What is your favorite 45 acp handload

[trickyasafox]

double tap. . . three minutes later? don't see that much.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

5.0 gr bullseye under a 230gr bullet.

 

[jhansman]

5.7gr. of Titegroup under a 200gr. SWC is my current favorite, but I'm at the front end of this as a recent .45ACP loader. I also use 5.4 gr. of W231.

 

[RugerOldArmy]

5.0 gr bullseye under a 230gr bullet.

+1 , That's my regular hardball load.

I also like:

• 4.2 gr Bullseye and a 200 Gr. LSWC
• 9.4 gr Power Pistol and a 185 Gr Nosler JHP (In case the wrong dogs come home.)

 

[KeithB]

I have a bunch of loading manuals , but love these threads, it's like brain storming, and getting new ideas. Also to see if others are actually using the loads in the manuals and what guns they use them in.

 

[murph50]

I have been loading 230gr xtreme RN with 4.5 grns of Bullseye with the OAL of 1.270. Shoots great through my 1911 and XD 45

 

[Khornet]

My faves

200 gr JHP, CCI large pistol primer, AA#5 9.7 gr, OAL 1.225.
Averages 920 fps from my S&W 1911 Sc, with SD of 17. 376 ft lb, functions fine. That's a max load according to several of my manuals, so work up to it. That's my carry load.

For practice with a load which has similar recoil, AA#5 9.2 gr, Rainier 185 gr plated flat point bullet, same primer. Average velocity 924 fps.

For targets in my Gold Cup with a reduced-power spring, a 200 gr LSWC with 3.7 gr Bullseye, same primer, 1.257 OAL. Very comfy to shoot and accurate.

I have used Unique 7.0 gr with the Rainier bullet as well, OAL same as the other practice load above, same primer, with good results.

Keep in mind that those chrono values are from a Commander-size pistol, so you will get higher velocities from a full-length barrel.

 

[buenhec]

Khornet, what is the velocity with the unique? Thats a pretty hot load. From what I have been told 6.5 is pushing it.

 

[Tigagreen]

I've been reloading for about 3 years. Have a half dozen books and caliber guides, but still find a need to ask what others do since none of the books have my exact combination of bullet/powder listed.

I like Bullseye. All I have been using and want to test some others.

My fav is 5.0gr Bullseye with 185gr Nosler HP.
I'm also fond of 5.3gr Bullseye with 230gr Rainer HP.

I want to find some Ramshot True Blue and Power Pistol to see how that works with these particular bullets.

Do I have to worry about plating separation with Rainer? I like mild but I would like to get close to a factory Load.

 

[geo57]

Tigagren, though I've been reloading for 35 years, I do not profess to be any sort of authority or expert. I do feel however your 5.3 gr. Bullseye load with any 230 gr. plated or jacketed bullet may be just a tad over factory ballistics ( and recoil if that's your concern ) . Alliant suggests 5 . 0 grs. max. with 230 gr. FMJ . I'd start with 4. 5 grs. myself & see what fuction and accuracy you acheive, & from there work up slightly if I thought too mild. Hope this helps. Load safe & enjoy.

 

[geo57]

Forgot to include : As long as you don't over crimp, plating seperation should not be an issue. You never want to cut the plating. My .45 acp loads taper crimp to just the point of leaving a very slight mark on the projectile, nothing deeper . Many loaders get by just fine by only crimping to the point of removing the flare on the case mouth. Hope this helps.

 

[Tigagreen]

Geo57 Thanks for the input. I did start out at 10% under the FMJ recommendation. (4.5g), as I've seen recommendations to start with Lead bullet data or 10% under on FMJ suggestions.

I thought that the 4.5 was very mild, and started to bump it up. Maybe I did go to far... To be honest it was just fine at 4.5g. Accurate and always cycled well. I just want something that feels like my Self-defense load in my practice load.

I usually only crimp enough to take out the flare. (1/2 turn on Lee Factory Crimp Die)

Suggestions, input always welcome. I only consider myself a novice at reloading.

 

[geo57]

Tiagreen, you are quite welcome. As a side note for .45 acp loadings, for years before switching to Unique, I used Red Dot which has a burn rate pretty close to Bullseye . Alliant says 5.0 grs. of Red Dot is max w/ 230 FMJ. I settled on 4.8 for right at 800 FPS from 5 " bbls . I've loaded for oodles of different cartridges over the years, but now just 45-70, .45acp, .44 mag ( 3 different levels ) and .357 mag. ( 2 different levels ) .

 

[The-Fly]

My 45 load

5.2 to 5.3 gr of W231, with a 230gr RN lead bullet. Does about 850fps out of my 5" XD.

 

[Mark whiz]

For my Springfield Mil-Spec 1911, my favorite target load is:

200gr Ranier PSWC over 9.6gr of AA#5 OAL 1.258"

Shoots half inch groups all day long.

 

[nelson133]

Here's another vote for 5.3-5.5 grains of 231. I use either 230 grain round nose or 200 grain long nose swc. 1.270 is a little long for some of my guns, especially in the round nose so I load to 1.230.