[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.

[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

[CurlyDave]

I am not at all sure that flame coming out of the barrel means that the powder is burning outside the barrel. It could be many things other than powder.

Could you give some suggestions on what it might be, other than powder?

I have a hard time imagining what might be burning other than powder.

[deks]

I just found this. . .

Muzzle flash can be broken down into five distinct components:

1) Muzzle glow is a reddish glow that is visible before the bullet leaves the barrel. Muzzle glow is created by superheated gases that have leaked past the projectile and have exited the barrel.

2) The primary flash is caused by propellant gases exiting the firearm behind the bullet. Although amongst the brightest of the flashes, the heat of the primary flash dissipates quickly and thus is no longer visible.

3) The intermediate flash is caused by shock waves created by the high speeds of the escaping gases and projectile, and appears as a reddish disc shape in front of the muzzle.

4) The secondary flash appears farthest from the muzzle as a large white or yellow flame. Secondary flash is caused by the mixture of fuel-rich gases and oxygen in the atmosphere surrounding the muzzle.

Following the dissipation of the muzzle flash, partially unburnt powder or other heated materials can be ejected from the muzzle and appear as sparks.

Muzzle flash, particularly the long duration secondary flash, is an inherent problem in most firearms. Due to its brightness, muzzle flash can temporarily blind the shooter, or give away the shooter’s location, especially at night.

http://legallyarmedamerica.com/blog/2014/01/10/muzzle-flash-what-is-it-and-what-causes-it/

[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.

[dangerdoc]

I use a turrent press now. Much faster than a single stage press and I can inspect each round at each stage of reloading. To me, it is a good ballance of speed and control.

The missed powder charges were a long time ago, I can’t remember if they were rounds I reloaded or not. If they were, they would have been made on the single stage press. I don’t remember ever having the issue on anything reloaded on the turrent press.

[buffaloguy]

It could be secondary chemicals that come out of the barrel at very high temperatures and react with the oxygen and burn.

The best and most efficient use of the bullet and gun will be at maximum accuracy. At that point everything is working correctly and that is the point we hunt for with a new weapon or new bullet.

The efficiency of the explosion is of little interest to reloaders as it is irrelevant to the operation of the gun. When you see load data in which the velocity increases as the charge increases the powder is definitely burning in the barrel otherwise the velocity would not increase. Make sense?

Each different bullet may have a different charge which works well at certain levels but not so well at other levels. Frequently the most accurate charge is at the lower end of the published figures.

Go to www.Castboolits.gunloads.com and begin asking questions and you will get good answers. Your first assignment is to reload so that it shoots accurately with very little difference between shots. The load must be between the published figures which are safe and useful. Higher charges will be less accurate.

You should be able to put 5 rounds into a two inch circle at 25 feet. Many can shoot better, with holes touching.

[buffaloguy]

Thanks for the education. It is as I knew from experience.

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

<< 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.>>

I shoot the same commercial ammo through my short barreled Glock Model 36 as I do the compact Model 30 and the full-sized Model 21. No problems encountered.

Doesn’t all the powder burn regardless of how long the barrel is?

[deks]

Thanks for the feedback re: your experience. I usually try to look things up, and will post it here if it seems reasonable enough to quote. I try to remember to take internet sources with a grain of salt until further confirmation :)

[buffaloguy]

Unfortunately I have seen loads on the internet that are guaranteed to blow up your gun.

Castboolits is great because if you come up with a crazy load our experts will correct you. No BS on that board.