45 ACP reloading

[sofbak]

^^^Yes. nukeandjuke got it right. For projectiles of the same material/composition, the heavier one uses less powder.


Edit; Maybe I should have said "typically uses less powder." Both of those load weights are in the safe range, so both are gtg.

[Fishslayer]

4.6gr of Green Dot under a 200gr Bear Creek RNHB at 1.24" OAL.

[Lead Waster]

Bless you. Not many run Clays. I love that powder. Along with Unique.

[micro911]

When I shoot bullseye, I used 200 gr lead SWC with 4.8 grains of 231. For other types of shooting with 45 Auto, either factory 230 gr FMJ or 230 gr Ranger RA45T.

[someoneeasy]

No way. No way do you use 5gr on a 200 and a 5.3 in a 230. the heavier the bullet, the less powder it takes. I think this is backwards.

This is probably why it's a good idea to crack open that reloading manual and figure out the right load for you, not someone else. If you don't trust someone else's reloads, why would you trust their data?

[DueceMcGurk]

OP, there is no all-around best load. It is pistol dependent (not just model but barrel length too). Most load data you will get in forums does not include the pistol used to optimize it. Many omit OAL -- a key piece of data. Comp loads are different from target loads. I believe that to become a competent reloader you need to work up your own loads. Start with reloading manuals or find a known expert and buy them a soda. Shoot, reload, revise, enjoy the sport. Then there is the effect of pistol mechanics on load design...........

[Chief-7700]

230 grain FMJ over 4.0 grains of N310 makes power factor of 165.

[jcourson]

200 gn H&G 68 profile Semi Wadcutters, with Winchester WST (I can't recall exact weight, but around 4.7 ... do the research of course!) Shoots well for me in 1911s. But semi-wadcutters don't work well in my Glock.

Ha! I think that is exactly what I am shooting right now. I would have to go downstairs to double check my powder weight though.

[ptmn]

I load pretty light, I'm using 4.6gr AA#2, WLP, Zero Brand 230gr FMJ RN, seated to 1.26". I also use 4.4gr Bullseye with a moly coated lead 200gr SWC. Problem with this second load is that's I'm using up my stock of bullets I bought large amounts from Rocky Bannister of RB Cast bullets in Newark many many years ago. Once those bullets are gone, I guess I have to work up another load, since Rocky retired at least a decade ago if not longer.

[JagerDog]

I'm a fan of Bear Creek 200 gr hollow base round nose for range fodder in the pistols. 230 gr RN profile, but lighter and the hollow base helps grab the rifling. Fueled by Bullseye or 231. They're OK in the Camp 45 too, but it does prefer jacketed bullets in the micro groove rifling so I use Precision Delta FMJ's. Unique in those to get a bit more advantage of the longer barrel.

[Full Clip]

Win 231 plus Nosler CC 185grn boolits...

[G-Man WC]

I've been using this combo for a few years and it's worked well.
MBC - .452 Diameter - 230 Grain RN
WW231

I am however going to play around with some Lovex DO 36.03
that was acquired in GB and see what it will do in the 45acp.
-g

[MG34]

I use 5.5 gr of Unique with a 230 gr. lead bullet. Shot thousands of these out of my 1911 SA in the last 25 years.

[robert101]

Bingo,
Unique and 5.5 grains will do you right every time. I've been using Unique for many a year in 45 Automatic. It is good to me.

[kcheung2]

I guess I'll be slightly different, 6.8 grains of Power Pistol topped with a 230 grain fmj from Zero. As an alternative, I also use 7.1 grains of Silhouette.