45acp Plated bullet weight

[vaalpens]

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.

Thanks. Lead has never been on my list, but it seems that it should be. I did not know that 45acp does not lead the barrel. If I go with lead then I will probably go with coated bullets. I will definitely look at RMR when I finally make make my decision.

 

[vaalpens]

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.

Thanks for the comments. I try and stay away from lubed bullets, but I will definitely look at coated bullets for 45acp. My preference will still be plated, but cost is definitely a factor.

 

[sellersm]

I've been very happy with the RMR 200gr bullets. I like the compromise between cost and recoil, and these have been very accurate in all of my .45 firearms (including revos)!

 

[drband]

RMR 230gr RN plated. I like to shoot the same weight of my defensive HP ammo. I've had great results with the above. Accuracy and recoil is similar.

 

[Walkalong]

I shoot 185, 200 & 230 Gr stuff in .45 ACP. Not sure I have a favorite. I just bought 100 coated 175 Gr SWC's to try.

 

[Jim Watson]

John Moses Browning originally designed the 1911 for 200 grain bullets,

Not quite.
Mr Browning designed the 1905 Colt for a 200 grain bullet loading.
But the military trials specified the 230 grain bullet designed by Frankford Arsenal in 1906, and that was what the 1911 and the developmental models leading up to it had to shoot.

I DO like the balance of the 200 grain load and if your gun won't feed semiwadcutters, there are roundnose available. I particularly like the 200 gr roundnose with SWC shoulder made by several companies.

 

[vaalpens]

I've been very happy with the RMR 200gr bullets. I like the compromise between cost and recoil, and these have been very accurate in all of my .45 firearms (including revos)!

Thanks for the advice. At the moment I am leaning towards 200gr, but things could change.

 

[vaalpens]

RMR 230gr RN plated. I like to shoot the same weight of my defensive HP ammo. I've had great results with the above. Accuracy and recoil is similar.

Thanks. I have seen some good comment reagrding the RMR 230gr. For now I am not planning on using my 45acp as defensive round, but things could change.

Based on all the responses so far it seems that 230gr is the way to go if you are also carrying 45acp.

 

[vaalpens]

I shoot 185, 200 & 230 Gr stuff in .45 ACP. Not sure I have a favorite. I just bought 100 coated 175 Gr SWC's to try.

Thanks Walkalong for making things as clear as mud. Initially I will commit to one weight, but down the road it seems that variety is the spice of life.

Does any of the weights shoot better any any of your guns, or do they all basically have the same reliability?

 

[vaalpens]

Not quite.
Mr Browning designed the 1905 Colt for a 200 grain bullet loading.
But the military trials specified the 230 grain bullet designed by Frankford Arsenal in 1906, and that was what the 1911 and the developmental models leading up to it had to shoot.

I DO like the balance of the 200 grain load and if your gun won't feed semiwadcutters, there are roundnose available. I particularly like the 200 gr roundnose with SWC shoulder made by several companies.

Thanks for the input. I tend to not load he highest possible weight, also not the lowest. For now I am leaning towards starting with 200gr, until proven wrong due to reliability or any other issues.

 

[wingman]

I like 45acp over other calibers have used many brand and weight bullets but
last few years have used only 230 Berry or Zero bullets, for me the 230 gr is
the best along with AA5 powder gives less recoil and excellent accuracy.

 

[Conservidave]

For what its worth, i really like the Berrys 185g HBRN bullet. 6.6g of Unique does it for me. Soft shooting and very accurate in my 1911. The RMR 230g RN is another great bullet in the 230g range for a "do it all" bullet for me.

Dave,

 

[Walkalong]

Thanks Walkalong for making things as clear as mud.

Your welcome.

The 185 Gr HBRN mentioned feeds in anything and shoots great with low recoil unless you push it hard. The same thing goes for the Berrys 200 Gr HP. Feeds well, shoots well, nice balance of weight. I have some X-Treme 200 Gr RN and they shoot great. Any 200 Gr SWC is likely to shoot great, but some guns don't like them. The 230 Gr RN is great for standard .45 ACP loads.

What are you looking for in this load?

If I had to pick a weight and stick with it, I would probably go with 200 Gr, but I don't, and I won't. Great place to start though.

 

[GBExpat]

Just in case you decide to roll some 230FMJ:

https://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100001467&dir=278|281|1082|1150

 

[Toprudder]

I've had my most accurate loads turn out to be with 230gn bullets. I like both the Xtreme 230 RN and RMR Hardcore match 230gn. The RMR seems to be a little more accurate. Due to the different ogive profile, they each have to be seated to different COL. As far as recoil, I believe loading the heavier bullets with a fast burning powder at reduced loads will not be any more recoil than the 185gn bullets, but that is just my opinion. I've loaded all the way down to under 600fps and had reliable operation without having to change recoil springs.

The Xtreme seems to be a little more reliable feeding (longer ogive) at least in my gun. I've shot some SWC 200gn Xtremes, but it took a little work for me to get those to feed reliably.

I tried some 185 Xtreme FP bullets, but those were not as accurate. In an earlier post, someone mentioned Berry's 185 RN HB, I am interested in trying those out now.

 

[Dudedog]

I have had excellent results with the RMR plated 230 RN.

http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/45-2...AA219D170FF29BA7F0BD6F79142254.m1plqscsfapp04

Favorite load is 4.7 or 5 gr of HP38, can't seem to decide which I like best.

The RMR nose profile is different than a lot of RNs so they may need to be seated deeper than other 230s you are used to. Not a problem just a different Rn nose shape.

They have the same type in 200gr but I have not tried those yet.
(thinking about it next bullet order)

I have shot a bunch of 200 SWCs and 230 RNs. Really a toss up feel wise IMO.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I load cast MBC lead 185 gr. SWC, 200 gr. SWC, and 230 gr. SWC all with the same 5 gr of Unique. All three fed fine in my Springfield Loaded. All three feed fine in my National Match. All three were accurate. The 185/200 are easier for quick follow up shots due to less recoil.

 

[Tcruse]

I have been using Xtreme plated bullets for awhile. I have had really good performance from 230g RN and 225g FN. Have tried several different powers and good luck with all of them.
Now, I buy a couple hundred of 200g FN bullets when my favorite weight was not on the shelf. That was a really big mistake but a good learning experience. What I found was the shape of the bullet in the 1911 forced the bullet to be loaded really short. (Regent 1911 and Ruger SR1911). The short length caused a lot of feed issues and a longer length prevented the guns going into battery. I did manage to find a "sweet" spot but it required a lot more crimp than I would have normally used.
I suspect that the 200g and 185g RN versions would be just fine.

 

[aladdin]

Tcruse What COL do you seat to with the Xtreme 225 FP.

 

[TfflHndn]

OP, if you do look at coated, check out SNS Casting, Falcon and Bayou Bullets. All good products and reasonable prices. I've heard good things about Acme as well. Not intending to dissuade from others, I just haven't tried them.

 

[vaalpens]

OP, if you do look at coated, check out SNS Casting, Falcon and Bayou Bullets. All good products and reasonable prices. I've heard good things about Acme as well. Not intending to dissuade from others, I just haven't tried them.

Thanks for the advice. I have never loaded coated bullets yet, but I will definitely look at the companies you listed before deciding on my first 500 bullets.

 

[vaalpens]

I have been using Xtreme plated bullets for awhile. I have had really good performance from 230g RN and 225g FN. Have tried several different powers and good luck with all of them.
Now, I buy a couple hundred of 200g FN bullets when my favorite weight was not on the shelf. That was a really big mistake but a good learning experience. What I found was the shape of the bullet in the 1911 forced the bullet to be loaded really short. (Regent 1911 and Ruger SR1911). The short length caused a lot of feed issues and a longer length prevented the guns going into battery. I did manage to find a "sweet" spot but it required a lot more crimp than I would have normally used.
I suspect that the 200g and 185g RN versions would be just fine.

Thanks for sharing your experience. So am I correct that you had issues in 1911's with 200gr FN bullets, but 225gr FN works well?

 

[vaalpens]

I load cast MBC lead 185 gr. SWC, 200 gr. SWC, and 230 gr. SWC all with the same 5 gr of Unique. All three fed fine in my Springfield Loaded. All three feed fine in my National Match. All three were accurate. The 185/200 are easier for quick follow up shots due to less recoil.

Thanks for the comments.

I have not loaded SWC's before. Do you decide on a COL based on how far the case mouth is below the bullet shoulder, or do you have some flexibility in how far below the shoulder you put the mouth?

 

[vaalpens]

I have had excellent results with the RMR plated 230 RN.

http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/45-2...AA219D170FF29BA7F0BD6F79142254.m1plqscsfapp04

Favorite load is 4.7 or 5 gr of HP38, can't seem to decide which I like best.

The RMR nose profile is different than a lot of RNs so they may need to be seated deeper than other 230s you are used to. Not a problem just a different Rn nose shape.

They have the same type in 200gr but I have not tried those yet.
(thinking about it next bullet order)

I have shot a bunch of 200 SWCs and 230 RNs. Really a toss up feel wise IMO.

Thanks for the information and sharing some load data.

With all the information I have received, I am still leaning towards starting with 200gr. It just seems in all my calibers I pick a middle weight, and probably do the same for 45acp.

 

[vaalpens]

I've had my most accurate loads turn out to be with 230gn bullets. I like both the Xtreme 230 RN and RMR Hardcore match 230gn. The RMR seems to be a little more accurate. Due to the different ogive profile, they each have to be seated to different COL. As far as recoil, I believe loading the heavier bullets with a fast burning powder at reduced loads will not be any more recoil than the 185gn bullets, but that is just my opinion. I've loaded all the way down to under 600fps and had reliable operation without having to change recoil springs.

The Xtreme seems to be a little more reliable feeding (longer ogive) at least in my gun. I've shot some SWC 200gn Xtremes, but it took a little work for me to get those to feed reliably.

I tried some 185 Xtreme FP bullets, but those were not as accurate. In an earlier post, someone mentioned Berry's 185 RN HB, I am interested in trying those out now.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the different bullets.

When you say some bullets are more or less accurate, what type of accuracy are you talking about. Is this bulls eye shooting accuracy, maybe a difference of inches.

I am not planning on doing any bulls eye shooting, but still strive for less than 1.5" grouping at 15 yards.