Let’s talk .45 ACP target loads.! (Load report)

Mark_Mark

Mark_Mark

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from a long ago post. We concluded that a good over all load for (edit) 230 grain Lead Round Nose was:

5.1 Gain of HP38
1.240 COL
10 yard Standing, Moderate speed shooting

and here are the results: Thanks Everyone

But Let’s Step it Up with the whole Kitchen Sink (cont… read Next post)

Night Hawk T3
IMG_0074.jpeg
Roberts Defense Edge Pro
IMG_0073.jpeg
 
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GeoDudeFlorida said:
That’s a goodun. So’s Red Dot. I like WST too but there’s not as much data for it. WAP, No.2, No.5, Autocomp, Competition, there’s literally a dozen of them that work great for .45 target shooting.
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I got some #5!

what bullet you think?
 
fxvr5 said:
Bullseye shooters often say the 185 JHP bullet has the edge over lead bullets. Here's a report on some favorite Bullseye loads.

www.shootingtimes.com

Loads For The Bullseye Shooter - Shooting Times

An accurate bullet paired with the right powder and primer can do wonders for getting the best accuracy from your 1911.
www.shootingtimes.com www.shootingtimes.com
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I don’t have the skills for that kindda shooting.

3.4” @ 50 yards… WOW! that humbling

IMG_0078.jpeg
 
I've been shooting Missouri Hi-tek 200 gr. SWC's at the long line. I think they are only $55/500 plus bulk rate shipping. Works out to something like 11 cents each if you buy 4 boxes.

185 JHP's are supposedly very accurate too.
 
.45Coltguy said:
Those 200gr XTP's work mighty good in my box stock S/A 1911 mil-spec. Real good. 4.1gr "Clays", BLISS!
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The 185’s are better than I can hold these days in my Thompson. Getting old kinda sucks - but it sure beats the alternative! 🤣

The powder isn’t all that important. Any powder listed does a good job at 25m. Out past the 50m line No.5 gets the nod.
 
GeoDudeFlorida said:
. Getting old kinda sucks - but it sure beats the alternative! 🤣
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Right.

I have one 1911 ., a Colt Gold Cup, that feeds 185-200 gr SWC's reliably and shoot well with a load of Accurate #2.

I stick mostly with 230 Rn bullets over 700-X or Accurate #5.

But lots of other good powders out there for 45 ACP. 45 ACP is pretty forgiving.
 
Laphroaig said:
I've been shooting Missouri Hi-tek 200 gr. SWC's at the long line. I think they are only $55/500 plus bulk rate shipping. Works out to something like 11 cents each if you buy 4 boxes.

185 JHP's are supposedly very accurate too.
Click to expand...
The lead bullet you see in the picture is a Meister 200gr LSWC. When I got them they were $55/1000 with free shipping from CDNN. I haven’t seen any for sale in a while. Last time I checked I think they were $80/500. Which is actually pretty reasonable - or, it would be if you can find them.
Good bullets. I’ll buy more eventually. But the Noslers and Hornady’s are much better for long range. And I’m shooting fixed sights like John Moses intended for Men to shoot. 😂
 
GeoDudeFlorida said:
The 185’s are better than I can hold these days in my Thompson. Getting old kinda sucks - but it sure beats the alternative! 🤣

The powder isn’t all that important. Any powder listed does a good job at 25m. Out past the 50m line No.5 gets the nod.
Click to expand...
I been reading that people have 2 loads, one for 25 yards & one for 50 yards! interesting that you guys can shoot that far
 
Mark_Mark said:
I been reading that people have 2 loads, one for 25 yards & one for 50 yards! interesting that you guys can shoot that far
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The club where I used to have a membership only went to 50m on the pistol range. Indoor is 25yd. The club where I shoot rarely because I don’t want to pay extortion rates for a membership (but the day rate is not terrible) goes to 100m on the pistol ranges for the Silhouette shooting crowd. I can’t even see 100m anymore. 😞
 
45 acp

The Speer 200 gr lswc (500- $63) is what i used in 50 yard competition in the 70s , with 3.8 grs of Bullseye. A swaged bullet is more accurate then a cast. Today, the bullets may be different, but look about the same.
Federal 185 jacketed swc.The record setting Master shooter used factory jacketed 185 gr swc ammo. Reduced velocity in the 780 fps range. Out of my price range, then & now.

At 25 yards, timed & rapid, used my cast 200 gr lswc with 3.5 Bullseye. Currently shooting Lyman 200 gr lswc BB for fun @ 50 & 25 yds. All 3.8 Bullseye.
Sort by weight to get 3" groups @ 50 yards, from a rest. Then, not now.

My 70s GC chamber allows the Lyman 200 gr lsw bullet to just lightly contact the rifling, slow fire only, for better accuracy. Learned from a old NRA pamphlet on the 45 acp.

Testing is the only way to know what works today.

45acp947inch_001.JPG CastBullets_20090207_005.JPG
 
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243winxb said:
45 acp

The Speer 200 gr lswc (500- $63) is what i used in 50 yard competition in the 70s , with 3.8 grs of Bullseye. A swaged bullet is more accurate then a cast. Today, the bullets may be different, but look about the same.
Federal 185 jacketed swc.The record setting Master shooter used factory jacketed 185 gr swc ammo. Reduced velocity in the 780 fps range. Out of my price range, then & now.

At 25 yards, timed & rapid, used my cast 200 gr lswc with 3.5 Bullseye. Currently shooting Lyman 200 gr lswc BB for fun @ 50 & 25 yds. All 3.8 Bullseye.
Sort by weight to get 3" groups @ 50 yards, from a rest. Then, not now.

My 70s GC chamber allows the Lyman 200 gr lsw bullet to just lightly contact the rifling, slow fire only, for better accuracy. Learned from a old NRA pamphlet on the 45 acp.

Testing is the only way to know what works today.

View attachment 1188029View attachment 1188030
Click to expand...
THANK YOU SIR!

My goal is to eventually shoot my unfired 1982 GC, but I want to train 1st. The Colt GC has a quality these new guns don’t understand

3” at 20 yards! 1-3 years and I might get there! can’t wait
 
Mark_Mark said:
from a long ago post. We concluded that a good over all load for 240grain Lead Round Nose was:

5.1 Gain of HP38
1.240 COL
10 yard Standing, Moderate speed shooting

and here are the results: Thanks Everyone

But Let’s Step it Up with the whole Kitchen Sink (cont… read Next post)

Night Hawk T3
View attachment 1188010
Roberts Defense Edge Pro
View attachment 1188009
Click to expand...
Good shooting. Really good. And nice pistols.

Thats all I have to contribute, sorry.
 
I use WST so I can't help you on the load but. I use it mainly because it's about 10x cleaner than BE. The Flat Bottom Base is what you want for the most accurate load. The Beveled base is easier to load but you give up some accuracy though I was able to get 2" groups at 50 yrd using a rest over a decade ago. I'm no where near that good now even using a rest, arthritis in the hands.

Your 1st post says 240gr, I think you mean 230 gr.
 
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