will find the answer. In the Data Center.

[yarddog]

Boy when I started hand loading over 40 years ago, 6 grains of Unique was a common load for a lot of different calibers and bullet weights.

For instance in 9mm, 6 grains of Unique with a 115 grain fmj. 6 grains of Unique with a 255 grain cast lead bullet in .45 Long Colt. Same with the .44 special, and several others.

[Blueflag]

will do; trick is finding the right data for the XDS 3.3 compact, specifically.

Goal is to have a 100% powder burn prior to the bullet leaving the barrel, with the right velocity, an NO overcharge.

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

Personally I wouldn’t recommend trying to undercharge any round. You might wind up with a squib. I’d stick with whatever the Powder manufacturers recommends.

Not related to ammo, I recommend these folks to improve Springfield triggers http://www.powderriverprecision.com/ .

[Blueflag]

For what it’s worth, Hodgdon returns the usual data - between 6 (starting) and 6.6 max grains for a 230 grain bullet. Got it.

I am looking for insight into the powders moreso I guess than grains of powder alone - I want a faster burn, but not over charged.

Again, the goal is to ‘build’ a cartridge optimized for the shorter barrel of the XDS 3.3.

[Blueflag]

Not trying to undercharge the round. Rather I am looking for insights into the various powders - to see if there is a load and a powder that provides a 100% powder burn for a 3.3 inch barrel, versus the longer barrels of my full size Sigs.

Thanks.

[Lurker]

Try this one:

Sierra 185 gr JHP.
5 grains Bullseye.

My XD functions flawlessly with this load. Very controllable recoil, very little flash or flame.

[buffaloguy]

Use the hodgdon data at the low end of the range and get a chronograph so you can see the velocity. Most all pistol powders are fast and they should all burn without any problem in that barrel.

Data from the powder manufacturers is reliable. Other sources may not be.

What makes you think that you are overcharging?

[RandallFlagg]

This thread needs more GUN PORN!!!



;-)

[MCF]

Try Accurate AAC-2 powder and 185 gr. bullet.
5.7 gr. starting load
6.7 gr. max

[IMR 4350]

Do a search for a powder burn rate chart and print it out.

Figure out what weight bullet you want to use, check your load data for the loads with the faster powders from the chart.

[Errant]

I like unique powder though it may not be the cleanest burning. You might look at Bullseye as you don’t need much of it. The best, most accurate bullet that I’ve found is Nosler’s Custom Competition Bullets in 185 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point; reasonably priced as well.

[Errant]

45 Auto •185 gr Speer GDHP

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=185&shellid=35&bulletid=59

Minimum OAL (inches)	Bbl Length	Primer	Powder	Charge Weight (grains)	Velocity (fps)	Print
1.2	4.4	CCI 300	Bullseye	6.4	986	View this recipe
1.2	4.4	CCI 300	American Select	6.2	941	View this recipe
1.2	4.4	CCI 300	Unique	8.2	1,015	View this recipe
1.2	4.4	CCI 300	Power Pistol	9.5	1,047	View this recipe

[dangerdoc]

If you don’t already have pistol powder sitting on your shelf, you are probably out of luck. I’ve been trying to resupply for months, only a few bottles of rifle powder at the shops and no luck even at the gun show.

If you can find powder, for a short barreled light gun, you want a lighter bullet with faster burning powder.

For self defense rounds, buy ammo, don’t reload. To get proficient, load and shoot a lot. I’ve shot 10s of thousands of rounds, a good portion of them 185 grain cast bullets sitting on top of 5 grains of bullseye or Red Dot.

[Caipirabob]

If you have one nearby, head to a gunshow. Get there early, the line for supplies is the longest you will see there.

[wrench]

5 gr Bullseye and 230 gr LRN. Functions reliably in every 45 I have shot.

[Caipirabob]

Oh sorry...saw you tried. Live in Az where it’s common and no issue.