.45 acp Pet Loads

[Smith357]

I'm about to start loading .45 acp after a few year hiatus and was wondering what were some of your favorite powder and bullet combos before I begin. The loads will be fired in wheelguns so SWC loads are just fine.

 

[Hammerless-12]

45 acp

I love and shoot the 45 ACP allot. I have found I like the light "target" loads. I use the 230 gr. LRN on top of 4.3 grains of bullseye. This is the load I use in my Gold Cup Colts as well. It works good for me and my guns, accurate and clean. Have fun.

 

[max]

My standard is a 200 gr cast swc and 5.0 of 231.

 

[epj]

I load a 200 gr. cast SWC, similar to the "H&G" design over 3.8 gr of Clays. I have used other powders with this same bullet, which is sort of the "gold standard" with .45 ACP reloaders. None burn as clean or are as soft recoiling as the Clays. Some otheres do give more velocity however.

 

[johngalt]

I have a few favorites I've settled on for bullseye:

185 gr LSWC + 3.9 Bullseye (this one was given to me by a local bullseye expert and camp perry shooter after testing lots of loads in a ransom rest).

I've also experimented with 230 gr hardball loads and like these (all are 230 gr Hornady FMJ, 1.26 AOL)

6.3 gr Unique
6.2 gr Universal
5.6 gr W231
5.0 gr Bullseye

I've discovered with FMJ, the best accuracy is close to full power loads, not the typical light target load.

 

[josephthreedogs]

230G fmj
Fed. LP primer
4.1 grains of tite-group
Federal cases

 

[sjmjax]

My favorites are similar to what others have already posted.

For general target practice and pleasant shooting:
200 grain LSWC w/alox treatment over 5.0 grains 231

For something a bit closer to factory performance and still very accurate:
230 grain LRN w/alox treatment or FMJ over 5.6 grains 231


I've found that it is worth the effort to treat commerical cast or swaged lead with a secondary coating of Alox. It has greatly reduced or in some cases eliminated leading issues in guns and loads otherwise prone to leading. However, it does smoke a bit!

 

[pinkymingeo]

My personal defense load is 10.7 AA7 under a 200lswc. This is way under max, but gives me from 900fps in my 2" 625-10 to well over 1000 in the 5" 625-2 with low recoil and noise. For the field I use a 255lrnfp over 12.0 AA9 for 930fps in the 5" gun. This is a max published load but you can go much farther if there's something on your agenda that a 255 at 940 won't kill. Please share the photos of whatever it is.

 

[mkk41]

W-231 has become a favorite in many auto-pistol rounds. I use 5.5grs with a commercial 200gr hard-cast SWC in my autos. I've run a few 'clips' thru my Colt and S&W 1917s with pretty good results.

 

[8th SPS USAF]

45 acp pet loads

4.5 TG 185/200 LSWC SW MP 45 FS 11 yds 6 shot one hole group off hand

5/5.5 W 231 185/200 LSWC SW MP 45 FS

I have more 231 than TG now.

Good luck

 

[Skip Sackett]

Here we go again!

if there's something on your agenda that a 255 at 940 won't kill. Please share the photos of whatever it is.

...I have some favorite loads for this caliber. The one that pinky mentioned with AA#9 is a favorite. My H&G #502 cast from wheel weights weighs right in there at 250gr and I have had it moving up to 1100fps out of a 4" tube. Let me tell you, that will rock your world for you! It is a published load, so don't anyone get put out by it! ....Here is a picture of some of them:..

..That being said, there are a few loads I would like to share with you that I personally like to shoot from both a 1911 and my M625JM.Indoor target: 4.7gr Bullseye or 5.2gr AA#2 under a 230gr plated bullet, either Berry's or Ranier's. This will get you right at 780fps out of a 5" auto or a 4" revolver. I also cast a bunch H&G #68, 200gr bullets along with a Lee copy of the same. Both shoot very well and are exceptionally accurate. Again, for target type of shooting or plinking, 4.0gr to 4.5gr Bullseye or 5.0gr of AA#2. Exceptionally accurate.I have used some loads for the 45AR in my 45ACP cases only with bullets that won't begin to chamber in the 1911. Let me show you a few of the bullets I like to load. One thing is for sure, the one on the right is a thumper @ 270gr! ....

..p.s. Paul, I do need some more of them! If you want, I'll take about 100 without the lube! Or I could babysit your mold for you for a while! ..

 

[Littledragon777]

230 gr. Win. FMJ
4.4 gr. Titegroup
CCI primers

Very accurate in my PC945.

 

[fredj338]

I can't understand why guys still like Bullseye. I know, been around for centuries (seems like), but there are cleaner more accurate powders today. TG is another powder I just do not understand. Yes it uses a tiny amount, but you can barely see a powder charge in the not that big 45acp case. W231/HP38 is a good choice for target to std. vel. loads. I prefer WST instead. Clean burning, twice the loft as TG for the same wt. charge & the best accuracy & have ever seen in the 45acp w/ lead or jacketed bullets.
4.8gr under a 200grLSWC
4.6gr under a 230grLRN
4.7gr under a 230grFMJ

 

[Smith357]

This is good stuff, I would like to thank you all for the help. I have a few of the powders listed so I can make up a few loads without having to buy any more supplies. I have plenty of Clays and Bullseye on hand and a few thousand 200 and 230 grain bullets. Win 231 seems popular, if I don't like either of the ones i make up I'll go get some 231 and give that a try.


Thanks again and keep those pet loads coming.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

If you want a +P load to try, I have been using 7.5 grains of Unique under a 200 gr. H&G SWC with a standard primer for about 22 or 23 years. I got it from a published source at the time, and I've never had a single problem in several different 1911's or in my S&W 4506's or 25-2. It will generally give between 1,000 and 1050 FPS from a 5" 1911 barrel. I have never strayed from it because it has been so accurate in every gun I have tried it in, usually cutting one ragged hole at 50-75 feet if you do your part.

I also have a source with an article from John Taffin with the same load data in it.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Say WHAT?

I can't understand why guys still ike Bullseye. I know, been around for centuries (seems like), but there are cleaner more accurate powders today.

You know, I wonder what people smoke for breakfast. People use Bullseye for one reason and one reason only, IT WORKS! Seeing that the gooberment hasn't gotten into regulation of the powder market yet, the free market is still alive and well in that area.It's been around for such a long time because the people you don't understand buy it! DUH!As for more accurate powders, no, not for what it is designed to do. I agree that WST is a cleaner powder, hands down. It can be used in a ton of rounds too. It doesn't meter as well as Bullseye in small quantities and that is the reason I don't use it. I have, but choose not to.Most of my target loads today use Bullseye by choice, because I have tried others. It is the best for the loads I use it for. If you are one of those "Chevy's are better than Ford guys" and that is the reason you use any powder, you need help.To help you "understand" one of us Bullseye users just a little better. Like I said earlier, I use it because it works, period.

 

[fredj338]

You know, I wonder what people smoke for breakfast. People use Bullseye for one reason and one reason only, IT WORKS! Seeing that the gooberment hasn't gotten into regulation of the powder market yet, the free market is still alive and well in that area.It's been around for such a long time because the people you don't understand buy it! DUH!As for more accurate powders, no, not for what it is designed to do. I agree that WST is a cleaner powder, hands down. It can be used in a ton of rounds too. It doesn't meter as well as Bullseye in small quantities and that is the reason I don't use it. I have, but choose not to.Most of my target loads today use Bullseye by choice, because I have tried others. It is the best for the loads I use it for. If you are one of those "Chevy's are better than Ford guys" and that is the reason you use any powder, you need help.To help you "understand" one of us Bullseye users just a little better. Like I said earlier, I use it because it works, period.

Oooh, sound slike I struck a nerve. No really, there are other powders that work a bit better. I seldom shoot mousefart loads, so WST meters 100% in my Dillon as low as 3.0gr. Other powders come to mind like Solo, AA#2, etc. I think many reloaders that started w/ BE stay w/ it w/o trying anything new. "It was good enough for grandpa, it's good enough for me". I tried BE 20yrs ago & figured there had to be a better powder for my 45acp & I did eventually find it. I would even switch again. I have little brand loyalty. I'll admit to being old school, I still like Unique in many carts, but even there, WSF meters better, burns cleaner & gives sim. accuracy. COme on man, it's time to move into the 21st century.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Generalizations drive me crazy..................

Oooh, sound slike I struck a nerve.
No really, there are other powders that work a bit better. COme on man, it's time to move into the 21st century.

Well, you did strike a nerve just like any generalization does. If I had said that all WST users were ignorant, you would have taken offense too.Just like other generalizations, they fall a bit short. Since I am the first reloader in my family in any generations that I know of, there isn't any "tradition" going on here.I started off with it and have used it for many, many years. I have suggested that others use it too when they started reloading for punching holes in paper. As for the 21st century thing, I'm not aware of any powder that is better than Bullseye that has come onto the market since the year 2000. So, all of us, kinda, are still in the 20th century, it would seem!

 

[johngalt]

I use bullseye because the local bullseye shooters here have tested many loads in a ransom rest, and they say bullseye is still the best. When it comes to accuracy, a bullseye shooter knows what he is talking about.

 

[imashooter2]

A 200 grain H&G 68 clone over 4.2 grains of WST is a sweet shooting softball load. About 720 fps in a full size.

A 228 grain LRN over 4.2 grains of Bullseye makes major for me at 750 fps and is my USPSA load.

 

[Emerson]

Right now I'm shooting 5.0 gr of Titegroup with a 200gr SWC in my 1911. If you want a little lighter recoil go down to 4.5 gr but its not as clean with the lighter load.

If I could find some Bullseye I'd be shooting that, but I can't find any.

 

[dennis40x]

I never asked the Marine Corps what powder was used in the ammunition issued. Qualified with what they gave me. Bullseye is a good powder certainly has its advocates. My preferences are Unique and W231. That changed recently when inadvertently W231 was dumped into a container of Unique. The mixture ended up as fertilizer in the garden. Now I use exclusively W231. It's simpler that way. Other powders maybe wonderful also but I've never tried them. I have this comfort level with W231 its effective in the 45ACP and the 9mm Luger. With forty plus years of shooting the 1911 I have my opinions which may or may not be valid. There is a triad shooter, firearm, and ammunition. No matter how good the ammunition is if the shooter or firearm isn't up to the task you may get by at the 25yd line but at the 50yd line you'll fall flat on your face. Some of us spend too much time in details which results a paralysis of analysis. With in reason there are various powders that maybe employed that are acceptable for accuracy. Find a powder that meets your requirements. Don't worry about what the other person is doing or using their not going to shoot for you. You're going to shoot for yourself. Use what works best for you. That's not to say you can't learn from others but at some point you got to stand up and shoot.

 

[David Sinko]

I have found that 231 is an excellent powder with 255 gr. bullets, but I use these only in my 625s. Very accurate with the cast SWC, and very clean burning too. But reduced loads with 231 are not worth a damn.

I like the faster Vihta Vuori powders for the more serious applications. They produce very little muzzle flash and even N320 will push 230 gr. jacketed bullets beyond 900 FPS in both the 3" 625 and the Glock 21 with factory barrel.

And of course the old standby for USPSA competition at Major Power Factor is Hodgdon Clays with the 230 gr. bullets. You can't go wrong starting with 4.0 grs. for either cast, jacketed or plated bullets, and then adjust accordingly after a session with the chronograph.

Dave Sinko

 

[jp zanoya]

I couldn't tell you how many thousands of rounds I've fired using HG 68 200gr cast bullets. For over 20 years I used 231 exclusively (5 grains for practice, 5.8gr for competition).
Lately I have been experimenting with Titegroup and American Select with good results.

 

[Noah Zark]

5.2 gr of W231 under a 230 gr plated FMJ, either Rainier or Berrys

OR:

5.6 gr of Unique under the same bullet.

Noah

 

[cowboy4evr]

We know that there are many many great powders and load combo's the the 45acp, as you have just witnessed from above . You could probably take the first 35 powders on any burn rate chart and given a little time time find enough reloaders that would recommend all of them .
I have had much success with the old std military load (so I've been told )of 5 grs. of Bullseye under a 230 gr fmg. I would like to include 2 of my favorites now . 6 grs. of IMR 7625 is fantastic . Though the powder has been discontinued by Hodgdons it is still sitting on shelves at some stores.
I also have found great favor with Ramshot True Blue . I don't at this moment remember the exact load other than it was the max listed , seems like 7.2 grs. if memory serves me right . All the above combos were with a 230 gr either lead or fmj. The latter two powders, Ramshot True Blue and IMR 7625 are my most used . I use a S&W M&P or a Sig 1911.

 

[johnnyflake]

I only use 230gn Barry's Copper Plated FMJ bullets for my reloads.
4.6gn - Tite-Group
5.5gn - W231
5.0gn - Bullseye

The most accurate in my guns is the 4.6gn of Tite-Group. The 5.5gn of W231 is right there as well. I have plenty of Tite-Group and Bullseye, but very little W231 and I cannot find any!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm fairly sure the OP figured out what to load long ago since this thread is 7 years old... Talk about bringing back a thread from the Abyss!

 

[cowboy4evr]

Sometimes we have new people to reloading that read a post , no matter how old it is for the information and help they can gather . I don't feel the forums is just for or about " one person asking a question ' . I feel the subject is what is most important , not the age .
If you look at my forum signature , I am " all that " . I never worked by the clock or the sun . Time means nothing to those of us that have truly worked cattle for as many years as I did for a living .
If you find my late postings an irritation to you then simply pass them over . To those that enjoy new postings and updates and share your finds as well and feel the same as I , then thanks for the support . Cowboy4evr

 

[fredj338]

Well, you did strike a nerve just like any generalization does. If I had said that all WST users were ignorant, you would have taken offense too.Just like other generalizations, they fall a bit short. Since I am the first reloader in my family in any generations that I know of, there isn't any "tradition" going on here.I started off with it and have used it for many, many years. I have suggested that others use it too when they started reloading for punching holes in paper. As for the 21st century thing, I'm not aware of any powder that is better than Bullseye that has come onto the market since the year 2000. So, all of us, kinda, are still in the 20th century, it would seem!

I merely asked the question, inferred nothing. I tried BE 35 some years ago. Sure, found it accurate, but filthy to shoot, so I moved on. Glad you are still happy with it, guys like TG too, just not me. So many good choices today, hard to go wrong.