Wad Cutter in 45 ACP?

[mallc]

I've always loaded round nose but got a great deal on some .452" dia 185 g wad-cutters. I spun up a dummy to the minimum OAL and it feeds okay in my Kimber 45 ACP.

1) Is there any reason I shouldn't load these up for indoor target?

2) Any recommendations for a light load using Clays power?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Jim Watson]

1. No reason not to. That is the factory midrange bullet weight.
2. I don't have any 185 gr data, but 3.2 or 3.5 gr Clays will run a 200 gr SWC to about 700 fps, depending on the gun.

 

[SA Friday]

Are you talking about semi-wadcutters or real no-crap totally flat in front wad cutters? SWC's would be ok, but I would imagine you are going to run into a lot of cycling issues with a WC in a semi-auto 45. Kimbers don't use a feedramp, and ACP's essentially chamber off of the outside edge of the cartridge case. Both of these area would be highly problematical for a WC. Now, a WC in a S&W 25 or 625 would be ok. Also, I've shot tons of 185gr SWC's out of Kimbers and they work just fine.

 

[John C]

I currently shoot 185 gr LSWCs for Bullseye, both for the 50 and 25 yard lines. My load is 3.7 gr Clays (NOT Universal Clays, just regular Clays). My pistol won't cycle with 3.5 grains. I haven't chrono'ed this load, but it's light.

Good luck!

-John