1911 .45 preferred bullet & weight

[Michael in California]

Recently got my 1911 and want to start reloading for it shortly.

I currently reload 9mm for plinking and am OK with what I do. For 9mm, I'm using Montana gold 124 gr FMJ.

My purpose for .45 reloads will be for general target practice and I'd like to do some defensive pistol competition just for the experience.

So far, the only rounds down the pipe are WWB 230 gr FMJ as that is what I found locally.

I don't have enough of a thought as to what bullet type would be best for my needs. Do I want round nose, SWC, hollow point? What weight?

Al things being equal, I'd probably go with Montana Gold 230gr JHP unless the consensus says otherwise.

I've not loaded non-jacketed (lead) before and I'm not interested in casting my own, so I'm not sure I'd want to go that route.

My powder will likely be Titegroup as I have plenty, and I understand that in .45, it is not preferred with lead anyway.

Any good suggestions?

[ExtremeX]

I just load plinking and defense practice ammo and use plated Xtreme Bullets 200gr and 230gr, both RN profile.

230gr I use to try and replicate my defense load, and 200gr was just for plinking/steel shooting and it cost a little less than the 230gr to load.

Never really had any issues...

I hear great thing about Montana Gold, but for my application, I cant justify the price as it increases my loaded ammo cost by almost 2x.

[oath-keeper]

230 for me...

[kmr007]

Sorry to intrude but this is something I'm trying to research too. I have a buddy that competes and uses 200gr Montana Golds with Clays. This is out of his STI. I am picking up a Rock Island Match 5" and wanted to get info on reloads too.

[bigbossman]

I've always used 200gr SWC bullets, either Missouri Bullets or Lazercast.

All I shoot is target practice/plinking and IPSC, no defensive rounds or CCW training.

The lead is easier on the barrel, and cheaper to buy than FMJ.

[Spaceghost]

I am very fond of Montana Gold 185gr. JHP's. Absolutely zero feeding issues in any .45 I own, including a Para-Ordinance P-12. I do load them a little on the long side and use Unique.

[Bastard]

my main 45 acp load is a Missouri bullet 200gr LSWC, though I also load a 230gr Zero bullet FMJ & a 185gr Hornady XTP... it really depends on what your gun likes, though I will say that I haven't found a 1911 that doesn't like the 200gr SWC

[Mot Mi]

I'd stick to rn 230gr. I've loaded jhp and fp and though they work they wont feed well in the more finicky 1911s. With that, I've stuck to xtreme rn 230 gr. I have loaded unique, titegroup, bluedot, 4756, hp38/w231, red dot, and autocomp. I have wst that I will be test loading for 45 and 9mm and will have more feedback about that once I am done. I like hp38 w231 as it meters well in my 650. Low charge wait, verstile, and lower velocities plus its econimical as you get more out of a lb of powder.

[Bigtls1]

I run 230 gr RN from Xtreme. It seems to me that .45 is more accurate with the slower rounds. YMMV

[Carcassonne]

1911 .45 preferred bullet & weight

The 1911 was designed to use 230 grain ball ammo. That is the preferred bullet and weight.

I like to use 200gr SWC bullets in my 1911 because they cost less, and I don't care about 100% reliability when target shooting.



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[BajaJames83]

Im a big fan of the 200gr xtreme bullets, but still load 230gr from time to time.

[Xtracrispy]

Im a big fan of the 200gr xtreme bullets, but still load 230gr from time to time.

this. I'm happy with 200gr Xtreme RN. Little softer recoil than 230's and not snappy.

[John Joseph]

With fixed or adjustable sights? Fixed sight .45ACPs would be optimized for 230 grainers.
Got adjustable sights? Then do your own thing.

[John Joseph]

BTW, lead works just fine in .45acp so long as you thoroughly clean the barrel of all lead or gilding jacket fouling, before switching ponies.

[dpop24]

Was using 230 gr plated Berry's over 5.1 grains of HP38 but now switching to Xtreme 230's as they are a bit cheaper. Trying my first handful of test loads with Xtreme on Friday.

I'm down to 5 pounds of HP38, need to find some pistol powder soon! All local shops haven't seen any PP in months around here. Asked at one shop today and was told the only PP they've gotten in was 1 lonely pound of Trail Boss and even that sold immediately.