185 or 200 gr lswc's ?

rebs · August 25, 2013, 06:34 AM

For a 1911 45 acp do you guys prefer to reload 185 or 200 gr lswc's for target shooting ?

mikejonestkd · August 25, 2013, 08:38 AM

I use both for 185 and 200 grain bullets for bullseye shooting, but have a slight preference for 200 gr swc from mastercast.net.

Mike / Tx · August 25, 2013, 09:54 AM

I don't know yet, I just loaded up around 200 each of the 200gr in several loads to see what might shoot best. I might scrap them all, we'll see.

g.willikers · August 25, 2013, 10:09 AM

The 200 has worked so well, I haven't been tempted to even try anything else.

57K · August 25, 2013, 04:52 PM

200 gr. SWCs for me. It's shank is longer than the 185's and the noses are typically identical from the same manufacturer's molds. There are however, some nice 185s that you may see labeled as wadcutters rather than SWCs. That's because their nose is even shorter and you can build some very accurate loads with them. I have been experimenting with a 200 gr. SWC load that was mentioned here in this subforum. It's very accurate but a little faster than typical for 200 gr. SWC loads at around 915 FPS from my 4.5" Ruger SR45. My load is with the Mo. Bullet Co. 200 gr. SWC over 7.2 grs. of True Blue in assorted cases with a CCI-300 primer. Typically, I've been using ZIP, WST and W231 for lighter loads with the 200 gr. SWCs. WST gets raves for it's cleanliness and ZIP outperforms W231 when necessary while it also burns cleaner. The SR45 is pretty new so the 915 FPS is no problem since the Ruger handles recoil exceptionally well and the load is helping to accelerate the break-in and lightening of the striker spring that occurrs with the Ruger SRs.

spacecoast · August 25, 2013, 05:45 PM

Here's a picture of 225 gr. full wadcutters from Penn Bullets that I use in my 625-3 revolver. They cut beautiful big holes. I haven't tried them in a pistol yet.

dardascastbullets · August 25, 2013, 06:48 PM

Hi Rebs,

Typically, the 45200SWC is shot for the 'long line' (50 yards) slow fire and the 45185SWC is shot for the 'short line' rapid & timed fire. I did this because I was not concerned about the recovery time back onto the sights during the slow fire stage. Whereas recovery time onto the sights during timed and rapid fire is precious.

Matt

Nick_C_S · August 27, 2013, 08:29 PM

Quote:

mikejonestkd: I use both for 185 and 200 grain bullets for bullseye shooting, but have a slight preference for 200 gr swc

Exactly the same here.

Nick_C_S · August 27, 2013, 08:35 PM

Quote:

spacecoast: Here's a picture of 225 gr. full wadcutters from Penn Bullets that I use in my 625-3 revolver. They cut beautiful big holes. I haven't tried them in a pistol yet.

Those are neat!

Wreck-n-Crew · August 27, 2013, 09:25 PM

Currently using the 200 GRN LSWC with 6.0 GRNS of WSF for target. With a Taurus PT145 pro compact I dropped 97 of 100 in a 4" circle from 33'. Very similar to my full size Ruger P90.

That is as good as I can do with factory loads with the style of shooting I was doing.

Do have some 185 GRN JHP currently for SD but I Prefer a heavier GRN for SD not to mention a round proven to overcome the clogged HP problems associated with 45 acp.

Hornady Critical Duty and Critical Defense has a round that doesn't clog with clothing or bone and controlled expansion is good and uniform with minimal to no loss of weight. The HP contains a Rubber tipped plastic insert that makes all that come together beautifully.

I feel it's better to practice with a bullet in the same GRN and recoil as what you would use in JHP for SD if you use the same gun for SD.

IF your 45 is your range gun, go with what you like.

Also, though I currently have the LWSC I got those because of low supply due to the BIG BANG of 2013, my next order will be a RN or SWC for better feeding in the 1911 I plan on buying.

.

Idaho Spud · August 28, 2013, 02:51 PM

I prefer 200 gr. becuz that's the weight my only 45 mold drops. Actually 196 +/- with present alloy.

BobMitchell · August 28, 2013, 07:58 PM

I've been using 200 grain. Mostly, it's because they seem easier to find around here in the stores.

rodfac · August 30, 2013, 06:38 PM

I've always had better luck with the 200's, better accuracy, better functioning. Rod

Nick_C_S · August 30, 2013, 08:44 PM

Just so happens that I chronographed some of my 185 and 200g loads today. From a 1984 Colt "Series 80" 1911, 5" bbl:

200g LSWC; 5.0g W231: 778 FPS
200g JSWC; 5.6g W231: 845 FPS
200g JSWC; 9.0g HS-6 : 861 FPS <-- This round needs to go hotter.

185g JSWC; x.xg W231: 843 FPS <-- great round, but is over the Speer #14 manual, so I'm not publishing the grainage. No signs of pressure problems.
185g JHP; 9.8g HS-6 : 990 FPS
185g STHP Winchester Silver Tip factory round: 954 FPS

230g JFP; 5.6g W231: 809 FPS <-- Great round; very consistent; only 32 FPS from high to low.
230g Black Talon Winchester factory round: 889 FPS

Wreck-n-Crew · August 30, 2013, 10:23 PM

Quote:

200g JSWC; 5.6g W231: 845 FPS
200g JSWC; 9.0g HS-6 : 861 FPS <-- This round needs to go hotter.

Can't recall the last time I saw a 45 ACP JSWC bullet that wasn't stuffed in a casing from the factory!

Nick_C_S · August 30, 2013, 10:42 PM

The 200's are Speer 4475's. And the 185's are Speer 4473's. While I'm at it, the 230g JFP's are Hornady 451871's.

I load the 200's a lot. The 185's not as much.

August 25, 2013, 08:38 AM	#2
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,717	I use both for 185 and 200 grain bullets for bullseye shooting, but have a slight preference for 200 gr swc from mastercast.net. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

August 25, 2013, 09:54 AM	#3
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	I don't know yet, I just loaded up around 200 each of the 200gr in several loads to see what might shoot best. I might scrap them all, we'll see. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

August 25, 2013, 10:09 AM	#4
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	The 200 has worked so well, I haven't been tempted to even try anything else. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

August 25, 2013, 06:48 PM	#7
dardascastbullets Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Essexville, MI Posts: 164	Hi Rebs, Typically, the 45200SWC is shot for the 'long line' (50 yards) slow fire and the 45185SWC is shot for the 'short line' rapid & timed fire. I did this because I was not concerned about the recovery time back onto the sights during the slow fire stage. Whereas recovery time onto the sights during timed and rapid fire is precious. Matt __________________ Matt Dardas

August 27, 2013, 09:25 PM	#10
Wreck-n-Crew Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,820	Currently using the 200 GRN LSWC with 6.0 GRNS of WSF for target. With a Taurus PT145 pro compact I dropped 97 of 100 in a 4" circle from 33'. Very similar to my full size Ruger P90. That is as good as I can do with factory loads with the style of shooting I was doing. Do have some 185 GRN JHP currently for SD but I Prefer a heavier GRN for SD not to mention a round proven to overcome the clogged HP problems associated with 45 acp. Hornady Critical Duty and Critical Defense has a round that doesn't clog with clothing or bone and controlled expansion is good and uniform with minimal to no loss of weight. The HP contains a Rubber tipped plastic insert that makes all that come together beautifully. I feel it's better to practice with a bullet in the same GRN and recoil as what you would use in JHP for SD if you use the same gun for SD. IF your 45 is your range gun, go with what you like. Also, though I currently have the LWSC I got those because of low supply due to the BIG BANG of 2013, my next order will be a RN or SWC for better feeding in the 1911 I plan on buying. . __________________ If you ever have to use a firearm, *you don't get to pick the scenario!*

August 25, 2013, 06:34 AM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	185 or 200 gr lswc's ? For a 1911 45 acp do you guys prefer to reload 185 or 200 gr lswc's for target shooting ?

August 25, 2013, 04:52 PM	#5
57K Junior member Join Date: March 2, 2013 Location: Heart of Texas Posts: 788	200 gr. SWCs for me. It's shank is longer than the 185's and the noses are typically identical from the same manufacturer's molds. There are however, some nice 185s that you may see labeled as wadcutters rather than SWCs. That's because their nose is even shorter and you can build some very accurate loads with them. I have been experimenting with a 200 gr. SWC load that was mentioned here in this subforum. It's very accurate but a little faster than typical for 200 gr. SWC loads at around 915 FPS from my 4.5" Ruger SR45. My load is with the Mo. Bullet Co. 200 gr. SWC over 7.2 grs. of True Blue in assorted cases with a CCI-300 primer. Typically, I've been using ZIP, WST and W231 for lighter loads with the 200 gr. SWCs. WST gets raves for it's cleanliness and ZIP outperforms W231 when necessary while it also burns cleaner. The SR45 is pretty new so the 915 FPS is no problem since the Ruger handles recoil exceptionally well and the load is helping to accelerate the break-in and lightening of the striker spring that occurrs with the Ruger SRs.

August 25, 2013, 05:45 PM	#6
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Here's a picture of 225 gr. full wadcutters from Penn Bullets that I use in my 625-3 revolver. They cut beautiful big holes. I haven't tried them in a pistol yet.

August 28, 2013, 02:51 PM	#11
Idaho Spud Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2010 Posts: 330	I prefer 200 gr. becuz that's the weight my only 45 mold drops. Actually 196 +/- with present alloy. __________________ "I should have picked alcohol, drugs, or beating my wife..." Pete Rose

August 28, 2013, 07:58 PM	#12
BobMitchell Junior Member Join Date: August 24, 2013 Location: NC Posts: 4	I've been using 200 grain. Mostly, it's because they seem easier to find around here in the stores.

August 30, 2013, 06:38 PM	#13
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,624	I've always had better luck with the 200's, better accuracy, better functioning. Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

August 30, 2013, 08:44 PM	#14
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,524	Just so happens that I chronographed some of my 185 and 200g loads today. From a 1984 Colt "Series 80" 1911, 5" bbl: 200g LSWC; 5.0g W231: 778 FPS 200g JSWC; 5.6g W231: 845 FPS 200g JSWC; 9.0g HS-6 : 861 FPS <-- This round needs to go hotter. 185g JSWC; x.xg W231: 843 FPS <-- great round, but is over the Speer #14 manual, so I'm not publishing the grainage. No signs of pressure problems. 185g JHP; 9.8g HS-6 : 990 FPS 185g STHP Winchester Silver Tip factory round: 954 FPS 230g JFP; 5.6g W231: 809 FPS <-- Great round; very consistent; only 32 FPS from high to low. 230g Black Talon Winchester factory round: 889 FPS __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

August 30, 2013, 10:42 PM	#16
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,524	The 200's are Speer 4475's. And the 185's are Speer 4473's. While I'm at it, the 230g JFP's are Hornady 451871's. I load the 200's a lot. The 185's not as much. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association