45 ACP 230gr JHP

[SLT223]

I largely agree wise Wise_A. I would highly recommend exploiting the free shipping and bulk sales offered by Xtreme bullets for bulk reloading.

I'm in the same boat as the OP for hollow points in .45. I intend to try XTP's in the 200 and 230gr variety.

Edit:
Thanks HillBilly77 for the note about Everglade Bullets. I'll be trying them for sure. Those prices + free shipping they offer are definitely competitive.

 

[zeke]

If I wanted a 45 acp for emergency use against larger game, it would be loaded with 230 or 255 lrnfp with a large meplat. The 255 gn from a Lee mold has a large meplat, and some smaller companies now produce a 230 lrnfp with large meplat. If your pistol would feed them. A 18 lb recoil spring with 255 lrnfp @@ 850 fps is possible.

A ruger Blackhawk is cheaper, stronger and available in more suitable calibers.

 

[Wise_A]

I largely agree wise Wise_A. I would highly recommend exploiting the free shipping and bulk sales offered by Xtreme bullets for bulk reloading.

I took a chance and ordered 2k plated 9mms from them--I've been quite happy so far. And although I would never admit it publicly, sometimes it's just very nice to work with plated bullets, as opposed to lead. They look nice, they feel nice, and they're clean to touch.

For .45 ACPs (and lead in general), I've been using Missouri Bullets. They shoot very well, but they also smoke a ton in some cartridges.

If I wanted a 45 acp for emergency use against larger game, it would be loaded with 230 or 255 lrnfp with a large meplat. The 255 gn from a Lee mold has a large meplat, and some smaller companies now produce a 230 lrnfp with large meplat. If your pistol would feed them. A 18 lb recoil spring with 255 lrnfp @@ 850 fps is possible.

A ruger Blackhawk is cheaper, stronger and available in more suitable calibers.

Agreed. .45 ACP is well-made for two-leggers, but against four, I believe it is somewhat lacking.

Both .45 Colt and .44 Remington Magnum are versatile enough to be both pleasant to enjoy, and deliver the performance needed of a wildlife-defense cartridge. Even at relatively stout loadings, they're easily-handled.

On a lark, I tried some 7-yard DA double-taps with full-power .44s out of a 6" 629--rather surprising!

 

[Neumann]

I use Hornady XTP HP in 230 grain. I believe they're available in 180 and 200 grain as well.

The OAL is determined by the ogee, which is hard to measure. By trial and error, using barrels know for a short chamber and "plunk" testing, I use an OAL of 1.230". Considering the flat tip, this is roughly equivalent to FMJ at 1.250", which is also needed for jam-free performance in a Kahr PM45 or Springfield XDs.

Basically, you don't want the bullet to engage the rifling. In a plunk test in a dismounted barrel, a loaded round should seat on the lip of the case. If you press firmly with your thumb, the cartridge should fall free when you tip the barrel up.

If the OAL is too long, you tend to get misfires (FTF), and the pistol is nearly impossible to clear by hand, even if loaded but not fired.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Well, if you're going to be killed by a grizzly I guess a 1911 is just as good as anything else. I've seen those bears in Yellowstone, they look like 30 mph terminators to me. I know a guy who fished the rivers in Alaska for many years. He carried a 44 mag, still has it. Not saying that is the gun to carry but it might help a little.

If you really are serious about a 1911 get a 10 mm for back country packing.

I like Hornady XTP bullets but I shoot a lot so went with coated lead. Acme or Bayou is a good place to start there. There probably are at least 10 different powders that work well 230 grn bullets. Bullseye seems to be a favorite with long time shooters. I don't use it because it's pretty hard to find.

 

[BigHornDrifter]

Does anybody have any experience loading Speer .452 lead bullets 200gr? Stupid question of the day...why is it .452 not .451? Are they the same? I need a good powder for the bullet, if I decide to use it. Biggest reason for using it is I can find it in small town Wyoming.


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[arjay]

Haven't used Speers bullets,but 200 gr lswc (I order them from cheycast in Cheyenne)are all I use in my 45s.As far as size,lead are usually .001 larger than jacketed bullets.I use Unique for full power loads and bullseye for target loads.

 

[Skeet 028]

I have used those bullets in the 45 auto. 452 because lead bullets should be .001 larger than nominal bore size..at least. Don't push 'em too hard and they shoot good. I loaded a 1000 of them with 231 for my 45s. Mostly shoot a Wilson Combat. Most reliable 45 I have ever had. I also shoot them out of a 3 inch Kimber with laser sites. It is my every day carry piece and use those rounds for practice. Not the most accurate 45 I have but close 'nuff for a fighting gun. It shoots the lead 200 gr bullets from Speer and Hornady pretty well. I do have to trade out the recoil spring when shooting the lighter loads as I have it set up for heavy defense loads with Hollow Points. + P ammo. Don't remember the Speer number but the Hornady SKU is 12108. A box of 200 is about 25-26 bucks.

 

[gregintenn]

My 45acp loading begins and ends with 5 grains of Bullseye and a 230 grain FMJ bullet.

Someday I would like to come up with a good midrange target load for my Gold Cup, but for everything else, the load above is great.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I like the idea that you bow hunt in the Yellowstone ecosystem. If you've been hunting there much you know the Griz run to the sound of rifle shots. You also must know game wardens and feds protect the bears and give lots of trouble to those who shoot one. That said, if you have to save your life by shooting a bear you damn well ought to have something stronger than a 1911 45. Get a 4" heavy revolver which is 44 caliber or higher and buy ammo for it from Buffalo Bore or Garrett. These specialty loaders have ammo that will save your life! These heavy revolvers are usually carried in shoulder harness, not on the hip.

You are only going to shoot if you absolutely have to! When/if it happens the gun and ammo must be capable of stopping the bear.