Light loads for .45 acp?

Not in a hand-load - but a factory load?

Full story: I've been looking for a 1911 in 9mm, used. My last trip to a gun-shop in Richmond they suggested light loads in a .45 and then I could have my choice of guns. Fine I say what's avail. that approaches 9mm felt recoil and still cycles the gun properly. This were the conversation trailed off. You know what I mean, Can some one fill me in on this?

well, it's hard to beat a .22lr conversion if you want minimal felt recoil out of a 1911 pattern gun.

or did you mean for defense?

Unless you're gonna handload, it ain't there.

If it is for defense, look up some of Federal's hydrashok personal defense loads, but that crap costs too much to practice with.

I'd rather shoot 230s at 900 than 185s at max...

What they were refering to was the old 185 grain match load that was intended for 25 and 50 yard bullseye shooting. It used a full metal jacketed semiwadcutter bullet and a light charge of powder. Most 1911's needed a lighter recoil spring to function with it. Remington and Winchester both made the ammunition and it was very, very accurate.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Thanks fellas that does help. Fred I believe you've comfirmed what my hunch was about the lower limit. I believe I've seen that target ammo in the store. Thanks again.

Not sure about "light factory loads" but there are match grade .45acp ammo manufactured by Federal & Magtech that both shoot jacketed SWC with muzzle velocities around 780 fps (or thereabouts).

Very accurate and accordingly pricier than "regular" ammo.

The reason Match ammunition is more expensive than ball, or even some hollowpoints, is volume. For every box of Match ammo they now sell, they are probably selling 10 boxes of "blasting" ammo. Bullseye shooting isn't near as popular as it once was, so they don't sell as much ammunition intended for that discipline. It's all in the numbers.

Hope this helps.

Fred