45 acp light load

With Bullseye I have used 3.8 to 5.2 with hard cast and jacketed bullets with no problems other than switching to a light recoil spring for the 3.8 loads. Once you get over 5.2 it's making more pressure - and with a really fast rise time. My best loads with Bullseye have always been 4.2 gr.

i run 3.8gr and they run perfectly out of my stock 1911. Didn't have to change springs or anything, very accurate and soft shooter

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Plated bullets are lead plated bullets so lead load data is what the manufacturers recommend using. If your charge of 5.0gr BE cycles the slide and is accurate why look for something different? In reality a charge of 5.0gr Bullseye under a 230gr plated bullet isn't all that light and probably up near the top of the pressure limits.

I have used 5.0gr BE with a 230gr.fmj or plated since I started reloading, about 1982. I tried all kinds of different combo's and never found anything appreciably better. It has worked in every 45acp I have tried it in. It is my old tried and true 230gr. 45acp load. I agree that it isn't exactly a light load.

You really have to test the stuff and see if you get failures to eject or lockback. I tested 200 swc Extreme plated with Bullseye. In warm weather a load of 3.5 grains Bullseye and a 200 LSWC would function my Les Baer Wadcutter. In 40's weather even with the 13 lb recoil spring, 3.5 grains would not reliably function the slide. But my 50 yard load of 4.0 grs Bullseye would function the pistol, hot or cold, with 200 LSWC. With Extreme Plated 200 SWC, in hot weather the pistol would not consistently function the pistol with 3.5 grains Bullseye. The bullet and pistol would function consistently with 4.0 grains Bullseye. It has not been cold for a while so I don't know how that load works in sub 50 F weather.

Five grains of Bullseye with a 230 FMJ is the standard 45ACP load, and dates back to the original 1910 experimental cartridges used in the experimental Army pistols (Savage and Colt). It is a standard hardball load in Bullseye, so, I have no doubt that it will function your pistol with plated bullets. My 230 LRN load is 4.5 grains Bullseye which pushes a 230 LRN just at 800 fps. That ought to work with your plated bullets, but, you have to try and find out. It also, might not.

Most of the loads I use are worked up for accuracy with a particular bullet / powder combination. I like BE a LOT because it works well over a broad range of loads in all of my pistols and some revolvers. While it might not be the absolute best for anything, between it and Unique, I would have a hard time replacing the loads with other powders for overall use.

With the 45ACP and bullet weights in cast, plated, or jacketed, between 185 and 230grs, I load between 4.0 and 5.0grs depending on the particular bullet I am using. All, as mentioned are for accuracy first, so may or may not be running at the top end. Even so with groups being like these, I don't mind them being a bit dirty or not top end velocity, these are 10 shots at 10yds.

My 2 best loads are 4.4 grains of Titegroup behind a 230 grain LRN and 4.5 Grains of RedDot behind a 200 Grain LSWC. I am experimenting with 185 Grain Nosler HP but I haven't settled on a good load. YMMV. These loads both function perfect in my M & P 45.

Copper plated bullets are essentially lead bullets with full-length gas check.

As long as slide cycles reliably to extract/eject spent cases, use the powder charge that produces accuracy.

With 200/230 gr lead/plated bullets, even lower charge of 4.0 gr of Red Dot/Promo produce accuracy in various 45 pistols - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9415802#post9415802

1" and 2" groups at 15/25 yards using Sig 1911 railed XO

What gun are you loading it for?