Need a little help with a .45 load

[SourMash]

I have read before where someone had been shooting their 1911 and the brass was pretty much laying at their feet. If this is indeed the case, I'd really like to know what powder they were using. I'm about to load up some 200gr. RNFP cast bullets from Missouri bullets and was just curious if I could do the same.

 

[Hendiadys]

I don't often have the brass lying at my feet, it's mostly about 5-10 feet off to my three o'clock position. I'm using "Tite-Group" and 185 gr. HBRN Berry plated Bullets. I would be concerned if the brass was right there under me, that the gun may not cycle reliably.

 

[rcmodel]

I'd really like to know what powder they were using.

Doesn't matter what powder they were using.
What matters is how much of it they were using.

Just pick a powder suitable for light target loads with 200 grain lead bullets and start at the recommended "Starting" load.

Then increase the charge 0.1 grain at a time until you get 100% reliable cycling.

Powders to consider include Bullseye, Titegroup, Clays, 700X, Red Dot, WW-231, etc.

BTW: Folks shooting very light target loads often use a lighter recoil spring then the standard 16 lb one.
Some guns today even come with stiffer then standard springs, and don't like light loads too much unless you change to a lighter one.

rc

 

[SourMash]

Thanks alot guys! I was afraid of it not cycling. I'll just start loading a few and see how the gun will react.

 

[noylj]

Note: the starting load is NOT a "do not go below" recommendation. For light target loads, you want to use a fast powder. Fast powders can be loaded down to the point you stick a bullet in the barrel. It is easy to find a light load that is accurate and then use a lighter recoil spring so it is reliable. Just be sure not to use a hot load in your gun with a lighter recoil spring.

 

[Walkalong]

Here is a little test I did on cycling with light loads. You can go surprisingly slow and still function the gun. Fast powders are best. At least as fast as W-231, and faster is better IMHO.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=523172

 

[918v]

Match the recoil spring to the recoil, and you can land the brass anywhere you want.