.45 ACP target loads

[xrMike]

http://www.missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=56&category=5&secondary=13&keywords=

200G LSWC

These over 5.2 grains of Winchester 231.

[MAC USMC]

I shoot a Springfield Armory .45 Champion and a HK .45C. Both like the following loads which are inexpensive and accurate:

1) 230 grain Berry Round Nose; CCI Large pistol primer; 4.9 grains of BULLSEYE powder

2) 200 grain Berry Round Nose; CCI Large pistol primer; 5 grains of BULLSEYE powder

These bullets are PLATED, each type costs $111.81 for 1,000 rounds shipped from POWDER VALLEY in Winfield, Kansas. Good, reliable company - good products.

Of course these loads could be lightened, but I do not care for really light loads as it gets too far from my preferred ammo in regards to recoil, etc. I try to practice close to what I will be carrying and shooting ammo-wise.

[ballistic]

I used to shoot 200 grain LSWC for .45acp. Then I had a couple jam up my gun during a match. Have now switched over to 200 grain RNFP and have never had a problem. I used to use about 5.2 grains of 231 for a nice light target load. Got a keg of Red Dot for cheap a while back. Now using 4.0 grains of Red Dot. Perfect light target load. Standard recoil spring works fine. Shoots great in the Kimber and I have done well in matches with it.

[noylj]

Thanks guys, whenever i see target load data for .45 it usually consists of 200gr SWC and lead....hmmm

I would have thought jacketed bullets would be more accurate, ill order some lead.

If you don't mind spending money, the generally recognized "ACCURATE" bullet is the Nosler 185gn JHP.
However, I didn't see that it performed any better than my own cast 200gn L-SWC using either an RCBS 452-201-KT or H&G #68 molds.
I have shot mastercastbullets.com 200gn L-SWC in an alloy harder than needed and they were excellent and not that expensive. They make the same bullet in a softer alloy (and they are cheaper) that should perform as well.

Ballistic: I'll bet the SWCs were still more accurate. I would have looked to determine the cause of the problem, but that is just me.

[huckberry668]

Post you favorite target load...I want to get some ideas on a load to test the accuracy of my 1911.

Not reduced loads that require spring changes please.

Whats your favorite bullet? (commercially available no home cast or mold #'s)

Nosler 185 JHP is my favorite and most comp shooters' too.
I also like LaserCast 200 SWC hardcast bullets. They are some of the most accurate hard cast bullets I've ever shot. In fact most LaserCast bullets are dead on accurate.

I recently got back into reloading 45ACP for accuracy. Shot my HK USP Elite last night with this load and gotten an average group size of 1.17" out of 3x 5-shot groups sandbagged at 25 yards. Check out my post in the California Handguns forum.

Nosler 185JHP
5.4gr Bullseye
Federal 150 (LP)
.890" cases (this is important for consistant crimp)
.001"~.002" crimp (to remove bell & no damage to the bullet)

[Nirrad]

200gn *plated* round noses, flat points, and SWC's from Xtreme over 5gn of HP-38 out of a Springfield Loaded. Nice and light, and cycles fine.
Mostly indoors and catch brass in a homemade catcher. Reliable, accurate, and I don't look like a range chicken as most go into the net.

Also like 4.8-5gn of the Titegroup.