A competitive reload recipe for .45 ACP

[joevilla71]

Hello to All,

I am starting to reload for USPSA. My goal is to have a highly accurate round while lowering the amount of recoil.

I've been told to lower the weight of the bullet and the amount of power used, but know there are probably thousands of variations.

SO, I figured I would pick everyone's brain on the best 45 ACP load for competition?????

Many Thanks,
Joe

 

[lil ski]

For Indoor Bullseye I use 3.5grs of Bullseye with a 185gr swc and a fed 150 primer I'm not sure how fast its going (not very) but it is very accurate.

 

[Canuck-IL]

A heavier bullet (200 or 230) with a fast powder gives more of a push recoil feel rather than a smaller bullets 'slap.' Do you want to make the 165 power factor?

You'll find *extensive* discussion of USPSA loadings here...
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?act=idx

/Bryan

 

[Lurper]

Joe,
You will probably want to use a lighter bullet. Certainly no heavier than 200gr.
I prefer 160 or 178 gr. I still use Bullseye. It is a load I have used in USPSA for 20 years now. Start at about 5.1 grains and work up. Chrono your loads to make sure they make major. In my experience, lighter bullets make it easier to drive the gun. FWIW, recoil is not what you are trying to fight. Muzzle rise is. That is what lighter bullets do. The recoil impulse is faster and the muzzle rises less.

 

[HSMITH]

I like 200's with Clays and used to shoot 230's with Clays.

Lurper is right that the lighter bullets make a snappier recoil, it looks and feels to most people like you have more muzzle rise than with the slower recoil of a heavier bullet but it doesn't matter. Getting the recoil finished ASAP is more important to me than how far the front sight rises, I shoot pretty violent feeling loads when compared to some other combinations you can make and it just flat works better on the timer.

 

[Walkalong]

Getting the recoil finished ASAP is more important to me than how far the front sight rises,

I don't shoot pistols competitively, but that is a no brainer.

The lighter bullets do cause more muzzle rise, but if you can control it and get back on target faster, that is what it is all about.

Clays, Clays, Clays. I guess I am going to have to try it again.

 

[Zak Smith]

My USPSA Major load for 45ACP is:

"any" case
WLP
5.1gr Titegroup
200gr plated round-nose

 

[joevilla71]

What brand of bullets are you all using???

I looked at Hornady's website and it seems most their bullets don't go below 200 in a round nose.

 

[Zak Smith]

West Coast

 

[HSMITH]

In 45 I shot mostly a local cast lead bullet, bullets I casy myself and some Miester cast bullets.

Now I am shooting either Zero JHP or Montana Gold CMJ or JHP bullets.

 

[Joe D]

Here's a couple of "standard" IPSC/IDPA loads that a lot of guys use.
200 gr LSWC OAL 1.250-1.260" 4.2 gr of Clays.
230 gr jacketed/plated OAL 1.260-1.270" 4.0 gr of Clays.
Both of these make Major in my Kimbers. If you use a lead 230 gr bullet you may be able to go to 3.8 - 3.9 gr of Clays.
I used Titegroup for years, but found Clays to be a better powder for .45ACP.
My TG load was 4.2 gr with a 230 and 4.5 with the 200 LSWC. TG has a little more "snap" than Clays.

 

[joevilla71]

great information .. thanks everyone