How lightly do you load .45ACP for target?

[Khornet]

After reading Col. Askins years ago, I began loading down, lightening springs as needed in my Series 70 Gold Cup. Finally settled on Bullseye 3.3 to 3.5 grains with lead 185 or 200 SWC. Nice and comfy to shoot, functions fine, a can of powder sure lasts a long time. Anybody else load that soft?

 

[cobb]

Try to stay at power factor so that everything is uniform in practice and competition. I did try 3.7 grs. of Hodgdons Clays with good success as a light target load.

 

[Fatelvis]

Ive found that 4.5 grns of Bullseye over a 200 grn LSWC, performs great in almost every 45 Ive ever owned.

 

[Quantrill]

.45 acp target load

3.5gr 700X with 185-200 gr LSW (H&G#68) makes for a fine target load with light springs for National Match shooting. Quantrill

 

[L Frame]

My best target loads for a 185 gr LSWC is 4.3 gr of W 231 followed by 3.8 gr Bullseye. The 231 burns cleaner. This recipe works just as well for 200 gr LSWC.

 

[Powderman]

So far, I've settled on 3.9-4.0 of Clays, under the 200 grain LSWC. Works well.

I think that I'm going to try the USMC wad load, though--I've heard lots of good things about it. It is the 185 gr. Nosler JHP, with VV N310. Don't remember the charge weight, though. I'll have to look it up.

 

[Pilot]

I used to shoot my Springfield 1911A1 as light a 3.5 grains of Hogdons's Clays with a 200 grain LSWC bullet, but now use 3.8 grains to get a more realistic recoil. The 3.5 grain load is the lightest that will reiably cycle the slide on my pistol without going to a lighter recoil spring.

 

[Master Blaster]

4.0 grains Hodgdon Titegroup, 200 LSWC. 1.260 OAL.

 

[bogie]

Well, back when I was shooting a .45 a lot, I liked a whole buncha Bullseye under a 155 grainer...

 

[GooseGestapo]

POWDER MAN:

USMC LOAD WITH 185 NOSLER W/ VV N310 IS 4.3 GR. FOR APPROX. 785 FPS

 

[Powderman]

Thanks! I needed that.

 

[Poodleshooter]

I load all 230gr loads, with velocities around 750fps. I can't feed LSWC, and can't find 185gr or 200gr RN or TC locally at a price I'm willing to pay. Even the big 230gr RN make soft recoilling loads if you drop the charge a little.

 

[BigG]

3.5 g Bullseye under a 230g round nose lead worked great in my stock Remington-Rand 1911A1. No spring changes necessary.

 

[Calif. Hunter]

I don't load different loads for target or practical matches - 200 gr RNFP, 5.0 gr Titegroup. Shoots great, works fine and hits point of aim.

 

[Master Blaster]

Calif Hunter have you Chrono ed that load?
What Fps out of a 5"?
Thanks

 

[Calif. Hunter]

Master Blaster - It's been a while since I chorno'ed it, but I think it was right at 950 FPS. I'll have to check it next time I go out, but that may not be until early next month. And I'm not sure if that was out of my Commander or my 5-inch Springfield.

 

[Calif. Hunter]

Master Blaster - my notes show it was an average 915 FPS from my 5" Springfield. The latest Hodgdon magazine shows 5.4 gr as the max load with a 200 gr lead bullet.

 

[coonan357]

I load them up light for newbies to get them thru the trauma people have in there minds of shooting the Big bad .45 , in the processes of getting it light enough to function I had to pound a few slugs out .. , but I myself use a load thats equal to a defensive round so that I don't get cozy with the easier recoil . was told practice with the same stuff as you are going to use .

 

[Delmar]

Used to load light charges of 231 under those 155 LSWC's-lots a fun. Felt like I had a squirt gun and just enough powder to cycle the slide. Currently having fun with Accurate #7 and 200 grain LSWC's, about a grain off max.-talk about muzzle flash
Accurate #5 at about 7 grains with 200 grain wadcutters is pretty good.

 

[TEXAS LAWMAN]

I've loaded & shot many thousands of Lyman #452460 cast slugs over 3.5gr BULLSEYE (and a lesser amount over 6gr UNIQUE) thru an old Llama and in several Colts. Never had to use lesser poundage springs.

 

[MCNETT]

4.9gr of 700X under a 230FMJ is what I use from my P14.
It clocks 790fps consistently, and is very accurate.
-Mike

 

[Desert Dog]

For my tightly sprung Ruger, I have to load heavier target fodder to allow the slide to cycle completely:

5.5 to 6.0 grains of Unique, 220 to 230 gr. RNL - OAL 1.26"

Dead accurate out of the P90, and the Blackhawk Convertible with the ACP cylinder installed.

YMMV,

Mike