.45ACP Favorites

[BLTsandwedge]

I must be living right or something- I won a NIB Springfield 1911 through my local gun club's semi-annual raffle. The irony- some time ago I sold an identical machine for money to buy a S&W 610. And still have a half-zillion pieces of brass, the caliber conversion kit for my Square Deal, four 4-cavity moulds- 452389 (I believe that's the right number- discontinued 185g button-nose wadcutter) and 452630. The moulds still serve a S&W 625- as accurate a revolver as I've ever come across.

What I don't have is a memory; blessed with CRS disease. 452630 over 4.1g Clays is a fine target round in the 625. I'd believe it would hold true for the 1911. However, I'd very much appreciate hearing about favorite .45ACP recipes.

Thanks in advance!

Tom

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Hi, Congrats on your win. Some loading suggestions to consider; With a SWC design such as the H&G #68 or #130- 3.5 to 4.0 grains of Bullseye-depending on what the gun likes/does better with. 3.5 was the classic target load for many target shooters, but some folks think/thought that 4.0 does better with the wind and at 50 yards. I settled on 3.7 for my Gold Cup and issue 1911-A1. Other loading is 4-0 to 4.1 grains of Red Dot for round noses weighing 225-235 grains and it works very well in either revolvers such as 1917 and M25 as well a the semi-autos. Both Red Dot and Bullseye burn clean, MV with these loadings is moderate as well as the recoil. Good luck and good shooting. LLS

[Dale53]

I shoot a LOT of .45 ACP. Most of it, these days is with my 625's. However, in a five year period, I ran 75,000 rounds of full house .45's through my 1911 platforms.

My favorite target load is 4.0 grs of Bullseye (or equivalent). This load may require a lighter spring than stock.

Full power load is the H&G #68 ahead of 5.0 grs of Bullseye (about 850 fps depending on the gun) or 7.5 grs of Unique (close to 1000 fps). Either is a premier fighting load.

Do NOT use the 7.5 gr of Unique with the H&G #130 (it seats deeper in the case reducing case volume to the point it could damage your auto). I would back off a full grain with the #130.

These loads have proven to be exceptionally accurate in several autos and revolvers.

I size all .45's to .452" and use an alloy at least as hard as WW's + 2% Tin.

Dale53

[softpoint]

200 gr Lyman, 452460, 6gr. 231:-)

[yondering]

6.0 gr Universal with a 230gr RN boolit (not Lee's) is very accurate.
Miha's 452-200 HP is one of the best 45 boolits I've tried, and is more accurate than 200gr SWC's in my 1911. 7.5gr Unique for 1050 fps works well. 4.0gr Bullseye is a good standard for light 200gr loads as stated above.

[DanWalker]

4 grains of Red Dot under a LEE 200 gr TLSWC.

[pdawg_shooter]

240gr Lee RNFP-TL over 8.3gr off AA#5 in my Colt or my SIG works great!

[dk17hmr]

I use a 452460 200gr with 6.0gr of Winchester WST. Runs great in my 1911 and ok in my Kahr CW45.

[ChuckS1]

I use the same bullet in my wadgun with 3.8 grains of Bullseye. Might need a lighter recoil spring, but the 16 lb one that came with yours might work. if not, bump the charge up to 4.0 or even 4.2 grains. Great little bullet for 25 yards and very accurate.

[35remington]

I like the HG 68 pattern SWC's as well, and for practice I find 4.0 grains of Bullseye works well and is accurate. Clays also works in the same weight charge, but accuracy doesn't measure up to Bullseye. It does burn slightly cleaner.

For full power use with the same bullet, and being cheap, 5.0 grains Red Dot gets good velocities of over 920+ fps and provides a good approximation of a full power load. This powder gets high velocities for the charge weight. 4.0 grains obtains about 810 fps.

I'd very strongly recommend caution using 7.5 grains Unique with the same bullet, especially for frequent use. Actual chronographed velocity will be excessive.

Ask me how I know, if you're curious. 7.3 grains Unique with the Lee 200 HG pattern SWC netted 1150 fps.....rather too fast. If you've a chronograph, work up from well below and quit at 1000 fps or so as this is plenty powerful enough and doesn't abuse the pistol. Around 6.5 Unique gets that in my five inch 1911. Don't duplicate the charge unless you've got a chronograph and can confirm the velocity is not excessive; if you don't have a chronograph, don't go anywhere near the 7.5 grain charge.

Be wary of stated velocities with this powder, bullet and charge weight. I've found the load produces quite a bit more velocity than many think it does in my particular 45 ACP's.

Also, stay away from Lyman's data using a 230 grain bullet and an excessively heavy charge of Unique. This is that found in the 49th edition. That one WILL get you in trouble.

[BLTsandwedge]

Thanks kindly gents. The shooting I do includes bullseye target, missing plates (some call this game 'falling plates' but I don't know why) and the occasional game of pins. Light to moderate loads are what keep me happy- thanks also for the 'heads-up' on spring weights.

35remington, I do have a Chrony- they call the model 'Master Bater' or 'Master Beta' or some such thing. Haven't used it in a while but did plan to go through the drill with these loads that you gents were nice enough to offer.

dk17hmr, delighted with the WST load, thanks! Half a century ago I bought three or four pounds at a store closing for around $8 per. The only other mention of WST in .45 I could find is in Lee's latest book.

Thanks all- very much,

Tom

[fecmech]

Tom --3.8 of BE with that mould you have cuts a ragged hole at 25 yds out of my wad gun. It was a so-so 50 yd performer but never saw anything better at 25 and under.

[NickSS]

I use 4.8 gr of WST and a lee 200 gr SWCTL bullet in my 45s. Works great and is accurate in both my Ruger P90 and Kinber Elite.

[runfiverun]

5 grs titegroup is a bit snappy but 6 grs unique is pretty soft. and they are about the same velocity.
my powder dump is set at 5.8 grs unique it works nice with 200-250 gr boolits but won't cycle the action with a 160.

[dk17hmr]

I use a 452460 200gr with 6.0gr of Winchester WST. Runs great in my 1911 and ok in my Kahr CW45.

Sorry, I quoted the wrong powder. I use 6.0gr of WSF. 6.0gr of WST is well over max loading for the 45 acp. Im sorry.

[Alchemist]

Sorry, I quoted the wrong powder. I use 6.0gr of WSF. 6.0gr of WST is well over max loading for the 45 acp. Im sorry.


I'm not throwing stones or trying to condemn anyone...but this is why you should always doublecheck any load information with published data!!!

I consider internet load data obtained free from manufacturer's web sites just as reliable as what you get in a book that you pay for, so there's no excuse to not research the information to prevent a disaster.

It's just the smart thing to do.

[EMC45]

I run the Lee 230gr. TC bullet over 4.5gr. Bullseye. I have a stock SA 1911A1 MilSpec. I have an extra power 18lb Wilson Combat recoil spring in it. Shoots very good.

[broylz]

my current load is a 200gr LSWC from MissouriBullet.com with 6.0 Grains of Unique. this shoots well out of my SAI Stainless Mil-Spec. i dont have a chrono so i havent checked its velocity yet.