LEAST accurate loads you've ever made for a 1911 5" 45ACP

[guy_with_boolits]

just what the title says

looking for things that worked terribly, out of curiousity

maybe there arent any bad loads who knows

[nueces5]

RCBS 225 grains, RN PC
6,6 Power pistol, hot load, but very accurate

[guy_with_boolits]

RCBS 225 grains, RN PC
6,6 Power pistol, hot load, but very accurate

looking for least accurate

[GhostHawk]

Sorry don't have any. But if you really want not accurate under size your bullets 2-3 thousandths.

[gpidaho]

Lyman Foster slugs won't hit the barn if you're standing inside! Gp

[cowboy4evr]

I tried the LEE 225 gr TC design in my Sig 1911 . I had bought the 6 cav mold . Several were quite a bit undersize . I tried to powder coat to make up for the difference . The accuracy was horrible . But , before I wrote off the bullet I tried my usual 230 gr round nose ball loads . The accuracy came right back as all rounds was in the 9 and 10 ring @ 18 yards . Both rounds were loaded with WST . Just my experience , Regards Paul

[megasupermagnum]

A 230 gr FMJ with power pistol. Maybe 8" at 25 yards. It was so bad, I looked for keyholing bullets.

[guy_with_boolits]

A 230 gr FMJ with power pistol. Maybe 8" at 25 yards. It was so bad, I looked for keyholing bullets.

what explains this?

[megasupermagnum]

Power pistol most likely. It shoots horrible in every handgun I own.

[Win94ae]

Power pistol most likely. It shoots horrible in every handgun I own.

Power Pistol is the best pistol powder I've found; precise, fast, with lower pressures than the others I've used.



Any powder can give you bad groups, if I would have used the powder charge in one of the hits at the exterior of the ladder group, I'd get an 8 inch group too.

[fredj338]

Maybe we need a definition of least accurate. I dont think I have ever had a terrible load in my 1911s. Some better than others but nothing like 8" @ 25y. Most anything I can cobble together; lead, jacketed, plated or coated will shoot into 2" or so out to 25y.

[fredj338]

Power pistol most likely. It shoots horrible in every handgun I own.

I would suspect you load density? PP is not a target load powder. When you get well above midrange, pretty accurate in anything I tried.

[fredj338]

I tried the LEE 225 gr TC design in my Sig 1911 . I had bought the 6 cav mold . Several were quite a bit undersize . I tried to powder coat to make up for the difference . The accuracy was horrible . But , before I wrote off the bullet I tried my usual 230 gr round nose ball loads . The accuracy came right back as all rounds was in the 9 and 10 ring @ 18 yards . Both rounds were loaded with WST . Just my experience , Regards Paul

You ID the issue, bullets too small. I have a bunch of 45s, all will shoot 0.452" bullets better than I can hold.

[gwpercle]

Old single cavity (remember those) Lee mould , 230 grain, 1-R round nose , something about that boolit wasn't right ... from day one it never wanted to group properly , the load of 5.2 grains of Unique was taken from the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual #1 .
The Manual had RCBS # 45-230-RN , Unique powder (which I had )
start load - 5.0 grs. @ 724 fps / Max. load - 5.7 grs. @ 815 fps ... 5.0 grs. didn't give 100% functioning of my 1911 so upped charge to 5.2 grains and got 100% reliable ...But ...
No two holes touched ... at 50 feet !!! and I was a good shot back then !!!
I tried other charges but it never grouped ... I suspect the boolit design was wonky .

Lyman # 452460 over that same charge of 5.2 grs. Unique won me a First Place Trophy in a 1911 Match !

[nueces5]

I am from Argentina, I did the tests with my own boolits with a PC layer. Size 452. The max OAL I was able to load into the mag. And the best load was with Power pistol. I started with 7.4, but it felt very powerful, so I lowered it to 6.6 with the same result. You can see my photos here.

https://elforodeltirador.com/forum/i...2387#msg572387

[megasupermagnum]

I would suspect you load density? PP is not a target load powder. When you get well above midrange, pretty accurate in anything I tried.

I don't have my notes in front of me, but it was data straight from Alliant. A quick search shows a likely max of 8.1gr. I probably started around 6.5 grains. Like I said, worst powder I ever used. I've tried it in 327 federal, 357 magnum 41 magnum, 44 magnum, 9mm luger, 45 acp, and likely more. I burned 3/4 of a pound of it, and never got even so-so accuracy. I don't intend on ever using it again. It was the worst I ever tried in 45 acp.

[megasupermagnum]

I am from Argentina, I did the tests with my own boolits with a PC layer. Size 452. The max OAL I was able to load into the mag. And the best load was with Power pistol. I started with 7.4, but it felt very powerful, so I lowered it to 6.6 with the same result. You can see my photos here.

https://elforodeltirador.com/forum/i...2387#msg572387

I don't mean this as any insult or put down at all, but that is 8-10 meters. I have good loads with better powder that does that at 25 yards or more. Try American Select powder if you can get it.

[nueces5]

I understand the point
I am not the best shooter, nor do I have the best pistol, it is a 1952 service pistol
When I tested those charges, I was amazed at how much better power pistol was, keeping all the other components.
And I don't think I can get american select, but if it shows up, I'm sure I'll put the glove on it
regards

[John Boy]

Ever try a group with just a primer?

[45DUDE]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^now that is funnyActually I have a few times. They were all in the same hole.<the barrel>