1911 45acp loads

[GRIZ22]

For the velocities involved in 45 ACP I do 99% of my loading with lead bullets. A 200 gr SWC over 6.0 grs of Unique gives me 950 fps. Well under max for this bullet but more than sufficient oomph for most purposes.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I load the Lee 230 grain tumble lube, cast from wheel weights and powder coated, over 4.8 grains of Bullseye.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I use Berry’s 230 gr plated over 5.0 gr of W231 or HP-38 for Kimber and Springfield 1911’s.

 

[CoalTrain49]

One of the nicest things about 45 acp is the different powders it can run on. I think I saw a list of about 10 different powders that work well. Bullseye is the oldtimers standard and the powder I started with. There's also the ability to change the spring and shoot lighter weight bullets. I think the most popular is 200 gr. but I've always shot 230's. I have 3 1911's and shoot them all. If I could only have one pistol it would be a 1911. I do love my revolvers tho. I even have a revolver that shoots 45 acp.

 

[LiveLife]

One of the nicest things about 45 acp is the different powders it can run on. I think I saw a list of about 10 different powders that work well. Bullseye is the oldtimers standard and the powder I started with.

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/loads-for-the-bullseye-shooter/99418

"Bullseye matches ... What type of accuracy is required to compete at the top level in this sport? A common benchmark is that the gun must be capable of a 10-shot group at 50 yards that is less than 1.5 inches center-to-center.

Top choices include Hodgdon 700-X, VihtaVuori N310, Alliant Bullseye, Hodgdon Clays, Hodgdon Titegroup, WST, and W231."

 

[FROGO207]

Yep I started out with 700-X because I bought into about 4 kegs of it. I like the 230 grain loads so well that after 35 years I have not tried a different one.

 

[Texas10mm]

One of the nicest things about 45 acp is the different powders it can run on. I think I saw a list of about 10 different powders that work well. Bullseye is the oldtimers standard and the powder I started with. There's also the ability to change the spring and shoot lighter weight bullets. I think the most popular is 200 gr. but I've always shot 230's. I have 3 1911's and shoot them all. If I could only have one pistol it would be a 1911. I do love my revolvers tho. I even have a revolver that shoots 45 acp.

At last count I've loaded .45 ACP with 21 different powders. There is a plethora of powders that work well in the old gal.

 

[LiveLife]

I thought OP was looking for light target loads ... hence why I posted link of bullseye match loads with faster powders - https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/loads-for-the-bullseye-shooter/99418

The light loads I tried are from a couple of High Master Bullseye shooters. The recipes I used are under published minimums. I wasn't expecting them to run as well as they did ... 200gr Lead RNFP's in the pile I'll try out also. I'm real happy it runs wadcutters.

 

[Walkalong]

I use Berry’s 230 gr plated over 5.0 gr of W231 or HP-38 for Kimber and Springfield 1911’s.

That's a good one.

Berrys 230 Gr RN .45 ACP

 

[kidneyboy]

I thought OP was looking for light target loads ... hence why I posted link of bullseye match loads with faster powders - https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/loads-for-the-bullseye-shooter/99418

That is correct, light target loads. However, I was expecting to get a wealth of information from this post and you guys don't disappoint

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have been handloading the .45 for over 50 years. Years ago I bought a 6-cavity Lee mould for the 230 grain tumble lube bullet. Frankly, tumble lube -- especially if you're loading in quantity -- is a pain in the butt. Your seating die gets clogged with lube and has to be frequently disassembled and cleaned. I switched to powder coating, and it works much better and doesn't foul the die.

 

[Dudedog]

I like 4.7 or 5.0 of HP38 (W231) with a 230 RN. 4.7 is a little softer, 5.0 is maybe a tiny bit more accurate if I am able to shoot the difference that day. (some days I can't....)

 

[drband]

4.6 Red Dot, 230gr RN is a very nice shooting/accurate load.

 

[forty_caliber]

I'm doing a run of .45 with LPP, 4.2 grains of TiteGroup, under a Hornady 230gr LRN. Soft shooting accurate load.

LNL AP, Case Feeder, Hornady Custom grade dies, PTX, Powder Cop, Mr. Bullet Feeder with So Cal tubes.

.40

 

[IlikeSA]

One of the good things about the internet is you can find uploaded .pdf files. I download the .pdf files and put them in folders so I can go back and read or reference them.

Here's a good .pdf with load data from 1998, since your asking for vintage data:
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Man...pecific Load Data/MidwayUsa LoadMap 45ACP.pdf

It feels so weird to call it vintage data, but I guess it was 21 years ago.

 

[kidneyboy]

One of the good things about the internet is you can find uploaded .pdf files. I download the .pdf files and put them in folders so I can go back and read or reference them.

Here's a good .pdf with load data from 1998, since your asking for vintage data:
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manuals/Reloading/Caliber Specific Load Data/MidwayUsa LoadMap 45ACP.pdf

It feels so weird to call it vintage data, but I guess it was 21 years ago.

That is a great document!!

Vintage data - I shot in Bullseye competitions when I was in my mid 20s, which was in the mid 70s.........