45 Super

[Ralph]

Is there info out there about loads for the .45 Super and conversion info of a steel frame 1911? Thanks.

[streetglideok]

I looked into this sometime back myself. I believe ACE customs does conversions for it. Ive read articles that said to run it safely, you need them to do a conversion. Other writeups went so far to say you need a stiff recoil spring(ie. 24lbs), and squarebottom firing pin block plus the 45 super brass to run it. Hodgdon had reloading data for it, but it was very mild loads that some would call +p at best. IMO, if you want to turn up the throttle, look into the 460 Rowland conversion. I think that is a little better setup, and easier on the gun. What I finally did was order some +P brass(new), and start making up some loads with that. I havent had the chance to test fire them, but I went with an 18lb spring, 200gr XTP, and Autocomp powder. Ramshot Silhouette would also be another powder to consider, as its a remake of WAP. This is all for a govt model Colt, and wouldnt run it in anything smaller.

[Hannu]

To put it short, these are just my experiences and not good ideas if you if you "want-45-super-cheap-and-fast-right-now"

I think, the problem with .45 Super is it was designed to be used in guns without supported chamber. Of course, it is easier to sell conversion kits this way, but not the way to make really power out of .45 acp.
Same goes with .460 Rowland - too important to make it easy "drop-in" conversion that actual potential is not fully released However, have to give Rowland the credit to understand compensators effect on shooting hot loads in semi-auto pistol, specially in 1911.
However, same effect than with Clark comp can be reached with just fitting the barrel right - very common thing with (for example) 9mm Major raceguns, but can not be reached by "drop-in" parts...

Long time ago, in a place where 10mm Auto was developed, they were also working with .45 acp. They noticed, regular good quality .45 acp brass could easily stand 45.000 PSI pressure without any problems.
Only thing was (and still is) that chamber must be "fully supported" by nowadays terms. Practically, this means 1911 pistol with good quality ramped barrel and sensible chamber dimensions.

Higher pressure loads were not tested in .45 acp, because goal was reached below 45.000 PSI (3000 bar): 230gr FMJ left 6" barrel at ~1520 fps (450 m/s).
Yes, few pistols were built and used by some law enforcement units.
Those were later replaced first with "charged" .38 Super pistols (close to old IPSC major loads 115gr @1600 fps) and later with 9x23. But I do not want to make you even more bored than you already are

Because .45 Super is often compared to .44 Magnum, at the same time tested 240gr .44 Mag bullet reached 1720 fps from 6" barrel at the same pressure level, so there is still some difference This was measured from a pressure gun barrel (without vents).

What is my point ? If you want to shoot high pressure .45 acp, get a gun that is fitted right with ramped barrel and you can shoot .45 Super level ammo with better safety level compard to non-supported conversion kits.

I shoot my Single Stack match gun with 230gr around 1100 fps in every bowling pin match I attend. That gun has about 28k rounds through it and still shoots average groups 1.9" 5 shots @50.
For Bowling Pin I just change recoil spring to 16 lbs, otherwise using 13 lbs and always 19 lbs mainspring.