45ACP

[PrimoLuvr]

Probably my favorite caliber to load for. All loads used Starline brass and Winchester primers.
For service pistol matches I shot:
Zero 230gr FMJ
4.2gr Clays or N310

Bullseye matches:
Zero 185gr JHP
4.4gr N310 or 4.2gr Clays

Zero 185gr swaged SWCHP
3.8-4.2gr N310

Defensive loads:
185 Sierra JHP or Gold Dot
N105 or Power Pistol (very healthy dosage)
1150-1175 fps (pistol must be sprung accordingly)

 

[918v]

Here’s another good one:

230gr LRN
4.2grs WST
FC150
1.265” COAL
775 FPS from a 5” Nowlin barrel.

Shoots through same hole. It’s awesome. Light recoil. Although everything with WST has light recoil.

 

[918v]

^^^ I wanted to add to the above that to date I have tried Missouri Bullet Co Soft Ball, Stateline H&G #34, and what looks like a H&G #34 from Bullseye Bullets and they all shoot the same using 1.265” coal despite being a little different dimensionally.

Also, FC150 shoots better than WLP.

 

[Chipster697]

Generic range round:
5.6 grains of Winchester 231 under a 230 grain FMJ
I use Precision Delta bullets but am certain there are other options.

This runs reliably in a Les Baer 1911 (gov’t), several S&W .45 ACP revolvers, and a Ruger LC 45 (PCC).

 

[918v]

Generic range round:
5.6 grains of Winchester 231 under a 230 grain FMJ
I use Precision Delta bullets but am certain there are other options.

This runs reliably in a Les Baer 1911 (gov’t), several S&W .45 ACP revolvers, and a Ruger LC 45 (PCC).

I like 5.8grs under a FMJ @ 1.275” and 5.5 under an XTP loaded to 1.230”. I like it mainly because my RCBS Little Dandy powder measure throws 5.8grs.

 

[918v]

Here’s another one:

X-treme 200gr plated SWC on top of 4.8grs of WST @ 1.230” with CCI300 primers. Got this one off the internet but it shoots very accurately. People say plated bullets aren’t accurate but this load is very accurate. It does 830 FPS from my 5” S&W 625 and groups half inch at 15 yards.

 

[Former Cav]

I just use the walnut shells and a dillon # CV 500 polisher. I use the dillon brass / shell strainer cage (rotary with the square bucket)
For loads:
230 FMJ from Precision Delta (about $150 for a thousand)
5.7 Grains of Winchester 231 Powder
Standard Large Pistol Primers...Winchester brand
Whatever cases I have.
Been using this load for many years and with this load and a Ransom rest at 25 yards 5 shots will clover leaf for a group size. Pistol is a well worn (25K plus rounds through it) Kimber Polymer Target. (wish I could buy another one) I had it "tuned up and resprung" at 23K rounds. I always replace the recoil spring with the 16 Pound Spring that Dillon recommends (wolf brand)

For CCW, I use the same pistol. Speer Gold Dot 230 JHP's, Or Remington Golden Sabres 230 JHP's, or Federal law enforcement 230 JHP's. (all FACTORY loads).

I do all my reloading on a Dillon 550 B Press that Dillon has replaced twice under their NO Bu11$hit warranty. Had that press since 1997 or 1998.
This includes loading for Palma Matches at 800, 900, 1000 yards with a 308. Although, I did PULL each case out at station 3 (before seating the bullet) to WEIGH each charge. Worked Great. For 223 I just ran the press for the 200, 300, and yd lines
Used Varget in both loads.

 

[TheJammar]

Mixed brass
Federal #150 primer
Berrys RN 230 gr
CFE pistol - 5.8 gr
OAL - 1.250
FPS - 675

Light load. Shot out of Kimber 1911. Have some upped charge weights to play around with next.

 

[Former Cav]

I've been using this load forever and it lands right where the sights were registered from. It pretty close comes to what you would call the military load.
Mixed Brass.... although I recently bought some new Win Brass once fired and it TIGHTENED up my groups!
Winchester Std Large Pistol primers
Winchester 231 at 5.7 grains
Overall Lg 1.240
High 855, Low 827, Avg 845, Spread 28, Std Dev 10 (I will have to check this AGAIN with the NEWER brass !)

Same pistol, PMC brand factory loads 230 BALL FMJ (below)
High 826, Low 797, Avg 806, Spread 29, Std Dev 11

pistol is Kimber Polymer Target 5 in barrel.

 

[TheJammar]

45 Auto - mixed brass
Berrys RN - 230 GR
CFE pistol - 6.0 Gr
Federal #150
COAL - 1.250
FPS - 714

 

[TheJammar]

45 Auto - mixed brass
Berrys RN - 230 GR
CFE pistol - 6.2 Gr
Federal #150
COAL - 1.250
FPS - 735

 

[Potsy]

Rocky Mountain Reloading 230 FMJ
Fed Small Primer Brass
CCI 500
7.0grn. Ramshot True Blue
1.250” OAL
830fps according to the Garmin

Feed swimmingly in both my Kimber Eclipse and my DW Specialist. Dinner plate sized gong at 50 yards doesn’t have a prayer.

 

[Former Cav]

MY loads:
Colt Govt Model 1911 in 45
MIXED brass
Large Standard Pistol Winchester brand primers
200 grain semi wad cutter bevel based
5.7 grains of Winchester #231 powder
High 855, Low 827, Avg 845, Spread 28, Std Dev 10

The rest are FACTORY LOADS except for the TWO marked TOM. My shooting friend.

Same pistol, PMC brand factory loads 230 BALL FMJ

High 826, Low 797, Avg 806, Spread 29, Std Dev 11

REFERENCE factory loads:
45 Auto Kimber with 5 inch barrel. Kimber Polymer Target

Golden Sabre 230 GR HP R/P brand case (factory load)

H 857 L 842, E 15, A 850, D 6 VERY accurate



Speer GOLD Dot 230 GDHP (factory load)

H 874 L 854, E 20, A 864, D 8 VERY accurate as above.



More for 45 Auto Kimber with 5 inch barrel, Kimber Polymer Target

WIN 231 5.4 Grains 230 BALL (precision brand bullets)

A 757 E 42 SD 13 I DOWNLOADED these from 5.7 grains of WIN 231 as I was shooting them through a spitfire submachinegun. IT slowed down the RATE of fire.



Factory Remington JHP 230 A 824 E 52 SD12

Tom WIN FMJ 230 Grain 5.4 Grains N310 A 811 E 37 SD 11 HANDLOAD

Tom Zero JHP 185 Grain 4.1 Grains N310 A769 E 52 SD 21 HANDLOAD



Factory Speer Gold Dot 230 JHP A 849 E 28 SD 9

Factory Hornady Critical Duty 220 JHP A 1009 E 19 SD 6.7

 

[918v]

Another 45ACP revolver load:

200gr LSWC on top of 5grs of 231 FC150 primer and a Remington case. I tried 1.250” coal but a couple thousand shorter printed more accurately. I used Bear Creek and Blue Bullets, both plastic coated cuz they shoot cleaner and don’t smoke.

Interestingly, there is variance in bullet nose length from the SWC shoulder. My Redding competition seater indexes off the shoulder so my coal adjustments were done using the micrometer. I think coal does make a difference and it did in this case.

Oh, 850 FPS from a 5” barrel and half inch group at 15 yards from a rest and open sights.

 

[Former Cav]

Another 45ACP revolver load:

200gr LSWC on top of 5grs of 231 FC150 primer and a Remington case. I tried 1.250” coal but a couple thousand shorter printed more accurately. I used Bear Creek and Blue Bullets, both plastic coated cuz they shoot cleaner and don’t smoke.

Interestingly, there is variance in bullet nose length from the SWC shoulder. My Redding competition seater indexes off the shoulder so my coal adjustments were done using the micrometer. I think coal does make a difference and it did in this case.

Oh, 850 FPS from a 5” barrel and half inch group at 15 yards from a rest and open sights.

I use 5.7 grains of Win 231, Standard Lg Pistol Winchester brand primers, any brass (no steel ever), Precision Delta 230 FMJ bullets through my 5 inch Kimber Polymer Target 1911 (double stack) and get much the same group and speed as you. 850 FPS and Overall length is typically between 1.230 to 1.235. Works great.

 

[918v]

I use 5.7 grains of Win 231, Standard Lg Pistol Winchester brand primers, any brass (no steel ever), Precision Delta 230 FMJ bullets through my 5 inch Kimber Polymer Target 1911 (double stack) and get much the same group and speed as you. 850 FPS and Overall length is typically between 1.230 to 1.235. Works great.

Mine shoots great in a 1911 but won’t lock the slide back with the 16lb recoil spring which is weird because the same bullet with 4.2grs of WST at 800 FPS will lock the slide back.

 

[Former Cav]

Mine shoots great in a 1911 but won’t lock the slide back with the 16lb recoil spring which is weird because the same bullet with 4.2grs of WST at 800 FPS will lock the slide back.

get a lighter recoil spring or shoot the 4.2 grain. The slide is probably NOT coming back all the way.