June 2007 No. 247 Rifle Magazine Presents - HANDLOADER $4.99US $5.99CAN 06

0 74808 01240 4 Printed in USA $4.99 U.S./$5.99 Canada Bob Campbell There are those, however, who took the path of improving the .45 ACP to the nth degree, giving us fter 30 years of using Old first the .45 +P and later the powerful .45 Super. I Ugly, I have to admit that recall reading of a police agency in California that was among the first to adopt the 1911 autoloader, my preference for the largely based upon Col. Jeff Cooper’s recommenda- A 1911 is not based com- tion. Cooper’s 1,100 fps, 200-grain semiwadcutter pletely upon performance. A sense (SWC) loading was perfectly adequate, but the offi- of history and emotional attachment cers loaded the .45 ACP case with 255-grain SWCs originally designed for the .45 Colt and used enough are equally as important. The pistol powder to nearly equal the original black-powder is downright exciting at times. load. Many of the Colts were battered to death. Re-

.460.460

coil spring and buffer technology may be more de- veloped today, but I took that lesson to heart. The 1911’s attributes are appreciated by savvy handgunners. It sits low in the hand, limiting muz- zle flip, since there is little leverage for the muzzle to rise. The controls are well placed, the manual safety and grip safety are comfortable, and the trig- ger features a straight-to-the-rear compression that can be fine-tuned. The 1911 is a sharp contrast to the various overlarge, bulky magnum autoloaders. These handguns are not as handy as a big-bore re- volver, while the 1911 arguably is a more efficient package. The .45 Super is a good try at maximizing the 1911. It is really a heavy loading, not a separate cal- iber. With modifications the 1911 can safely handle With the Clark conversion installed, the High Stan- the Super, although the pistol exhibits increased re- dard G Man remains a remarkably handsome 1911 coil and the .45 Super is a standard .45 ACP in all with good features. dimensions. While the savvy handgunner will not

58 www.handloadermagazine.com Handloader 247 drop a Super load in a Llama or cartridge case is a premium, deep seat the bullet, the powder combat Tupperware, the chance strengthened case manufactured capacity comes out the same. exists. by Starline. The case is .963 inch Overall loaded length of either long, as opposed to .900 inch for Johnny Rowland of the Louisiana- cartridge is the same, 1.250 to the .45 ACP. This prevents the based “Shooting Show” took this 1.275 inches. My experience Rowland-designed cartridge from shows there is no room to play into account when envisioning a chambering in a standard .45 with this OAL. A bit deeper and 1911 pistol capable of delivering ACP. In order for the cartridge to pressure could skyrocket; seat .44 Magnum performance. My im- feed and function in a 1911 with the bullet out farther and it will pression is that while the .45 standard magazines, it is loaded not fit in the magazine. We are Super was designed primarily as to the same overall length as the not deep seating a .45 ACP, we a defensive/service cartridge, the .45 ACP. This takes some getting are using the proper seating de- .460 is intended as an outdoors- used to in handloading, as deep signed into the .460 Rowland. seating a bullet can lead to Deep seating the bullet is per- higher pressure in the .45 fectly safe as long as the correct ACP case. overall length is used with an ap- Put on your thinking propriate powder charge. cap when loading this The cartridge is in some ways cartridge. Even though similar to the late George C. the case is longer than Nonte’s special short .38 Super the .45 ACP, when we used in “chopped and channeled” ROWLANDROWLANDA Hot Rod .45

man’s cartridge. With the help of Jim Clark Jr. of Clark Custom Gunsmithing, the dream was re- alized. The .460 Rowland is quite a cartridge by any measure. A quality 1911 can be modified to handle a magnum-level cartridge simply by adding a drop-in bar- rel, full-length guide rod and ap- propriate springs. Do not attempt this conversion with a GI pistol or other economy handguns that may have been heat-treated in- differently. A good, tight, late- production Colt, Springfield or The .460 Rowland conversion Kimber is the best bet. (bottom) results in a considerably longer handgun than the standard First things first: the cartridge, Government model (top). There is then the conversion. The .460 no free lunch; the compensator is Rowland is a lengthened .45 Au- a necessary part of the conversion. tomatic Colt Pistol cartridge. The

June-July 2007 www.handloadermagazine.com 59 .460 ROWLAND

9mm Smith & Wesson pistols. Load data is scant on the .460 Rowland, which is why I began this project. To convert an existing 1911 to .460 Rowland, all that is required is the Clark Custom Guns change- over. This consists of a barrel, barrel bushing, two-piece full- length guide rod, a heavy 24- pound W.C. Wolff gun spring, bushing and Allen wrenches. The barrel comes complete with a link, link pin and features a com- The Springfield (top) is compared to a 4-inch barreled .44 Magnum. pensator. The addition of the The 1911 is lighter, flatter and holds two more rounds. compensator changed my per- sonal 1911 from an 8.75 inch long or narrow (.375-inch) barrel field 1911A1, I was able to drop hood. The hood clears a relief in the conversion into another The .460 Rowland the slide, and you must consult Springfield and a High Standard is a lengthened Clark for the proper specifica- G Man without difficulty. tions. For installation, I first used .45 Automatic Colt At this point I should admit to one of the pistols on the ap- some trepidation in approaching Pistol cartridges. proved list, a Springfield 1911A1. the .460 Rowland. Simply by The conversion is straightfor- glancing at the ballistics and con- package to 10.3 inches. It will not ward, but a daunting part is sidering the weight of the pistol, fit most holsters, although a long pressing the heavy recoil spring recoil would be in .44 Magnum fabric type or a belt slide still into the action. My first conver- territory. A 40-ounce pistol sim- works fine. sion was accomplished by Jim ply has to recoil greater than a There are two sizes on the con- Dunbar, a credible gunsmith well 50-ounce pistol when the lighter version, depending on whether familiar with the 1911. After the gun is jolting a heavy bullet to you have a standard (.445-inch) initial break-in using a Spring- greater velocity. I was concerned

The Clark conversion is seen above a Sarco Roto barrel. The .460 con- The full-length guide rod must version is well made of good materials and gives fine accuracy. be tightened when installed for proper function. An Allen wrench is supplied.

60 www.handloadermagazine.com Handloader 247 There are two sizes on the conversion. with wear and even damage. pistols, with less than 2,000 Pressure is one thing but momen- rounds fired to date. tum is what shears lugs and bat- As it turned out, my fears con- ters frames. Jim Clark warns that cerning heavy recoil were ground- wear is certain to be increased, less. My metacarpals are fine. but he has taken the steps neces- When I touched off the first .460 sary to prevent damage and ex- Rowland, it was the Georgia cess wear to the handgun. Arms personal defense 185-grain, Few of us will fire thousands of 1,400-fps load. I was so surprised rounds of .460 Rowland. Know- I double-checked the chrono- graph to be certain I was getting my money’s worth in velocity. I had a little extra. Recoil is in the .45 hardball range. The full- Top, a great addition to the G power, 185-grain load is in the .45 Man is Wilson Combat night +P recoil range, and the 230s sights. The sight picture avoids kick less than a .45 Super. Recoil trapping shadows, letting plenty is far less objectionable than a .44 of light in and does not snag on Magnum or even the much her- clothing. Below, the clear, precise alded .41 Magnum. How? There is sight picture of the Wilson Com- a reciprocating slide that absorbs bat sights fitted to Bob’s G Man The well-machined some recoil, aided by an ultra- gave excellent results in both Clark compensator speed and benchrest shooting. proved a formidable heavy recoil spring. But the main tool in taming the .460 component of the recoil reduc- Rowland cartridge. tion system is the compensator. High-pressure numbers such as the .38 Super can use a compen- The compensator works by sator to an advantage. The .460 redirecting gas. This retards muz- Rowland also produces tremen- ing the 1911 as I do, the pistol zle jump and to an extent rear- dous pressure, so the compen- should take many more full- ward motion, but compensators sator works well. power cartridges without ill ef- are not very effective with stan- fects than would be possible with dard calibers such as the .45 ACP. Without the compensator, recoil a magnum revolver. The recipro- cating slide absorbs some of the momentum, the compensator more. The relatively small charges of faster-burning powder also produce less recoil energy, and the pressure works over a .451 inch diameter bullet. The pressure of the .460 Row- land is stated as 40,000 psi maxi- mum. This compares to a sedate 21,000 psi for the .45 ACP, 23,000 for the +P .45 load and 28,000 psi for the .45 Super. This puts the .460 in the same territory with smallbore, high-pressure car- tridges such as the .357 SIG and the .38 Super. Most of the loads I worked up should be in the 36,000- to 38,000-psi category, according to industry sources. But there is no guarantee! Use careful loading practices, as my experience is limited to a single conversion barrel used on three

June-July 2007 www.handloadermagazine.com 61 Table I Comparison Ballistics .460 handgun bullet velocity (grains)(fps) .45 ACP, 5-inch barrel 230 Winchester FMJ 845 ROWLAND 185 Cor-Bon +P 1,131 .460 Rowland, 5-inch barrel 185 defense load 1,425 (fired with Georgia Arms ammo) 185 full-power 1,560 and momentum would be grim. 230 JHP 1,333 Clark Custom Guns will not offer .44 Magnum, 4-inch barrel 200 Fiocchi JHP 1,324 a barrel without the compen- 240 Hornady Custom JHP 1,258 sator; it simply would not work. 300 Black Hills JHP 1,107 The majority of testing I have conducted has been with the standard was met with .460 Row- Table II High Standard G Man pistol, a land ammunition. On occasion, Accuracy Results top-flight .45. With the factory with the Clark Custom barrel, a barrel, 25-yard, five-shot groups four-shot cloverleaf was defaced bullet velocity group (grains)(fps)(inches) of one to 3 inches are the norm when I pulled the next shot. with quality ammunition. This High Standard G Man .45 ACP During initial familiarization with the .460 Rowland, I fired 230 Cor-Bon Performance Match 1.25 ammunition from Georgia Arms 230 Fiocchi ball 2.00 WORLD’S FINEST PRODUCTION and Chief AJ. The Chief AJ load- RIFLE BARRELS ings use the Remington Golden .460 Rowland/High Standard G Man Saber bullet, while the Georgia 185 Georgia Arms JHP DOUGLAS Arms loads use Gold Dot bullets. (defense) 1,430 2.00 I did not have to order a set of 185 Georgia Arms JHP ULTRARIFLED dies for the .460; the RCBS .45 (full-power) 1,550 2.50 ACP dies by Georgia Arms met 230 Georgia Arms JHP 1,350 1.90 BARRELS IN MOST SIZES, factory specifications, and I was Notes: All five-shot groups fired at 25 yards, SHAPES AND CALIBERS. in business. and velocity figures are the average for those • Stainless Steel or Chrome Moly • five shots. –AFFORDABLE QUALITY– The same powders that give Write for free information to: good results in the .38 Super the powder capacity is still in the DOUGLAS BARRELS, INC. work well in the .460 Rowland. .45 ACP class. Long Shot was 5504 Big Tyler Rd., HL6 Despite the length of the case, Charleston, WV 25313 recommended by Hodgdon and 304-776-1341 FAX 304-776-8560 True Blue by Western’s Barbara Kneeland. Each gave fine re- sults. The case mouth is belled but slightly during the loading process, and the case has a good grip on the bullet. Only the slight- est taper crimp is applied. Even light bullets had excellent bullet pull. Unburned powder was never a problem. In approaching these high pres- sures – in a nonstandard cartridge – a small increase in powder can quickly drive pressures up. I had the distinct impression there was little incentive to challenge pub-

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62 www.handloadermagazine.com Handloader 247 lished maximum loads. I as- While the .460 may not be envi- sumed after some break-in period sioned as a defense cartridge, .45 ACP loads may function in a controllable pistol firing a Custom Bullets the .460 conversion, but only the 1,400-fps, .45-caliber hollowpoint hottest +P loads will do so, per would get the attention of the ex- PO Box 1487, Kamiah, ID 83536 my experiments. con criminal class. If you are Phone: (208) 935-1024 To begin, loads that are sensibly after light-skinned game or www.Clearwater-Bullets.com below the maximum will not varmints, the 185s are pleasant Heavy Jacketed .224 Hunting Rounds function the action. The 1911 be- enough and accurate. The 200- grain bullets offer a better bal- .312, .375, .377, .44, .45, .458 comes a manually operated hand- & .500 S&W Bullets. gun. At some point, the loads will ance, with the Hornady XTP reach a level that they will press proving especially accurate. The Bonded Cores Available the slide back just enough to leave the hammer at half-cock. In this regard, the caliber is not as versatile as a revolver. The re- volver will function with light loads of 600 fps or so if desired. For lighter fare you will have to revert back to the .45 ACP barrel arrangement. On the other hand, with the 1911 format, we have the option of using a Ceiner .22- caliber rimfire conversion unit that functions perfectly. The ar- gument may be made for either; I am glad to own both types of handguns. The .460 Rowland will appeal mainly to the 1911 man who places this pistol on a totem above all others. The straight-walled .460 Row- land is as technically easy to load as the .45 ACP. The only caution is to observe rules applying to high-pressure cartridges. The substitution of a bullet that seats deeper than another may drive pressure up wildly. Case expan- sion runs .478 to .479 inch, the same as my .45 ACP +P loads. Still, this is a new cartridge of un- known properties and caution must be the rule. Begin 10 per- cent below listed charges and use caution. Winchester Large Pistol primers were used in all loadings. I tested bullets of 185 to 260 grains, largely out of habit with the .45 ACP. As may be expected, expansion testing with the 185- grain loads was impressive. Jack- eted hollowpoints designed to expand at 1,000 fps really upset at 1,400 fps! More importantly for the sporting handgunner, they will show expansion even at 50 to 75 yards.

June-July 2007 www.handloadermagazine.com 63 230-grain bullets gave excellent Table III Pressure performance. Both the XTP and the Gold Dot expanded like I Comparisons have never seen in the .45 ACP, cartridge pressure but each stayed together and (fps) penetrated more deeply in media. .45 ACP 21,000 .45 ACP +P 23,000 The Gold Dot reached maxi- .45 Super 28,000 mum expansion and peeled its .460 Rowland 40,000 petals back across the shank of the bullet when driven to a veloc- ity not envisioned by its design- performance, with the expansion ers. The XTP exhibited even it is renowned for. The XTP would be ideal for deer-sized game. The 240- and 260-grain bullets demand special care, as these are heavy-for-caliber bullets seated deeply. When I discovered a number of good loads, I ceased to experiment – relieved and my curiosity sated for the moment. Heavy bullet loads produce the highest felt recoil I have experi- enced with a 1911. The pistol, however, was subjectively as comfortable to fire as a 1911 with standard .45 ACP loads, but by day’s end, wrists and elbows were more sore than usual. The com- pensator only masks the recoil while momentum is cumulative. Slide velocity is elevated, partic- ularly with the 230-grain loads. With the level of control exhib- ited with the Rowland cartridge, and the power delivered, this would be a great pin gun, with the muzzle simply staying on target as you quickly snag bowling pins. Muzzle blast is tremendous – not muzzle flash, which was often nonexistent. Be certain to always use hearing protection. I often use plugs and muffs, and don’t really notice the differences in a handgun’s muzzle signature. This is an exception. The com- pensator does not direct gas into your face in the manner of a ported Springfield V 10, as an ex- ample, but directs gas upwards. The .460 Rowland will blow dust off the roof of the shooting shack and defoliate low hanging limbs! Firing offhand at long range, it was not difficult to connect with targets at ridiculously long hand-

64 www.handloadermagazine.com Handloader 247 Table IV .460 Rowland

bullet powder charge velocity group comments (grains)(grains)(fps)(inches) 185 Sierra Match FMJ AAC-7 16.5 1,408 1.5 Power-Pistol 13.0 1,465 1.6 Longshot 12.0 1,439 1.25 13.4 1,536 1.5 185 grain Nosler JHP AAC-7 16.5 1,360 1.5 18.4 1,541 1.6 fastest load tested; literally breathed fire out the compensator 185 Sierra JHP AAC-7 16.5 1,321 1.25 LongShot 13.0 1,443 1.0 13.4 1,477 1.4 Power-Pistol 13.2 1,497 2.0 AAC-5 14.5 1,480 2.0 AAC-2 9.5 1,220 1.25 light, economy load 10.8 1,411 1.5 185 grain XTP AAC-7 14.5 1,320 1.4 15.0 1,401 1.6 200 XTP Power-Pistol 12.5 1,450 1.5 expands and stays together AAC-7 14.5 1,327 1.25 15.0 1,402 1.6 True Blue 12.0 1,355 1.25 12.5 1,430 1.2 Long Shot 13.0 1,369 1.5 13.5 1,460 1.4 200 Sierra True Blue 12.1 1,373 1.2 most accurate 200-grainer Long Shot 13.2 1,415 1.1 200 Gold Dot Long Shot 13.0 1,350 2.0 expands but does not penetrate as deeply as XTP True Blue 12.1 1,364 2.1 12.5 1,410 2.25 AAC-5 12.0 1,230 2.5 13.4 1,422 1.9 AAC-7 16.4 1,330 2.25 17.8 1,444 2.0 230 XTP True Blue 10.1 1,199 1.5 10.5 1,288 1.4 Longshot 10.5 1,222 1.25 Power-Pistol 12.2 1,301 1.6 AAC-7 14.5 1,236 1.8 15.6 1,315 1.6 AAC-5 12.5 1,329 2.0 fastest 230-grain load 230 Sierra JHP True Blue 10.2 1,213 1.0 10.4 1,270 1.4 Power-Pistol 12.0 1,280 1.2 230 Hornady FP Power-Pistol 11.9 1,272 1.5 12.0 1,311 1.6 240 Sierra JHP Power-Pistol 9.5 1,155 1.0 AAC-7 11.0 1,028 1.1 True Blue 8.8 980 1.25 9.2 1,161 1.4 260 Speer JHP True Blue 8.8 1,040 1.0 9.2 1,176 1.4 230 Oregon Trail lead roundnose AAC-7 12.2 1,100 3.0 250 Leadhead SWC 12.0 1,065 2.0 Notes: Be careful with AAC-7 loads. It seems the burn rate has changed, and there appears to be more than one generation currently in the supply line. On the other hand, the powder gives excellent results and is among the best choices for the .460 Rowland. The difference may be more in my perception or in normal lot to lot variation, simply another reason for prudence in handloading a high-pressure cartridge. With 185-grain loads I was looking for good accuracy and a 1,500 fps load to equal the factory full-power loading. Both were found. The Sierra bullet gave the best accuracy results. The XTP bullet would be the toughest for penetration on game, expanding well and holding together. The Nosler gives a bit more penetration than the Sierra but by a small margin, and the Nosler is very accurate. Be Alert – Publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors in published load data.

June-July 2007 www.handloadermagazine.com 65 A comparison in cartridges and cases (left to right): new Starline .460 brass, a stan- dard .45 ACP, a loaded .460 Rowland and a loaded .45 ACP.

In order to properly feed in a gun range. Firing at known and Rowland conversion. The strength 1911 magazine, the overall unknown ranges is a better of the slide is unquestioned, and length of the .460 must be the builder of skill than shooting with high-quality, adjustable same as that of the .45 ACP. The paper, and the .460 Rowland is a sights and an external extractor, .460 (right) accomplishes this by deep seating the bullet. ball to fire. I have attempted this will be an ideal setup. I can much the same with the 10mm change the slide when I wish to but found that the springs gener- load for bear, so to speak. round count with minimal main- ally supplied with 10mm Colts, tenance, and a few that have ex- coupled with the high power Fears concerning heavy ceeded that mark in spades. I level of the cartridge, often lead recoil were groundless. have less than 3,000 .460 Row- to excess muzzle flip, making hits land cartridges under my belt. difficult. The .460 Rowland is a different matter. The results are When I carried the .357 Mag- When using this data, take your roughly comparable to firing a num professionally and trained own counsel and begin at least .38 Super. officers on the revolver, a round 10 percent below my powder count of five specials for every charge. With careful loading, it Overall, I do not see the .460 magnum fired was recommended has excellent accuracy potential, Rowland as an everyday car- for the life of the revolver. I am real power and ballistic effi- tridge but as a special option for aware of any number of 1911s ciency unrivaled by most hand- 1911s on those occasions when that have broken the 10,000- gun cartridges. • magnum handgun power is needed. The person using the 1911 as a service handgun may During testing, Bob often used 10-round Metalform magazines. These use the .460 for hunting or when magazines allow firing two, five-shot groups at a time and are benefi- the possibility of running across cial in any test program. errant wild animals exists. I ap- preciate the Clark Custom con- version as much as I appreciate my Ceiner .22-caliber conversion unit, and that is a great deal. Each gives my favorite pistol a much greater measure of versatility. Presently I am building a Cas- pian slide specifically for the .460 ROWLAND Handloader 247