OPinions on 230 grain bullet for .45 ACP

spleify · August 18, 2009, 11:05 PM

Hi all. I have a Springfield Armory, 1911 .45 ACP. I have always in the past loaded 185 gr bullets, but I can not for the life of me find any around. The only bullets I can find are 230 gr. Anyone have any experience or opinions on the 230 gr bullet for my 1911?

Thanks

zoomie · August 18, 2009, 11:09 PM

230 is kinda the standard for .45 1911s. Is yours a Commander or longer barrel? (Some people like lighter bullets for shorter barrels.) Gold Dots, HydraShocks, etc are all good SD choices.

spleify · August 18, 2009, 11:32 PM

Thanks, it is the longer barrel. Standard, I believe 5"

Well I guess I should feel comfortable purchasing them then.

Thanks

Crankylove · August 18, 2009, 11:38 PM

I load 200 and 230 grain in my 5" and 3" .45's. The 1911 was originally designed to use the 230 FMJ, and it has been around since then, so I would say there is nothing to worry about. You may have a little more felt recoil with the 230's compared to the 185's, and it will probably affect your point of impact, but as far as being ok for the gun, you should have zero problems.

spleify · August 18, 2009, 11:53 PM

Excellant!! Thanks as always folks.

CrankLove, what do you mean by "it will probably affect your point of impact"?

Thanks

Crankylove · August 19, 2009, 12:52 AM

The different bullets weights will have different trajectories, different velocities (probably), may need to load with a different powder (depending on where you get your load data), will most likely be seated a little deeper,etc. Any one of those things can affect the accuracy/point of impact.

QBall45 · August 19, 2009, 05:05 AM

The 1911 was designed and built to shoot the 230gr fmj ball type ammo. Its just a nice coincidence that most 1911's will feed just about anything. (Some have been known to feed empty brass from the mag)

Dustin0 · August 19, 2009, 07:58 AM

If you want 185 Grain bullets you can get them here.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=137180228

I have bought from him before. There pretty good. I like Montana gold better. But this guy ships fast.

jrinne0430 · August 19, 2009, 08:24 AM

Another good source of 180gr is here:
http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/main....1.qscstrfrnt01

margiesex · August 19, 2009, 08:53 AM

230's are all I load for my Gold Cup - Either the Remington Golden Saber - 230 JHP, or the Win. JHP 230 are excellent - they have almost the exact same shape, so my seating die sets both of them equally well.

However - they are a HUGE pain in the neck to get. I have had 2000 on order from Midway since December of last year. Over 220 orders for the groups of 500, aka they have about a million on order.

I understand from Remington that the Golden Saber Midway sells is made expressly for Midway - at least that's what Rem. told me anyway.

I push them with a CCI large pistol primer and 4.9 of Bullseye. I should really change my username to Alliant Guy, 'cause that's all I use!

God bless and good shooting

Margiesex

And remember - Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and soon!

CowTowner · August 19, 2009, 08:55 AM

Just another source for 230 and 185 grain bullets:
http://www.rozedist.com/mm5/merchant...Code=ZBJ-45ACP

spleify · August 19, 2009, 09:05 AM

Thanks very much guys!

I just wanted to be sure and ask before I did anything.

According to my Nosler reloading book, it has a recommendation for the 230gr, and says I can use the W231 powder that I already have, and have been using for my 185gr bullets.

Thanks folks

spleify · August 19, 2009, 09:10 AM

These are the bullets that I can find locally. They are in boxes of 250 for $36.

http://www.berrysmfg.com/product.asp...&pp=8&sb=0&p=0

They are .452, does anyone see an issue with that. Pretty much everything I see is .451.

Thanks

spleify · August 19, 2009, 09:12 AM

Oh and does anyone have any opinions about the W231 that I am using?

Thanks

Nightowl · August 19, 2009, 10:51 AM

Two handloads I used with my .45 ACP Combat Commander were as follows:

1) Gov't. brass, a 230gr. round nose lead bullet pushed by 5.2 gr. W-231 and a CCI-300 primer.

2) Gov't. brass, a 210gr. swc lead bullet pushed by 5.0 gr. W-231 and a CCI-300 primer.

Both loads worked well. The data, however, is from data used in the early 80's, but appear comparable to data in the 49th edition of the Lyman Reloading Handbook.

Hope this info is useful to you.....

BigJimP · August 19, 2009, 11:34 AM

I load 230gr jacketed bullets exclusively for my .45 acp .... / I prefer Montana Gold bullets - you can order off their website.

my powder choice is Hodgdon TiteGroup.

kraigwy · August 19, 2009, 11:44 AM

I use the 230 in my 45s, I tried the lighter bullets and I cant seem to shoot them as well.

I cast all my pistol bullets (except for a few 230 grn FMJ required in EIC matches),

I haven't found a 185 or 200 grain mold that shoots as well as my 230 grn mold.

Mark whiz · August 19, 2009, 01:07 PM

ACTUALLY - from what I've heard in the past, the model 1911 was designed by JMB to use 200gr bullets................it was the Military that stipulated the use of the 230gr bullet as the standard.
But obviously 230gr rounds work great too......................but I know in my Springer 1911 G.I. it is the 200gr models that shoot the best groups.

I've loaded 230gr XTPs, Golden Sabers, and MagTech plated SWCs with varying degrees of success, but Win 231 never ended up being my most accurate powder. AA#5, Red Dot, and IMR 700-X have given me my best accuracy with 230gr bullets.

August 18, 2009, 11:05 PM	#1
spleify Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 151	OPinions on 230 grain bullet for .45 ACP Hi all. I have a Springfield Armory, 1911 .45 ACP. I have always in the past loaded 185 gr bullets, but I can not for the life of me find any around. The only bullets I can find are 230 gr. Anyone have any experience or opinions on the 230 gr bullet for my 1911? Thanks

August 18, 2009, 11:38 PM	#4
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 8B ID Posts: 1,753	I load 200 and 230 grain in my 5" and 3" .45's. The 1911 was originally designed to use the 230 FMJ, and it has been around since then, so I would say there is nothing to worry about. You may have a little more felt recoil with the 230's compared to the 185's, and it will probably affect your point of impact, but as far as being ok for the gun, you should have zero problems. __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

August 19, 2009, 12:52 AM	#6
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 8B ID Posts: 1,753	The different bullets weights will have different trajectories, different velocities (probably), may need to load with a different powder (depending on where you get your load data), will most likely be seated a little deeper,etc. Any one of those things can affect the accuracy/point of impact. __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

August 19, 2009, 08:53 AM	#10
margiesex Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2009 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 210	All I load... 230's are all I load for my Gold Cup - Either the Remington Golden Saber - 230 JHP, or the Win. JHP 230 are excellent - they have almost the exact same shape, so my seating die sets both of them equally well. However - they are a HUGE pain in the neck to get. I have had 2000 on order from Midway since December of last year. Over 220 orders for the groups of 500, aka they have about a million on order. I understand from Remington that the Golden Saber Midway sells is made expressly for Midway - at least that's what Rem. told me anyway. I push them with a CCI large pistol primer and 4.9 of Bullseye. I should really change my username to Alliant Guy, 'cause that's all I use! God bless and good shooting Margiesex And remember - Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and soon!

August 19, 2009, 08:55 AM	#11
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 1,747	Just another source for 230 and 185 grain bullets: http://www.rozedist.com/mm5/merchant...Code=ZBJ-45ACP __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearms Safety, Pistol and Rifle Instructor *“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life......”* President John F. Kennedy

August 18, 2009, 11:09 PM	#2
zoomie Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: GA Posts: 1,864	230 is kinda the standard for .45 1911s. Is yours a Commander or longer barrel? (Some people like lighter bullets for shorter barrels.) Gold Dots, HydraShocks, etc are all good SD choices.

August 18, 2009, 11:32 PM	#3
spleify Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 151	Thanks, it is the longer barrel. Standard, I believe 5" Well I guess I should feel comfortable purchasing them then. Thanks

August 18, 2009, 11:53 PM	#5
spleify Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 151	Excellant!! Thanks as always folks. CrankLove, what do you mean by "it will probably affect your point of impact"? Thanks

August 19, 2009, 05:05 AM	#7
QBall45 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2008 Location: South Central Minnesota Posts: 584	The 1911 was designed and built to shoot the 230gr fmj ball type ammo. Its just a nice coincidence that most 1911's will feed just about anything. (Some have been known to feed empty brass from the mag)

August 19, 2009, 07:58 AM	#8
Dustin0 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2008 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 701	If you want 185 Grain bullets you can get them here. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=137180228 I have bought from him before. There pretty good. I like Montana gold better. But this guy ships fast.

August 19, 2009, 08:24 AM	#9
jrinne0430 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 298	Another good source of 180gr is here: http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/main....1.qscstrfrnt01

August 19, 2009, 09:05 AM	#12
spleify Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 151	Thanks very much guys! I just wanted to be sure and ask before I did anything. According to my Nosler reloading book, it has a recommendation for the 230gr, and says I can use the W231 powder that I already have, and have been using for my 185gr bullets. Thanks folks

August 19, 2009, 09:10 AM	#13
spleify Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 151	These are the bullets that I can find locally. They are in boxes of 250 for $36. http://www.berrysmfg.com/product.asp...&pp=8&sb=0&p=0 They are .452, does anyone see an issue with that. Pretty much everything I see is .451. Thanks

August 19, 2009, 09:12 AM	#14
spleify Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 151	Oh and does anyone have any opinions about the W231 that I am using? Thanks

August 19, 2009, 10:51 AM	#15
Nightowl Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2009 Location: New England Posts: 113	Two handloads I used with my .45 ACP Combat Commander were as follows: 1) Gov't. brass, a 230gr. round nose lead bullet pushed by 5.2 gr. W-231 and a CCI-300 primer. 2) Gov't. brass, a 210gr. swc lead bullet pushed by 5.0 gr. W-231 and a CCI-300 primer. Both loads worked well. The data, however, is from data used in the early 80's, but appear comparable to data in the 49th edition of the Lyman Reloading Handbook. Hope this info is useful to you..... __________________ Nightowl NRA Life Member & GOAL Supporter Proud Veteran Always - Safety First!

August 19, 2009, 11:34 AM	#16
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I load 230gr jacketed bullets exclusively for my .45 acp .... / I prefer Montana Gold bullets - you can order off their website. my powder choice is Hodgdon TiteGroup.

August 19, 2009, 11:44 AM	#17
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I use the 230 in my 45s, I tried the lighter bullets and I cant seem to shoot them as well. I cast all my pistol bullets (except for a few 230 grn FMJ required in EIC matches), I haven't found a 185 or 200 grain mold that shoots as well as my 230 grn mold. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

August 19, 2009, 01:07 PM	#18
Mark whiz Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Wabash, IN Posts: 227	ACTUALLY - from what I've heard in the past, the model 1911 was designed by JMB to use 200gr bullets................it was the Military that stipulated the use of the 230gr bullet as the standard. But obviously 230gr rounds work great too......................but I know in my Springer 1911 G.I. it is the 200gr models that shoot the best groups. I've loaded 230gr XTPs, Golden Sabers, and MagTech plated SWCs with varying degrees of success, but Win 231 never ended up being my most accurate powder. AA#5, Red Dot, and IMR 700-X have given me my best accuracy with 230gr bullets. __________________ "Every moving thing that liveth, I give unto you as meat" (Gen 9:3) Aim small.........miss small. Trust God..........but keep your powder dry!