best use of 45 AR brass

[potatojudge]

I'm about to load up a couple hundred 45 AR cases for a Smith 625, but at every turn I wonder why I'm not just loading 45 ACP cases and using moon clips. 

Is there a load that justifies AR brass? I'm looking to approach original 45 Colt performance and try to make the gun do double duty as a 45 ACP and a 45 Colt lite. I have a pile of primed ACP brass ready to go also. 

Brian Pearce data shows the 280 grain bullet to give up little in velocity compared to 255 grain rounds, but I already have lots of 155-255 grain bullets on hand.  

[Encore64]

Aside from being rimmed or rimless, the two cartridges are the same.

In my experience, Power Pistol provides the best performance staying at or below 45 ACP +P Performance.

I find seating depth of bullets to impact pressure more than weight.

The Matt's Wadcutter 250 grn are excellent bullets for the 45 ACP/AR. They seat shallow and allow excellent performance while keeping pressure reasonable.

[bigbrowndog]

For me the benefit is in being able to top up after a shot or two has been fired. Also less bulk in one’s pocket for extra rounds, and the ability to use a standard belt attached spare round carrier.

Trapr

[bushog]

There’s. MP bullet/mold that weighs 275-280gr that is made for the AR. It’s too long for the .45 Colt.

[Fowler]

The best reason to use AR brass I can think of is loading and unloading full moon clips, especially on a cold snowy range in January.

That said Brian Pearce did one of his exhaustive articles on the 45 AR and he ran the 270-SAA bullet up close to 900fps and 255gr bullets to the same speeds. I have run similar loads in a 1911 that were designed for back country packing use, not regular use without a heavy recoil spring and other light mods to the gun to handle the wear and tear of the heavy bullets. But if I was packing in bear country Id sure rather run a 270SAA at 900 over a 230gr at 850fps...

Handloader mag feb/mar 2017

[bigbrowndog]

I am currently running a 270gr. at 830fps from45AR and a little 3” S&W 1917. It is a great field carry gun, for when big dangerous game is not an issue.

Trapr

[potatojudge]

Appreciate the pointers everyone, and I'd looked at the Brian Pearce article as I do for any cartridge I load that he's covered.

I found a pile of Green Dot not earmarked for anything else, so maybe there's 255 grain data out there for it. The search continues...

[48off]

The ability to roll crimp AR brass into the crimp groove on cast bullets designed for the 45 colt is the the biggest advantage.     Dave

[45MAN]

NOT DIRECTLY IN POINT TO THE OP BUT YOU CAN ROLL CRIMP AR BRASS AND STILL USE YOUR LOAD IN A SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER WHERE MOON CLIPS ARE NOT USEABLE.

[bigbore5]

The 45AR is only useful in a double action to me. My 45acp convertible cylinders do fine with cowboy brass roll crimped, no machining required.

However, I do not own a 45acp double action, so I don't load the ar anyway. It wouldn't be hard to machine a cylinder to take it, but I don't have any reason to.

[boolitdesigner]

Aug 11, 2024 18:00:09 GMT -5 bigbore5 said:

The 45AR is only useful in a double action to me. My 45acp convertible cylinders do fine with cowboy brass roll crimped, no machining required.

However, I do not own a 45acp double action, so I don't load the ar anyway. It wouldn't be hard to machine a cylinder to take it, but I don't have any reason to.

Either a double action or a single action 45 ACP (in their various forms) are delights to have and shoot. I have had both types that shot every bit as well as any match grade 1911 type you can name. All you have to do is load it correctly.

[45MAN]

ALREADY OWNING 100's OF AR CASES IS A REAL GOOD REASON TO LOAD AR CASES. THEY ARE ALSO "neat" LOOKING BEING SHORT WITH A THICK RIM, KIND'a LOOK LIKE A LITTLE TANK.