.45acp, 200gr cast bullet, 231 Powder How low Can You Go?

[max]

My standard load has been 5.0 grains for many years. The recoil is starting to bother my wrist. I loaded 100 rds with 4.5 and they seemed to work ok and the brass didn't go far. How low can I go with the gun continuing to function properly?

 

[AJ]

A 1911 platform? You can go down a bit more for sure. Also to keep the pistol functioning properly use a lighter recoil spring. https://www.gunsprings.com/COLT/1911+GOV'T+PISTOL/cID1/mID1/dID1#3
I have gone a low as a 10 pound spring with softball loads.

 

[max]

Yes, AJ it is a 70 Series GC. Based on the Wolfe packaging I found, it is probably a 16 or 18 pound spring.

 

[rockquarry]

I've never gone real light on 231, mainly because it's not recommended in the books. Probably has something to do with inefficient burning and too low a velocity if you go extra light. I'd try several varying charges just to see what the accuracy, velocity, and proper functioning of the pistol was. I wouldn't go below about 675 fps muzzle velocity. That's with 200 grain cast bullets; don't know about jacketed.

 

[AJ]

Yes, AJ it is a 70 Series GC. Based on the Wolfe packaging I found, it is probably a 16 or 18 pound spring.

Back when I was shooting "softball loads" it was in a Colt M1911 that I had built from pieces/parts into a match gun. The load I was using at the time was 3.0 grains of Bullseye with a 185 grain cast SWC. With a heavier spring it would not cycle properly. Back then I was shooting 50K a year through the pistol. I was on a range eight hours a day teaching and training Combat Pistol and practicing for Bullseye and IPSC.

Nowadays I am using an original Series 70 GCNM. I use 3.5 grains of Bullseye with either a 185 or 200 grain cast SWC. Works well for me. Now maybe 25-50 rounds a week (one day a week).

 

[rockquarry]

Back when I was shooting "softball loads" it was in a Colt M1911 that I had built from pieces/parts into a match gun. The load I was using at the time was 3.0 grains of Bullseye with a 185 grain cast SWC. With a heavier spring it would not cycle properly. Back then I was shooting 50K a year through the pistol. I was on a range eight hours a day teaching and training Combat Pistol and practicing for Bullseye and IPSC.

Nowadays I am using an original Series 70 GCNM. I use 3.5 grains of Bullseye with either a 185 or 200 grain cast SWC. Works well for me. Now maybe 25-50 rounds a week (one day a week).

3.5 BE with a #68 200 grain copy by SAECO is a load I've used for a long time in many .45s. Very accurate, functions all pistols perfectly even with a standard 16 lb. spring.

 

[Kinman]

I basically put the 1911 platform away years ago when I started shooting Pre-Model 25's and their kin....Brazilians and the venerable Model of 1917. That way you get your cake and eat it too, especially if you switch over to loading Auto Rim. That way your 1911 buddies can't use your ammo and you'd be surprised how many will follow suit and make the switch to a heavy revolver. My favorite plinking load for my big Model of 1955 is Berry's plated 200gr. FP over 6.0gr of Unique. That way you can shoot your large caliber bullet and reasonable speeds and get all the satisfaction of big gun shooting without the wrist issue and chasing after brass. After I switched over to Auto Rim, I never looked back and never reload ACP anymore. For those of you like myself that don't care for cleaning lead residue out of you revolvers, Berry's plated bullets are the catsass, you can run them as hot as you would any lead alloy. I have an ample supply of factory stuff to satisfy the odd desire to shoot a 1911 or my Big 45 HK.
I like to shoot my Model 52 and reload everything for it including casting my own full wadcutters, its mild in recoil and very accurate. It likes around 3.0grs of Titegroup and drops the brass right at my feet.

 

[Forrest r]

I started using wolff variable power springs years ago (#42416). Using the same spring allows me to use light target loads in the 1911/45acp along with heavy loads and still have the 1911 function.

+/- 4.3gr of ww231/200gr swc in the 1911/45acp and things get iffy with the function

 

[Dave Haynes]

I also recommend the Berry plated bullets, everything the same as jacketed but assemble way easier and cheaper, way cheaper.

 

[Dave Haynes]

Also some powders like H110 are actually not recommended to load at reduced levels. Pressure goes up when load goes down. It was developed for the M1 Carbine and loading under max is NOT recommended.

 

[GyMac]

At the lower charges of 231 and the 200 grain SWC I would get a lot of soot on the fired cases showing that the case was not expanding very well. I would then increase the charge. I also shot a lot of 185 grain SWC’s. All my loading is with lead bullets.

 

[gwpercle]

With my 1911 AMT Hardballer and standard factory springs .
I get reliable functioning with 200 gr. cast lead SWC and
4.5 grs. W231 @ 719 fps ... any lower than that and I get the occassional failure to eject / completely chamber ... This is with standard recoil spring that came with the pistol..
Let us know what you discover !
Gary

 

[243winxb]

For 50 yard accuracy, 780 fps is needed, 200 lswc.

 

[rockquarry]

For 50 yard accuracy, 780 fps is needed, 200 lswc.

Nothing firm on velocity. AMERICAN RIFLEMAN did a piece many years ago, during the peak of bullseye shooting on competition handloads. America's top shooters (not Internet experts) were asked to submit there favorite .38 Special and .45 ACP 25 and 50 yard loads.

Many used the same loads at 50 that they used at 25. With .45 loads, a very popular load for both distances was a 200 grain cast SWC (usually the H&G #68 design) and 3.5 grs. Bullseye. I use this load and it chrongraphs at 675 fps muzzle velocity. I wouldn't want to shoot any load that was slower, but it still works well at both distances.