Anyone with a Kimber .45 ACP able to shoot 185gr (or any) SWC loads?
- Thread starter MCMXI
- Start date
- Status
I have some jacketed SWCs like that and just fed some successfully through my Kimber the other day, which is better than I can say for the Federal HSTs that I was also testing (premature slide lock with the HSTs).
I'd try some different magazines and see if that helps. My first 1911 (1995 Colt Gold Cup) came with a 7 rnd mag for SWC and an 8 round for everything else.
I'd try some different magazines and see if that helps. My first 1911 (1995 Colt Gold Cup) came with a 7 rnd mag for SWC and an 8 round for everything else.
SwampWolf
Member
185 grain semi-wadcutters are a staple for Bullseye shooters. That's all I've used (along with 230 grain hardball, depending on the course of fire for a specific match) for decades without incident in my Colt Series 70 Gold Cup.
UPDATE:
A few weeks ago I ordered and received five Wilson Combat Elite Tactical Magazines (ETM) from Midway. A couple of days ago I put together three different loads to try along with two types of factory ammunition.
Factory ammunition
American Eagle 230gr FMJ
MAGTECH 230gr FMC
Reloads
200gr Oregon Trail LRNFP, 5.4gr W231, WLP primers, W-W brass
200gr Oregon Trail LRNFP, 5.5gr Trail Boss, WLP primers, FC65 brass
185gr WN LSWC, 5.0gr W231, WLP primers, mixed brass
Yesterday I headed off to the range with the Kimber and a plan. I was going to shoot 10 of each type of factory ammunition followed by 10 of each of the 200gr LRNFP loads. I figured the RN bullets should feed 100% reliably. Finally, if all was good, I planned to shoot 10 of the SWC loads but I wasn't too optimistic about those. Well, the GREAT news is that all five loads functioned FLAWLESSLY. I ended up shooting 25 of the 185gr SWC loads without any issues at all. I am now a believer in Wilson Combat mags. The Kimber shot like a dream and was incredibly accurate with the 185gr loads. 10 shots grouped in the center of the target in a 2" circle at 15 yards. I don't shoot pistols very often so I'm more than happy with the Kimber. Based on how well it shoots, and how good it feels in the hand, I'm now very interested in buying more Kimbers. I still maintain that 100% reliability with RN bullets would have been enough to make me feel good about my $1,300 investment. I would have considered the Kimber to be a little "specialized" but with superb accuracy I could give up a little functionality. But now, all I can say is what a difference a magazine makes. My shooting buddy suggested trying the Kimber factory magazine again to see if some additional break-in has helped. At the very least, I plan on ordering a Wilson Combat follower for it. Here's a photo of the range ... not a bad place to shoot.
A few weeks ago I ordered and received five Wilson Combat Elite Tactical Magazines (ETM) from Midway. A couple of days ago I put together three different loads to try along with two types of factory ammunition.
Factory ammunition
American Eagle 230gr FMJ
MAGTECH 230gr FMC
Reloads
200gr Oregon Trail LRNFP, 5.4gr W231, WLP primers, W-W brass
200gr Oregon Trail LRNFP, 5.5gr Trail Boss, WLP primers, FC65 brass
185gr WN LSWC, 5.0gr W231, WLP primers, mixed brass
Yesterday I headed off to the range with the Kimber and a plan. I was going to shoot 10 of each type of factory ammunition followed by 10 of each of the 200gr LRNFP loads. I figured the RN bullets should feed 100% reliably. Finally, if all was good, I planned to shoot 10 of the SWC loads but I wasn't too optimistic about those. Well, the GREAT news is that all five loads functioned FLAWLESSLY. I ended up shooting 25 of the 185gr SWC loads without any issues at all. I am now a believer in Wilson Combat mags. The Kimber shot like a dream and was incredibly accurate with the 185gr loads. 10 shots grouped in the center of the target in a 2" circle at 15 yards. I don't shoot pistols very often so I'm more than happy with the Kimber. Based on how well it shoots, and how good it feels in the hand, I'm now very interested in buying more Kimbers. I still maintain that 100% reliability with RN bullets would have been enough to make me feel good about my $1,300 investment. I would have considered the Kimber to be a little "specialized" but with superb accuracy I could give up a little functionality. But now, all I can say is what a difference a magazine makes. My shooting buddy suggested trying the Kimber factory magazine again to see if some additional break-in has helped. At the very least, I plan on ordering a Wilson Combat follower for it. Here's a photo of the range ... not a bad place to shoot.
orionengnr
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 5,717
I love a happy ending.
Now, where is that range?
Now, where is that range?
It's the FBI range at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) in Kaneohe. I love a happy ending too. Kimber + Wilson Combat = pure joy!! Thanks for the offer of letting me try some of your reloads. I'll extend the same offer to you if you ever make it out this way.
Thanks for the offer of letting me try some of your reloads. I'll extend the same offer to you if you ever make it out this way.- Status
