What’s your 45 ACP Pet Load

I charge 5.5gr of W231 under almost any 230gr bullet in the 45 ACP.
All loads below are shot in a Springfield Government Model 1911.

My 2pet loads are:
A 230gr LRN bullet the OAL is 1.265"
A 230gr FMJ bullet the OAL is also 1.265"
Both set off with a CCI-500 primer.

I have a secondary load with a 230gr LRN bullet over 8.3gr AA#5 with an OAL of 1.265" primer is a WSP.
A Barry's 230gr plated bullet over 5.4gr W231 with an OAL of 1.255" and a CCI-500 primer works well too.

As usual, never trust data given to you on the NET. Mistakes in posting number can and do happen. Always verify the safety of the load for yourself.
 
As usual, never trust data given to you on the NET. Mistakes in posting number can and do happen. Always verify the safety of the load for yourself.[/QUOTE]

I agree 100 percent , thanks for the heads up and for everyone reading this thread .
 
ArchAngelCD said:
never trust data given to you on the NET. Mistakes in posting number can and do happen. Always verify the safety of the load for yourself.
Click to expand...
OK, here's source published Speer load data for my loads posted :) - https://reloadingdata.speer.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/handgun/45_Auto_200_LSWC.pdf
  • 45ACP 200 gr Lead SWC W231 COL 1.190" Start 4.6 gr (739 fps) - Max 5.0 gr (803 fps)
  • 45ACP 200 gr Lead SWC Red Dot COL 1.190" Start 4.1 gr (749 fps) - Max 4.5 gr (831 fps)
And here are my posted loads:
  • MBC/Dardas/Z-Cast 200 gr LSWC, OAL 1.240", 4.8-5.0 gr W231/HP-38
  • MBC 12 BHN 200 gr LSWC (Bullseye #1), OAL 1.240", 4.0 gr Red Dot/Promo
 
I feel like ten years ago this thread would be answered 75% with a 230gr ball (lead, plated or jacketed) with 5gr (or thereabouts) W231 and 5gr Bullseye. Another 15% would be variations with the same powders in charge weights or with 200gr balls

So this is interesting

Maybe I need to mess around with 45acp more. There’s never a bad excuse to do it, I do love the cartridge
 
wankerjake said:
So this is interesting

Maybe I need to mess around with 45acp more.
Click to expand...
Especially when so many already have done all the load development work and ransom/chrono testing to determine the "most accurate" bullseye match loads along with time tested THR pet loads. ;)

For me, I am old school and will die shooting 1911 with 200 gr LSWC light "target" loads ... unless I start enjoying shooting 185 gr FMJ/JHP/plated loads for my Just Right carbine with Glock mags. :D
 
LiveLife said:
OK, here's source published Speer load data for my loads posted :) - https://reloadingdata.speer.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/handgun/45_Auto_200_LSWC.pdf
  • 45ACP 200 gr Lead SWC W231 COL 1.190" Start 4.6 gr (739 fps) - Max 5.0 gr (803 fps)
  • 45ACP 200 gr Lead SWC Red Dot COL 1.190" Start 4.1 gr (749 fps) - Max 4.5 gr (831 fps)
And here are my posted loads:
  • MBC/Dardas/Z-Cast 200 gr LSWC, OAL 1.240", 4.8-5.0 gr W231/HP-38
  • MBC 12 BHN 200 gr LSWC (Bullseye #1), OAL 1.240", 4.0 gr Red Dot/Promo
Click to expand...
Why did you quote me in your post? What does my statement have to do with what you posted? Explain please???
 
Kimber Pro Carry shot from a bench at 18 yards. 45-225 LRN Lee, 5.0gr BE COAL=1.270"; Second is 45-200 LSWC Lee, 4.4 BE; Third is 45-200 LHP Mihec, 4.4 BE OAL=1.250"; and Fourth is 45-185 JHP Nosler, 6.3 AA2 OAL = 1.270". Sorry, no photos
 
My load is Winchester brass, CCI large pistol primer, H&G 68 over 5.0 grains of 231. I cast these from straight clip-on wheelweights. I seat them where about 1/64th of an inch of the driving band is out of the case. That is about 1.240 inch overall length.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
Why did you quote me in your post? What does my statement have to do with what you posted? Explain please???
Click to expand...
Whenever I post loads on THR, I usually also post published load data used to develop "my load" with link to source website.

For the OP, I simply posted my loads and when you posted "... never trust data given to you on the NET. Mistakes in posting number can and do happen", I remembered and posted the published load data used for reference so OP could see that my "pet loads" were below published max.
 
LiveLife said:
Whenever I post loads on THR, I usually also post published load data used to develop "my load" with link to source website.

For the OP, I simply posted my loads and when you posted "... never trust data given to you on the NET. Mistakes in posting number can and do happen", I remembered and posted the published load data used for reference so OP could see that my "pet loads" were below published max.
Click to expand...
What makes you remotely think I was talking about your data or post? I put that warning on my post because I posted data. I really have no idea why you would think I even care what you do? Please leave me out of your posts when there is no reason to mention what I said.
 
https://reloadingdata.speer.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/handgun/45_Automatic_185_TMJ_SWC.pdf

Speer 185gr TMJ using 5.4gr of W231. Coal of 1.245" and Winchester Large Pistol.

At ten yards this will do 10's and X's all day long in my 3" 1911, standing two handed no rest. Works very well in my other 1911's as well. Mild recoil is a bonus. Feeds/functions very well too.

For a 230gr FMJ I like 4.7gr W231. Very mild recoil on this load.

I haven't got a 200gr load yet, but am planning on going to the range this morning to try a ladder test using 200gr coated SWC and W231. Hopefully I will find a nice load today and can start loading them up.

chris
 
ArchAngelCD said:
What makes you remotely think I was talking about your data or post? I put that warning on my post because I posted data. I really have no idea why you would think I even care what you do? Please leave me out of your posts when there is no reason to mention what I said.
Click to expand...
Chill. I think he’s acknowledging that your admonishment is a good reminder to all of us.
 
My 'accurate enough inside 20 yards' standard load for the 230gr bullet of your choice is 5gr of W231. OAL that suits the barrel and bullet.

My current favorite 'really accurate at 25 yards' is 4gr of W231 under an Acme 200gr SWC w/OAL of 1.225 and a light crimp. That is below book minimum and I changed the recoil spring to get it to reliably cycle the government size 1911.
 
I have 2 1911's, 1 Colt 5" 1991 Government model and a Springfield Armory Ronin Commander. I'm lucky enough to have one load that fits both guns perfectly regardless of components. That is 4.8 gr. of WST. I use range brass mixed headstamp, Winchester LP primers, my usual bullets are Berry's 230 FMJ, and if I use cast its 230g HiTech coated bullets. 200g and 185g bullets as well, all shoot equally well with 4.8 WST. I shoot for fun, so thats it for me. For home defense they are loaded with FACTORY home defense rounds.
 
The xtreme 200gr SWC (it's plated)
Loaded behind a medium/light charge of W231. Soooo nice and clean. Accurate.

It doesn't cut as clean of holes as the sharper shoulder of Hardcast lead, but the lead exposure is zero when loading.....which to me is worth it..... it's part of my new lead mitigation exposure reduction program....in light of my high b.l.l. last year.
Every little exposure counts and is a drop in the old bucket toward lowering it.
 
Palladan44 said:
The xtreme 200gr SWC (it's plated) ... lead exposure is zero when loading.....which to me is worth it..... it's part of my new lead mitigation exposure reduction program....in light of my high b.l.l. last year.
Click to expand...
This is completely incorrect approach to reducing your blood lead level as discussed in detail in this thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-and-discussions.778197/page-11#post-12406408

Handling hard cast "lead alloy" bullets do not absorb lead through the skin (Even my doctor confirmed this). Ingesting lead and inhaling lead dust are two primary causes for rise in blood lead level.

And it doesn't matter whether you use completely copper plated bullets as most lead dust we inhale comes from primers. ;)

For me, my blood lead level increase came mostly from inhaling lead dust off the indoor range floor (They had near hurricane level ventilation system) picking up spent brass and handling/processing while dry tumbling. When I stopped shooting indoors and wore 3M respirator while handling/processing spent brass outdoors, my blood lead level dropped to normal and hasn't increased since.

Be safe. But be properly informed.
 
This has been an interesting thread... and even given that I've been loading .45ACP for 30+ years... it was the first cartridge I loaded for. I'm kind of surprised at how much WST has been represented... I thought that was my own little 'ancient Chinese secret...' ;)
 
LiveLife said:
This is completely incorrect approach to reducing your blood lead level as discussed in detail in this thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-and-discussions.778197/page-11#post-12406408

Handling hard cast "lead alloy" bullets do not absorb lead through the skin (Even my doctor confirmed this). Ingesting lead and inhaling lead dust are two primary causes for rise in blood lead level.

And it doesn't matter whether you use completely copper plated bullets as most lead dust we inhale comes from primers. ;)

For me, my blood lead level increase came mostly from inhaling lead dust off the indoor range floor (They had near hurricane level ventilation system) picking up spent brass and handling/processing while dry tumbling. When I stopped shooting indoors and wore 3M respirator while handling/processing spent brass outdoors, my blood lead level dropped to normal and hasn't increased since.

Be safe. But be properly informed.
Click to expand...
Happy it’s reduced for you. Before all that were you experiencing any adverse symptoms? Warning signs?
 
I can't afford to shoot jacketed. I use cast LSWC in the 165-200 grain range. Powders are BE, HP38/231, WST.

I'm shooting offhand at 25 and 50 yards (B-8/B-6 targets).
 
Charlie98 said:
This has been an interesting thread... and even given that I've been loading .45ACP for 30+ years... it was the first cartridge I loaded for. I'm kind of surprised at how much WST has been represented... I thought that was my own little 'ancient Chinese secret...' ;)
Click to expand...
I’m surprised how underrepresented Red Dot is. Talk about an ancient secret. :feet:
 
CQB45ACP said:
Chill. I think he’s acknowledging that your admonishment is a good reminder to all of us.
Click to expand...
The way I read it, it sounded like he was taking what I said personal. To me it did sound like he thought I was saying he did something wrong which was not the case. If I'm incorrect I apologize.

One of the pitfalls of forums vs face to face conversation.
 
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