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

[Walkalong]

3.8 Grs of N-310 gave an average of 701 FPS @ 1.265 +/- .004. Light, very accurate.

4.2 Grs AA # 2 gave an average of 649 FPS @ 1.265 +/- .004. Light, very accurate.

Never worked up anything faster.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Thank you Walkalong.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I had always shot 200 Gr SWCs, but a couple of years or so ago
I tried these ACME 175 Gr Coated SWCs. They shot very well.
View attachment 1189589

Neat!
My Gold Cups love 185’s. Haven’t tried 175’s but now I think I need to.
Both M&P’s and the Ruger American hate LSWC lighter than 200gr.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Neat!
My Gold Cups love 185’s. Haven’t tried 175’s but now I think I need to.
Both M&P’s and the Ruger American hate LSWC lighter than 200gr.

you got a Gold Cup?

I got a 1982

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

you got a Gold Cup?

I got a 1982

Two. Both Series 80’s.


This guy is a tack driver. A much better gun than it’s owner is a pistol shot.

It’s not happy with 185gr either.

I need to shoot them more often.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Two. Both Series 80’s.
View attachment 1189628

This guy is a tack driver. A much better gun than it’s owner is a pistol shot.
View attachment 1189629
It’s not happy with 185gr either.

I need to shoot them more often.

Shine Gun period in your life! Very Nice!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Shine Gun period in your life! Very Nice!

????
Shine gun period?
What are you talking about?. Dude, seriously I have nickeled Colts from the 30’s that I bought in the 90’s, stainless guns I just bought a couple years ago and every few years in between.

I’ve been at this awhile.

What you’re going to find is everything varies with the Browning pattern 1911. Some will gobble Wadcutters and others will choke on light round nose. Some are picky eaters and some will feed empties from the magazine. That’s why I kinda have to chuckle when people say they don’t want to have to load differently for two guns in the same caliber.
Then why reload??!!

 

[LV Gun]

Neat!
My Gold Cups love 185’s. Haven’t tried 175’s but now I think I need to.
Both M&P’s and the Ruger American hate LSWC lighter than 200gr.

If you like 185’s you need to try Missouri 185gr Button SWC , tried them and never looked at anything else since they are that good.

 

[RV6]

 

[LV Gun]

View attachment 1189717

Cool stuff dude I really like this.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Cool stuff dude I really like this.

WST 1.25 @ 4.9 = Simplicity

 

[SingleActionAndrew]

WST 1.25 @ 4.9 = Simplicity

I thought the topic was target loads? Hodgdon’s starting load of 4.4grs for 830FPS from a 5" is already hotter than necessary for Bullseye / Precision Pistol. I appreciate @RV6 sharing his load data but if you look at column S in the sheet he's likely shooting a different sport (one where you have to meet a power factor)

 

[Mark_Mark]

I thought the topic was target loads? Hodgdon’s starting load of 4.4grs for 830FPS from a 5" is already hotter than necessary for Bullseye / Precision Pistol

WST 1.25 @ 4.4 = Sounds Great!

 

[Blue68f100]

WST 1.25 @ 4.4 = Sounds Great!

That's a start then work down till you loose function then add a 0.1 or 0.2gr back for full function if you don't want to change recoil or hammer springs.

 

[anothernewb]

I'm in the old school group. I've shot 10s of thousands with 4 grains bullseye under a 200 H&G 68 SWC. The new coatings have just made it even better.

 

[Charlie98]

@GeoDudeFlorida ... is that a 745?

 

[Charlie98]

WST 1.25 @ 4.9 = Simplicity

That's a start then work down till you loose function then add a 0.1 or 0.2gr back for full function if you don't want to change recoil or hammer springs.

To be honest, and this is working with 200grn bullets in 4" pistols with full power springs, I had to max the charge of WST to get the pistol to cycle properly. I'm not a 'target load' shooter, I like my handloads in the upper half of velocity, but the WST load... even at max data... was a very good target load. The spent cases just plooped out of the ejection port, right at my feet.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I had a rushed Range Session today. No .45 target yet. Maybe Friday,

Today, my 52-2 - 3.1g HP38 needs .1 more grains. Slide just a touch slow.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

@GeoDudeFlorida ... is that a 745?

945-1 Performance Center.

 

[MEHavey]

200grn bullets in 4" pistols with full power springs, I had to max the charge of WST to get the pistol to cycle properly.

4.7/8gr WST under an HG68 @ 1.250" is a classic accuracy load in the 1911

 

[Mark_Mark]

945-1 Performance Center.
View attachment 1189883

that think is SWEET!

I’ll be definitely adding old Smith Semi to my collection

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

that think is SWEET!

I’ll be definitely adding old Smith Semi to my collection

Honestly, I would look for a Performance Center 945-1 before a Gold Cup National Match if I were starting all over again with .45ACP 1911-pattern pistols.
My only issue with it is the stippling is a little aggressive. I’m used to having a touch of movement in the fingers and the 945 doesn’t allow for that.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Honestly, I would look for a Performance Center 945-1 before a Gold Cup National Match if I were starting all over again with .45ACP 1911-pattern pistols.
My only issue with it is the stippling is a little aggressive. I’m used to having a touch of movement in the fingers and the 945 doesn’t allow for that.

I put GCNM in its own category. Can’t wait to shoot my 1982! I like the 80’s & 80’s nostalgia!

The Safety on the smith is hard to get use to.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I put GCNM in its own category. Can’t wait to shoot my 1982! I like the 80’s & 80’s nostalgia!

The Safety on the smith is hard to get use to.

????
Look again. It’s an ambidextrous 1911-style safety.

 

[Mark_Mark]

????
Look again. It’s an ambidextrous 1911-style safety.

My 52 is up for fire down for safe

oooohhhh the 945-1 is normal … OK!