Semiwadcutters in M&P

[ilmonster]

I am thinking of getting a Smith & Wesson M&P in .45, and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with 185 gr. or 200 gr. semiwadcutters in an M&P. I recently purchased a reloader and would like to be able to load semi-wadcutters for a .45

 

[1858rem]

I recently purchased a reloader

omg they started selling us like slaves.....RUN!



sorry cant resist lol

i like the cast 200g SWC over 4.5g bullseye in my 45, though its a RIA. i cast my own from the LEE 2 cavity mold and load a hundred for about 9 bucks, know i had to pay 5 bucks a pack for my most recent primers.

 

[Oro]

I have reloaded a lot of .45, but not for an M&P (auto). But I can recommend "don't worry about" based on this:

1) in a 1911, if you experiment enough with your crimp and COL, you can make any LSWC round work in your gun. The trick is getting the edges of the meplat to equal where the ogive of the ball round would be so it "mimics" a ball round when loading.

That is harder to describe that actually do; you just mess with COL until it works right, basically. No fancy geometry really required.

2) like 1858rem said, in my experience 200gr LSWC is MUCH easier to do this with than 185gr LSWC. You have to load the 185 gr out to far for a good crimp in relation to the crimp and lube groove, but it can be done.

Now those observations are with some tight, match grade and picky 1911s. It will be easier I think with an M&P.

Maybe someone can come along with specific experience with M&P autos and that LSWC, but if not my recommendation is that don't worry, you can make it work or you can switch to 200gr LSWC and it's pretty easy.

All of my unmodified pre-80 colts (three of them) will shoot my 200gr LSWC loads out of WWII GI magazines without hiccups. No need for barrel throating and silly tricks; no need for compromise wadcutter magazines. If those guns can do it, an M&P can be made to do it.

Running LSWC through my .45s is mostly what I do; HPs are for defense, ball is for when I pick up a ton in bulk and want to plink and blast (not often). LSWC is your work horse round - train, shoot, train, shoot. FYI, a reload round I really like is 4.3gr of Winchester WST under a 200gr. LSWC. I worked this out as my preferred load about 10 years ago. Funnily enough, I learned last year this is exactly the load the USMC marksmanship unit uses as a training load. That made me feel good, even if it's only a coincidence.

 

[Jim Watson]

The only .45 Plastic M&P that I have shot performed pretty well with semiwadcutters.

I suggest that you do not buy a whole lot to start with. See if they will feed reliably before you stock up. If they do not, go to roundnose.

 

[schmeky]

My primary .45 bullet is the H&G #68 in 185 or 200 grain. The main reason I sold my M&P45 was because it was never 100% with LSWC's. The problem is the shoulder in the barrel breach. I've had this problem with other pistols.

The remedy is to gently radius the sharp edges where the SWC shoulder can impact. I have a lot of .45's, so I decided not to "grind" on my M&P45. Otherwise, it was a great performer.

 

[jaysouth]

I have a 45C which shoots very well with my standard reload, 200 SWC over 5.0 grs. 231.

A friend has a full size M&P 45 which is problematic with 185 SWCs, but is mostly reliable with 200 gr SWCs. I have also had the same hit or miss experience with Sig 220s. Some will, some won't feed/shoot semi wadcutters.

After almost 50 years of tinkering, I am of the conclusion that each and every gun is a law into itself. A certain model gun produced on a tuesday will be a tackdriver and the same model produced on a thursday on the same line by the same hands will shoot three foot groups at 7 yards. Or maybe I have been messing with Colts for too long.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have also had the same hit or miss experience with Sig 220s. Some will, some won't feed/shoot semi wadcutters.

My experience exactly. My first one would not and I do not ask the second one to try because I do not want to upset my confidence in my home defense pistol. It is 100% with roundnose or ogival hollowpoints.

 

[cajun 48]

I have the f/s M&P .45. No problem shooting Dardas 200gr swc(bb) using 4.7 gr winchester WST. Mild recoil and 1" groups at 10 yards (old man, old eyes and a shake!) aj b

 

[marineshooter]

I have been using 230 gr lead round nose from Missouri bullet co.. I have reloaded around 3000 rds. once i got my col right I have had o problems. I was using titegroup but as it smokes the lube a bit, i am going to try 231. the M-P 45 is very accurate with this round and powder. I use 4.4 grs on a Lee Classic cast turret press.

 

[nelson133]

I shoot 200 grain SWC in my .45 M&P and 155 grain SWC in my .40 compact M&P and they work just fine. My loads are 5.0 grains 231 or HP38 (same stuff) for the 40 and 5.3 for the .45.

 

[ilmonster]

Thanks everyone for the replies!