Reduced Load .45 acp

[Akeva41]

I was wondering what, if any, loads people are using for reduced loads on .451 185 grain bullets. I am loading Hornady XTP Bullets 45 Caliber (451 Diameter) 185 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point. I will be using these for competition and want to reduce the recoil for faster follow up shots. Just getting some info for now.

 

[rcmodel]

You would be best served with a fast powder at medium load range in order to get positive cycling.

Say 5.0 grains Bullseye, or 5.5 grains W231.

Others like slower burning powder, feeling the recoil is not as sharp.
Say 6.0 Unique, or 8.0 grains HS-6.
But the trade-off is more muzzle blast.

Light loads with jacketed bullets is not a good idea, as it is possible to stick one in the barrel..

In all, if you want very low velocity and very light recoil, you would be better served with cast lead bullets.
They have less bore friction, and less chance of a light load sticking a bullet in the barrel.

rc

 

[Akeva41]

Thanks

Do you have any recommendations for a good lead bullet weights/powder brand and grains? What are your opinions on the Rainier bullets? They say to use lead loading data.

 

[gahunter12]

What Compitition? Do you have to worry about power factor (ie IDPA)? I load 4.2gr of WST under 230gr plated RN with a PF of 197 aprox for CDP. Tightgroup is also very popular with 45acp comp loads. The 230gr bullet gives a softer push recoil rather than the snappy muzzle jump recoil that the lighter 185gr bullets give. Some people like a snappy recoil where others like a push. I prefer the soft push for double taps and mag dumps. Most of us around here shoot Plated in IDPA. I do shoot lead sometimes in comp, but always shoot lead in practice.

 

[gahunter12]

Thanks
Do you have any recommendations for a good lead bullet weights/powder brand and grains? What are your opinions on the Rainier bullets? They say to use lead loading data.
*

Check out XTreme bullets. Www.xtremebullets.com. They are cheaper than Rainer, and have a thicker platting. That's the only 230gr plated bullet I use. I use Missouri Bullets, or Friendswood bullets for cast.

 

[Akeva41]

No power factor just some local competition between friends and some guys in my department.

 

[gahunter12]

You can get WST and Tightgroup down pretty far. I tried to load down WST to 3.8gr of WST, but would not cycle my slide evey time without reducing my recoil spring. That was a true bunny fart load. Most of the guys I shoot IDPA with use Tightgroup. I don't have any experiance with TG. I do know it meters well like WST, and W231, but it's a hot powder. Some do load TG with lead, but some have said they have problems with leading using TG. My WST cast load is clean, and very little smoke. If you don't mind changing recoil springs
you can really get some light target loads with the faster powders. Just be careful with loading down below what the manuals say. Tightgroup is a very fast powder that has been known to have pressure spikes, and could be easy to double charge in a big 45acp case.

 

[Shimitup]

Sounds like you just need a good cheap plinking load. Hard to beat Missouri Bullet #1 bullseye 200gr SWC with about 5gr of W231 or 4.5 gr of Bullseye. Those run at 780 FPS and 750 FPS respectively out of my 1911 and cycle reliably with a standard spring.


Edit: bds post reminded me that Missouri Bullet #1 is the 200SWC not the #2, Duh.

 

[LiveLife]

+1 on 200 gr SWC with 5.0 gr of W231/HP-38 (same exact powder) for mild recoil but very accurate target loads (I use either Missouri 18 BHN IDP #1 or 12 BHN Bullseye #1 SWC bullets for this load).

If you want even less recoil, I use 4.0 gr of Promo with the same bullet (I use softer Missouri 12 BHN Bullseye #1 SWC for this load).

Both loads will burn fairly clean even at the reduced target velocities.

 

[Akeva41]

Does anyone use a reduced recoil spring? I'm looking at some Wolff springs on Midway.

 

[gahunter12]

What kind of pistol do you shoot? If you are just shooting for fun with friends I would stay with the stock recoil spring weight. If you want to go with a reduce spring, only drop to the next weight which is usually 1-2lb. If you drop to much it can affect the timing of the pistol. Also if you drop lower than need be for your loads it can be hard on your pistol's frame and slide if the recoil is to violent. There are tons of loads that are very soft and accurate that you can load shoot with factory recoil springs. Like I said above 4.2gr of WST is a very soft load in my 1911's. I have a friend that loads very soft Tightgroup loads for his stock spring 1911.

 

[earplug]

Check out some Bullseye target loads

I have used Bullseye powder with 180 to 200 grain cast bullets. It is a very clean burning powder used by many target shooters.
I was using only 3.6 grains with a 180 grain LSWC or 3.5 with a 200 grain LSWC. This with a mildly modified 1911 style pistol.

 

[Mike 27]

Bullseye and 200 gr LRN in my 45, one of my and my wife's favorites. 5" XD tactical compact. The 5" barrel helps with recoil, so much that my wife stole my pistol from me.

 

[gahunter12]

The 5" barrel helps with recoil, so much that my wife stole my pistol from me

LOL! Hey just as long as she shoots! I do what I can to keep my wife shooting.

 

[Akeva41]

I have a full size 1911 .45 and an XD 4in 9mm service model.

 

[LiveLife]

I have a full size 1911 .45 ... I will be using these for competition and want to reduce the recoil for faster follow up shots.

200 gr SWC loads have been accurate match shooting favorite for 1911.

If you are shooting lighter target loads, I would use softer 12 BHN bullets over 18-24 BHN bullets so the lighter powder charges could still deform/obturate the bullet base when powder charge ignites to seal the bullet base to the barrel for more consistent chamber pressures which results in greater accuracy.

 

[gpjoe]

I've shot a lot of Bullseye at 4.0gr and 4.2gr with 230gr FMJ RN with zero problems. All of my 1911's cycle perfectly with standard springs including full-size Colt and Sig, Colt commander, and even my 3" Ultra CDP II.

 

[1KPerDay]

4.0-4.2 of Red Dot under a 230 pill (either LRN or Berry's plated) makes a very soft-shooting, accurate load. It won't cycle my Glock 30 with absolute reliability but is fine in my Dan Wesson 1911 and my Colt Combat Commander.

If interested you can see it in action during a handgun match here:
http://youtu.be/ylAbq2ieCfs?t=48s

 

[Akeva41]

Thanks everyone. I will begin making some test runs soon with your suggestions.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would use either a 185gr jacketed or 200gr lead bullet for building those lighter loads and W231/HP-38 would be the powder. With the 185gr JHP bullet Hodgdon lists a starting charge of 5.0gr but that might not cycle the action so the above suggested charge of 5.5gr W231 is a good one. 5.0gr W231 under a 200gr LSWC also works very will in the .45 Auto.

Personally I like shooting a 230gr bullet in a full size 1911 and I see no problems with followup shots.

Good luck and have fun...

 

[Owen Sparks]

I had some 165 grain semi-wadcutters in .45 ACP. They could be loaded very lightly but required a light recoil spring (12 pounds I think) or the pistol would not cycle.

I don't know what type of compitition you shoot in but I once shot in the state IDPA match and they weighed and chronographed our ammo to make sure everyone was making power factor. The light stuff would have gotten me disqualified.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't know what type of compitition you shoot in but I once shot in the state IDPA match and they weighed and chronographed our ammo to make sure everyone was making power factor. The light stuff would have gotten me disqualified.

No power factor just some local competition between friends and some guys in my department.

...

 

[dnite]

Akeva41,
Take care in changing or lighting the recoil spring. I bought a used Colt officers model and had to replace the slide because of someone tinkering with the spring and using max loads.
Ask a compentent gunsmith about various loads and spring weights.
Have Great Day!
dnite