Need a .45ACP Load for a 1911 with a slide mounted scope

I recently added a Clark Custom Colt Gold Cup to my collection. It's my first 1911 with a slide mounted scope. I chose the Ultradot Matchdot primarily for it's lifetime warranty.

This thing really shoots nice - groups about 1.75" at 50 yds from a rest. But I need to work up a new load. The one I was previously using (200 gr. LSWC w/ 4.5 gr pf 231) will not cycle the slide reliably with the slide mounted scope. Certainly not a surprise. I tried recoil springs all the way down to 11#, and it's better, but is still prone to FTF's and even when it works the brass just "dribbles" out of the gun and falls at my feet.

Does anyone have a good load for this application ? I guess I could also try a 10, 9, or 8 pound recoil spring - but wonder if I'd then create the potential for FTF's with a full magazine because of the weaker spring ?

Thanks,

John

Hmmm. Probably 75% of the Bullseye Shooters out there use slide mounted scopes given that the barrel is more consistently aligned with the slide rather than the frame - so - I decided to go the same route.

All of my other 1911's have 11# springs (for my light loads) and have no problem feeding into battery, so I guess I'll try a heavier load with 231. Perhaps 5.2 gr. with a 200 gr LSWC. No real problem switching to Bullseye, but I have about 3# of 231 and while I reload about 15,000 shotshells a year, the only metalics I reload are 45's.

Thanks for the posts.

John

fecmech -

thanks for the post. That's exactly what I was looking for. I've already loaded up some test loads with 4.8 and 5.3 gr of 231 - which is a bit heavier equivalent to 3.8 gr of bullseye. I'll try it tomorrow.

The lightest spring I have in my shop is 11#, so I'll test with that, and can get a 10 if necessary.

Thanks Again

Byron,

Thanks for the reply. I tried 5.3 gr of Win 231 this morning under a 200 gr.LSWC. It was much better, but still not there, even with an 11# spring. Since that's getting near a max load for 231 I don't want to go any higher. I'm suspecting that 231 just burns too slow for a crisp recoil. Looks like I'm going to Bullseye !

Thanks Again,

John

My 5.3 gr of 231 under a 200 gr LSWC chrono'd at 853. Avg Dev 10.3, Std Dev 12.7 While I'm not particularly hung up on manuals, most say that 5.6 gr is max load for 231 and a 200 gr. LSWC. The 5.3 gr 231 load may still be a little light, but since 231 is a much slower powder than Bullseye - I suspect I simply need a crisper load for a more positive cycling. Since my original post, I've heard from no fewer than 6 folks (on and off this forum) that have had positive results with my setup and 3.8 - 4.0 gr. of Bullseye and an 11# spring.

The mainspring is 18# and the gun cycles just fine with my 4.5gr 231 load and a 13# spring. The problem here is not the gun, it's simply a matter of finding a load and recoil spring combo that works with the increased slide mass. I've tried three different make magazines, that all work fine in all my other 1911's - and this one too before I added the scope.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Put together two new loads last night based on info posted here and recco's from local bullseye shooters with the same set up. 4.0 gr Bullseye and 4.5 gr. WST both under a 200 gr. LSWC. Just got back from the range. Both cycled the gun every time with a 12# recoil spring. Actually, it was 98% (1 FTF out of 50) with a 13# spring - so I dropped down to 12# with a buffer for insurance. The mainspring installed is 18#.

Looks like what I needed was a faster burning powder. Not sure which load I'll stay with, I need to chrono both and put the gun in a rest to see how it groups at 50 yds.

Anyway - problem solved.

Thanks for all the informative posts.

John

Just noticed that Steve, JOATMON is in Lynden, WA. Just down the block - I'm in Gig Harbor, WA.

Thanks for the post.