Any loads for plated 45 acp bullets?

[gadjeep]

I'm starting out reloading this weekend and i have everything but powder. I have Wolf LP primers and xtreme 200gr FP and RN bullets. What powder should I start with? I'll be loading for plinking with a SIG 1911. Thanks in advance!

UPDATE 7.18.10:

Went to the range yesterday and was VERY pleased with the results. My right arm is getting sore from doing my best to wear out the Rockchucker (if thats even possible!). Produce, produce, produce! Thanks to everyone for their input and please keep it coming. I'm looking forward to working up some different loads once I run out of Clays. I just got a pound of Bullseye so that will be the next experiment.

UPDATE 8.16.10:

Tried another batch with 200gr extreme TMJ-RN over 4.2gr Clays @ 1.260 OAL, Lee Factory Die crimped to .468... awesome! I wasn't shooting paper so not sure how tight my groups were but the steel was ringing! All fired to point of aim, no failures of any kind. Good times.

[halifax]

Because it's big and fluffy, I like Trail Boss. Can't easily double charge them.

200 grain lead bullet Trail boss 3.5 to 5.5 max

(lead data is ok for plated use)

[XDRoX]

I'm starting out reloading this weekend and i have everything but powder. I have Wolf LP primers and xtreme 200gr FP and RN bullets. What powder should I start with? I'll be loading for plinking with a SIG 1911. Thanks in advance!

Do you have a reloading manual yet? You should probably get more than one to compare different data, and then average it.

Unique is a great powder for 45. It's been around longer than both of us. W231 and WSF are also good. My personal favorite is WST for light to medium loads. I load really light for plinking rounds. WST burns cleaner, less recoil, smells better, has more volume, than most of the other powders. I'm now using it in 9mm, 38spl and 45ACP.

For 200gr bullets I would start around 4.5gr of WST. You'll be very impressed with the results.

[XDRoX]

I like Trail Boss.

Forgot about Trail Boss. I love that stuff. Especially for beginners. IMR really nailed it with Trail Boss. For slower velocity and lead loads TB is the bees knees.

[Mac Attack]

I am shooting 200 gr plated SWC under a change of 5.0 gr of Titegroup. Nice round with a little bit of kick. The manual says the min charge is 4.8 and the max is 5.4. So 5.0 is just a hair under the midrange.

[gadjeep]

Thanks Guys! I have seen some guys using Clays as well. Any experiences?

[Enter_the_Dragon]

I'm gonna try Clays for the first time. I will let you know the results.

230grn CMJ Montana Gold.

[gadjeep]

I've called around the bay area and can't find trail boss or titegroup. Looks like my first batch will be unique and or clays.

[casework]

I am using Clays (3.8 charge) with power bond 230 grain plated bullets and it works great in my Glock 21.

[LGB Loader]

I used Clays, Unique, #5, 231, Bullseye, Red Dot, Titegroup all at one point or another and now use N320.

You can achieve good results with any of the above with a bit of time at the range/handloaders bench and alot of patience.

LGB

[EWILKE]

I am shooting 200 gr plated SWC under a change of 5.0 gr of Titegroup. Nice round with a little bit of kick. The manual says the min charge is 4.8 and the max is 5.4. So 5.0 is just a hair under the midrange.

+1 on this load it works well in sigs and glocks.

[EWILKE]

clays

4.3 with 200 grain SWC loaded to OAL 1.240 very soft and accurate

[C.W.M.V.]

Thanks Guys! I have seen some guys using Clays as well. Any experiences?

Im not sure if I grabbed the wrong Clays or not, but shooting it indoors was like shooting a black powder musket. Big, Big cloud of smoke. Haven't used any in a long time.

I load 200gr LSWC and plated FN on top of 5gn's Bullseye. Love it but I'm about to upgrade to 230gn RN so well see what happens.

[RaymondMillbrae]

I am using WSF, and loved the feel. But sadly, it left a lot of fouling in my pistol, which effected the reliability. (I will easily shoot 300 to 400 rounds at practice).

I just picked-up an 8-pound jug of Clays upon many shooters suggestion. It is going to be snappier than what I like - but if you need reliability, it will burn much cleaner based on many shooters opinions. (BrianEnos.com).

I will have more PERSONAL feedback on the Clays powder as soon as I finish off my existing 800-rounds of WSF-rolled loads.

More to come.

In Christ: Raymond

[goodlookin1]

Im not sure if I grabbed the wrong Clays or not, but shooting it indoors was like shooting a black powder musket. Big, Big cloud of smoke. Haven't used any in a long time.

I load 200gr LSWC and plated FN on top of 5gn's Bullseye. Love it but I'm about to upgrade to 230gn RN so well see what happens.

Been using Bullseye on 230's since I started reloading. Used both plated and moly coated lead. Both work really well.

To the OP, I'd still load below this. I'd start at 4.5 or so and work your way up from there to a MAX (what my RL'ing book lists) of 5.7 Gr.

Be careful with Bullseye because it is a flake powder and is easy to double charge and not notice it if you're not being consciously careful.