Using SWC ammo in semi auto

[Legasov]

I figured I would use my first post on CG to reach out with a question that's been bugging me since my last ammo purchase.

I never used wadcutters or semi wc's before really because I buy round nose fmj most of the time. So the last gun show I visited had bulk ammo for sale, like most others. I went with the intention of buying lots of 45 acp fmj's. I did the paperwork and got my two cans from the vendor who opened the cans to show me. They were packed with (what looked like) 50 rd boxes of magtech 230 grain fmj. I'm fine with magtech fmj so I took my ammo and left.

When it was time to open it up at home I saw that he sold me fmj semi wadcutters. I should have opened the boxes at the show. Can I still send these in my semi auto pistols? I'm feeling like he just pawned off all his 45 swc on me.

[G-forceJunkie]

Depends on the gun. 1911's can be made to shoot them just fine. Not sure about more modern 45s.

[ptmn]

Semi wadcutters usually work fine in 45 ACP. Those are what a huge percentage of competition shooters use. Actually they use cast lead semi wadcutters. From your post, it looks like you may have gotten jacketed semi wadcutters which should feed wonderfully.

They are normally more accurate than round nose FMJ and they cut a much cleaner target hole on paper targets.

I use semi wad cutters in my 1911's and my USP Match 45. They feed and function just fine.

[pacrat]

I've been casting and loading 185 gr SWC for 1911s since the late 1970s.

Currently have 4- 45acp 1911s. All feed, fire, function flawlessly with swc. Back in the early 1980s I had one that didn't like to feed swc. To be honest it was also my first effort of building a 1911 from parts, and issue was my own goof for not getting the ramp to barrel throat fitment right. after diagnosis and a bit of throat work. It was GTG.

Remington's Target/Match 45acp ammo is SWC.

[bigbossman]

Depends on the gun. 1911's can be made to shoot them just fine. Not sure about more modern 45s.

All my 1911's soot them just fine, without any modifications to the gun.

[Duck Killer]

I have some usgi Match that is swc

[Legasov]

I chamered a couple in my xd and they worked fine but haven't got the chance to hit the range and shoot them. My other concern is they might be reloads, but the primer is still brass and head stamps are consistent so that rules out reman. Sorry to be finicky but I can't help but feel scammed.

[edgerly779]

My 1911s have polished and relieved feed ramps and feed swcjust fine. I handload mine.

[rromeo]

No joke, I've shot a few hundred of them, full auto in a Glock 40. No issues.

[Canucky]

I chamered a couple in my xd and they worked fine but haven't got the chance to hit the range and shoot them. My other concern is they might be reloads, but the primer is still brass and head stamps are consistent so that rules out reman. Sorry to be finicky but I can't help but feel scammed.

Leave no doubt and tell us what you paid for the ammo. Sorry man.

[TomReloaded]

There's nothing remotely scammy about swc's. Plenty of people would specifically buy those over rn's.

You got an uncommon gem. You don't stumble across 230gr wadcutters that often.

[bigbossman]

I have a 1911 that has seen nothing but lead SWC's since I bought it sometime in 1992 or so. IPSC for 10+ years, plinking, practice, etc. Literally untold thousands of rounds through it.

Never a problem, barrel is just as accurate as it was when I started.

[Romeo_alpha01]

When I first started reloading I accidentally loaded about 1000 200gr SWCs and shot it out of my USP 45 Compact. I found out later that you arent supposed to shoot lead through it, but hey my gun cycled and fired them off fine. If you have polygonal rifling, have fun cleaning it like i did.

[eaglemike]

If the gun is decent, ditto magazines, should not be an issue.
All the classic loads in the 1911 are using 200 or 185 grain semi-wadcutters. They are cheaper to cast than the 230 grain, more per pound of lead. Mush easier to score on paper or carboard targets the RN too.

Usually overall length should be 1.250-1.260 for most common bullets designs. Sometimes the gun like a tiny bit shorter, but that's a good rule of thumb length I found in Bill Wilson's book long ago. It actually works, go figure!
Factory semi-wadcutters normally cost more than 230 round nose. Reloads cost and quality will vary.
good luck!

[Legasov]

Thank you for the feedback. I mean, I'll run these 45 swc's all day if they don't have any feeding issues. I bought a lot so it would be a shame if they didn't work for me. But only way to find out is to hit the range.