I am looking for a reasonably accurate load for a .45 ACP revolver that won't beat up my arthritic hands too much. Any suggestions, particularly first-hand suggestions, would be appreciated.

Everything shoots good in my 625.

A 200 grain lead SWC and 5 grains of HP-38 would be a nice gentle recoiling, yet reasonably hard hitting load. I shoot that bullet with 5.6 grains of powder.

I like 3.2 grains of Bullseye or 4 grains of Red Dot with a 200 grain lead SWC bullet.

Much like Yendor, I like HP-38/Win231 with 200gr SWC's. I use 5.1 grains with a coated SWC and it hits 850-ish FPS from my 5" 1911's. Haven't shot it in my 625 yet as I just got it at Christmas, but it's decent in my 325NG.

I have always enjoyed shooting 185 gr. or 200 gr. SWC projectiles propelled by 3.5 grs. of Bullseye. The load is accurate, easy on the shooter and you get 2,000 rounds per pound of powder. The bullets are cast from moulds that I have used extensively over the years, Hensley and Gibbs #130 & #68 but they are very common styles that most cast bullet sellers utilize.

Try the Marine Corps Bullseye load. You'll find it with Google. It was published in the American Rifleman and Shooting Sports. It's a Nosler 185 gr hollowpoint and a light load of N310 powder. The article goes into how they settled on Nosler's bullet and primer choice. IMNHO, the bullet is the key, the primer not so much. One good thing about N310 is good availability. Cost with Vihtavouri isn't a differentiator anymore. They used to be pricier than the others. But the others have now caught up to them, so it's almost a wash.

I use it routinely in Bullseye competition. It's very light as are many Bullseye loads. So light that my 1911 needs a lighter spring. But it's extremely accurate and clean shooting. I also use it in my Model 25 with good success.

Addendum (just 'cause I'm a nice guy): USMC Match .45 Load | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

200 gr. SWC, 6 grs. Unique, 841 FPS with 5 1/2 M1917. Larry

Swaged 200 gr LSWC (I prefer Hornady) + 3.9 gr Bullseye. Accurate and soft shooting.

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I’ll second this load. My 25-2 LOVES it as well as all my 1911s
RCBS 201 grn Keith Type SWC.

You would be smart not to use an "internet" recipe.........Use a good reloading manual.....Save your eyes and fingers.

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I should not let my secret out, but here goes…. If you have a fussy gun like a 645, try the Nosler 185. That projectile has been my go-to for years. I load mine quite warm. In my experience, always very accurate. The Nosler 185 is real hard on ground hogs if you can get close enough to hit them.

I’ve found that 4.3gr of Bullseye with a 200gr SWC bullet has given me that best accuracy. I’ve also had good results with W231, but years ago settled on Bullseye as the best choice for me.

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I have found 4.5gr bullseye with 200gr lswc to be very accurate in my 1917 which is my only 45acp revolver.

Has anyone seen those Nosler 185s for sale of late? I checked my usual haunts and don't see any in stock.

First hand experience ... I started loading , casting bullets and shooting 45 acp in 1967 .
Competed in NRA Bullseye 3-gun Match for years .
Loads are for both revolvers and 1911 ... I have both .
over the years , these are the loads that have worked best .

45 ACP Target Loads
200 grain. cast / coated / plated - SWC
Lyman #452460 / RCBS 45-200-SWC / H&G #68
sized: .452"

4.5 grs. - W231 / HP-38 @ 808 fps

4.5 grs. - Bullseye @ 830 fps

4.7 grs. - AA #2 (Accurate Arms) @ 832 fps

4.0 hrs. - Titegroup @ 860 fps

4.2 grs. - Red Dot @ 794 fps

4.0 grs. - 700X @ 824 fps

5.0 grs. - Unique @ 728 fps
5.3 grs. - Unique @ 760 fps - very accurate load in my AMT Hardballer and in revolvers .


The 200 gr. cast lead , coated lead or plated lead bullets are softer shooting than harder jacketed ...
The 200 grain weight lessons recoil... you know , for every action there is an Equal but Opposite reaction ... 200 = less recoil ...
I'm 74 myself ... so understand the desire to not get beat up !

Load Safe,
Gary

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Check out ammoseek.com. I see that Selway and Midsouth have them. Other suppliers are listed too, but I haven't used them before.

The Nosler 185's can be hard to find. I buy in the 1000's when I re-stock.

What crimp die does everyone use for 45acp in a revolver?

1917 Smith and Wesson has a shoulder in the cylinder that the round headspace’s on so I use the taper crimp same as for the 1911, I understand the Colt 1917 doesn’t have the shoulder also I don’t think the 45acp recoil is enough to move the taper crimped bullet. Added comment, taper crimp just removes the bell from the case and it is not a crimp in the sense that a roll crimp is, could clarify the crimp business if it had another name.

I like 5.3 to 6.0grs of Unique with a 200gr SWC of the H&G #61 profile.
1.245 OAL with a .468 taper crimp.
Very accurate and soft shooting. Same load for 1911s as for my Ruger flat top convertible. It is so accurate in the Ruger that I haven’t used the .45 colt cylinder since I bought the pistol. 😁

Most of the loads recommended aren't what I'd consider light loads that would be easy on your "arthritic hands". Anything over 3.5 grains of Alliant Bullseye is overkill. With your revolver you can get away with even less powder and still get accuracy. I like cast 185-200 gr. SWC coated bullets as they don't smoke up the place when shooting at the indoor range and you won't go broke like with JHP bullets.

Over the last 50 years I have used a hard cast lead H&G 68, 200 grain semi wadcutter in any case, with a WLP primer and 5.1-5.2 grains of 700X. I have had that load go as small as 5 rds into 1/2" at 25 yards. But it shoots very well in everything from 1911's to S&W 25's. You can used the same load in 45AR cases with the same result. Also, if you happen to have any left Win 452 AA can be substituted at the same charge and will be a little cleaner. I still have some and use both powders.

I would buy my Cowboy Action bullets by the 10,000. so when I wanted a cast bullet for Wild Bunch (Cowboys with 1911's), I used the same 200 RNFP, with 5.5 of Win 231/HP-38. Medium recoil in a full sized steel framed 1911. Shoots great from all my 1911 family (7 guns) my S&W 1917 Brazilian Contract and 625 Series of 1989, my Sig 220's (3 guns) and my Marlin Camp 45! And with my 45 Colt load (6.7 WW-231/HP-38) The 6 single actions and 3 lever actions. 21 guns using 2 loads of the same primer, powder and bullet, equals Logistical Bliss!

Ivan

I use a 200 SWC (H&G 68) and 6 gr 231. Very accurate and mild.

I ise a taper crimp, because I use the ammo in both revolvers and autos.

Pet load is a 200 gr. SWC with 4.0 of Red Dot with a taper crimp

Spot on.

My 45 Auto Rim load is 200 LSWC and 3.5 grains of Bullseye. Works great in 45 ACP brass in a revolver.

Same arthritis problem, 5.1 gr 231 with 200 gr lead worked in all the semi autos but too hard on my hands in both semi auto and especially the revolvers. Settled on 4.0 for the revolvers and 4.7 in the semi’s. Played a recoil spring game in the 1911’s so they all extracted the case. The 200 gr round nose feed easier on the revolvers so I use them in everything. Gonna try less 231 for the revolvers.

The only pistol powder I have is 231, use it in all my handguns. Larry

Thanks a lot people. I am confident I will be able to find something that both my revolvers and my hand likes from the suggestions offered. bob

The crimp depends entirely on the bullet being used , when it comes to revolver ammo .

If the bullet has a cannelure or a dedicated crimp groove ...
... it gets a gentle roll crimp.

If the bullet is smooth sided ... no cannelure & no crimp groove...
... it gets a taper crimp

Now that doesn't mean you can't simply taper crimp them all ...
You can Taper Crimp any / all bullets ... But (there's always a But ) ... in a revolver the unfired bullets in the cylinder want to creep forward when shooting , the recoil pulls at them ... check your unfired rounds as you shoot and make sure you have enough taper crimp to keep the bullets from "creeping" forward . If they do ... add More Cowbell ... I mean add More Crimp ... (I watch too much old TV - SNL ) .
If you have standard 45 acp die set it will usually have a taper crimp die ... but a roll crimp die is sold / provided with a set of 45 Auto Rim for us revolver guys .
Usually the taper crimp die can be adjusted to hold all but the heaviest bullets with the heaviest loads ... when you get to the heavy weights , usually revolver bullets, you may need to go roll crimp .

Let me add ... In a revolver you can go with lighter loads ...
loads that don't function a 1911 action are just Jim Dandy out of a revolver ... try 3.5 grs of Bullseye with a 200 gr. cast lead SWC ... just don't load them into your stock 1911 ... they may not cycle 100% !
Gary

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In post number 27, I shoot offhand from shooting bullseye for 12 years. Maybe 2 handed 5.1 gr of 231 wouldn’t hurt so much. In a 45 acp loading cycle on the 550, gonna try some 3.5 of 231 with the 200 gr lead bullets Tuesday morning. Good thread, picked up a new load. Larry

I second the recommendation of 3.5 Bullseye under either a 200 or 185 gr bullet. In fact it's the exact same load I shoot in my 1911s. Absolute *****cat, and scary accurate.

I use a taper crimp for all my 45ACP/45AR rounds. Never had bullet creep. Even using 250 gr bullets in AR cases as pictured.

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