Favorite Bullseye/231 load for .45 ACP

My universal target and Cowboy load is:

Mixed brass

WLP primer, but any will do

200 RNFP cast bullet

5.5 gr of WW231.

It works great in The Marlin Camp 45, 3-Sig 220's, 5-1911's, 1917 S&W and the 5" 625. My brother uses it in his 4-1911's too, but I think that's because it is my ammo!

Ivan
 
coated
200 gr 4.8 gr w231
230 gr 4.3 gr w231
try at own risk , consult loading manual
 
I've never gotten quite the accuracy with 231 that I have with Bullseye in the .45 ACP. I use only cast bullets. With the 200 grain SWC, I use either 3.7 Bullseye for target or 5 Bullseye for full power. Accuracy of the two is about equal but the 3.7 load is more comfortable to shoot.
 
45acp loads: 230 FMJ 5.4 - 5.7grs W231 , 4.6 - 5.0 Bullseye
200 LSWC 4.6 - 4.8grs W231 , 3.8 - 4.2grs Bullseye
185 JHP Nosler / Zero 4.5 - 4.8grs Bullseye

Never could get the Nosler 185 to shoot well with W 231 . 4.5 BE , 4.3 - 4.5 VVN 310 & 4.6 - 4.8 WST worked best in my wadguns @ 50yds . Used to shoot either 3.8 Bullseye or 4.6 W231 with the swaged Star or Zero 200 SWC , 3.6 - 3.7 VVN 310 also accurate . Cast H&G 68 200 4.2grs Bullseye @ 50yds , 3.5grs @ 25yds for T&R . Swaged 185's with 3.9 Bullseye or 4.2 WST . All these are 2700 paper punchin' loads , won't find 'em in no manual .
 
AJ said:
Thinking of doing the same for .45 ACP as I am doing for .38 Special ( http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/643086-thinking-sticking-one-loading.html#post141067816 ). I use a lot of 3.5 grains of Bullseye with a 185 grain SWC. What is your favorite load? Not looking for combat loads as I am just punching paper.
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I use 4 grains of Bullseye under a 185 gr. Nosler JHP or Speer TMJ SWC as my dedicated load for 45 bullseye competition.

This load will not work in most stock 45s. My Gold Cup has the lightened slide and a 11 lb recoil spring.

Works well and low recoil/blast.
 
I load just like Ivan with 3.5 gr of Bullseye with the Star 185 SWCHP. I am down to my last case of these so I need to find a replacement. Good Luck
 
smithra_66 said:
I use 4 grains of Bullseye under a 185 gr. Nosler JHP or Speer TMJ SWC as my dedicated load for 45 bullseye competition.

This load will not work in most stock 45s. My Gold Cup has the lightened slide and a 11 lb recoil spring.

Works well and low recoil/blast.
Click to expand...

A long time ago with a Match Gun that I built from parts, I used 3.0 grains of Bullseye with the 185 grain SWC. No lightened slide, but I did have an 8 pound spring in it. That shot one hole groups for me. I was a lot younger then and could hold'em & squeeze'em!
 
I have several 45 ACP loads with Bullseye and W231 with various size bullets and "needs". But my "Just in Case" ammo for my 45 ACPs is the classic 5.0 gr. Bullseye under a 230 gr FMJ. Depending on my gun, I get from 840-850 fps to just under 1,000 fps. This load performs quite well in my 3, 45 ACPs and I keep about 1,000-1,200 on hand, Just in Case...
 
My favorite load with the 185 gr. swaged SWCHP is 4.0 grains of Bullseye with a .470" crimp. My favorite 50 yard match load from an accurized 1911 is 4.5 gr. of Bullseye under a Nosler 185 gr. JHP. My favorite plinking load for my Springfield Armory Trophy Match is 4.6 gr. of Bullseye under a 200 gr. Precision coated SWC, with a .470" crimp.
 
I use 4.8 gr of Bullseye and a 230 gr Berry's plated LRN. Very accurate and doesn't kick too badly out of a 1917.
 
AJ said:
Thinking of doing the same for .45 ACP as I am doing for .38 Special ( http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/643086-thinking-sticking-one-loading.html#post141067816 ). I use a lot of 3.5 grains of Bullseye with a 185 grain SWC. What is your favorite load? Not looking for combat loads as I am just punching paper.
Click to expand...

This is a great accuracy load at 25 yards. I used this in bullseye matches. You nailed it. I got this from a bullseye shooter

3.5 grains of Bullseye
OAL of 1.255
crimp .470
185 grain SWC
 
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I have only one 45 acp , a 1911 Sig Saueer , my sweetheart bought for me as a bday present . I shoot only 230 gr bullets and use either 5.0 grs of Bullseye or 4.9 grs of WST . They shoot very accurately so I don't need to fix what isn't broken . Those are my 2 loads . Regards Paul
 
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