.45acp Load

[jimmyj]

looking for a Powder load using a 200 grain FMJ using Unique or Bullseye.

 

[johngalt]

3.9 gr Bullseye

 

[bigggbbruce]

looking for a Powder load using a 200 grain FMJ using Unique or Bullseye.

Do you want powder puff or full power. Alliant has listings you can adjust to your liking.

 

[27 Man]

My old Gold Cup likes 3.6 BE but the newer Rugers need a little more oomph for the slide to work properly. I bump up to 4.0 for them.

 

[cp1969]

5.1 gr WW231, standard primer, 200 gr cast semi wadcutter. Not a real hot load, pleasant to shoot.

Sorry, my records show I never loaded any using Unique or Bullseye or jacketed bullets.

 

[TJm15.38]

Reference an established reloading manual for the bullet you are using. You can't go wrong with published data. Everything else is shooting in the dark and guess work.

 

[rwsmith]

Alliant has data on their website:

 

[1961MJS]

Hi, I'm ASSUMING that you're asking about a load for a 1911. Because of the way that 1911's are built, the power of the recoil spring matters a lot when choosing a load. If you have a factory new 1911 then work your way up from the minimum load and see what gives you the best group.

The listed load for Bullseye is very hot for my target 1911.

Later

 

[505Gibbs]

Ever thought of using the internet as a tool?

 

[Jim Watson]

You need to read the first page of Alliant data. They don't tabulate a starting load but if you read the introduction they say to reduce 10% to start.

 

[SS336]

5.8 grains of Unique, 200gr lead SWC. Offhand 36 rounds,15 yards.
This works in my 1911 and is the only load I shoot anymore.
It cleans bowling pins off the table with authority.

 

[Eddietruett]

3.7-3.9 Bullseye with 200gr cast SWC is the load recommended by Jim Clark for all his target builds. Shoots great in all my 1911’s and especially great in my Clark Longslide

 

[ChuckS1]

My avatar was shot at 25 yards with a 200 grain LSWC and 3.6 grains of Bullseye. Very low recoil and pleasant to shoot.

Other favorites with a 200 grain LSWC are 3.8 grains and 4.2 grains of Bullseye.

 

[MP-5]

Two excellent powders for the 45acp. My favorites, time tested. The two shine in different sections of the load spectrum. Although both powders can be loaded “all around” I use Bullseye mostly and have a decent supply of it. Right now, hard to get though.


Full power
6.0 grains Bullseye
7.5 grains Unique (a Jeff Cooper favorite if I remember correctly) a “thumper” of a load
I think he referred it as a “well trained rhinoceros “

Target
4.4 grains of Bullseye (200 grain plated) a one hole load @ 25yds with a very tight pistol.
3.5 grains of Bullseye (14 lbs recoil spring, definitely a 200 lswc should be used)

 

[davek42_43130]

I use 5.0 gns of titegroup.
Shoots fine for me.

 

[BE Mike]

I believe that the OP was asking about jacketed 200 gr. bullets in .45 ACP, not lead bullets. As a general rule, jacketed bullets require more powder than those for lead ones of the same weight. As to the OP, it depends on what you want, supreme accuracy, a high power factor with expansion or a combination of the two. That Alliant load of 5.8 grains seems kinda hot to me, but I prefer accuracy and reasonable recoil. I've loaded .45 ACP ammo (mostly for bullseye competition) since around 1971. Most of it was with lead bullets or coated bullets, but some has been with 185 grain JHP ammo.

 

[jimmyj]

3.9 gr Bullseye

This load using a 200 gr FMJ RN while accurate in my third generation S&W .45 caused FTE as did .4.1, 4.2, and 4.5 grs Bullseye. Went up to 5.0 grs Bullseye and found accuracy and a load that worked the action.

 

[Yendor 1]

Get a chronograph.

I was running a 185 JHP out of my beloved 645 that was supposed to be going 1100. When I got a chronograph, it turns out they were going 1300!

So I really mean it when I tell fellow handgunners to get a chronograph. Unless you have one, you are truly just guessing.

*that was a 645 only, load.
In my Colt 1911, l run a 200grain LSWC 875 fps. 5.2g 231.