[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.

[buffaloguy]

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

[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/ .

[MCF]

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

[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.

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

XD-S™ Voluntary Safety Recall FAQ
Updated 03/07/2014
This information applies only to XD-S™ pistols in the serial number ranges below
Springfield 3.3 XD-S™ 9mm pistols - serial numbers between XS900000 and XS938700
Springfield 3.3 XD-S™ .45ACP pistols - serial numbers between XS500000 and XS686300

As a reminder, do not use your 3.3 XD-S™ until the upgrade has been performed.

XD-S™ Voluntary Safety Recall FAQ
Updated 03/07/2014
This information applies only to XD-S™ pistols in the serial number ranges below
Springfield 3.3 XD-S™ 9mm pistols - serial numbers between XS900000 and XS938700
Springfield 3.3 XD-S™ .45ACP pistols - serial numbers between XS500000 and XS686300

As a reminder, do not use your 3.3 XD-S™ until the upgrade has been performed.

http://www.springfieldrecall.com/Recall%20FAQ.asp

[Buffalo Head]

Only use shellcases headstamped "45 AUTO" for reloads in a modern pistol chambered for that cartridge. May lay persons, gun writers and even Springfield Armory seem to be unaware that the "45 ACP" cartridge was obsoleted over 73 years ago by SAAMI. Where have they been?

As James Carville might say, "It's the headstamp stupid"

[Red in Blue PA]

RCBS Lockout Die......would not load without it.

[buffaloguy]

Spend some time at:

Www.castboolits.gunloads.com

35,000 members, some noobies, some have been loading for 60 years. We have a lot of experts who are willing to help you get your technique correct.

Just be sure you ask questions. We don’t care if they have been asked before.

[buffaloguy]

And good luck finding pistol powder. Sheesh.

[Blue Collar Christian]

5 grains of Alliant Bullseye under a 230gr Speer Gold Dot flying ashtray for self defense. 777fps per my Chrony.
5 grains of same Bullseye under 230gr RN plated Berry’s Bullets

Both of these bullets are not normal jacketed, but plated lead, and therefore softer than jacketed bullets and take less powder to push through the barrel.

Real fast powder for that short barrel, no lead to clean up, just powder residue.

Only about 250 rounds through the gun, but so far no malfunctions. This XDs .45 is carried every day.

$217 for 1500ct Berry’s plated 230gr RN bullets $.145ea
$35 (panic inflated) 1 lb Bullseye powder makes 1400 rounds $.025ea
$40 (again, panic inflated) 1000 primers $.04ea
You collected the brass for free $.21 per round or $10.50 a box

[MarkL]

If you’re looking for faster burning powders, I’ve used both Bullseye and 231 in my 45s, with anything from 185gr JHP to 255gr LFN.

Sorry, I don’t recall the charges used.

Mark

[Squantos]

4.5 of 231 plugged with a H&G #68, 200gr hardcast lead semi wadcutter .....

Using that load for decades in Sig 220’s and 1911’s. About 860fps if I remember correctly.

Safe simple load....stay safe !

[Red in Blue PA]

For 45 ACP target shooting, I use light loads so I can shoot longer.

4.9 grains of Titegroup with 185 grain bullets.

I also loads with other powders such as IMR700X, HP38, and UltimateClayes if I cannot find Titegroup in this market where powders are still hard to find.