.45 ACP and bullet weight

[darwin-t]

I've recently started reloading .45 ACP. I've only tried 230 grain RN so far, but I'm thinking of trying lighter bullets. I'd be interested in hearing other peoples' experiences with 185 grain bullets. I use Unique powder.

 

[CZ57]

I tend to load JHPs, or cast lead. As far as JHPs go, the Remington Golden Saber is as good as it gets and with a medium speed powder like Unique, you can easily match factory load velocity. This is one of the best defense bullets in existence, 185 or 230 gr. The 185 gr. load from Remington is +P and around 1130 FPS if you want to develop a load like that and I have with several powders, but not Unique. The Nosler 185 gr. JHP sold in 250 round Bulk Packs, is an exceptional value also.

 

[captain54]

This may be just me, but my results are that the 200gr LSWC have been better than with the 185gr. More accurate more reliable. This is now the only bullet that I reload for my 45s. I noticed enough difference that I have 2000 185gr swc that I am going to melt and recast as 200gr once I getting some casting equipment (as long as this is o.k. to do-I am new to casting)

 

[joneb]

I load 185gr Nosler JHP's for my Marlin Camp 45 with 7.3gr of Unique with great results, but for my Colt 1911 I prefer to use W231 for 185gr jacketed loads.

 

[243winxb]

in lead cast bullets i would go with a Lyman 200gr swc bevel base type bullet for a target load. The 185 swc and 230gr Rn were ok at 25yds, at 50 yds the 200 swc bb was more accurate for me.

 

[Walkalong]

Berry's 185 Gr. SWC and 200 Gr. HP shoot well for me if you want to try something besides 230 Gr. Their 185 Gr. HBRN also shoots well.

W231, AA#2, AA# 5, Zip, N320, Universal Clays, all will work well here. Probably others as well, but I have tried and had success with these. I like AA# 2 and N320 here for clean accurate medium plus power loads. AA# 5 for full power. I have some Competition and some True Blue coming to try in a couple of calibers. I'm hoping they work out well.

 

[ReloaderFred]

For just general shooting at targets and informal practice, I load the Berry's 185 grain Hollow Base Round Nose (HBRN). It's very accurate and you don't have to change the die setting from the 230 gr. RN bullets, since it's the same profile, and feeds through every .45 I've tried it in, which is quite a few.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Mark whiz]

My best results have been with 200gr Ranier SWCs using AA#5, Win WST, and Win231 in that order. The 185's just don't seem to work quite as well out of my Springer 1911-A1 Mil-Spec..........which really isn't surprising since the original design for that arm called for 200gr bullets.

 

[GRIZ22]

I load mostly 200 SWC in 45 ACP with Unique for around 950 fps. I can't remember the last time I loaded a jacketed bullet. If I were to run out of JHP ammo the 200 SWC makes a very adequate SD round. The velocities and pressures the 45 ACP operate at tell me lead bullets will do most things. There is the cost saving of lead over jacketed but taht goes away because you tend to load more lead bullets.

 

[hawkeye1]

I have to jump on the band wagon here. I use only self cast 200 grain SWC and W231. Great accuracy and reliable to boot. Norinco 1911 and Para-Ordnance LTC

 

[darwin-t]

Thanks for all of the great ideas. It's weird - with 9mm I didn't like 115 grain and wanted "slow and heavy" - 147 grain. Now here I am with a TRUE "slow and heavy" and I'm wanting to go "fast and light". Some people ain't never happy no matter what, huh?

 

[20nickels]

Does anybody load 300 grain with good results? Point of aim, penetration etc.

 

[Walkalong]

250, but not 300.