Standardized loads for your handguns?

[Shooter973]

Do you shoot the same loads out of different hanguns that are the same caliber? I have several handguns of the same calibers and have 1 load that gets used in each caliber. For 357 mags this is the load that I use about 95% of the time. 7gr. of Unique under a cast 150-158gr. bullet. This is a fine load and cheap also. For 45acp I load 5 gr of Bullseye under a 225-230gr cast bullet , seems to be GI equivelant load and works well for me. What are your standard loads for your handguns? P.S. I'll add a couple more loads for other calibers later.

 

[Arub]

I have 'standardized' at 90% of maximum recommended maximum loads per the manuals. For .357 I use 158 grain SJHPs, for .45 auto 230 grain FMJs or JHPs, for 40S&W I use 180 grain jacketed and for 9mm 124 grain jacketed.

I'm in the process of switching from Unique to Green Dot, but still adhere to 90% of max load.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I like 5.0 grains of Bullseye behind a 230 grain round nose in .45 ACP, 19 grains of H4227 behind a 255-grain flatnose in .45 Colt, 2.7 grains of Bullseye behind a 148 grain wadcutter in .38 Special, and 14 grains of H4227 behind a 158 grain semiwadcutter in .357 Magnum.

By and large, when I find a load that works, I stick with it. The one exception to the above is a "heavy" load for my Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt. I load the same bullet, but behind a heavy charge of Hodgdon's Li'l Gun, as a deer season only load (and am careful not to get this load into my Colt New Service.)

 

[LAH]

38 Special I like 3 grs. of Bullseye with cast or swaged 158's.

For lite 357 use I like 5.5 grs. of 231 or Unique with 158-170 gr.

My full 357 load is the 173 gr. Keith and 15 grs. of H-110.

44 Mag. 23 grs. of H-110 and L-429421.

45 Colt 6 grs. Bullseye and 255 gr. Keith.

45 ACP the same as yours. 5 grs. of Bullseye and a 230 cast or FMJ.

I use these loads and most any handgun chambered for such.

 

[Archie]

Pretty much...

I have "target" and "service" and "plinking" loads, but my "target" load in .38 Special is standard for all the .38 Specials I shoot.

Target load in .38 Special is 148 HBWC over 3.0 grains of WW231
Service load in .38 Special is 158 SWC over a little more WW231 (can't remember off top of head.)

Target load for 45 ACP is 185 SWC and around 4 grains of Clays. Still fiddling with that particular load.
Service load for 45 ACP is 230 grain bullet (plated for combat matches or plinking, FMJ quality bullet for EIC shooting) over stiffish charge of Clays or 231, depending on the mood.

.357 Magnum runs a 158 plated bullet over near 13 grains of 2400... check your manual, this is a memory load; runs about 1250 fps.

44 Special 240 grain SWC and a dose of 231.

44 Magnum, 240 grain SWC and lots of 2400; goes about 1200 fps.

I do experiment, but these are the standards by which I measure the experimental stuff.

 

[stans]

I am thinking of standardizing, but I have so many handguns in 5 different calibers, not counting 22 long rifle, that it is difficult to find one load that shoots well in several different guns. I think I may end up designating certain guns for certain types of shooting, then I will have standardized my ammo.

 

[Gary H]

That is my goal, but I have yet to reach load Nirvana. I've been on the hunt for best IDPA Plated & Lead, Defensive Full Power Practice Load and a PPC load for one caliber. Mainly working .45ACP, 38Sp/.357Mag and .40. I cycle through handgun, rifle and shotgun. I'm in a handgun phase.

 

[Shooter973]

Standardized loads?

I do about 95% of my shooting with standardized loads and only change to heavier loads for hunting. For my standard load in 44 mag I load 8.5 gr of Unique under a cast 240-250 gr bullet. This is a good all around load that is powerful enough but not one that will beat you up. Aprox. 1000 fps out of my 6 inch barreled handguns. A little more or less out of other barrel lenths. This load is a good PIN killer or even a good hunting load. Complete pass thru on a mule deer buck a couple of years ago.

 

[Johnny Guest]

I have done so for a long time - -

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. The loads below headed in bold print are specifically included in this category.


.45 ACP 230 RNL 5.3 gr. W-231 (replaces my old 6.2 of Unique load)
or 230 FMJ RN 5.6 gr. 231

.45 Colt 250 gr LSWC 8 gr. Universal
or 276 gr. LSWC, old Lyman/Ideal mould

.38 Spl 158 gr. LSWC, 4.5 gr. W231

.38 Spl 158 gr. RNL, 4.0 gr. W231 (for alloy frame snubs)

.38 Spl 162 gr. LSWC, from old Saeco mould. 5.0 gr. Unique CAUTION: Too warm for alloy frame revolvers. Published in Speer manual #8, though.

.357 mag 162 gr. LSWC, from old Saeco mould. 7.0 gr. Unique

.357 mag 158 gr. Hornady XTP JHP 14.5 gr. 2400

.44 Spl. 240 LSWC 7.0 gr. Unique

.30-06 165 Sierra Game King, 58 gr. IMR 4350

I like to be able to look at a handload and tell what the load is . . .

Best,
Johnny