So nobody here loads or shoots .45 Super I take it..??
I already have 3 guns in 10mm and I love the cartridge but don't need anymore 10mm guns, .45 GAP offers no advantage over .45 ACP, except the smaller frame which I don't care about, The .45 ACP is superior ballistically to the GAP, and the GAP requires it's own dies where the .45 Super uses standard .45 ACP dies, so that's one less die set I have to buy. The .45 ACP cartridge dates back to 1905 and I'm aware that it's performance can be improved somewhat by loading it with modern +P ammo, and while I know +P .45 can be fired safely in many pistols, I really have no interest in pushing the .45 ACP to pressure and performance levels it really wasn't designed for. The .45 Super was designed from the outset as a high performance "modernised" .45 ACP, the external dimensions of the two cases are the same, but the .45 Super brass is much thicker in the web, which allows it to safely handle the higher pressures when fired in standard .45 ACP barrels that have full chamber support.
So were back the .45 super, it's ballistically superior to even the hottest +P .45, way superior to .45 GAP, and equal to the 10mm for the most part. Converting a G21 to fire .45 Super is relatively simple, a quality aftermarket .45 ACP barrel with full chamber support, a #24 lb to #26 lb recoil spring, and a heavy duty firing pin spring. A ported barrel is strongly recommended as well from what I've been reading. Starline offers high quality .45 Super brass so there's no problem there, and it uses standard .451 diameter 185, 200, and 230 gr. .45 cal. bullets.
The real problem is load data, which is rather spotty from the limited searching I've been doing. Neither my Lyman 50th or Speer #14 manuals lists any loads for the Super, and neither does Alliant. I've always been a bit cautious and hesitant when using load data gleaned off the internet from places like handloads.com, so if anyone knows where I might find some reliable .45 Super load data I would greatly appreciate a heads up.
Load Data:
http://www.realguns.com/loads/45Super.htm
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=45 Super&Weight=All&type=Handgun
ONLY FOR USE IN PROPERLY CONVERTED FIREARMS...DO NOT TAKE THESE LOADS LIGHTLY, THEY CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF USED IMPROPERLY...NO FRIGGIN ROOM FOR ERROR...NONE
Alliant Power Pistol is the best (and safest) powder for the 45 Super
230 grain bullets...
230gr Hornady XTP Federal 150 1.220" HS-7 10.5gr 924fps
230gr Hornady XTP Federal 150 1.220" Alliant Power Pistol 8.0gr 933fps
230gr Hornady XTP Federal 150 1.220" AA-7 11.0gr 942fps
230gr , West Coast Plated Round Nose R-P(UMC) 45ACP Winchester LP 1.240" 800X 8.1gr 952fps
230gr Hornady XTP Federal 150 1.220" Viht N350 7.8gr 963fps
230gr , West Coast Plated Round Nose R-P(UMC) 45ACP Winchester LP 1.240" 800X 8.6gr 974fps
230gr , West Coast Plated Round Nose Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.240" Blue Dot 10.2gr 1000fps
230gr. Raineer Winchester 45ACP Federal 150 Blue Dot 10.4gr 1004fps
230gr , West Coast Plated Round Nose R-P(UMC) 45ACP Winchester LP 1.240" 800X 9.1gr 1015fps
230 grain ball 1.252" Alliant Power Pistol 8.4gr 1031fps
230gr. Raineer Winchester 45ACP Federal 150 Blue Dot 11.0gr 1035fps
230gr Hornady XTP Federal 150 1.220" Viht N350 8.8gr 1040fps 553 FP
230gr , West Coast Plated Round Nose Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.240" Blue Dot 10.6gr 1042fps
230gr Hornady XTP Federal 150 1.20" AA-7 11.5gr 1050fps
230gr Viht N330 7.1gr 1050fps
230gr , West Coast Plated Round Nose Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.220" AA-7 13.0gr 1088fps
230gr WSF 8.0gr 1100fps
230gr 800X 9.6gr 1100fps+
230gr Blue Dot 11.0gr 1100fps+
230gr AA-7 13.5gr 1100fps+
230gr Hornady XTP Federal 150 1.220" Alliant Power Pistol 9.4gr 1104fps
230gr Hornady XTP Federal 150 1.220" AA-7 13.5gr 1108fps
230gr Hornady XTP Federal 150 1.220" HS-7 12.3gr 1110fps 630 FP
230gr , West Coast Plated Round Nose Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.240" Blue Dot 11.0gr 1111fps
230gr , West Coast Plated Round Nose R-P(UMC) 45ACP Winchester LP 1.240" 800X 9.6gr 1112fps
230gr. RNL Meister Federal 150 Alliant Power Pistol 8.6gr 1128fps
230gr. RNL Meister Federal 150 Alliant Power Pistol 9.0gr 1138fps
230gr , West Coast Plated Round Nose Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.220" AA-7 13.5gr 1168fps
230gr Hornady XTP Federal 150 1.20" AA-7 12.5gr 1180fps
230 gr LRN (Lyman452374) 1.275" N105 12.3gr 1200fps
230gr. RNL Meister Federal 150 Alliant Power Pistol 9.6gr 1201fps
230 gr LRN (Lyman452374) 1.275" N105 12.4gr 1231fps
240's and 250's...
240gr Unique 7.2gr 1050fps
240gr Univ.Clays 7.0gr 1100fps
250gr LSWC Federal 150 Unique 7.0gr 900fps
250gr LSWC Federal 150 Herco 7.0gr 929fps
250gr LSWC Federal 150 Herco 8.0gr 1000fps
250gr LSWC Federal 150 2400 13.0gr 1017fps
250gr cast rnfp 1.198" Alliant Power Pistol 8.4gr 1097fps
255's...
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" 3N37 6.5gr 739fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" 800X 7.6gr 876fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" Longshot 7.2gr 895fps
255gr West Coast PFP R-P(UMC) 45ACP Federal 150 1.24" Unique 6.5gr 909fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" Blue Dot 8.8gr 929fps
255gr West Coast PFP R-P(UMC) 45ACP Federal 150 1.24" Unique 7.0gr 944fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" 3N37 8.0gr 945fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" AA-9 13.2gr 965fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" AA-7 11.0gr 975fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" 800X 8.6gr 980fps(?)
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" AA-9 13.0gr 983fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" AA-9 13.4gr 985fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" Longshot 8.2gr 985fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" Blue Dot 9.6gr 990fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" 3N37 8.5gr 997fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" Alliant Power Pistol 8.3gr 1000fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" AA-7 12.4gr 1104fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" AA-9 13.6gr 1008fps
255gr West Coast PFP R-P(UMC) 45ACP Federal 150 1.24" Unique 7.5gr 1015fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" AA-7 11.4gr 1023fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" AA-7 11.6gr 1025fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" AA-7 11.8gr 1039fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" 800X 9.1gr 1045fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" Longshot 8.7gr 1045fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" AA-7 12.0gr 1065fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" AA-7 12.2gr 1079fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" Blue Dot 10.4gr 1082fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" 800X 9.6gr 1108fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.24" Longshot 9.2gr 1108fps
255gr West Coast PFP Federal 150 1.20" Alliant Power Pistol 8.5gr 1130fps
275's...
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" 800X 6.6gr 765fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" VVN105 11.5gr 848fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" 800X 7.6gr 874fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.235" Unique 6.0gr 905fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" HS-6 9.2gr 936fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" AA-9 12.5gr 945fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" AA-7 10.5gr 945fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" AA-7 11.0gr 949fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.235" Unique 6.5gr 967fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" HS-7 10.4gr 969fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" 800X 8.6gr 980fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" AA-7 11.4gr 986fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" Alliant Power Pistol 8.1gr 992fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" AA-7 11.0gr 1000fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.235" Unique 7.0gr 1003fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" 800X 8.8gr 1010fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" Longshot 8.2gr 1013fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" Blue Dot 9.7gr 1019fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" AA-7 11.5gr 1033fps
275gr Hunter's Supply cast FP Starline 45 Super Federal 150 1.24" AA-7 11.3gr 1044fps
Hope these help.