favorite loads for 45 acp 1911

[drband]

Shoot from a rest before you change bullets or loads! Then make adjustments. If your sights are correct for the gun, you should be much closer @ 35-40 yds.

Hickok45 discusses holdover on one of his videos. Says with pistols, he shoots dead on with the sights all the way out to 80 yds (big gong distance). Bullet drop is just not much of a factor @ shorter distances.
If your sights are aftermarket, they might not be the correct height.

Just thought of this, some manufacturers sights are calibrated for 6’oclock hold, others for alignment with the front/back posts tops, and yet others use “combat” picture (front post covers target).
I did not see which sight picture you are using—does make a difference related to which type of sights are on your gun.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

Shoot from a rest before you change bullets or loads! Then make adjustments. If your sights are correct for the gun, you should be much closer @ 35-40 yds.

Hickok45 discusses holdover on one of his videos. Says with pistols, he shoots dead on with the sights all the way out to 80 yds (big gong distance). Bullet drop is just not much of a factor @ shorter distances.
If your sights are aftermarket, they might not be the correct height.

Just thought of this, some manufacturers sights are calibrated for 6’oclock hold, others for alignment with the front/back posts tops, and yet others use “combat” picture (front post covers target).
I did not see which sight picture you are using—does make a difference related to which type of sights are on your gun.

next time i go to the range I will shoot off of a rest just to see if it's me or the sights

 

[GBExpat]

When I shoot from a rest with a hand gun I don't think I hold the gun the same way as when I shoot off hand. I think this can have a effect on the POI.

Huh. I just learned something about the "new" XenForo system.

Early this morning, on my primary tower system, I crafted a response to the above Quote ... but I decided that it was to be one of the 51%+ responses that I write but decide to not post. The thought crossed my mind that if I decided post it I would have to return to that system, thinking that the unposted response was cached locally.

A couple of hours later as I wandered the forums again, this time with one of my laptops, I found the unposted response at the bottom of this Thread ...

... so ... it is not cached locally.

Just found that interesting and, perhaps, of interest to some others here.

 

[mdi]

The reason I mentioned I use a rest is because of the OP's previous statement that he shoots off hand standing. Waaay too many things affect my "free hand" shooting like blood pressure, eye sight, sun, full belly or hungry. I use a small Caldwell rest for my shooting, mainly because I'm old and standing and shooting my favorite, an M1 Garand, it gets tiresome and I can't hit squat...

 

[Walkalong]

Huh. I just learned something about the "new" XenForo system.

Early this morning, on my primary tower system, I crafted a response to the above Quote ... but I decided that it was to be one of the 51%+ responses that I write but decide to not post. The thought crossed my mind that if I decided post it I would have to return to that system, thinking that the unposted response was cached locally.

A couple of hours later as I wandered the forums again, this time with one of my laptops, I found the unposted response at the bottom of this Thread ...

... so ... it is not cached locally.

Just found that interesting and, perhaps, of interest to some others here.

If you watch closely, you'll notice while typing a post that a "Draft saved" (Lower right of post window) will show up and then fade away. Anyway, come back and the post will still be there for you to finish or submit.

 

[Dudedog]

I like 4.7gr or 5gr of HP38(W231) with a 230RN.
Shoots well for me.
That's about where you were in the OP.

 

[drband]

4.6gr of Red Dot and a 200gr LSWC from MBC. Shoots and cycles in everything but pleasant to shoot.

I have loaded 4.0gr Red Dot with RMR 230gr plated RN and it’s the easiest shooting load I’ve found. Sort of like shooting .22LR out of my s&w 625. It will cycle a well broken in 1911, but would not cycle my 4” RIA—recoil spring was too strong for that load.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I like 4.7gr or 5gr of HP38(W231) with a 230RN.
Shoots well for me.
That's about where you were in the OP.

yes that's my load shoot's well for me too But i was thinking that it was dropping a lot at 35 yards but after reading all the posts it has to be me
or my sights But I think it's me when i get back up to my range i will use a rest
thank you all for your Tip's and Loads

 

[Browngirlsdad]

Another for the 200gr Coated LSWC from MBC. Load mine over 5.9gr Unique. I have all the tools to cast my own but not a great source for lead. Also have shot a nice Red Dot load like the one above, but I don't remember the charge off the top of my head. After reading all of this I might try some W231.

 

[CrankyCraig]

What is your Favorite 45 acp load for a 1911 I have been using 4.8 gr of win 231
under a 230gr bullet for a wile now at 25 yards I need to hold over about 9" or so
would a lighter bullet shoot more to point of aim with the above load i can keep all
in a paper plate just looking for a flatter trajectory is all
thanks

My favorite load for 230 grain is 4.9 of 231. For 200 grain (Xtreme copper Plated) I load 5.3 grains of 231.

But I'm usually just at the range with my wife shooting 3-15 yards. The 200 grain @ 5.3 of 231 is pleasant to shoot out of her 4" aluminum frame Kimber. So not sure if that helps you any.

 

[RMc]

1911 .45acp:

230gr H&G 34 RNL 4.7gr Red Dot 785 fps. This is Jeff Cooper's old range load. .

200gr H&G 68 SWC 4.0gr Red Dot 700 fps. Shoots to the same 25 yd. POI as the 230 gr. load for me.

Both loads run for me with an 18.5 lb. recoil spring .

 

[Bayou52]

Interesting to read about all the various loads being used.
My go to 45 ACP load comes right out of the Hogdgon load data website:

230 grain RN pushed by 4.7 grains of 700-X

I use a COL of 1.23" with a case mouth diameter (crimp) of 0.468".

Multiple thousands upon thousands of these down the tube....perform great for me...

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

Going to my range on Friday going to try my same load of 4.8gr of 231 under a 230gr bullet But going to bring a rest this time at 25 yards and see if I can walk it out to 35 yards
Thanks for all of the suggestion

 

[Tony k]

4.3 grains of 700X with any 230 grain bullet. My go to load. Burns super clean as well.

Underrated combo. I like it a little warmer at about 4.9 grains.