favorite loads for 45 acp 1911

Loaded 1k 230gr about half at 4.6 and the other half at 4.8 with win 231 in the past month. I've been shooting them out of 3 different firearms one of them being a 1911. I'm extremely happy with the load but really can't tell the difference between the two didn't charges. A friend of mine uses Clays so once I finish my pound of 231 I'll give it a try and see how I like it.

5 gr. of Unique and a 185 or 200 gr cast LSWC

Mine would be 4.1-4.2 gr under a 185gr or 200gr LSWC. This is an old BE load that has been used for decades. The 200 gr grouped 2" at 50yrds in my gun. Please note this is below starting recommended load of 4.4gr so I would suggest you work down to make sure it functions fine in yours. I'm running a #14 RS since I have cMore dot sight mounted on the slide. My gun will function with the std 16lb though.

8.1gr of CFE Pistol and HiTek Coated 185gr SWC. Its warm, but its a tack driver from my S&W 1911.

LUCKYDAWG13 said:

What is your Favorite 45 acp load for a 1911 ...

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5gr Bullseye under 230gr FMJ.

230gr LRN bullet over 5.5gr W231
200gr LSWC bullet over 5.5gr W231
230gr FMJ-RN bullet over 5.6gr W231

Note: Always verify load data you get on the NET from strangers.

5.5 or 5.6 grs. of W231 are over Hodgdons recommended maximums for 230 gr bullets on their Reloading Data Center and Their 2017 Annual Manual.

GBExpat said:

5gr Bullseye under 230gr FMJ.

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Yep, this is my "just in case" load for my 45 ACP stash. Works quite well in my 1911 and my Ruger P90...

GBExpat said:

5gr Bullseye under 230gr FMJ.

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Classic load, still works great.

The Classic load, absolutely. It is my "One Ragged Hole" load for my .45s.

After discovering that I ceased trying to work-up anything better for a 230FMJ as it would be a waste of my time.

4.6gr Titegroup with 230gr coated ball. Gets an average of 828fps in a 5" barrel, and 740 in a 3.5". I've also used 6.1gr Unique, which gets 859fps in a 5" and 808fps in a 3.5''. Someday I'll get around to chronographing a 4.25", but I didn't have one when I worked up the loads.

5 gr Bullseye under ANY 230 gr bullet! It just works!

I have given up on the Powder Of The Month Club. I load all .45 ACP with Bullseye, from 3 to 5 grains depending on the bullet and the application.
I use HP38 for 9mm and .38 Special but when I restock I will be considering just using Bullseye for all non-magnum handguns.

When I inherited my grandfather's 1911, the only pistol powders I had on hand were some Hercules (this is before they became Alliant) shotgun powders. The reloading guide that Hercules published at the time had recipes for Red Dot, Green Dot and Blue Dot, but out of a 5 inch barrel, the Blue Dot gave the best velocities.

I worked up a load using a 185 grain jacketed hollow point (from Hornady or Nosler; in this application they perform interchangeably) over 9.5 grains of Blue Dot. It shoots okay - accurate enough to hit someone from across a living room, but certainly not good enough for competition. The 200 grain SWC load, below, is much better.

I also worked up a load using 200 grain lead semi-wadcutters over 8.0 grains of Blue Dot. It's perfect. Moderate recoil but still functions the pistol reliably and is accurate.

4.3 grains of 700X with any 230 grain bullet. My go to load. Burns super clean as well.

Have you considered a taller or adjustable rear sight?

Jack B. said:

5.5 or 5.6 grs. of W231 are over Hodgdons recommended maximums for 230 gr bullets

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Hodgdon load data uses very short 1.200" OAL/COL. When loaded to longer OAL like 1.260", higher powder charges are needed for efficient powder burn and accuracy.

LUCKYDAWG13 said:

What is your Favorite 45 acp load for a 1911 I have been using 4.8 gr of win 231 under a 230gr bullet for a wile now

looking for a flatter trajectory

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How about using lighter 200 gr bullets?

- My favorite 45ACP load for 1911 is 5.0 gr of W231/HP-38 with 18 BHN MBC 200 gr LSWC (IDP #1).

- With softer 12 BHN MBC 200 gr LSWC (Bullseye #1) that deforms better to seal with the barrel, 4.8 gr of W231/HP-38.

- For lighter recoil but fun to shoot plinking load, 4.0 gr of Red Dot/Promo with 12 BHN MBC 200 gr LSWC (Bullseye #1) that is a joy to shoot in Sig 1911/M&P45 and even in compact Taurus PT145 with oversized barrel (Softer 12 BHN bullet will deform better to seal with the barrel). This is my wife's favorite load.

Shot groups of 12 BHN MBC 200 gr LSWC (Bullseye #1) with 4.0 gr of Promo loaded to 1.240"-1.245" shot with Sig 1911 after 7000+ rounds - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...omo-reloading-range-test.578444/#post-9415802

LUCKYDAWG13 said:

no I have night sights on and dont wish to change the sights that i have in my first post I said 25 yards I meant 35 yards
the load that I use shoots vary well just when I step it out to 35/40 yards my bullet drops a lot so if I use a 185 / 200 gr bullet
will it shoot a little flatter or should i just hold over on the longer shots

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Something's not right.
(Estimates only)
A 230g bullet at 830 fps should drop 3" at 35 yards if you boresighted it flat to infinity with no compensation from the sights.
A 185g SWC at 950 fps will drop 2.5" at 35 yards

So far my favorite load is 5.0gr of HP38/W231 under either a 230gr powder coated RN or a 200gr lead SWC. I get both of these from Missouri Bullet Co. And given the accuracy I've gotten out of these combinations so far, I don't see myself switching to anything else any time soon.

LUCKYDAWG13 said:

thanks I will pick up some 200 gr bullets up and see if it will shoot a little flatter for me

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I definitely recommend softer alloy bullets, especially for below max charge loads, as they deform better at base to squeeze the lube ring to form a better "O" ring seal with the barrel to produce more consistent chamber pressures and greater accuracy - http://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=56&category=5&secondary=13&keywords=

MBC 5% THR discount code at bottom of this post - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/thank-you-thr-pay-it-forward.760272/

Z-Cast 200 gr SWC bullets with 14-16 BHN has also worked well for me, particularly for lighter 4.0 gr Promo load. At $37/500, price is very good too - https://www.jacobeagle.com/product-page/45-acp-200-grain-swc-500-count

With 16 BHN, Dardas 200 gr SWC is also a great choice (IMO, best looking commercial lead bullets), especially at $76/1000 (with 5% THR discount code HIGHROAD) - http://www.dardascastbullets.com/mm...&Product_Code=45200SWCBB1000&Category_Code=45