need load info for 45 acp target

[hornadylnl]

I just ordered a Taurus pt 1911. I want to load a pretty mild target load with 230 gr fmj. Is there a good powder that will work for this plus a heavy defense load for 40 s&w? I've used bullseye in the past for 40. I want to go with something else that fills the case a little more and meters better. I have a hornady lnl ap press. For the 40, I had been using nosler 135gr jhp and was thinking of going up to noslers 150gr jhp. Thanks for any info.

 

[Rico567]

I think -but am not sure- that you've conflated several questions here, one involving loads for .45 ACP and one involving loads for .40 S&W. I've learned that asking for clarification in this pursit is usually wise....so, please clarify.

 

[HSMITH]

Clays in the 45, 3.5 grains with a lead 230. Soft, accurate and as clean as lead bullet loads will get.

Power Pistol is one of if not the best powders for full power 40 loads. Longshot does well with lighter bullets and heavy loads. Super Field is another good choice, and is the lowest flash of the three I mentioned.

The two jobs you want to do are far enough apart that trying to do both with one powder is going to be a real compromise for one load or the other. With Clays you can load 2000 rounds per pound, so it won't break the bank to buy one extra can in addition to whatever you pick for 40.

 

[hornadylnl]

Thanks for the input. I'm thinking of sticking with fmj's for the 45. For about $10 more a thousand, I can get the fmj's over rainers. I've never fired straight lead bullets. Are they a hassle to clean out of barrels and is there a lot of extra work reloading lead vs fmj? I've read about gas checks, lube sizers, etc. Just seemed to me that the extra work wasn't worth $10-20 in savings.

 

[HSMITH]

Sorry, for some reason I was thinking you wanted a lead load for the 45.

Bump the charge with a FMJ to 3.8 with Clays, it will run a stock springs gun well and is still pretty soft. Drop from there until you get the recoil level you want or the gun doesn't function well anymore. Clays is ULTRA clean with FMJ and just insanely clean with a JHP.

Lead isn't any harder to load, and it isn't much harder to clean IF you know how. For $10 per thousand I would just shoot the FMJ.

Power Pistol is stable, accurate and clean in softer 45 loads. If you are going to run FMJ in the 45 you might want to try it, it is a really good 40 powder as well. It won't be as soft or economical as Clays but it will be perfectly reasonable to shoot.

 

[ajax]

Accurate no.5 As good a powder as any. It covers a pretty good range of load potential. I use dippers so metering not a problem.

 

[Powderman]

Well, how about that...I dip too!

Jus' a little pinch between cheek and gum and..... wait a minute....

Sorry, wrong pinch...

Seriously, for .45 and the 230 grain ball round, consider:

3.8 to 4.0 of Clays
4.5 of HP38
6.0 of Unique
6.0-6.2 of Power Pistol

Should do you just right, pardner!

 

[distra]

My favorite all around 45 loads are as follows

230gr Rainier TMJ or 230 Polymer coated (Precision Bullets)
4.0 - 4.5 gr Bullseye
WLP or Federal 100

< 3.8gr will not cycle the slide in my 1911's or XD45

 

[SASS#23149]

re: loading lead

the cost is usually pretty significant.I can get ready made lead for 25.00/500.They do not lead the barrel at acp velocitites,and millions of them are shot every year by shooters.
I did have to seat the lead bullets deeper in the case for my pistol,and have read on different boards that that is normal.I just reduced the charge a bit to be on the safe side.
YOu won't need gas checked bullets,just plain old lead bullets.

 

[hornadylnl]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully in a few weeks I'll be ready to start loading for 45. Got the progressive set up for 223 now.

 

[Mark whiz]

My 3 best loads for 230gr .45ACP FMJ plinkers are:
4.2gr Red Dot
5.2gr IMR 700X
8.3gr AA#5

These are with an OAL of 1.255"

For a protection load - up the AA#5 to 8.5gr............good for 821fps and nice accuracy out of my Springfield Mil-Spec.

If you want to try some lighter bullets (185 or 200gr) for practice, I've found Win WST works well for mild, accurate plinking..........5.3gr for 185gr bullets and 4.8gr for 200gr FMJs

 

[toecutter]

Best loads I've had with .45 have always been with hodgdon clays.

For targets:

200 gr lead SWC - 4.5 grains clays (good slow mover, low recoil)
230 gr FMJ - 3.6 (plinker ammo)
230 gr FMJ - 3.8 (more serious plinker, sometimes use this for IDPA)