45acp Plated bullet weight

[vaalpens]

Just in case you decide to roll some 230FMJ:

https://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100001467&dir=278|281|1082|1150

Thanks for the link.

I was not planning on loading FMJ's, but that is a good price for 1000 bullets.

Why would you need to load FMJ's in 45acp? The velocities are so low that any plated bullets should be fine.

 

[vaalpens]

Your welcome.

The 185 Gr HBRN mentioned feeds in anything and shoots great with low recoil unless you push it hard. The same thing goes for the Berrys 200 Gr HP. Feeds well, shoots well, nice balance of weight. I have some X-Treme 200 Gr RN and they shoot great. Any 200 Gr SWC is likely to shoot great, but some guns don't like them. The 230 Gr RN is great for standard .45 ACP loads.

What are you looking for in this load?

If I had to pick a weight and stick with it, I would probably go with 200 Gr, but I don't, and I won't. Great place to start though.

Thanks gain for the sound advice.

I have to start somewhere, and 200gr will be a good enough place to start.

My 45acp is going to be purely for the fun of shooting and the fun of working up some loads. The last thing I want is fighting reliability due to bullet design. Once I have a stable of some good loads I enjoy shooting, then I will probably branch out and try a different weight and/or bullet shape. And in addition the cost of the bullets are also a factor. I enjoy shooting much more if I think the cost is reasonable.

 

[vaalpens]

For what its worth, i really like the Berrys 185g HBRN bullet. 6.6g of Unique does it for me. Soft shooting and very accurate in my 1911. The RMR 230g RN is another great bullet in the 230g range for a "do it all" bullet for me.

Dave,

Thanks Dave.

I shoot the Berry's HB bullets in 9mm and 357sig and like them. The problem is that Berry's bullets are sometimes on the more expensive side, so I will definitely look at them. RMR is always an option with the good deal we get.

 

[vaalpens]

I like 45acp over other calibers have used many brand and weight bullets but
last few years have used only 230 Berry or Zero bullets, for me the 230 gr is
the best along with AA5 powder gives less recoil and excellent accuracy.

Thanks.

AA5 is not one of the powders I currently have, so it will be some time before I get to it. It seems most votes are for 230gr and 200gr, with some for 185gr. Looks like for me cost is going to dictate my initial decision, and then I will change if I encounter any issues.

 

[Walkalong]

I enjoy shooting much more if I think the cost is reasonable.

Don't you know it.


I shot most of 500 of the Precision coated 200 Gr SWC a few years back and they shot well and were priced right. I am sure they are higher these days. I have a few left.

Tried some SNS coated .38/.357 158s not long ago and they shot very well over 2400.

Loaded these ACME 175s last night. (Bought 100 158s as well)

 

[Toprudder]

The last thing I want is fighting reliability due to bullet design.

I have to say that I've had the best results, as far as feeding, with the Xtreme 200 and 230gn RN bullets. The RMR 230gn RN hardcore have been a very close 2nd.

 

[HOWARD J]

in my Ruger P90 & colt 1911 I have been using
X-treme 230 gr round nose
185 gr Nosler hollow points
Hornady 230 gr HAP hollow points
I was using 6gr Unique on the 230 rd nose---I am getting old---in the 1911I I did not like the kick & cut it back to 5.4
Who has more fun than shooters
Take care,
H

 

[Drail]

A 230 gr. will give you a slower recoil impulse (spread out over a longer time period) A 200 gr. is a little snappier because it takes less time. Browning chose a 200 gr. bullet at 900 fps. - which just happens to work really well (assuming the gun will feed it 100%). The Ordnance Board demanded a 230 gr. bullet based simply on the results they saw in the Thompson-LaGarde tests - which showed essentially that heavy is better for knocking big things down (like horses).

 

[vaalpens]

Don't you know it.


I shot most of 500 of the Precision coated 200 Gr SWC a few years back and they shot well and were priced right. I am sure they are higher these days. I have a few left.

Tried some SNS coated .38/.357 158s not long ago and they shot very well over 2400.

Loaded these ACME 175s last night. (Bought 100 158s as well)

Walkalong, thanks for the information on Precision bullets. I looked at them and their prices are good, even for the 250 count, which included shipping.

They indicate that a Lee FCD should not be used with their coated bullets. Their diameter is only .4515", so I wonder why they have the statement regarding the Lee FCD.

 

[Walkalong]

I don't know, but I agree with them. The ACME 175s measured a consistent .4525 and the length varied very little.

 

[vaalpens]

I have to say that I've had the best results, as far as feeding, with the Xtreme 200 and 230gn RN bullets. The RMR 230gn RN hardcore have been a very close 2nd.

Thanks for the information.

Looks like RN is the way to go for reliability. Xtreme and RMR will definitely be at the top of my list.

 

[vaalpens]

in my Ruger P90 & colt 1911 I have been using
X-treme 230 gr round nose
185 gr Nosler hollow points
Hornady 230 gr HAP hollow points
I was using 6gr Unique on the 230 rd nose---I am getting old---in the 1911I I did not like the kick & cut it back to 5.4
Who has more fun than shooters
Take care,
H

H, thanks for the response. I agree. I you need to cut back the powder a bit to keep on enjoying the shooting, then so be it.

One thing about the 45 is that powder selection will be easy. There are plenty load data and I already have some of the go to powders. I am looking forward to loading my first round. Now I just need to decide on the pistol. For now I am leaning towards a SIG P220.

 

[vaalpens]

A 230 gr. will give you a slower recoil impulse (spread out over a longer time period) A 200 gr. is a little snappier because it takes less time. Browning chose a 200 gr. bullet at 900 fps. - which just happens to work really well (assuming the gun will feed it 100%). The Ordnance Board demanded a 230 gr. bullet based simply on the results they saw in the Thompson-LaGarde tests - which showed essentially that heavy is better for knocking big things down (like horses).

Thanks for explaining the difference in recoil. Snappier is probably more to my liking especially since I like my 357sig. Either way recoil won't be an issue.

 

[LiveLife]

I have to say that I've had the best results, as far as feeding, with the Xtreme 200 and 230gn RN bullets. The RMR 230gn RN hardcore have been a very close 2nd.

Thanks for the information.

Looks like RN is the way to go for reliability. Xtreme and RMR will definitely be at the top of my list.

RMR's HM 230 gr RN bullets have slightly different nose profile from more typical 230 gr RN. Comparison picture below shows RMR bullet next to more typical 230 gr RN profile bullets

The RMR HM 230 gr RN bullets have shorter nose tip which increases the bullet base and depending on the barrel/leade, may need to be loaded shorter.

Comparison picture below shows RMR HM 230 gr RN loaded to 1.230" next to factory PMC 230 gr FMJ round at 1.255". Since my Sig 1911 barrel has very short leade (almost none), I needed to load shorter at 1.200" to pass the "plunk" test - www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=9615465

 

[rskent]

45ACP bullets

For self defense, I use 185 grain XTP's
For accuracy, I use 200 grain semi wad cutters.
For plinking, I use 230 grain ball ( plated)

With all the other calibers you reload I think you are gonna find that 45 is just about the most versatile, easy, and fun calibers there is to load for. Apparently you can even get sporty red rounds. Very cool.

 

[evtSmtx]

I shoot a pantload of Berry's 230gr PRN every year in my G30 and am very satisifed with it

 

[vaalpens]

RMR's HM 230 gr RN bullets have slightly different nose profile from more typical 230 gr RN. Comparison picture below shows RMR bullet next to more typical 230 gr RN profile bullets

The RMR HM 230 gr RN bullets have shorter nose tip which increases the bullet base and depending on the barrel/leade, may need to be loaded shorter.

Comparison picture below shows RMR HM 230 gr RN loaded to 1.230" next to factory PMC 230 gr FMJ round at 1.255". Since my Sig 1911 barrel has very short leade (almost none), I needed to load shorter at 1.200" to pass the "plunk" test - www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=9615465

bds, thanks for highlighting the differences between RMR and Xtreme 230gr RN bullets.

I have not made a final decision yet, and I am still trying to find the gun I am looking for, but so far it seems there is not much difference between 200gr and 230gr, and I will probably just make the decision based on cost.

The last time when I decided to start with 357sig, it took a while before I found the pistol I was looking for. Hopefully this time it will go quicker.

 

[vaalpens]

45ACP bullets

For self defense, I use 185 grain XTP's
For accuracy, I use 200 grain semi wad cutters.
For plinking, I use 230 grain ball ( plated)

With all the other calibers you reload I think you are gonna find that 45 is just about the most versatile, easy, and fun calibers there is to load for. Apparently you can even get sporty red rounds. Very cool.

rskent, thanks for the great explanation.

The 200gr SWC's you are mentioning, I assume it is cast and not plated otherwise you would have indicated plated. Are the plated SWC's not that accurate?

I am probably going to stay away from coated bullets (sporty red or any other color) for now since it sound like using the Lee FCD with them is not a good idea. I will be using the Lee FCD, which work great with the plated bullets I currently load.

 

[vaalpens]

I shoot a pantload of Berry's 230gr PRN every year in my G30 and am very satisifed with it

Thanks. Berry's is also on my list, but they are normally a bit pricier than Xtreme and RMR.