45acp Plated bullet weight

[vaalpens]

This is the time of the year when I start planning on the next caliber gun I want to purchase and the next caliber I want to reload.

Last year I decided to start with 356sig, but this year the plan is to start with 45acp.

When I load a caliber, I try to pick a weight and only load one weight, but I try different bullet and powder combinations. In 9mm I decided on 124gr, 357sig 124/125gr, and 40S&W 165gr. I mostly load plated bullets, except for 357sig where I also load jacketed bullets due to the higher velocity.

For 45acp I am planning on loading plated bullets, but I have not decided if I want to load 200gr or 230gr.

I don't know if most reloaders just load one bullet weight, or select a bullet weight based on the intended use of the load.

I would appreciate it if you can let me know why you load 200gr bullets over 230gr bullets or visa versa. It could be cost per round, making power factor, accuracy, reliability, or any reason you might feel sways you when making that decision between 200gr and 230gr.

Thanks in advance for all your comments.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I prefer 185/200 over 230 for reduced recoil. I have never seen a reason for plated bullets in a .45ACP, though.

 

[gunfighter48]

Any weight from 185, 200, or 230gr is good in the 45ACP. I've loaded 45ACP and 45 Colt for over 12 years and love them both. I usually load my 45ACP with 230gr FMJ. I use it to practice for my carry rounds which are 230gr HSTs at this time. But for less recoil go with the 185 or 200gr bullets. You'll eventually find a weight and load that suits you the best!

 

[cfullgraf]

I load and shoot only 230 RN bullets in my M1911s. They work.

I guess I am old school.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I suggest the 185 gr. Round Nose Hollow Base bullet by Berry's Manufacturing. This bullet has the same profile as the 230 gr. RN bullet, but less weight. It's very accurate and I've never found any .45 acp handgun that wouldn't feed them, nor was accurate in.

Here's a link: http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14514-c17-g8-b0-p0-45_452_185gr_HBRN___500ct.aspx

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[reddog81]

I cast and reload 230 round nose and 200 SWC. I'm not sure which I prefer...

230 grain is usually going to a standard round nose bullet. 200 grain can be RN, RNFP, SWC, HP, and probably others.

200 grain is going to use less lead and generally cost less. I'm not sure why you would limit to 1 weight. Testing different loads and bullets is something I enjoy.

 

[joneb]

I have been shooting RMR or Xtreme 200gr plated with good results, its a $ thing mostly.

 

[tcoz]

I've loaded and shot nothing but Xtreme 230gr plated bullets in my Sig 1911. Why 230gr? This is purely my fun gun. It's not for home defense and it's not for carry so I chose 230gr because that's the bullet the 1911 was designed to shoot and also because there's an abundance of load data for it.

 

[ku4hx]

With plated, I load 200 grain because they seem to have the best combination of price, accuracy and availability. I've bought other weights, but 200s are fine. They shoot well and I've never had a problem with them.

Considering plated bullets are generally not for hunting or defense, I don't consider the bullet's weight at all critical.

 

[TfflHndn]

John Moses Browning originally designed the 1911 for 200 grain bullets, so that's good enough for me. I do shoot 230s some times, but mainly I stick with 200s. Mostly coated SWCs, some round-nose for one of my 1911s that is finicky about loading any other profile.

 

[kcofohio]

^^This^^

From my understanding, it was the military that insisted the bullet being 230 gr.

 

[BigBore45]

i would go with what ever your gun likes. as far as POI and felt recoil.

 

[WessonOil]

I shoot only cast bullets as 45acp tends to not lead the barrel and the plating is just extra money you don't need to spend.
You may also consider 185 grain bullets, as they're very economical.
Other than that, I just pretty much shoot a 230 cast.
Check out RMR bullets.

 

[Sunray]

For what? Only ever load cast 230's myself. No plating.
"...never seen a reason for plated bullets in a .45ACP..." Only reason is if your indoor range says you have to use 'em while they try to reduce lead in the air.

 

[vaalpens]

I prefer 185/200 over 230 for reduced recoil. I have never seen a reason for plated bullets in a .45ACP, though.

Thanks. I like working with plated, but if I go with lead, then I'll probably go with coated. Cost will probably decide it for me between lead and plated.

 

[vaalpens]

Any weight from 185, 200, or 230gr is good in the 45ACP. I've loaded 45ACP and 45 Colt for over 12 years and love them both. I usually load my 45ACP with 230gr FMJ. I use it to practice for my carry rounds which are 230gr HSTs at this time. But for less recoil go with the 185 or 200gr bullets. You'll eventually find a weight and load that suits you the best!

Thanks. For now I am not planning to carry 45acp, but if I do decide to carry, then it seems 230gr is the way to go.

 

[vaalpens]

I load and shoot only 230 RN bullets in my M1911s. They work.

I guess I am old school.

Thanks. Reliability is key for me and so far it seems I can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[vaalpens]

I suggest the 185 gr. Round Nose Hollow Base bullet by Berry's Manufacturing. This bullet has the same profile as the 230 gr. RN bullet, but less weight. It's very accurate and I've never found any .45 acp handgun that wouldn't feed them, nor was accurate in.

Here's a link: http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14514-c17-g8-b0-p0-45_452_185gr_HBRN___500ct.aspx

Hope this helps.

Fred

Thanks for the detailed information. Reliability is key for me and I do shoot the Berry's hollow base bullets in 9mm and 357sig and like them. I did not initially think of using 185gr, but maybe I need to look at 185gr also.

 

[vaalpens]

I cast and reload 230 round nose and 200 SWC. I'm not sure which I prefer...

230 grain is usually going to a standard round nose bullet. 200 grain can be RN, RNFP, SWC, HP, and probably others.

200 grain is going to use less lead and generally cost less. I'm not sure why you would limit to 1 weight. Testing different loads and bullets is something I enjoy.

Thanks for the input. I normally prefer not to shoot RN bullets (holes in paper) which let me to lean towards the 200gr.

Since this will be a new caliber for me, it is going to take some time to get through the load workup with one weight and the powder I have. Only then do I think of trying out another weight.

 

[vaalpens]

I have been shooting RMR or Xtreme 200gr plated with good results, its a $ thing mostly.

Thanks.

I was looking at RMR and Xtreme and will probably stick with one of the regular brands.

 

[vaalpens]

I've loaded and shot nothing but Xtreme 230gr plated bullets in my Sig 1911. Why 230gr? This is purely my fun gun. It's not for home defense and it's not for carry so I chose 230gr because that's the bullet the 1911 was designed to shoot and also because there's an abundance of load data for it.

Thanks.

This will also be a fun and range gun for me. If the the 230gr gives me more fun (recoil) than 200gr, then that is probably what I should pick. I enjoy shooting my 357sig and 40s&w.

 

[vaalpens]

With plated, I load 200 grain because they seem to have the best combination of price, accuracy and availability. I've bought other weights, but 200s are fine. They shoot well and I've never had a problem with them.

Considering plated bullets are generally not for hunting or defense, I don't consider the bullet's weight at all critical.

Thanks, and I concur. For me is is reliability, price and fun of shooting. Both reliability and price contributes to the fun of shooting.

 

[vaalpens]

John Moses Browning originally designed the 1911 for 200 grain bullets, so that's good enough for me. I do shoot 230s some times, but mainly I stick with 200s. Mostly coated SWCs, some round-nose for one of my 1911s that is finicky about loading any other profile.

Interesting comments. I have not decided between a 1911 or Sig P220 yet, but if it is a 1911, the 200gr sounds like a good bet.

 

[vaalpens]

^^This^^

From my understanding, it was the military that insisted the bullet being 230 gr.

Thanks. Currently I am leaning towards 200gr based on all the replies, but I have changed my mind before.

 

[vaalpens]

i would go with what ever your gun likes. as far as POI and felt recoil.

Very good point. I will decide on a weight, but will change if I find I have reliability issues. Reliability is at the top of my requirements.