45 ACP target loads

dlb435 · June 25, 2010, 05:16 PM

I picked up a nice Colt Gold Cup National Match last week. The gun is set up for target loads. I plan on using 185 gr. SWC bullets. What is a good load for this gun. I'm looking for about 750~800 fps. It has the light load spring. Colt recomends changing this out to the standard spring if regular loads are to be used. I only plan on using it as a target pistol.
I usually use Win. 231 but I'm willing to look at other powders.

zippy13 · June 25, 2010, 07:45 PM

You didn't mention the specific bullet type (cast, swaged or jacketed) but, assuming you're going with cast SWCs (185 to 200 gr), the old school target load of 3.5 gr of Bullseye works well in my Gold Cup. A load of 3.9 gr of 231 gives virtually identical velocities.

dlb435 · June 25, 2010, 08:33 PM

Wow! Thats a lot less than I thought. I was guessing about 5.1 gr. of 231 (the min. load listed for 185 gr. bullet) How are your groups at 25 yards?

CrustyFN · June 25, 2010, 09:04 PM

If you want to try a different powder then try WST. I load 4.8 grains under a home cast 200 grain LSWC. Accurate and very clean.

steve4102 · June 25, 2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

If you want to try a different powder then try WST. I load 4.8 grains under a home cast 200 grain LSWC. Accurate and very clean.

This!

zippy13 · June 26, 2010, 12:56 AM

Quote:

I was guessing about 5.1 gr. of 231 (the min. load listed for 185 gr. bullet)

The 3.5 gr of Bullseye and 3.9 gr of 231 are from Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook.

Typical load data are based on presenting the hottest safe loads, and tend to ignore the low end. I think you'll find that most load tables don't have a minimum load, but list a starting load -- there's a significant difference. Many of the sources are based on data provided by the powder manufacturers. So, it's not surprising that they omit the lighter loads -- they are in the business of selling powder, not saving shooters' dollars.

dlb435 · June 30, 2010, 08:35 PM

I ended up loading 4.1 gr. of Titegroup with a 185 gr. hollow point bullet and got very good relusts. Recoil is very low but the rounds hit very consistantly. Ended up trashing three rounds before I got the dies set right. The gun cycled very well; no stove pipes or failure to load. Looks like I've got the load I want. Thanks for the help!

June 25, 2010, 05:16 PM	#1
dlb435 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 654	45 ACP target loads I picked up a nice Colt Gold Cup National Match last week. The gun is set up for target loads. I plan on using 185 gr. SWC bullets. What is a good load for this gun. I'm looking for about 750~800 fps. It has the light load spring. Colt recomends changing this out to the standard spring if regular loads are to be used. I only plan on using it as a target pistol. I usually use Win. 231 but I'm willing to look at other powders.

June 25, 2010, 09:04 PM	#4
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	If you want to try a different powder then try WST. I load 4.8 grains under a home cast 200 grain LSWC. Accurate and very clean. __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

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June 25, 2010, 07:45 PM	#2
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	You didn't mention the specific bullet type (cast, swaged or jacketed) but, assuming you're going with cast SWCs (185 to 200 gr), the old school target load of 3.5 gr of Bullseye works well in my Gold Cup. A load of 3.9 gr of 231 gives virtually identical velocities.

June 25, 2010, 08:33 PM	#3
dlb435 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 654	Wow! Thats a lot less than I thought. I was guessing about 5.1 gr. of 231 (the min. load listed for 185 gr. bullet) How are your groups at 25 yards?

June 30, 2010, 08:35 PM	#7
dlb435 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 654	I ended up loading 4.1 gr. of Titegroup with a 185 gr. hollow point bullet and got very good relusts. Recoil is very low but the rounds hit very consistantly. Ended up trashing three rounds before I got the dies set right. The gun cycled very well; no stove pipes or failure to load. Looks like I've got the load I want. Thanks for the help!