What's your favorite plated 45 and load?

[bossman]

Where do you get your 45acp/colt plated bullets from? I don't even know if they make a 45 colt in a plated bullet, but I'm interested in a SWC 200 gr. 45 acp .

I use Universal Clays ,any load data with the plated SWC 200 gr.?

[m&p45acp10+1]

I do not use plated in .45 ACP I use cast lead. I like to use about 4.5 grains to 4.7 grains for Bull's Eye with 200 grain cast lead semi wad cutter. The data should work with plated as well. Trail Boss does will as long as you are not trying for scorcher velocities.

[overkill0084]

I don't do it often, but I have run 6.0 unique and 4.6 of Bullseye behind a 230 HSM plated. Most of the time I use Missouri Bullets 230 LRN. IMHO, the .45 acp is an ideal caliber for cast bullets. Low pressure, low velocity. Very little leading.

[BDS-THR]

I have had very good results with Berry's hollow base plated bullets (they are sized at .452"). The HB allows more bearing surface to stabilize with the rifling and obturate better for tighter seal with the bore for more consistent chamber pressures.

I am currently testing 185 gr HBRN that shares similar profile as the 230 gr RN. Powder Valley carries Berry's bullets at just about the lowest prices.

[bossman]

I've never tryed a 185 gr . That seems light for a 45 acp, whats the purpose of such a light load. I would think you load them down but how snappy are they?

[BDS-THR]

I initially did my testing using 200 gr load data. The hollow base allowed better obturation with lower powder charges and produce more consistent chamber pressures for improved accuracy of shot groups. Recoil was comparable (a bit lighter) to 200 gr SWC load using 5.0 gr of W231/HP38. Accuracy was very good and I plan on doing more testing with higher powder charges.

[gregjc9]

Berrys 200gr SWC with 5.7gr of W231, OAL of 1.245, works very nicely in my Kimbers.

[azphx55]

I was aiming for the load Greg mentions (Berry's 200 gr SWC over 5.7 of 231), but found that my Lee disk wants to drop 5.4gr, so I settled there with good results.

[scsov509]

I've never tryed a 185 gr . That seems light for a 45 acp, whats the purpose of such a light load. I would think you load them down but how snappy are they?

My local indoor range doesn't allow lead, so when i shoot there I load the 185 HBRN solely from a cost standpoint. Purchased at Powder Valley in bulk they're only slightly more expensive than cast bullets and therefore a good option for those times I must shoot plated/jacketed bullets.

That said, I typically shoot a cast 230 LRN over 4.6 grains of Bullseye in all my 1911's. When dropping to the plated 200 or 185 bullet I run them over the same charge to keep things simple, and I honestly don't think there's any noticible difference in recoil. Maybe 45 is too low pressure a round to have much recoil difference if the charge stays the same, or maybe it's just too negligible to notice in a big 3 lb steel frame 1911. For whatever reason, seems to me like recoil stays the same if the charge doesn't change. YMMV

[Dave R]

I use the 185gr. Berry's over 5.4gr. of Titegroup in my compact .45acp. That's a normal load, not downloaded. Shoots great. Recoil might be a bit less than a 230gr bullet, but I don't notice the difference.

[rwhit]

I use Berry's 230 RN over 4.6 gr of 700X in my M&P 45.
My favorite load is Nosler 185 jhp over 5.5 gr 700X. Super accurate.

[P97]

I load a lot of 230gr Golden Saber HP's with 6gr of Unique.

[Berry's MfG]

The 185gr HBRN is one of our best sellers, right behind the 230RN in the .45 caliber. I use the same load data for my 230RN and it shoots great as a soft load. Don't even have to change the recoil spring in the gun.