FA 97 45 ACP advice

[harold89]

Very soon to have one so wondering what works in yours? Barrel length is 4&1/4”. Is there a sweet spot for velocity, a preferred bullet weight or type, favorite powders? I’ll be starting with 45 ACP cases but have Supers on back order.
Thanks…

[shorty500]

Can’t speak for the m97 owners but my ACP cylinder in my noe ancient mid-80s production m83 from when before there such a designation literally will eat any sane ACP load you can load up or any crazy +P or SUPER load with extremely good results! Am far from my prime but once I amazed a shooting buddy with what we could both do at an honest 200 yards, offhand with iron sights on that sweet lil 4-3/4 gun. Was something along the lines of 4grains of 700x pushing a locally cast commercial 200g bevel base semi-wadcutter- a loose copy of the old popular Hensley& Gibbs design as I recall

[gregs]

I've been shooting a MP 452-200 HP with COWW with mixed brass and various brands of primers with 6.0 of 231. It shoots better than I offhand at 50 yards (fist size groups and is probably in the 950-1000 fps rangE.

I just got 500 pieces of Star Line brass and casted about 1k with 50/50 COWW and PB. Gonna sperimint with Bulls Eye and 231.

I think as long as you have a good consistent weight, alloy and base and a consistently efficient powder charge the gun will shoot. Just get or cast a good bullet and work up a load and stick with it. If I need more than this, I have a considerable stable to choose from.

MP Molds has a swc design 455-270 Ohaus mold similar to his Ruger only 45 bullet with a shorter bullet shank and a 230 gr swc example for 45AR.

www.mp-molds.com/product/mp-452-200-hp-2-cav/

www.mp-molds.com/product/mp-45-270-ohaus-hp/

www.mp-molds.com/product/453-490-hollow-point-2-cavity-plain-base-mold/

[bigbore5]

I have the 230gr version of the 452-490 Lyman mold. Great acp/cowboy bullet, but no idea why they felt the need to gascheck it.

[bradshaw]

harold89.... see my Vol. XLIII (43) in the Gallery section.
David Bradshaw

[harold89]

Thanks David! I’ll check it out.

[Encore64]

Keeping in mind, the Freedom Arms 97 45 Colt/ACP has the same 1-24" twist barrel stock as the much faster FA83 454 Casull. Therefore, subdued velocities will generally not be your friend.

Mine wears a 5.5" barrel and does great at 25 yards with most ammo. When stretching ranges out, velocity needs to be stepped up a bit. I've found Power Pistol does this with very reasonable pressures.

Also, keep in mind, 45 Super cases are made stronger to prevent case failure in Autos without fully supported chambers. Your FA97 will perform just fine with Standard 45 ACP Cases because the cases are 100% supported.

There is no finer revolver to be owned....period. congratulations on your acquisition!!!

[harold89]

Thanks for the info. Serious testing will likely commence next spring & with a scope but for now a Holosun at 25 yards will do. I have Power Pistol, Longshot, AA5 & HS-6. If there are other powders to strongly consider let me know. I’ll try to post a picture here when it shows up.

[Encore64]

Harold, here's some mighty fine common sense loading data.

www.handloadermagazine.com/loading-the-45-acp-pet-loads

[harold89]

[Encore64]

BEAUTIFUL!!!