NRA Bullseye load for 185gr JHP (using Bullseye powder)

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Lou_NC

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I've loaded thousands of 200gr LSWC's over the years for my .45 ACP guns (1911's, Ruger P90, S&W 625's). I've primarily used Bullseye powder for these "Bullseye" loads, ranging from 3.6gr, to 4.0gr, and 4.6gr. I've also loaded a few rounds of 230gr ball using 5.2gr of Bullseye to duplicate factory loads, with good results.

A friend who is a fantastic NRA Bullseye shooter recently recommended that I try some 185gr JHP's from Zero Bullet. I received the bullets the other day, and while I'm waiting for my friend to return from Perry, I'm looking for loads for 185gr JHP's in my manuals (Lyman 47th) and online (Alliant website), and was surprised at the (relatively) high charges listed for the 185gr JHP bullet. I've seen loads up to 6.0gr (Lyman 47th) and on the Alliant website they have a max load of 6.4gr. Of course, these are max loads, and the Lyman manual actually lists a starting load of 3.5gr for that bullet.

I'm wondering what load of Bullseye powder folks may be using for NRA Bullseye shooting using 185gr JHP's? I'm inclined to use a starting load of about 4.0gr, which would duplicate my favorite 200gr LSWC load. I'm after accuracy, not expansion or knockdown power.

Thanks,
Lou
 
I looked in my Speer #13 manual and they list charges of 4.5 - 4.9 grs
of Bullseye for their 185 gr TMJ match bullet. Going too light in any
load with a Jacketed bullet can result in sticking a bullet in the bore
and a bulged barrel on the next shot.
 
4.2 gr Vihtavouri N310 is highly recommended, bur there is a rumor Vihtavouri will cease production in the future. 4.5 gr Clays is also recommended. Both work fine for me. These are loads for accuracy, not bullet performance.
 
Last edited:
davekp said:
4.2 gr Vihtavouri N310 is highly recommended, bur there is a rumor Vihtavouri will cease production in the future. 4.5 gr Clays is also recommended. Both work fine for me. These are loads for accuracy, not bullet performance.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't use Vihtavouri powders today, and don't plan to start in the future. Some of the powders I already have in inventory that could work include Bullseye, Red Dot, Clays, Universal, W231, and AA2. The last thing I need to do right now is add ANOTHER powder to the "collection"! :) I might consider trying Clays or one or more of the others that I have on hand, "down the road", but for now I'd like to start off with Bullseye.

Thanks for the help!

Lou
 
For either the Nosler or Zero 185 JHP 2700 loads try 4.5 - 4.7 Bullseye , 4.3 - 4.7 VVN 310 , 4.8 - 5.0 WST, 4.2 - 4.4 Clays , 4.6 700X . The late Allan Fulford used a very stiff charge of Nitro 100 that I won't list here . Again these are for 50 yd accuracy not terminal performance . Lighter charges others have posted will work fine for lead & not so well for the expensive jacketed bullets that OP asked about . IMHO if I absolutely had to shoot JHP's I'd save them for the long ( 50yd ) line .
 
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The guys in my club who use the 185 grain bullet for competition use the same powder measure as that used for the 200 grain bullets. In other words, between 3.7 and 4.0 grains of Bullseye. The main advantage to this bullet is that it is a little easier to control in timed and rapid fire.
 
The "Marine Corps Load" in .45 ACP was with a Nosler 185 grain jacketed hollow point. One of the guys who originally developed that load gave me a charge of 4.5 grains of Alliant Bullseye. It shoots very accurately at 50 yards (2" ten shot groups or better) out of a good bullseye accurized 1911. The Zero 185 gr. JHP has a reputation as being as good as the Nosler bullet.
 
3.8 gr Bullseye under a 185 gr Semi Wad Cutter....Rocks in a 5 inch 1911 and a 3.5 inch Kimber Ultra Carry! Such a light recoil I got 8 year old girls shooting it!...Smith and Wesson Shield is fine too but you get a little smoke and some unburnt powder...Still a light shooter! I've shot this in the 1911's out to 35 yards and it still drives tacks!
 
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