What’s your 45 ACP Pet Load

[red rick]

I know that I could search , but I am lazy today and when I search it always gives me a bunch of irrelevant threads . What is your 45 acp pet load for accuracy in a 1911 ? What bullet and grain ? Mine is a 70 series Colt and I just bought some 45 acp dies .

OAL and bullet brand would be helpful also .

 

[N555]

The ultimate load for accuracy for a 230gr bullet appears to be about 4.5gr of WST.
Your gun will only spit the bullet out around 700fps but you will have groups about 1/2 the size of typical full power ammo at 25yd.

 

[entropy]

4.5 gr. Bullseye with 230 RN lead, 5.0 with 230 FMJ.

 

[badkarmamib]

I liked 4.7 grains of HP-38 behind a 230 LRN. The low recoil definitely helped my groups.

 

[EMC45]

Lee 230gr TC cast bullet over 4.5-4.8gr. Bullseye, standard large pistol primer. This load is consistent, and accurate and functions a standard 16lb recoil spring for reliable feeding.

 

[Soupy44]

4.1gr N310 under a Zero 185gr JHP for my ball gun in for Bullseye competition. Don't remember the OAL off the top of my head.


For my 1911 with a dot, 3.7gr N310 under a 185gr lead SWCHP from Zero. .920" to the shoulder.

 

[racepres]

Lee 200 SWC (not the bevel base one) over 9.0 gr of AA#7. Gives exceptional Accuracy... if it will Run the Action...
If not stout enough up to 9.9 of #7 or a Heavier Boolit... I like the 230 RN.

 

[CQB45ACP]

4.5gr of Bullseye, W231, or Sport Pistol

230gr Extreme or Berry’s plated RN

1.260”

Govt model 1911 (3 different brands)

 

[Charlie98]

My standard load is any 230grn FMJ (or plated RN) over 6.5grn Unique... that duplicates factory ball ammo. You can vary the charge between 5.5grn and 6.5grn Unique if you are looking for a specific velocity, or want something with a little less recoil. Other powders I have used with good results are RedDot, W231, W244, but Unique remains my favorite. I would also think something like Universal would work well, and there is always Bullseye.

The ultimate load for accuracy for a 230gr bullet appears to be about 4.5gr of WST.

The. Most. Accurate. Load. Evarrr. in .45ACP for me was with WST. My load there is 5.2grn WST under a 200grn RMR PSWC, seated at 1.23" for about 725fps. One ragged hole, and the brass drops at your feet.

I really like WST for .45ACP... and 200grn bullets, that seems to be it's sweet spot. I'm not a huge fan of WST with 230grn bullets, I think Unique works better there.

 

[fxvr5]

New Winchester primed brass, trimmed to a consistent length; the relatively new Nosler 185 grain JHP; 4.1 grains of Vihtavuori N310 to a loaded cartridge overall length of 1.20”. . . . . Test accuracy initially was on the order of 1 5⁄8” out of Dorman’s guns at 50 yards from a machine rest.

From:

https://www.ssusa.org/content/usmc-match-45-load/

 

[racepres]

My standard load is any 230grn FMJ (or plated RN) over 6.5grn Unique... that duplicates factory ball ammo. You can vary the charge between 5.5grn and 6.5grn Unique if you are looking for a specific velocity, or want something with a little less recoil. Other powders I have used with good results are RedDot, W231, W244, but Unique remains my favorite. I would also think something like Universal would work well, and there is always Bullseye.




The. Most. Accurate. Load. Evarrr. in .45ACP for me was with WST. My load there is 5.2grn WST under a 200grn RMR PSWC, seated at 1.23" for about 725fps. One ragged hole, and the brass drops at your feet.

I really like WST for .45ACP... and 200grn bullets, that seems to be it's sweet spot. I'm not a huge fan of WST with 230grn bullets, I think Unique works better there.

Lots of loads that Work.. OP wanted Accuracy...most accurate for others... I stand by my #7 loading on Accuracy!!
I wouldn't trade my Red Dot nor Unique for all the tea in china tho....

 

[fxvr5]

To all who have responded, how did you test accuracy? In a Ransom Rest? Off a bench? Offhand? At what distance? How many shots?

 

[red rick]

To all who have responded, how did you test accuracy? In a Ransom Rest? At what distance? How many shots?

I’m not interested in how accuracy is determined , one hand bullseye or ransom rest , doesn’t matter to me and don’t want the thread to get off track , thanks .

 

[Charlie98]

OP wanted Accuracy

Ok... I love quoting myself...

The. Most. Accurate. Load. Evarrr. in .45ACP for me was with WST.

In all honesty, it's not hard to find a good shooting load for the .45ACP with a little bit of work. The bullet is probably the most key component, even over powder, however. Just my .02 worth.

 

[fxvr5]

I’m not interested in how accuracy is determined , one hand bullseye or ransom rest , doesn’t matter to me and don’t want the thread to get off track , thanks .

Do you want accuracy reports you can trust? Any accuracy assessment depends on the method. Knowing how they tested it is valuable.

 

[red rick]

Do you want accuracy reports you can trust? Any accuracy assessment depends on the method. Knowing how they tested it is valuable.

No , if they consider a load accurate is all I am looking for , not how they determine it .

 

[fxvr5]

Do you want accuracy reports you can trust?

No

Okay. Thanks for making that clear.

 

[Blue68f100]

4.1gr WST using MBC 185gr (BE#2) or 200gr (BE#1) LSWC. With only a thumb nail showing of the shoulder, should get you around 1.25" OAL.

Edit:

The 185gr will shoot 2" groups at 25 yrds out of my 1911.
The 200gr will shoot 2" groups at 50 yrds. out of my 1911.

These are a extremely clean burning even at this reduced load. If I recall 4.4 gr is starting point and work backwards. These have a velocity around 700 fps maybe lower.

 

[Dudedog]

For fun and practice 230gr FMJ with 4.7 or 5gr of HP38/W231.
5gr seems a hair more accurate, 4.7 shoots softer.

I have had good luck with HP38 with 185s and 200s as well.

 

[LiveLife]

What is your 45 acp pet load for accuracy in a 1911?

To all who have responded, how did you test accuracy? In a Ransom Rest? Off a bench? Offhand? At what distance? How many shots?

fxvr5 makes a very valid point for "objective" testing. What is "subjectively" seen as "accurate" for some of us may not be deemed as "accurate" to others, especially those conducting comparison using test equipment.

Bullseye match shooters have accuracy standard - https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/loads-for-the-bullseye-shooter/99418

A common benchmark is that the gun must be capable of a 10-shot group at 50 yards that is less than 1.5 inches center-to-center.​

This accuracy standard is also used by Atlanta Arms for their most accurate Elite Match AMU 9mm 115 gr FMJ match ammunition required by US Army AMU/Marine shooting teams - https://atlantaarms.com/products/elite-9mm-115gr-fmj-match-amu.html

Accuracy test requirement: 5 ten-shot groups at 50 yards with an average group size not to exceed 1.5 inches. Fired from a match grade barrel fixture.
​

Nosler 185 grain JHP; 4.1 grains of Vihtavuori N310 to a loaded cartridge overall length of 1.20”. . . . . Test accuracy initially was on the order of 1 5⁄8” out of Dorman’s guns at 50 yards from a machine rest.

This load mirrors "most accurate" N310 load listed on Shooting Times comparison.

Do you want accuracy reports you can trust? Any accuracy assessment depends on the method. Knowing how they tested it is valuable.

Here's a listing of most accurate bullseye match loads by powder from Shooting Times article (New Starline cases, Caspian slide/frame and 5.0-inch Kart barrel tested in Ransom Rest with 15-shot groups at 25 yards) - https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/loads-for-the-bullseye-shooter/99418

• Sierra 185 gr JHP N310 1.200" COL 4.1 gr (756 fps) 1.46" WLP
• Zero 185 gr JHP Clays 1.200" COL 4.0 gr (675 fps) 1.49" WLP
• Zero 185 gr JHP 700-X 1.200" COL 4.8 gr (799 fps) 1.54" CCI 300
• Zero 185 gr JHP Bullseye 1.200" 4.9 gr (826 fps) 1.55" WLP
  
• Sierra 185 gr JHP WST 1.200" COL 4.5 gr (740 fps) 1.35" WLP
• Zero 185 gr JHP Titegroup 1.200" 4.6 gr (789 fps) 1.44" Federal 150M
  
• Sierra 185 gr JHP N320 1.200" COL 5.2 gr (784 fps) 1.75" Federal 150M
• Zero 185 gr JHP W231 1.200" COL 5.0 gr (709 fps) 1.28" CCI 300
• Zero 185 gr JHP W231 1.200" COL 5.3 gr (771 fps) 1.22" WLP
• Hornady 185 gr XTP W231 1.240" 5.6 gr (801 fps) 1.35" WLP

FWIW, this post lists most popular powders for USPSA match loads you can reference - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-and-discussions.778197/page-11#post-12415502

What is your 45 acp pet load for accuracy in a 1911? What bullet and grain? ... OAL and bullet brand would be helpful also .

Out of various Norinco/Wilson Combat 1911 (My USPSA match pistol) and Kimber/SA/RIA/Citadel/Sig 1911s, my designated 45ACP "pet load" has been 200 gr Lead SWC (MBC/Dardas/Z-Cast) loaded with 4.8-5.0 gr of W231/HP-38 loaded to 1.240" OAL - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/reliably-feeding-load-for-a-1911.917103/#post-12578658

In recent decade, 4.0 gr of Red Dot/Promo for lighter target load (Using softer 12 BHN MBC Bullseye #1) good for around 2" groups at 25 yards (Here's a test group shot from Sig 1911 after 7000+ round count using mixed range brass with unknown number of reload history) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/reliably-feeding-load-for-a-1911.917103/#post-12578695

 

[kcofohio]

My standard load is any 230grn FMJ (or plated RN) over 6.5grn Unique... that duplicates factory ball ammo. You can vary the charge between 5.5grn and 6.5grn Unique if you are looking for a specific velocity, or want something with a little less recoil. Other powders I have used with good results are RedDot, W231, W244, but Unique remains my favorite. I would also think something like Universal would work well, and there is always Bullseye.




The. Most. Accurate. Load. Evarrr. in .45ACP for me was with WST. My load there is 5.2grn WST under a 200grn RMR PSWC, seated at 1.23" for about 725fps. One ragged hole, and the brass drops at your feet.

I really like WST for .45ACP... and 200grn bullets, that seems to be it's sweet spot. I'm not a huge fan of WST with 230grn bullets, I think Unique works better there.

I have found that 5.1 gr. of WST with Berry's 185 gr. HBRN is very accurate in my guns.

 

[racepres]

^^ Gettin complicated now.... If we get together banging steel, and yer load never misses...it is Accurate!
Problem is...All Guns do Not shoot the Load the Same... extremely subjective..
But...somewhere there is a load like ".358 HBWC, over 2.7-2.8 gr Bullseye, 38 Spl" Those kind, are Keepers in most Any Firearm....

 

[CQB45ACP]

Edit: so you didn’t want accuracy data? Good cause I have no data just this picture of first outing with this particular pistol. this was either 4.5gr Bullseye or W231, standing.

Here you go—accuracy data, not.

can’t recall load info but was one of three and this was all standing mostly two handed but some single and off hand

More info unnecessary since it’s all subjective and pistol specific anyway

 

[rperyam]

I like 3.8 gr of N-310 with 185 gr LSWC, 4.2 gr of N-310 with 200 gr LSWC, and 4.8 gr of Bullseye in 230 gr FMJ. These are my loads when I’m at the bench reloading. Just depends on what bullets I have and which gun I’m going to be shooting. I like the lighter loads in any 1911, but when I’m in the mood for the 230 gr FMJ, always go to the 5 inch all metal guns. The lighter frame 1911s just aren’t as much fun for me with the heavier load. These are the most accurate loads for these three bullets for me.

 

[Walkalong]

4.6 Grs of N-310 and a Zero 185 Gr JHP @ 1.220 to 1.225 OAL. Faster than needed, but very accurate and consistent.

N-340 and a 230 Gr Golden Saber @ 1.233 +/-.002 OAL for an 850ish FPS from a 5" 1911 for full power.

Good luck finding some GS bullets, but the Zero 230 Gr also shoots very well.

4.0 Grs Bullseye and a Precision coated 200 Gr SWC @ 1.260 to 1.265 OAL.