[Sven]

I find myself with 500 nice looking Hornady 185 grain SWC bullets and I'm ready to work up a load for the Valtro 1911, maybe a nice accurate training load.

Speer #13 shows 5.0 - 5.5 grains of 231
Sierra Edition V suggests 5.1 - 6.3 grains of 231

Sierra goes so far as to single out two pet loads:

Accuracy Load: Titegroup, 5.9 grains, 950 fps, 370 Ft. lbs.
Hunting Load: Power Pistol, 8.2 grains, 1000 fps, 410 Ft. lbs

max load

Anyone have pet loads for this bullet in 45 ACP? Preferred powders are Winchester WST or 231.

Regards,

-s

[Quantrill]

3.5gr - 700X for a target load with 185 or 200gr SWCs. Quantrill

[retiredsgt]

I use a cast 185 gr. semi-wadcutter and load it for my Model 25 S. & W. in .45 ACP. I have a very mild load, but it is as accurate as Sin. "2.9 gr. of Bullseye". This load will not work the slides on most .45 ACP pistols.;)

[Jim Watson]

Are those the swaged lead Hornadys, with "waffle weave" sides?
Winchester starting loads for 185 gr target SWC are 4.3 gr WST and 5.1 gr 231. Adust up or down to the lightest load that will function the gun.

[Sven]

Jim:

I'm not sure, so I took a picture of the bullets and the packaging - have you used these bullets?

http://www.imageseek.com/sven/2003_11_21/45cal185grswc_.jpg
Hi_res (http://www.imageseek.com/sven/2003_11_21/45cal185grswc.jpg)

4.3 gr WST is a familiar charge for me - friend recommended that behind 200 gr SWC plate, very accurate. Will probably follow that route.

[uglymofo]

Sven,

I've used that exact bullet w/ 5.4 - 5.6gr WW231. It seems to be a middlin' load; I've worked up as high as 6.1, and that gets fairly stout.

[Tony Z]

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JIM were did you buy the 185 at???
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I have many good target loads for the 185Gr SWC, but only one using a Winchester powder.

185Gr Berry’s SWC 4.8 Grains of W231 OAL 1.260
185Gr Berry's SWC 4.2 Red Dot OAL 1.260
185Gr Berry's SWC 5.8 U. Clays OAL 1.260

All the listed loads are very mild and very accurate in all of my 1911's.



Good Shoot'en:) and a happy Thanksgiving to all.


Tony Z

[ChristopherG]

This is a timely thread, and I'll jump in nosily; I just ordered a thousand of Berry's .45 185 HBRN for my 625 (round noses=fast reloads!). I expect these SWC loads will transfer across to these plated round bullets pretty well (am I wrong?). I'm hoping 5 grs or so of 231 (of which I have a bucketfull) will produce a mild target load with ample power for IDPA's lowly power standard (only 125 PF for SSR :D ). Always fun to mess with new loads, and it doesn't appear I can go wrong, based on my experience so far, in the 625. I haven't found a load yet that won't 'cycle' it ;) .

[Gary H]

Hornady's Reloading Handbook lists this bullet as follows:

These were shot out of a full size 1911.
Case: Hornady
Primer: WLP

Here is the rest: