.45 ACP loads for an old Colt 1911

[RWMC]

I own an old Colt 1911 that was made in 1913.
It is an old beater but I still enjoy shooting it. I purchased some Hornady 185 grain XTP .451 hollowpoint bullets today with hopes of loading them up for use in the old colt. I plan on using unique gunpowder. If any of you have a favorite mild, but functional load using this bullet weight and powder, I sure would appreciate your suggestions.

 

[joneb]

I would get some Bullseye or W231 for that bullet weight but thats just my preference.

 

[Old Stumpy]

Looking at my Lyman 48th Edition Reloading Handbook:

185 grain JHP / Alliant Unique
- 4.8 grains / 630 FPS / 7,800 CUP (starting)
- 7.8 grains / 985 FPS / 17,800 CUP (maximum)

The starting load seems like it would barely function the gun and the maximum load seems a bit high for an old warhorse.
Interpolating then, 6 grains of Unique would seem to be an effective yet mild load to start with.
5.9 grains of Unique with a 230 grain FMJ RN is listed as a starting load, producing 749 FPS @ 12,500 CUP. This load worked well for me.

 

[Steve C]

When loading 45 ACP with 185 gr JHP bullets I use 7.7 grs of Unique. This load gives me an average chronograph velocity of around 1,090 fps from my Commander and Government 1911's and 1,080 from my Sig 220. I developed this load around 40 years ago and still use it. My goal was to get accuracy and a MV sufficient to get reliable JHP expansion.

Its a good idea to replace old weak recoil springs with new ones every so often to avoid battering an old gun.

 

[Charlie98]

I use my 6.5grn Unique load interchangeably with all weights of bullets... with the 185's it makes it a softball target load, which sounds like what you are looking for.

Also, Steve C is correct... change that recoil spring if you have not done so.

 

[AJC1]

5.0 gr unique or 6.0 power pistol and go shoot. Listed in the Lyman 45th as the accuracy load.

 

[Master Blaster]

Get a new 16lb recoil spring, and firing pin return spring if you have not done that yet.
Try 5.0 grains of unique to start, if the accuracy is not good or function suffers go up by .2 to 5.2.
You can load 10 of 5.0, 5.2, 5.4 and see which functions best and gives you the best accuracy.

 

[RWMC]

I would get some Bullseye or W231 for that bullet weight but thats just my preference.

“I plan on using Unique gunpowder “

 

[RWMC]

When loading 45 ACP with 185 gr JHP bullets I use 7.7 grs of Unique. This load gives me an average chronograph velocity of around 1,090 fps from my Commander and Government 1911's and 1,080 from my Sig 220. I developed this load around 40 years ago and still use it. My goal was to get accuracy and a MV sufficient to get reliable JHP expansion.

Its a good idea to replace old weak recoil springs with new ones every so often to avoid battering an old gun.

Thank you. I did replace the main spring and then also put in a Wilson poly/nylon shock absorber .

 

[Mike L.]

I've had one of those shock absorbers go to pieces while sitting in the gun for some months. Could have been .....very bad.
I threw out the other 2 or 3 after that. I would only put one in a gun that is target/range only.

 

[Charlie98]

I've had one of those shock absorbers go to pieces while sitting in the gun for some months. Could have been .....very bad.
I threw out the other 2 or 3 after that. I would only put one in a gun that is target/range only.

Well... I think this pistol is just a range gun. I do agree, however, based on my own experience... to NOT leave them in a pistol. I would install it, go shoot, then remove it when you are done.

 

[gunlaw]

Just loaded and fired some Berry’s 185 RNHB with 5.7g of 231. Very soft shooting and accurate. Should work well for you.

 

[joneb]

“I plan on using Unique gunpowder “

I've been down that road and it's not pretty. I've ran 7.3-7.5gr of Unique with Nosler 185gr JHP COL 1.95" in a Colt Government and a Marlin Camp, what a mess this powder made. I went to Accurate #5 and VV N-340 for a Unique alternative.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I love Unique, but...
That old girl needs 230s and 5.0 of Bullseye

 

[tomrkba]

I would build the ammo to military spec at the time: 230 grain FMJ, 835 FPS, and whatever OAL was used.

 

[Charlie98]

I've been down that road and it's not pretty. I've ran 7.3-7.5gr of Unique with Nosler 185gr JHP COL 1.95" in a Colt Government and a Marlin Camp, what a mess this powder made. I went to Accurate #5 and VV N-340 for a Unique alternative.

I've not found Unique to be particularly efficient with lighter bullets, especially big charges.

I love Unique, but...
That old girl needs 230s and 5.0 of Bullseye

Blasphemy! 6.5grn Unique under any sort of 230grn bullet...

 

[Mike L.]

I believe 5.0 Bullseye and 230 was one of the original factory loads. It works for me.

 

[brewer12345]

I love Unique, but...
That old girl needs 230s and 5.0 of Bullseye

I like 200 grain LSWC over 4.5 grains of bullseye, but good luck finding some now. I load the same bullet over 7.0 grains of unique, but that is a full power load.

 

[Ironicaintit]

Blasphemy! 6.5grn Unique under any sort of 230grn bullet...

that’s my go to load as well, but in this case... I stick by my 5.0 of Bullseye.

I dunno, it’d be like asking an older lady to dance. You’re not going to throw her around with a lot of energy; a waltz or something she enjoyed from her era would be much more appropriate.