45ACP what bullet weight is recommended

[skyfire1]

Hello everyone,

I am going to start reloading for 45ACP. I am experiencing some difficulty trying to figure out which bullet weight I should use. Figuring a lighter bullet means more fps I would lean toward a 200 gr. The thing that confuses me is I see every ammo manufacturer seems to put out primarily 230 gr. What do you all recommend?
Thanks
Jerry

 

[wrc376]

i like running 230g round ball. it is what the pistol was designed to run around... i also find that they stabilize in flight better that the lighter weight rounds.

 

[rfwobbly]

A lot of people plink with the 200gr SWC with great success. A few guns make you play with the COL to fine tune the feeding, but it can generally be worked out. That will save you some money.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use only 230gr RN bullets, both Jacketed and Lead in my .45 Auto rounds. The price difference between the 200gr and 230gr bullets just isn't worth changing IMO. (though they are cheaper)

 

[tbtrout]

I use the 230lrn and 200lswc. For a while I had to buy whatever was in stock. Both shoot very well. I prefer Win 231 for a powder.

 

[Walkalong]

I started with 200 Gr SWC's and shot those a couple of years, then switched to 225/230 Gr bullets and shot those for years. Now I shoot 185, 200, and 230 Gr bullets. If I had to pick one now I think it would be 200 Gr just because of the recoil factor and the fact that it is a factor these days were years ago it was not.

 

[61chalk]

Went to the range an shot at 25 yds, my groupings were all high an
with 230 gr. My brother told me yesterday that is typical that slower heavier bullets do that...makes no sense to me but he's the expert on .45 autos....he said lighter gr. tend to hit low, he suggested trying 185 or 200 gr. an I would see a drop an probably me right on target...on the other hand if using lighter gr. an you were hitting low, you could switch to heavier gr. So I guess it depends on where your hitting that determines what grain bullet to use...I'm still learning, an my brother has been shooting .45 auto's since '68.

 

[Walkalong]

He is right. A little more velocity will drop your point of impact a little with the 230 Gr bullet. It's time in the barrel that makes a difference as well as recoil.

The other factor is to make sure you are not pushing the gun up as you pull the trigger, although usually folks pull it down anticipating recoil.

We all do both sometimes.

 

[loadedround]

I have been shooting the 45 ACP for over 40 years and half that time I have shot competively; so I do a little about this cartridge. Assuming your pistol has been throated to handle them, the 200gr LSWC bullet will usually be both your most accurate and inexpensive bullet to use for 95% of your shooting. For serious work like PD or carry I would reccoment a jacketed 230gr bullet. The old standby the RNJ bullet can't be beat, that's the round that the 1911 was designed to use. The various newer HP jacketed bullets in both 200 or 230gr weight are even better if your pistol functions reliably 100% with them. Personably my housegun isa loaded with 230gr RNJ bullets loaded to the max.

 

[dave from mesa]

I've shot 155, 185, 200 and 230. In my hand 200 feels the best. Best to try some and see what you like. 155's did take more playing with OAL to get them to feed. If I were to recommend I would say 200-230.

 

[Hikingman]

230 Lead round nose (hardball) and 230 Full metal jacket. The lead rounds are less wear on the barrel, and work well for target practice.

 

[benzuncle]

I shoot at the range what I carry for self defense: 230gr. The cost difference (because I am reloading) between 200gr and 230gr is negligible.

 

[rcmodel]

Most fixed-sight guns, like the 1911, are sighted in for full-power 230 grain loads.

If you don't have adjustable sights, lighter bullets or less power may be a problem with zero.

rc

 

[MkgReloader]

Over the years I've tried 185 gr and 200 gr semiwadcutters, but only two of my 45's will feed them reliably. So I've settled on 230 gr round nose in lead, FMJ, or plated like Berry's or Rainiers - whatever is on sale. Also, the bigger bullet takes a little less powder to make the action function properly.

 

[orionengnr]

If you are reloading lead SWCs, 200 gr is the most common and most available bullet around.

They work pretty well, too.

 

[moooose102]

i have used 185's. 200's and 230's. my favorite for plinking is 230 lrn's, but honestly, because i got a decent deal on them. of the three, i actually prefer the 200's. i do not like the tiny bearing surface of a 185, and 200's have a higher velocity. maybe it is because it is middle of the road.

 

[wrc376]

The lead rounds are less wear on the barrel, and work well for target practice.

how much extra wear does a jacketed round cause?

 

[1moa@500]

I have been using 200swc for the last year in IDPA and have had some problems getting them to feed in my gun. I just switched to 200rnfp and have had no problems in the last 500 or so rounds. I vote for the 200 grain bullets for less recoil and muzzle rise.

 

[TurboFC3S]

Like everything in reloading, it depends ...

I use almost exclusively 230gr montana gold jacketed bullets and love them. But the one exception is my Para P10 (sub-compact double stack 1911), it has problems with 230gr bullets, so I feed it 185gr and with those it runs fine.

I'd have no problem switching to 200gr if there was a reason, like if I found a good deal on bullets. Don't sweat the decision too much, go with whatever looks good to you and work your load up. And if you feel like trying something else later, variety is good