Suggestions for 45acp load

200 gr LSWC or Powder coated MBC with VV n320 is clean burning 5 grs and accurate in several guns

200 gr LSWC 4.5 GR bullseye but didn't cycle my cz 97b

xtreme plated 200 SWC 4.9 gr bullseye

I don't shoot the expensive XTP in my 45. My 2 favorites are 185gr LSWC (MBC BE #2, 12 BHN) 4.1 gr WST, or 4.2 gr behind the 200 gr LSWC (BE#1) for the longer 50 yrd range. The velocities on these are in the 675 fps. WST runs super clean at this low range. One of the very few powders that do at below min listed starting loads of 4.4gr. 10 times cleaner than BE powder. May have to install a lighter 14# RS, mines runs fine with the std 16#. But with my cMore slide mounted dot sight I use a 14# RS.

Rembrandt said:

Have never reloaded for 45acp before

Click to expand...

Would recommend plated.
WST (or Clays) under a 185 Berry's HBRN gets my vote for a soft shooter.

I really like the Missouri Bullet 200gr #4-XD. I've been using Herco (it was a good deal), but it tends leave unburnt flakes, so not exactly 'clean'. I never have any leading.
I did get some of the #4-XD's with the Hi-Tek coating, but haven't loaded them yet - need to burn through some more of the regular lead first.

I've found that 200gr matches the point of aim for my sights, so that's the best weight for me.

Rembrandt said:

Still fixed on going with 200 grain bullets, but would rather stay away from cast, I am open to plated or jacketed. Trying to find something in that 800-900 FPS range that is pleasant enough for women to shoot. Have some granddaughters need to take to the range.

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Then that's easy... I would stick with a 200grn plated FMJ (for fun) or SWC (if you want help seeing the holes in the paper,) and one of the mid-fast powders; I wouldn't go any slower than Unique, and given the need for 'clean burning,' one of the newer formulated powders as was mentioned.

200 gr SWC
3.6 gr Clays
3.8 gr IMR Red or Red Dot
4.0 gr WST

Those are the loads I use the most.

RMR offers THR memebrs a 5% discount and has free shipping
https://www.rmrbullets.com/shop/bullets/pistol/45-452/45-200-gr-rmr-plated-round-nose-bullets-new/
These are 200 RNs plated. $66/500 -5%

A SWC will cut cleaner holes in targets, BUT, some .45s feed them fine and some don't care for them.

When I shoot SWCs in .45 I have had good results with the ones from Missouri Bullet (for target use the BHN 12 (softer) ones are better in my gun, also had good results with the ones from Acme which come in cool wood boxes.
If you haven't loaded/shot SWCs in your pistol I would by a smaller batch than 500 to try just in case it does not want to feed them.

This was a nice mild load with 200 SWCs and AA2 (AA2 meters great and also works well in .45)
WIN LP, mixed range brass, 5" 1911, all charges as thrown after setting measure
http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=184
(more pictures of powder here, can't tell for sure by looking at pictures, but generally the smaller the grains of powder the better it will meter)
Something that does not meter as well for example
http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=122

String: 6
Date: 4/23/2017
Time: 11:56:43 AM
Grains: 200
Hi Vel: 867
Low Vel: 843
Ave Vel: 849
Ext Spread: 24
Std Dev: 10
.45 ACME 200gr 5.1 AA2 OAl 1.244
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
843 168.6 315.563
843 168.6 315.563
843 168.6 315.563
852 170.4 322.337
867 173.4 333.787

.2 gr more
String: 7
Date: 4/23/2017
Time: 11:58:22 AM
Grains: 200
Hi Vel: 885
Low Vel: 850
Ave Vel: 872
Ext Spread: 35
Std Dev: 13
.45 ACME 200gr 5.3 AA2 OAl 1.244
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
879 175.8 343.091
885 177 347.791
868 173.6 334.558
850 170 320.826
879 175.8 343.091


and another .2 gr
String: 1
Date: 4/23/2017
Time: 12:00:08 PM
Grains: 200
Hi Vel: 921
Low Vel: 894
Ave Vel: 904
Ext Spread: 27
Std Dev: 10
.45 ACME 200gr 5.5 .AA2 OAl 1.244
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
899 179.8 358.881
921 184.2 376.661
906 181.2 364.492
894 178.8 354.901
902 180.4 361.281


WIN LP, mixed range brass, 5" 1911, all charges as thrown after setting measure
4.7gr HP38/W231 with a 230 makes a nice soft shooting load
http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=141

String: 7
Date: 5/15/2016
Time: 10:18:19 AM
Grains: 230
Hi Vel: 733
Low Vel: 689
Ave Vel: 702
Ext Spread: 44
Std Dev: 17
45 4.7 HP38 RMR 230 1.21
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
733 168.59 274.37
697 160.31 248.082
698 160.54 248.794
693 159.39 245.243
689 158.47 242.42

BTW Here is Westens load data for AA2 and a 200SWC,
MAX is 5.8gr AA2

This is what I use; I shoot 200 Gr. exclusively. All my bullets come from Georgia Arms out of Georgia USA. Their cast lead is 18 BHN and I have never had a leading or a feeding problem. 6.8 Gr. Autocomp, 5.3 Greendot And have fooled with 800X ( measured as it dosen't throw good at all)

I tried the 200 grain bullets and went back to 230 grains for 45 ACP because I was used to the military ball recoil and POI. I use 700X at 4.8 grains for either the MB softball or FMJ hard ball loads. Same POI and felt recoil to me. I still have a couple hundred 200 grain LSWC to use up and plan on using them up in my 45 Colt ammo for my Ruger Blackhawks to eat for plinking loads.

Rembrandt said:

You folks never fail with the good information.

Still fixed on going with 200 grain bullets, but would rather stay away from cast, I am open to plated or jacketed. Trying to find something in that 800-900 FPS range that is pleasant enough for women to shoot. Have some granddaughters need to take to the range.

Click to expand...

I really like the plated RN bullets from RMR.

If you want 900 fps I would recommend BE86. For 750-800, I like Clays. The trick for getting relatively clean burning in 45acp is to use a powder in the mid to upper charge range. Instead of going down in charge to reduce the recoil/velocity, pick a faster burning powder instead.

Lately I've only used the RMR plated 200 grain bullets. I use 4.2 grains of Bullseye. Very accurate and trouble free in any of my five 1911s. Great bullet at a great price. When I go up to RMR 230 FMJ, then I use 5.0 grains of Bullseye. These two loads keep that part of my life simple.