What 45 ACP bullet weight should I buy for target and IDPA? I am going to be getting Berry's plated. I think 185 or 200, FP or SWC. Most of my shooting is Bullseye so was thinking the SWC. Will be loading them with the CFE Pistol.

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

Personally I like the 200 SWC for paper punching, nice clean holes. But, prefer the 230 gr bullet for about everything else.
The 230 makes major power factor with less velocity and what I think is less felt recoil.
Sorry, I've never used CFE powder. I'm using HS-6 or Bullseye. I like W231 also, but haven't had any for quite awhile.

The SWC is especially good in autos because you get the nice cut hole in the target but the bullet has enough nose to feed well in most guns. That doesn't seem to go for my little Kel Tec. It wants FMJ or HPs. How they jam up below the breach is a real PITA to get out.

I MIGHT try to seat the SWCs way out but I don't know if it's worth it. I shoot mostly targets and I hate round nose bullets. It's just a carry gun, so as long as it feeds defense ammo, I'm ok.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I ordered the 200 gn SWC as I like the nice round holes in the paper and not having to guess if I really cut the line. We used to have these little plastic things that centered in the hole and showed the wad cutter would have showed. Used them in competition 22 rifle. I am shooting these 45 ACPs in a Remington 1911 R1.

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

I normally use 185 gr + 3.9 gr Bullseye for target shooting. I recently got some Hornady swaged 200 gr + same charge of Bullseye, accuracy is fantastic. I may like it better than the 185 cast.

I doubt they anywhere close to a major powerfactor.

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Common sense isn't so common.

You'll like CFE, I've used 231 since the 70's but when this latest shortage hit, I got caught short. I tried the CFE pistol and I like it better than 231. I don't even look for 231 any more.

I used 231 for my 12 ga hunting loads in the 60s. There was another Win powder I also used but don't remember anymore. A lot of Red Dot for trap loads. I think we paid about $3.25 for a pound of 231 and Red Dot was like 2 something. A bag 25 pound bag of shot, was 5 something.
I think I am going to like the 232 it sure metered good. I was weighing every test load and they stayed right on.

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

Shoot the cheapest bullet your gun likes as long as they meet IDPA rules. I shoot Speer 200gr SWC for my target loads. They are cheaper than cast unless you cast your own and don't lead at target velocities. I've got a bunch of 230gr FMJ in an unopened bag and just can't find a reason good enough to load them.

Use the 200 gr SWC with the long nose, H&G #68. Use target data for a mild paper punching load with a 14# or 15# recoil spring.

Switch to 0.5 gr under max with a 20# or 22# recoil spring for your major power loads. The 1911 will function flawlessly with a 10# to 24# recoil spring that matches the load. You must shoot with "rigid" wrists and elbows or the whole thing goes out the window -- the gun needs to absorb the recoil not you.

COL is 1.250" +/- 0.005" with an H&G #68 bullet. Case diameter right at the case mouth with the correct taper crimp is 0.468" + 0.002" . If you follow these suggestions your 45 will perform flawlessly, over all results depend on the shooter.

50,000 + 45 ACP rounds downrange, but who is counting?

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S&WHF 366

It's easier to get a soft shooting minor load using a heavier bullet. So a 230gr running 725fps is gonna feel softer than a 200gr running 830fps. A couple guys I on shoot 255gr @ 650fps. You need to balance cost vs felt recoil, but those are the dynamics. I shoo a 200-205gr bullet, balancing cost vs recoil. I just don't feel there is that much diff. Your choice of powder will have a greater affect on recoil at identical PF.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Thanks to all of you that is some really good info that I am going to save.

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

For IDPA, you need the lightest loads meeting the minimum power factor specified for whatever division you are shooting that will allow proper functioning.

See which bullets you shoot better with. Get 50 of each, load them and test them out before buying any large quantities. That would make sense to me.

I use 230 ball in all my 1911's - but I do not use them for competition.