When fitting a grip panel, cut from the metal into the wood

Video: Power Custom – Fitting a Colt Style Grip Frame to a Ruger Single Action is overall good viewing, like Bob Ross.

At 33:14 he explains that when doing final of a wood grip panel to a single action, you always sand across the metal, and into the wood. Wood is softer than metal. So if you were to sand starting on the wood and ending up in the metal (which would be my first instinct, to avoid over-cutting the metal frame!) the edge of the wood will round off, and look bad, instead of perfectly melding into the metal.

Cross Cartridge Bullet Compatibility Notes

For estimating how likely a bullet from one cartridge is to work in another cartridge it was not designed for.

Cartridge	Bullet Dia	Case-To-Nose	Cart. OAL	Case OAL	Notes
350 Legend	0.354 to .3570 (no, really! spec says .3570––.0030)	0.54	2.25	1.71
38 Special	0.357 (jacketed) to 0.359 (soft lead wadcutters)	0.395	1.550	1.155

45 Caliber (Pistol)

The 250 grain Deepcurl Speer bullets do NOT work in 45 Auto — they are actually too stubby! The ogive is so blunt that they need to be seated impossibly deep to chamber, else they jam into the rifling.

Cartridge	Bullet Dia	Case-To-Nose	Cart. OAL	Case OAL	Notes
450 Bushmaster	0.452	0.54	2.260	1.700
45 ACP	0.452	0.377	1.275	0.898

Target Sizes

Notes on the sizes of some common targets, and accuracy standards, in no particular order.

B8 (B-8), normally shot at a distance of 25yds, Black is 5.54″ diameter

Reed’s Black/White/Orange B27-ish is the S-1 from plumfiretargets.com

SINGLE SILHOUETTE TARGET – 23″ X 35″

Hilton Yam quote, 100% accuracy standard: Don’t accept misses outside your established scoring zone. I usually use my target with the 8″ center circle and a 6″ head box.

45 ACP SWC

March 7, 2025March 7, 2025 ~ handloadingnotebook ~ Leave a comment

I wanted to collect the Semi-Wadcutter (SWC) loads I’ve tried for the 45 ACP cartridge in one place. This is very much still a work in progress!

The SWC shape is best used for target loads in the 45 Automatic cartridge. Target loads are usually best when light. The SWC nose lets the bullet feed, while the square shoulder cuts nice holes in paper that make scoring hits easier — both as the shooter (bigger holes) and judge (cleaner targets). Bigger holes often make groups feel better. In a group with the same center-to-center distance between holes, bigger holes will look closer together, and touch when a smaller caliber hole won’t. It’s just an optical illusion. But so much of the marksmanship game is mental that anything that makes you think you’re shooting better actually makes you shoot better.

The ~155 grain SWC in 45ACP may be the ideal balance of big clean holes in paper and light recoil in a semiautomatic pistol. There are easier cartridges to shoot, but they don’t cut such impressive holes in paper. The 0.05″ difference between a 45 and 50 caliber hole is less noticeable than I expected, since the less than 0.1″ diameter difference between a .38spl and 45 SWC is quite noticeable to me.

When terminal effect on something other than paper is needed, I wouldn’t recommend SWC bullets in an autoloader – a better choice is a modern hollow point or a “solid” in RNFP or Truncated Cone shape that will feed more reliably and penetrate deeper. That said, the two SWC bullets I would point to if I had to are the SAECO 58 (lots of meaplate, room for lots of powder to drive it fast), or 250-255 grain LSWC for 45 Colt or 45 Auto Rim (weight matters to penetration in soft targets). They should hit hard, and penetrate deep, possibly with more effect from the sharp shoulder. Also, CFE Pistol really did drive a regular target SWC very fast for me, if that’s a path you need to take. Hodgdon’s load data showing the start loads with CFE Pistol giving higher velocity than any of the other maximum charges was true for me. Be advised that I did not pressure test this load, so it’s possible I got the same effect as an over-charge of other powders by running at the same over-pressures using CFE Pistol. The standard “hardball” 230 grain round-nosed jacketed bullet is no slouch at penetration. But the round nose may deflect off bone more than a flatter nose. It’s complicated. I don’t have confident answers.

Minimum Velocity

At slower speeds all bullets, including SWCs, cut less distinct holes in paper, sometimes with long tears radiating out from the hole. I’ve noticed that at 600-700fps 45 ACP SWC bullets start to leave some tearing, but at 850 fps or above they leave amazingly clean holes.

At some point I plan to more carefully investigate the speed threshold for clean holes, and how it changes with paper thickness. Tentatively, I do not think it changes with bullet weight (sectional density). I shot 240 grain .358″ bullets into a paper target at 589-533 feet per second, and got some tearing, even though the sectional-density times velocity of this load equals a classic 148gr lead wadcutter at above 850 fps, which shouldn’t tear. Again, more testing is needed.

If tuning your gun for slow and light ammunition, remember that federal primers are easiest to ignite with a light hammer spring.

Remember to number your magazines! Sometimes a particular one will feed or choke when the others won’t. Making the absolute lightest-recoiling load for a recoil-operated pistol means doing a lot of tuning and running on the ragged-edge of working.

Also pay attention to when malfunctions happen. You may find that partially-loading a magazine will let you get away with running even more marginal-feeding ammunition. This is because the angle of the cartridge presented at the top of the magazine can change slightly due to the cumulative taper in the cartridges stacked below it. You may also have issues with the last round in the magazine. I don’t have an answer, other than counting rounds or using a snap-cap as the final cartridge — so at least you aren’t mangling one of your exotic light loads.

Playing with overall length can make feeding more reliable. Generally speaking, seating shorter means less recoil, because less powder is needed to reach a certain velocity (pressure is higher because there is less “boiler room” when the powder burns).

Bullet Specs

B8 Target

Ring	Dia. (inches)
X	1.695″
10	3.36″
9	5.54″
Black	5.54″
8	8″
Repair Center (Square)	10.5 x 10.5
7	11.00
6	14.80
5	19.68

45 Caliber Semi Wadcutter Bullets

Name	Weight	Length	Notes
Penn Bullets Penn-Maxx, 152 Grain Semi-Wadcutter Bevel Base, now coated	152 (nominal)	0.570″	These look more streamlined than the MBC offerings, but the first generation coating is a bit more messy, so I don’t like them as much. The newer coatings look better, but after the passing of the founder, the fate of this operation and mold is uncertain.
Missouri Bullet Company IDP #10-Grooveless, 155 Grain flat-base Hi-Tek 2 coated SWC	155gr (nominal), 156 actual	0.560	👍 Brinell 18 hardness. Best light coated SWC I’ve found so far. I measured about 156 grains actual weight, and an overall length of 0.5605″
ACME Bullet 45 ACP 175 SWC-NLG Coated , 175 Grain bevel-base “Lipstick red” coated SWC. .	175gr (nominal)	0.5650 (approx 0.24-0.25″ shank)	👍 Nice “lipstick” color and thick slick coating. Nominal Brinell Hardness 16. Good light SWC, seems to feed OK so far. Better than the 155 grain designs
Eggleston 200gr SWC	200gr (nominal)	0.617″	Available in several colors. I keep buying them because there are limited runs of pink.
Berry’s Bullets 200 gr Semi Wad Cutter	200gr (nominal)	.602″	👎 Max Velocity: 1250 fps. I want to like these, but I’ve had bad luck getting them to feed. And the prices on polymer-coated bullets are usually better.
Missouri Bullet Company“Bullseye #1” 200 grain coated SWC.	200gr (nominal)	0.644	👍 Brinell 12 hardness “for bullseye”. Lube-Grooved design, but coated, may be discontinued in favor of the groove-less coated version (HT-452200SGL), but can still be had in uncoated form.
Bear Creek 45 cal” 200 grain moly SWC	200gr (nominal)	0.6	👍
Speer #4684 LSWC	250gr (nominal)	0.678	🚫👍 Sadly, this has been discontinued. Moly coated. They feed much better than I expected.

Loads

45 ACP Semi Wadcutter Loads

Bullet	Bul. Len	Charge	Velocity	Firearm	ES	StdDev	Case	Primer	OAL	Notes (Labradar series)
IDP #10, 155gr SWC.	0.560	8.4gr Power Pistol	1111	5″ Les Baer 1911	53 = 1144 – 1091 (5x)	20.84 (5x)	mixed		1.232/td>	(S40) 👍 Lots of flash, to the point it can be scary to shoot. Very Loud. Temperamental feeding, but lots of fun, accurate, if you stick with a magazine that works. This can be a great way to acclimate yourself to muzzle blast. While these are certainly not “kick free” in the recoil department, the actual thrust on your hand should be about 10% less than most “hardball” loads. This may be +P — they sure feel that way to shoot. Per Alliant load data, 0.1 grain above max for a 200 grain Speer Gold Dot, and 1.1 grains below max with a 185 grain Gold dot. I repeated this load again years later (S416) and got 1101 FPS. In a 4.25″ barreled commander (S417) I got 1088.
IDP #10, 155gr SWC.	0.560	#60 ≈ 12.0gr Acc #7	1088	5″ Les Baer 1911	81=1133-1052	24.97 (11x)	mixed	Rem 2.1/2	1.25″	(S218) Tried to get more flash than the S40 Power Pistol load above. Despite having over 40% more powder, there was less flash. START load per Western Powder load data, predicting 1,076fps (13.3gr MAX for 1,223 fps at 20,2000 PSI).
175gr ACME SWC	?	#56≈4.8gr Clays	919	5″ Les Baer 1911	45[sic] = 944 – 900	14.0 (8x)	New/Demilled Speer nickel	factory	1.25	Functioned OK, I forgot my memory card, so no permanent record
Eggleston 200gr SWC (pink color)	0.617″	4.0gr Red Dot	795	5″ Les Baer 1911	87 = 832 – 745	25.95(10x)	mixed	Rem 2.1/2	???	(S158) Accurate at the ranges I shot them. Some flash.
Eggleston 200gr SWC (pink color)	0.617″	#36≈4.5gr Bullseye	847	5″ Les Baer 1911	45 = 862 – 817	12.50 (11x)	New/Demilled Speer nickel	factory	1.25″	(S225)
Eggleston 200gr SWC (pink color)	0.617″	#40 ≈ 3.94gr Clays	780	5″ Les Baer 1911	29 = 799 – 770	11.11 (5x)	Nickel Plated	Rem 2.1/2	1.253″	(S228) Cycled the action, holes were OK.
Berry’s Bullets 200 gr Semi Wad Cutter plated	.602″	#40.25≈5.2gr Accurate #2	889	5″ Les Baer 1911	27 = 901 – 874	7.23 (10x)	Nickel Plated	Rem 2.1/2	1.217″	(S227) Problems feeding. Unfortunatly I didn’t play with the OAL and loaded the whole box up in one go.

Related Articles

152 grain Penn LSWC + 45 ACP

SAECO #58

THE 353 CASULL

Freedom Arms sometimes builds 5 shot 357 Magnum guns on their strong 454 Casull frames. Originally this configuration was called the 353 Casull. They are very strong guns and can take extremely high-pressure 357 Magnum loads. Here’s a link to An older John Taffin writeup of what’s possible when “With the 353 Casull, the only limitation is the strength of the .357 Magnum brass”. (Sadly the article has disappeared outside of the Internet Archive.) The original 454 Casull guns were built to handle 5 shots of a thick 45 caliber cartridge run at 65,000 PSI. A 357 Magnum chambering only adds more meat.

Revolver Size Measurements

Here are some revolver measurements I’ve had trouble finding.

Revolver barrels are measured differently than other handgun barrels, and will be longer for the same length. The length of the cylinder is not counted when measuring a revolver barrel, but the equivalent chamber portion of other barrels are counted. To convert a revolver barrel length, add the Cylinder Length (always more than the cartridge length). A revolver barrel will actually be a little “slower” than the same converted length, because has a gap between the barrel and cylinder that vents gas. See BBTI gap tests.

S&W revolver measurements from all 4 shooters:

Frame Size:	J	K	L	N	X	Z
Grip Frame Shape:	RB, SB	RB, SB	RB, SB	RB, SB	RB	RB
Cylinder Dia(?) (mm):	33.1	36.8	39.5	43.5	48.7	43.5
Cylinder Length (mm):	40.5	42.4	41.3	43.2	58.4	64.8
Frame Top Strap Width (mm):	13.6	16.6	16.6	16.6	16.6	17
Frame, Window Height (mm):	34	37.4	40.6	44	49.4	44
Cone Length (mm):	13.7	15.6	15.5	19	21.5	19
Cone Width (mm):	17.7	20.8	21.3	23.1	24.4	22.8
Model Numbers:	36, 37, 60, 340, 940	12,13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 53, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 617	25, 27, 28, 29, 58, 624, 625, 627, 629	25, 27, 28,	460, 500	Governor

255gr RNFP Bear Creek 45 Colt

I often paint myself into a corner when publishing my personal reloading notes in blog format. I’ll start a page by doing something like Exploring True Blue in 45 Colt (it works well, by the way). And then I’ll have a related question, like “would the 255gr RNFP at around 900 load that I like be even cleaner with a faster powder that ran at higher pressure and sealed the chamber better?”. And I’ll test this (so far the answer is no, but I haven’t tested many powders). And now the problem. I really want to group all this load data together since it’s related. But problems! I could duplicate the data on two pages, but then the copies will eventually get out of sync. I could expand the scope of the first page — but that can turn into a mess, like this page that is now about 3 different guns. I guess I may need to find a real content management system.

Anyway, here I went with duplication, and collected loads for the excellent Bear Creek Supply 45 Pistol Caliber 255 grain RNFP. It is about 0.651″ long. I think it’s a good bullet. The coating works well.

45 Colt Loads using the 255gr RNFP Bear Creek (0.651″ long) bullet, unless otherwise noted all use WLP primers and are approx 1.5785″ COAL (seated to cannelure)

Charge	Firearm	Velocity	ES	StdDev	Case	Ctg. OAL	Notes (Labradar series)
#45.75≈8.8gr True Blue	5.5″ Ruger Bisley	896	41=916-875	14.28(6x)	2x Starline	to cannelure,(1.5785″ approx)	(S334, Shot record: 875, 892, 916, 905, 900, 888). Shot Indoors at 7 yards. Max for 45 Colt (14kPSI) per WesternPowdersHandloadingGuide8.0_WEB with a different 255 grain lead slug at 954 fps in a 7.26″ test barrel.
#45.75≈8.8gr True Blue	20″ Rossi 454	1092	23=1106-1083	12(3x)	2x Starline	to cannelure,(1.5785″ approx)	(S392, 40 yards, same batch as S334)
#50≈9gr (RCBS scale) True Blue	5.5″ Freedom Arms M97	930	53=962-909	15.9(10x)	2x Starline	to cannelure,(1.5785″ approx)	(S387, ~10-15 yards indoors)
#??? Acc #2 (from memoryy was between MAX of regular and START of 30kPSI in Western Powder data)	5.5″ Freedom Arms M97	958	93=990-897	31.78(6x)	6x Starline	to cannelure,(1.5785″ approx)	S460. 👎 Less consistent than True Blue, and did not keep the cases any cleaner. But it shot fine otherwise.
8.6gr Power Pistol	5.5″ Ruger Bisley	956	33.2	13(?x)	S&B	to cannelure,(1.5785″ approx)	Rem 2.1/2 primer from an early post LabRadar series and usual details unknown. At the time I noted the bullet weighed 260 grains actual, but I haven’t found this to be the case with other batches. Approx drag -1.24 fps/yard
#58≈6.6gr of VV N320	5.5″ Freedom Arms M97	808	44=833-789	11.5(15x)	Starline	to cannelure,(1.5785″ approx)	👍

Calculate BC with Labradar

Labrabaco is a really neat tool that takes the “ShotXXXX Track.csv” files Labradar writes to SD cards and calculates a BC (G1, G7, G8, RA4 rimfire) from the data.

“

It is written entirely in javascript, and runs in your browser. There are no server-side components. There is nothing uploaded to the server. There are no cookies. I shit you not (and if you don’t believe — read the code).

My deepest gratitude goes to entoptics @ longrangehunting.com forums, who has contributed multiple high-quality datasets and data processing ideas, to design, test and fine-tune the algorithms.

“

You can even save the webpage as an archive on your computer and it will work offline.

I don’t know how accurate the software is. More importantly, I don’t know how accurate the LabRadar is! I have certianly seen weird stuff happen when using it. Such as phsycially impossible “phantom” trace-tails that continue on at distances behind the target and show increased velocity. (This happens more at indoor ranges.) At the end of the day, the LabRadar is first-generation consumer-level technology. I’ve heard the company making it is the same one who makes the high-end ballistic dopplar radars companies like Hornady use to develop their bullets. I’ve heard the cost of those was into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here’s a neat story about Hornady using that high end gear to discover their bullet tips were melting, and prove they fixed it. You can see the fancy radar at about the 1:50 mark. It’s physically much larger than the Labradar. There’s only so much a small radar powered by AA batteries can do.

But even if the results are noisy, and amateur — there is still a lot of value in something that is easy to use, and boils down observations to a comparable number! It’s a better way of quantifying drag than “feet per second lost per yard traveled”, which is what I had been using. (Yes, I know that drag is actually a function of the square of the velocity, so that unit is fundamentally wrong. But the truth is, with the limited distance that I could observe, it was a more useful way to compare bullet performance in practice. Strange but true.)

I don’t compare the data I could get from a Labradar to the data I could get from a industrial grade systems. I compare it to having nothing — because the reality is I can’t set up better systems downrage at many ranges I shoot at. Sure, in theory I could plan a weekend around a well-prepared shooting trip. But in practice, it’s easier for me to squeeze in a quick trip to an indoor range during the week. The Labradar lets me get data from those trips, even if the environment isn’t ideal.

I guess that’s a really long winded way of saying that even if the BC numbers don’t agree with higher-accuracy measurements, and don’t work perfectly with ballistics software, they are still very useful. You can at least compare amunition you measure. And in the real world the ease of use is the the difference between having actual data, instead of gut feelings.

H4198

H4198 is a small stick-powder. Part of the “Extreme series” of powders that promise more consistent velocity at different temperatures. Old volumetric data may be obsolete, because kernels were shortened to improve metering, and new deterrent coatings added. IMR4198 is a different powder, despite the very similar name and IMR now being owned by Hodgdon powders (The “H” in H4198). They are similar powders, which in some ways is better since not every mixup will be catastrophic, but in some ways it is even more confusing.

Pictures and chemical analysis.

Bottom line: still evaluating. I have gotten good performance in 17 Ackely Hornet. It meters well for a stick powder, but with small hornet cases a fraction of a grain difference can matter.

Pros

• Meters well for a stick powder (small kernels)

Cons

• Stick powder shape does not meter as well as other shapes.
• Confusingly same name to IMR 4198 which is close but not interchangeable

Redding 3BR Pistol Insert

grains_thrown = 0.18 * pistol_insert_number – 0.33

pistol_insert_number = (grains_thrown – 0.33)/0.18

Accurate #7

“Accurate No. 7 is an intermediate burning, double-base, spherical powder … an excellent choice for high performance semi-auto handguns such as the 357 Sig, 38 Super, and 40 S&W. No. 7 is also a cost effective solution in larger magnum handgun calibers. Made in the USA.” Basically it is the slowest non-magnum pistol powder in the Accurate lineup. Similar to Longshot. It has less flash than Power Pistol, which is another excellent choice for high performance semi auto loads.

Bottom Line: Still evaluating.

Pictures and chemical analysis.

Pros:

• Throws accurate charges

Cons:

• bad feel when meetering — lots of resistance, like plastic or gum is in the mechanism