45 ACP, 185gr or 200 gr LSWC

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Rule3

Rule3

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I usually just shoot 230 gr RN bullets in a 1911 and other 45 ACP pistols

Want to get something different, I have loaded 200 gr bullets in the past.

Besides 15 grains what is the advantage or disadvantage to the 185 or 200 gr bullets??

Just for punching holes in paper, not knocking down anything

Light target loads, minimum recoil.

Thanks
 
I shoot both but mainly only use the 200 gr when I want to shoot a longer distance 50+ yrd. The 200gr LSWC will shoot a better group at 50 yrds than my 185 gr loads, but not by much. The powder charge is almost the same for both, 4.1gr WST for 185gr, 4.2gr for 200gr. Both these loads will shoot sub 2" groups at 50 yrds. I've loaded the 185gr all the way down to 3.8gr and still have them cycle my 1911. Which reminds me I need to do another reduced load test and record the velocity. This last batch of powder I have seams to be hotter than the 30yr old powder I was using.
 
In my 1911 45's, the biggest advantage to lighter or heavier bullets, is to regulate the point of impact higher or lower, as required. Lighter bullets shoot lower then heavier at typical handgun range.

I just use my 45 like you do, for paper punching. I typically reload and shoot 200gr SWC in my 45's.
 
GaryL said:
I really like the MB Cowboy #4 for a 45acp hole puncher.
Click to expand...


Yes, I used many boxes of the IDP #4, (I have a XDm)I prefer not messing with semi wad cutters. Messing with OAL I want the ammo to function in all 45's
I have not ordered from MBC for a long time, I was a die hard MBC fan boy since they first opened.
My last order was from ACME. They show what is in stock and get the order out right away!

I do not know how MBC is these days especially since Brad is no longer around.??

Any other companies have the 200 gr FN coated??
 
Blue68f100 said:
I shoot both but mainly only use the 200 gr when I want to shoot a longer distance 50+ yrd. The 200gr LSWC will shoot a better group at 50 yrds than my 185 gr loads, but not by much. The powder charge is almost the same for both, 4.1gr WST for 185gr, 4.2gr for 200gr. Both these loads will shoot sub 2" groups at 50 yrds. I've loaded the 185gr all the way down to 3.8gr and still have them cycle my 1911. Which reminds me I need to do another reduced load test and record the velocity. This last batch of powder I have seams to be hotter than the 30yr old powder I was using.
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:):)

I can't see 50 yards much less shoot that far!o_O
 
Rule3 said:
I do not know how MBC is these days especially since Brad is no longer around.??
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I ordered some coated from MBC last year (nearly a year ago). Have enough on hand to last a little while. Been a while since I last checked on them, but as far as I know they are still active.
 
I like the 185g HB plated from Berry’s. Seems to shoot a little softer than the 230g. There is a slightly lower point of impact. It is a round nose bullet not SWC. Never had very good luck with SWC in semi autos.
 
Rule3 said:
Any reviews on them. Their website doesn't say much about the company or even an address?
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I guess I never paid much attention...LOL
He is in Flanagan, IL
I have ordered MANY of his coated bullets, very happy with them.
I have done the hammer smash test on them, all have passed so far....when I bash 'em, the coating stays on without cracking.
Shipping is fast, and haven't had any issues in the 15 or so orders with them to date.
Actually just ordered some 220gr TCFP .401" from them on Jan 1....shipped yesterday, slated to be here on Wed....

Not that is really relevant, but the local Scheel's here carries a limited stock of his uncoated pellets....I have not tried them...
 
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GaryL said:
I ordered some coated from MBC last year (nearly a year ago). Have enough on hand to last a little while. Been a while since I last checked on them, but as far as I know they are still active.
Click to expand...
Last I checked MBC was up and running just fine
 
Soonerpesek said:
I guess I never paid much attention...LOL
He is in Flanagan, IL
I have ordered MANY of his coated bullets, very happy with them.
I have done the hammer smash test on them, all have passed so far....when I bash 'em, the coating stays on without cracking.
Shipping is fast, and haven't had any issues in the 15 or so orders with them to date.
Actually just ordered some 220gr TCFP .401" from them on Jan 1....shipped yesterday, slated to be here on Wed....

Not that is really relevant, but the local Scheel's here carries a limited stock of his uncoated pellets....I have not tried them...
Click to expand...

OK Thanks. I could also use the 200 grain bullets in my 45 Colt
 
Only thing I would use 185 grain for would be defensive loads with hollowpoints. Would allow for more velocity and better expansion. 200 grain is nice for loading softer target loads that use less powder and lead. Just recently started loading 200 grain SWC's, but the vast majority of what I've loaded is 230g RN. I do have some 200g XTP's that I'm planning on loading up with Power Pistol, hoping to get velocities approaching 1000fps without getting into +p territory
 
I shoot a lot of 185gr LSWC. Shot great, in .45ACP. Loaded some in .45C and not so good.

Bought a 1000 200gr and haven't shot anything but 200s since.
 
gunlaw said:
I like the 185g HB plated from Berry’s. Seems to shoot a little softer than the 230g. There is a slightly lower point of impact. It is a round nose bullet not SWC. Never had very good luck with SWC in semi autos.
Click to expand...

I also shoot a lot of these, one thing that I noticed though due to the hollow base is that I had to up the charge weight a little. These shoot very good and I use them for my wife's 1911 and my FNX 45 Tactical. I use VVN320 as my go to powder also,
 
Rule3 said:
Besides 15 grains what is the advantage or disadvantage to the 185 or 200 gr bullets??



Light target loads, minimum recoil.
Click to expand...

You answered your own question... ;)

Generally speaking, lighter bullets reduce the recoil impulse with an appropriate powder... it's what I've done with my alloy framed Kimber. I normally run full-house 230grn handloads in my steel frame 1911's, but it felt like it was beating up the alloy pistol, so I switched to 200grn FMJ/RN bullets, and a slightly faster powder. I did make one mistake, however... because of limited availability, I bought 500 200grn plated SWC's... my steel Kimber absolutely HATED those bullets, and jammed at least one every magazine. In fact, I just shot up the last of those last week... and I'll be sticking with a RN profile going forward.
 
Charlie98 said:
You answered your own question... ;)

Generally speaking, lighter bullets reduce the recoil impulse with an appropriate powder... it's what I've done with my alloy framed Kimber. I normally run full-house 230grn handloads in my steel frame 1911's, but it felt like it was beating up the alloy pistol, so I switched to 200grn FMJ/RN bullets, and a slightly faster powder. I did make one mistake, however... because of limited availability, I bought 500 200grn plated SWC's... my steel Kimber absolutely HATED those bullets, and jammed at least one every magazine. In fact, I just shot up the last of those last week... and I'll be sticking with a RN profile going forward.
Click to expand...


I had that issue years ago with LSWC. They were very very picky about the COL. A tiny fraction to long or short they would not feed in some of my guns.
So I switched to FN or just plain RN
 
Rule3 said:
Besides 15 grains what is the advantage or disadvantage to the 185 or 200 gr bullets??

Just for punching holes in paper, not knocking down anything

Light target loads, minimum recoil.
Click to expand...


I shoot both 185 and 200 SWC's from my 1911. To answer your question, an accomplished Bullseye shooter will tell you the 200's are more accurate at 50 yards. Otherwise, 185's are a little bit cheaper and recoil a tad less. Sounds to me like you want the 185's.

Here's some chronograph data for some loads I tested some time ago in my Range Officer. All three used 4.7 grs. of WW231 and the same COL. Five shot groups.

185 SWC, Federal Brass: 735 fps, ES=44, SD=18
185 SWC, Mixed Brass: 747 fps, ES=67, SD=23
200 SWC, Federal Brass: 750 fps, ES=38, SD=16

I'd like to do some more testing to verify but it appears that the 200's shoot a little faster due to reduced case volume because of the longer bullet. I've reduced my load by 0.1 since then and might try 4.5 next, My POI is very close shooting 185's at 25 yds. and 200's at 50 but I'm not that great of a shot.
 
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Rule3 said:
I had that issue years ago with LSWC. They were very very picky about the COL. A tiny fraction to long or short they would not feed in some of my guns.
So I switched to FN or just plain RN
Click to expand...

That was my experience. They fed fine in my alloy Kimber... an otherwise identical pistol (4" barrels) except for the frame... just not the stainless. RN/FMJ fixes all that.
 
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