Need Accurate, Low Recoil 45 ACP target load

[Ron_Lab]

I'm currently shooting a Kimber Eclipse Target II in 45 ACP for bullseye target competition. The load I am using now is a 200 gr SWC over 4 gr of Red Dot. The load is very accurate but a little hot. I am having trouble recovering for the next shot when shooting Timed and Rapid strings. Does anyone have a nice light and accurate load that will reliably function in a Kimber 1911?

 

[LeonCarr]

Use the same bullet and consult the loading manuals for minimum charges to start at with some different powders. Keep in mind some powders have lower "felt" recoil than others, and a good forum with lots of discussions on this is www.brianenos.com.

Also keep in mind that going to lighter loads might mean having to replace the recoil spring in your Kimber with a lighter poundage spring to maintain reliability.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Furncliff]

Try your question down in the reloading section. I use Bullseye powder for .45acp and the same bullet you are using.

 

[RainDodger]

Yep, go over to the reloading section. Tons of .45ACP info to be had. I recently discovered the joy of really low power .45 loads. It has resulted in shooting my 1911s much more than I had been in the past couple of decades. I've settled on a nice 760 FPS load that runs every 1911 I have, just fine.

 

[Japle]

Try 4.0 - 4.2 gr of Clays. It's a soft-shooting load in all my .45s.

 

[Blue68f100]

My BE load for the 45acp is 4.1gr WST with 200gr LSWC or 185gr LSWC. This will operate the slide with the std 16# RS. I have dropped down to a 12-14# due to slide mounted optics. This load gives me 1.5" groups at 25 yrds using a rest. I use a modified seating stem to only contact the bullet at the shoulder which gives me consistent groups. The ogive contact will always give you a OAL variation.

 

[Dudedog]

I like 4.7 to 5 gr of HP38/231. You said you are using 4 grains of Red Dot now. For me the 4.7 of HP38 feels lighter than 4gr of Promo. (However for me 4gr Promo is light) Since you have the Red Dot you might try backing off to maybe 3.7 and see if you still get good functioning. Alliant show 4gr Red Dot (target) at 805fps. (older data) So I would think you could go a bit lower.
AS mentioned earlier if you want to go much lighter than where you are now you may need a lighter recoil spring.

I have also used 4.5gr of N320 which is a bit below the reccommended start charge but it functioned my 45s with stock recoil springs ok, I would call it light as well.

 

[LiveLife]

bullseye target competition ... 200 gr SWC over 4 gr of Red Dot ... Kimber 1911 ... The load is very accurate but a little hot

200 gr SWC with 5.0 gr W231/HP-38 is my regular load and 4.0 gr Red Dot/Promo is my "lighter" load.

Since you already have Red Dot, keep "downloading" Red Dot until you start to increase shot group size. If lower powder charges won't reliably cycle the slide, use lighter recoil springs.

 

[Gik-tal]

I run a 200 grain plated semi wadcutter from X-Treme bullets with 4.4 grains of IMR 700-X, Shoots clean and accurate.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like above, I agree a 200gr cast bullet over 5.0gr W231 is a good shooting load. My go to 45 ACP load is a 230gr LRN bullet over 5.5gr W231.

 

[stu1ritter]

From an American Rifleman article back in the 60's, quizzing the best bullseye shooters of the day (Gill Hebert, F. Bob Chow, Harry Reeves, etc) about their loads, almost without fail, the H&G 68 or the H&G 130 in front of 3.5 - 3.7 gr. bullseye powder. One hole with 10 rounds at 25 yards from a rest. You might have to drop the spring strength a bit, but try it.
Stu

 

[konertjm]

I run a 200 grain plated semi wadcutter from X-Treme bullets with 4.4 grains of IMR 700-X, Shoots clean and accurate.

Gik-Tal, are you using the standard recoil spring?

I have been shooting 5.1 gr 700X under 200 gr SWC hi-tek coated. Seems like less than that does not operate the slide enough to eject and load next round.

I just ordered 500 200 gr SWC plated to try, looking forward to results.

 

[Gravedigger56]

Clays is excellent powder for a soft recoil.