Favorite 230gr FMJ .45 ACP loads for plinking?

[givo08]

I'm getting into reloading and looking for some recommendations on some standard .45 ACP loads for plinking. My primary requirements are:

1. Cost
2. FMJ/JHP (will be shot in polygonal rifling barrel)

I'm looking for something in the 800-850 FPS range for a 230gr bullet, nothing extremely slow/light and nothing too powerful. This will be just a standard range load that I am looking to save as much $$ as possible on over $29/100 WWB.

 

[Steve H]

You can buy in 1000 rd lots for around $22/100 for American Eagle (Federal) from ammoman.

 

[gggman]

230 FMJ with 5.5 gr. Win. 231 is a good load. Not too slow, and good accuracy.

 

[Walkalong]

Hard to beat 5.5 Grs. W-231 and any 225/230 Gr lead, hard cast, not swaged, slug for cheap accurate plinking. Shot that for years.

Other powders to consider would be AA #2, Competition, & WST.

 

[putteral]

Try 4.6 grs of Bullseye. Works fine in my 24/7 Pro

 

[Slamfire]

I have chronographed my 5.5 grs W231 and found that depending on the pistol, it will give you between 750 fps and 800 fps. Depends on orientation of chronograph and the barrel.

This load shoots just fine and is accurate. 800 fps with a 230 FMJ was the original velocity specification set by the Army for 45ACP ammo. And it works as well now, as then.


Colt M1911


230 FMJ GI 5.5 grs W231 Mixed Military WLP
9-Oct-05 T = 64 °F
OAL 1.265" taper crimp .469

Ave Vel = 792.4
Std Dev = 15.87
ES 70.15
High 825.5
Low 754.9
N = 24

 

[BsChoy]

My Glock 21 likes 4.5 grains of Red Dot under a 230 Ranier in mixed brass touched off with a winny primer....21yds accurate and very reliable

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Add my voice to those who said 5.5gr W231 with a 230gr bullet. That round is very accurate and clean when shot in my son's Springfield 1911A1.

 

[The-Fly]

5.5gr with a 230gr FMJ? Thats gonna be a full powered round

I usually load cast 230gr with 5.2, and it does about 850fps outta my 5" 45's.

 

[KeithB]

I use 5.2 gr W231 with 230FMJ, no where near a factory round

 

[marcodo]

W231 5.0-5.2 230gr. LRN. Prob a little lighter for a fmj. Haven't had any issues for both. OAL 1.124-1.125

 

[buenhec]

6.0 Unique, Raineer 230g Rn 1.265

 

[Chief-7700]

5.0 grains of bullseye and Rainier 230 grain RN plated bullet, Win primer sure puts the plated down.
Chief

 

[Chief-7700]

5.0 grains of bullseye and Rainier 230 grain RN plated bullet, Win primer sure puts the plates down.
Chief

 

[Chief-7700]

Mods, Sorry about the double post.
Chief

 

[ForneyRider]

5.3gr is max load on Hodgdon website for W231 and 230gr bullet at 830fps.

Nosler has 5.8gr of W231 as max load for 790fps and 230FMJ.
Nosler doesn't show OAL.
They have 5.3gr at 730fps. Federal 150gr primer.

According to Lee chart, Lee Auto-disk .46 hole throws about 4.9gr of W231, the .49 hole at 5.3gr.
The .46 hole is what I have been using for 230FMJ. They shoot nice.

I miked out 7gr of Power pistol for 230gr JHP XTP. They shoot nice, but hotter than w231 load.

Lee has 7.2gr of Power Pistol as max load. Alliant Powder website has 7.5gr of PP (230gr +P) as max load. The max load is 22k psi and 930fps.

Still working on loads. I may get some #7 for real hot loads in my 1911.

Local place in Dallas had 230gr FMJ 500cnt for 55$.

Pick up brass at range. Winchester brass has been cheapest. $18-22 for 100cnt.

Primers: I like Federal Match. But after seeing some tests, they all perform the same.

 

[glock21detroit]

what is the fastest fps can a 45 shoot a 230gr bullet, 1000fps or lower? i carry the mighty glock 20 and my 21 sf for back up in a bulldog shoulder holster. i love the 45, but i has never heard anyone talk about the max velocity. winchester sxt advertise 990 fps.

 

[Steve C]

I generally load 230gr FMJ Remington Bulk bullets on top of 6.2grs of Unique for a measured velocity of 850 fps from both my Government and Commander 1911's. A good match to Military hard ball. 5.5grs of W231 is softer but nly runs around 750 fps.