Sidearms & Scatterguns 45 acp compatition loads?

[para72]

Im using my para p14.45 for pistol competition's and have been shooting 230gr ball hand loads . I'm looking for some alternative loads with a little les recoil.what are you guy's using?

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[mikemcg9mm]

When I ran a 1911 my target load was a 200 grain LSW over a medium charge of unique, nice and mild.

Mike

 

[bobke]

4.8 WST over 200gr Missouri Bullet Co SWC or FPRN for approx 875fps and excellent accuracy. Only load I shoot in two 1911's for IDPA and have shared with others with similar results.

 

[para72]

Thanks for the responce. Why lead over copper? Or is it just preferences?

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[drglock]

Lead is cheaper. I use 200gr swc with 4.9grs of WST

 

[Ryguy]

185 gr Berry's or 200 gr cast lead over 4 gr of Bullseye or 4.5gr 231/HP38 in a '70 Gold Cup, Nowlin barrel. Works great for steel challenge and very light recoil, so much so that factory ammo seems like a howitzer. I think the spring is at 12 lbs. Lead is cheap so thats what I usually load. Accuracy is good, about 3 inches at 25 yards, good enough for SC. It won't make power for IDPA or USPSA but I have never shot any of those. I usually won the steel match at my club when I used to go. To your question, FMJ is needed when you start pushing them real fast, IMO over 1000 FPS. For .45, lead is perfect and at $80 per 1k it seems like the only way to go.

 

[bobke]

Lead's lower pressure over a given powder charge. Easier on you, gun and barrel-and with right load and a fairly hard cast bullet, easily equal to jacketed bullet accuracy.

 

[alman1531]

200gr JFP from Montana Gold over 5.5gr of Titegroup @ 1.245 COL. Gives me a power factor of 170 out of my Kimber TLE II 5".

 

[bobke]

jbmballistics.com has a power factor calculator, as req'd.

 

[Mike_Honcho]

Copper (washed) smokes less than lead. I like for indoor and night, but outdoor and daytime I don't think it is critical.

SWCs cut nice round holes in paper that make it easy for the competitor to see at a distance, and give you an edge (literally) on scoring.

I have seen guys shoot loads that were so weak you could actually see the projectile in the air (obviously this was a local match that was non chrono'ed).


Somewhere in the 4's with Bullseye / 231 / Unique and a 200 grn SWC will produce a good comp load with a .45 ACP.

 

[mudpig]

I use Rainier Ballistic 200gr copper plated SWC bullets over 4.9gr of W-231. Extremely light recoil and punches clean round holes in paper.

 

[JLR]

I will have to check, but I think the last stuff I loaded up was 4.0gr of Titegroup and a 230 Hornady. Makes major power factor, but it still pretty soft shooting.

 

[Hoser]

4.1 Clays under a 230 FMJ loaded to about 1.245 OAL and Federal primers.

 

[Unknown]

I have used 5.6-5.7 grains of W231 (depending on the lot of powder) and a 230 grain hardball bullet for years, but it is usually pretty close to ball ammo. How tight I crimp the bullet can make quite a difference in velocity. The last batch was 5.6 grains with a light crimp, and it turned in 700 fps out of colt commander and a Smith and Wesson 645 with 4" barrel. I like the lots of ammo to be 800-840 fps. So I went to 5.7 grains and a tighter crimp. I haven't run the new batch over a chrono yet.

 

[para72]

Thanks again for everyones help! One more question, do you still need to crimp with the lead?

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[The Lawn Ranger]

A whole bunch here:

45 ACP Load Data - Handloads.Com

I shoot the 230 grain plated zero's with 5.8 grains of Universal and range brass through my TRP....

 

[bobke]

Taper crimp eliminates some potential feeding issues-crimp .469-.470 at mouth, if memory serves correctly. Also more consistent velocity. Helps a bunch to sort brass by length +/- .001-.0015 for consistent crimp. Many don't bother sorting brass, I choose to because of relentless OCD. Works for me, however.

 

[Pester]

Taper crimp eliminates some potential feeding issues-crimp .469-.470 at mouth, if memory serves correctly. Also more consistent velocity. Helps a bunch to sort brass by length +/- .001-.0015 for consistent crimp. Many don't bother sorting brass, I choose to because of relentless OCD. Works for me, however.

It would seem that there should not be a felt difference from one brass manuf to another in 45's but I think there is and when the weather is bad I can do it in my free time. I like Sierra's 200 grn with Titegroup although I used to shoot a lot of lead.

 

[Chemguy]

4.8 WST over 200gr Missouri Bullet Co SWC or FPRN for approx 875fps and excellent accuracy. Only load I shoot in two 1911's for IDPA and have shared with others with similar results.

Same load I use. Has been accurate for me in multiple 1911s. Dug up an old picture. This is unsupported at 10 & 20 yards. Good enough for IDPA.




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[FN in MT]

For years the bullseye shooters used the H&G #68 cast slug over 4.5 grains of Bullseye as THE standard for .45 matches. The Classic SWC design used by many bullet mold makers and bullet manufacturers. The sharp shoulder on the #68 cuts the paper nicely...literally giving a guy a few points if the scoring rings are touched. Far easier to score than RN slugs. Plus the #68 is an easy slug to make shoot very accurately, especially if sized properly for your barrel, a good .001" or .002" oversized.

Eons ago before jacketed HP designs would OPEN up, many used a heavy charge of UNIQUE over the same slug, cast hard, for 1000 fps and used them as a defense load. I can recall reading Jeff Cooper writing about it.

I like WST or 231 for Target loads but have also used the old Winchester Power Pistol to speed them up for the pistol games to make the factor.

 

[Strykervet]

Try fooling with plated Ranier's (or Berry's) Hornady XTP (and their non-HP version of the same) and Viht N340. That combo has always worked well for me, using low doses of N340 in .40 and up.

 

[cal50]

WW 231 ( ball powder ) meters well and @ 5.2 grains you get LOTS of ammo per pound of powder / 1340 .
Its clean burning also.

 

[mnhntr]

8gr of A#5 under a 230gr hard cast lead round nose or a 200gr hard cast lead flat point

 

[ZombieMonkey]

I use Berry's or Rainier plated bullets only, I don't fool with cast bullets as I try to minimize some of the lead exposure. My current used loads are 4.8gr of Bullseye or 8.0gr AA#5 over 230gr plated bullets.

 

[ZLBubba]

Berry's or Rainier 200gr copper plated round nose over 5.1gr of W231. Works great in all of my pistols and recoils like a pussy cat.

 

[para72]

Thanks guys for all the info! As soon as my local shops have some titegroup or w231 I will pick some up and give them a try! I refuse to pay the high prices,B.S. shipping costs online nowadays. ..........

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[Unknown]

Thanks again for everyones help! One more question, do you still need to crimp with the lead?

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I taper crimp whether I'm using a 230 grain ball bullet, or a lead bullet. The crimp helps prevent the bullet getting pushed back into the case during feeding, thereby giving me better consistency, and feeding reliability.

 

[high right]

200 grain Hornady c/t with 5.3 grains Bullseye

 

[para72]

Could someone please explain the difference between the top two? Both 200grain swc.1 is bullseye#1/Brinell 12 ,and the 2nd is IDP#1/Brinell 18. Intended use is for local shooting matches.....Does it really matter witch one i use?Thanks for the help!

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[303_enfield]

Could someone please explain the difference between the top two? Both 200grain swc.1 is bullseye#1/Brinell 12 ,and the 2nd is IDP#1/Brinell 18. Intended use is for local shooting matches.....Does it really matter witch one i use?Thanks for the help!

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#1 is a softer bullet was it can't be pushed as fast as #2 without leading.

 

[bobke]

I would definitely go with the harder of two in typical shallower rifling found in most 45acp barrels. Harder alloy 'grabs' rifling better and improves accuracy in loads that make major. Exceptions might be an oversize bore or if target loads in 750fps range. I've always used the harder alloy, without leading and very good accuracy for IDPA and general practice. Work well with 4.8 WST, and highly recommend Missouri Bullet Co products.

 

[RTH1800]

Compatition is serious stuff...

 

[pmclaine]

When you find W231 let me know because in addition to 8 pounds of 231/HP38 I want to pick up 2 pounds of Black Rhino penis and Unicorn sack. Usually all those items are found on the same shelf side by side.