Loading .45acp for 16 inch carbine

[Furncliff]

Should I concentrate on the heavier bullets for an accurate load? When I was loading .357 for carbine I read that accuracy could be better with the heavier bullets. Which proved to be the case for me.

For the .45 I'm experimenting with 230 Hornaday XTP as well as Rainier 230. I have a lot of Hornaday 185 XTP that seems to be shooting O.K. I just got some 200 gr. plated. But I may be putting my results in a fog, by increasing the variables.

Should I concentrate on the heavier bullets and should I go heavier than 230 for accuracy?

 

[evan price]

If you are using a 45 acp caliber carbine you won't need to go any heavier than 230 grain. That's what I would use in a carbine. I personally find that the best benefits for the longer carbine barrel in any powder is to go with a slower burning powder because of more length to burn it in. I usually load pistol calibers with a very fast powder. A slower, more mid-speed powder will give better results and consistency. You can load to 45 +P and see better velocity than in a pistol (obviously).

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

my best load is 185gr GS.
try Power Pistol or that range of powder or maybe even a bit slower to kick up the speed.