Help with 200 swc .45 target load.

zanemoseley · November 9, 2014, 03:09 PM

I'm reloading my first batch of .45 acp loads using my own cast 200 swc boolits, they actually weight 205 grains and have been sized to .452.

I have 100 cases cleaned, resized and primed with CCI LPP. I have 2 pounds of bullseye powder. Alliant has a 200 swc recipe with CCI primers and 4.6 grains of Bullseye that is published at 806fps from a 4.4" barrel.

I see some people using lighter 200swc loads using 4 grains of bullseye resulting fps in the mid 700's. What do you guys think I should load. It will be strictly for target work with a springfield armory range officer.

243winxb · November 9, 2014, 07:53 PM

http://www.bullseyeforum.net/t3341-4...-can-do-you-go 45 acp - Using Bullseye- 3.5 gr Speer 200gr 665 fps / 211 cast 680 fps. Go to 3.8 for 50 yds Speer 200 gr 714 fps / 211 cast 724 fps. Go to 4.4 gr Speer 200 gr 799 fps / 211 gr cast 799 fps also. From my old data in 1979 when i had a chronograph. Currently using 3.8 gr Bullseye with 200gr cast in Starline brass & WLP. Bullet on left. [IMG]

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Urban_Redneck · November 9, 2014, 08:16 PM

4.0 might be light with the stock springs, load 10 and test before producing a bunch. My stock R.0. runs best when I push 200gr SWC over 800fps.

FWIW, CMC Power Mags worked much better with SWC vs standard GI style mags.

:v:

Crankylove · November 9, 2014, 10:35 PM

I load 5 1/2 grains of Bullseye and 200 grain LSWC. Can't remember off the top of my head, wanna say I am getting 900-925 fps...........but not sure.

It's a little warmer load, but shoots well in my 1911 and Blackhawk.

Nick_C_S · November 9, 2014, 11:31 PM

Your 4.6g of B'eye sounds right on the money to me.

My go to for 45 ACP (through a 5" bbl 1911) is the 200g LSWC. It's a great bullet and my gun is very happy digesting them and putting them exactly where I aim.

W231 happens to be my propellant of choice; and my two recipes is 4.6g and 5.0g - they are both accuracy node points (for my gun). I happened to have chronographed the 5.0g (778 fps). But I've never done the 4.6g - doesn't matter - both recipes accurate and I don't shoot 45 ACP for competition (not concerned with making "major" or whatever - I'm not even sure what that means). How fast they're going is of little concern to me. The fact that I can shoot the eyebrow off a gnat at 10 yards with them does.

I do plan on doing work ups using B'eye (due to running low on W231), but I haven't gotten to it yet. May be a project for this winter's loading season. But once I do, it would not surprise me at all if the work up lands on 4.6g.

Just to circle back: 200g LSWC's and inherently accurate and Bullseye is a natural choice - a great combination. You're definitely on the right track. Well done.

Urban_Redneck · November 10, 2014, 09:30 AM

" I don't shoot 45 ACP for competition (not concerned with making "major" or whatever - I'm not even sure what that means)."

FYI

Power factor is, velocity(fps) X bullet weight (grains) / 1000

"Major" power factor for USPSA and IDPA is 165. To make major with a 200gr bullet you need to drive it 825fps.

Now you know

pete2 · November 10, 2014, 10:28 AM

4.2 with the 200 gr cast is and old stand by. Cycles my guns with the 16lb spring. Also very accurate in most guns.

243winxb · November 10, 2014, 10:35 AM

The only reason to down load from 4.6 gr is for timed and rapid fire, that is a course of fire in Bullseye competition. Small adjustment in the amount of powder may make for better accuracy. Test at 50 yards. The Speer 200 gr is a soft alloy swaged bullet.

Nick_C_S · November 10, 2014, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Power factor is, velocity(fps) X bullet weight (grains) / 1000

"Major" power factor for USPSA and IDPA is 165. To make major with a 200gr bullet you need to drive it 825fps.

Thanks Urban Redneck. The "power factor" part, I knew; as I do shoot IDPA. But I shoot revolver. (I don't shoot USPSA.) So it was the "major" part that I didn't know. I had a good idea what it was, just wasn't something I've ever bothered to look into. Thanks again.

GeauxTide · November 10, 2014, 09:34 PM

For 200 SWC, I've used 7.0gr of Unique for longer than I like to remember. Stays in the 10 ring at 50' from rest and one or two cut the 9 ring offhand.

RickB · November 11, 2014, 07:03 PM

I'd expect a 200@700+ load to need a lighter recoil spring.
I use a 14# for 200@850, and it might work for loads lighter than that, but a 12# would probably give more reliable ejection, as long as you get reliable feeding, too.

Nick_C_S · November 11, 2014, 08:32 PM

Quote:

I'd expect a 200@700+ load to need a lighter recoil spring.

My above-mentioned 4.6g & 5.0g W231 cycle fine on a stock (16.5 Lb) recoil spring (full size Colt 1911). The 5.0g chronos at 778 fps; not sure about the 4.6g - probably in the 740-750 fps range, if I had to guess.

Jim Watson · November 11, 2014, 08:45 PM

A 200 gr SWC + 4.0 gr Bullseye will usually function a 1911.
Try some.
If they don't work in yours, either increase the powder charge or get a softer recoil spring.

November 9, 2014, 03:09 PM	#1
zanemoseley Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2014 Posts: 163	Help with 200 swc .45 target load. I'm reloading my first batch of .45 acp loads using my own cast 200 swc boolits, they actually weight 205 grains and have been sized to .452. I have 100 cases cleaned, resized and primed with CCI LPP. I have 2 pounds of bullseye powder. Alliant has a 200 swc recipe with CCI primers and 4.6 grains of Bullseye that is published at 806fps from a 4.4" barrel. I see some people using lighter 200swc loads using 4 grains of bullseye resulting fps in the mid 700's. What do you guys think I should load. It will be strictly for target work with a springfield armory range officer.

November 9, 2014, 07:53 PM	#2
243winxb Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2011 Location: USA Posts: 1,730	45 acp 200gr cast bullets http://www.bullseyeforum.net/t3341-4...-can-do-you-go 45 acp - Using Bullseye- 3.5 gr Speer 200gr 665 fps / 211 cast 680 fps. Go to 3.8 for 50 yds Speer 200 gr 714 fps / 211 cast 724 fps. Go to 4.4 gr Speer 200 gr 799 fps / 211 gr cast 799 fps also. From my old data in 1979 when i had a chronograph. Currently using 3.8 gr Bullseye with 200gr cast in Starline brass & WLP. Bullet on left. [IMG][/IMG] Last edited by 243winxb; November 9, 2014 at 08:36 PM. Reason: add photo

November 9, 2014, 10:35 PM	#4
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 8B ID Posts: 1,753	I load 5 1/2 grains of Bullseye and 200 grain LSWC. Can't remember off the top of my head, wanna say I am getting 900-925 fps...........but not sure. It's a little warmer load, but shoots well in my 1911 and Blackhawk. __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

November 9, 2014, 11:31 PM	#5
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,522	Your 4.6g of B'eye sounds right on the money to me. My go to for 45 ACP (through a 5" bbl 1911) is the 200g LSWC. It's a great bullet and my gun is very happy digesting them and putting them exactly where I aim. W231 happens to be my propellant of choice; and my two recipes is 4.6g and 5.0g - they are both accuracy node points (for my gun). I happened to have chronographed the 5.0g (778 fps). But I've never done the 4.6g - doesn't matter - both recipes accurate and I don't shoot 45 ACP for competition (not concerned with making "major" or whatever - I'm not even sure what that means). How fast they're going is of little concern to me. The fact that I can shoot the eyebrow off a gnat at 10 yards with them does. I do plan on doing work ups using B'eye (due to running low on W231), but I haven't gotten to it yet. May be a project for this winter's loading season. But once I do, it would not surprise me at all if the work up lands on 4.6g. Just to circle back: 200g LSWC's and inherently accurate and Bullseye is a natural choice - a great combination. You're definitely on the right track. Well done. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

November 9, 2014, 08:16 PM	#3
Urban_Redneck Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Posts: 73	4.0 might be light with the stock springs, load 10 and test before producing a bunch. My stock R.0. runs best when I push 200gr SWC over 800fps. FWIW, CMC Power Mags worked much better with SWC vs standard GI style mags. :v:

November 10, 2014, 09:30 AM	#6
Urban_Redneck Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Posts: 73	" I don't shoot 45 ACP for competition (not concerned with making "major" or whatever - I'm not even sure what that means)." FYI Power factor is, velocity(fps) X bullet weight (grains) / 1000 "Major" power factor for USPSA and IDPA is 165. To make major with a 200gr bullet you need to drive it 825fps. Now you know

November 10, 2014, 10:28 AM	#7
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	4.2 with the 200 gr cast is and old stand by. Cycles my guns with the 16lb spring. Also very accurate in most guns.

November 10, 2014, 10:35 AM	#8
243winxb Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2011 Location: USA Posts: 1,730	The only reason to down load from 4.6 gr is for timed and rapid fire, that is a course of fire in Bullseye competition. Small adjustment in the amount of powder may make for better accuracy. Test at 50 yards. The Speer 200 gr is a soft alloy swaged bullet.

November 10, 2014, 09:34 PM	#10
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	For 200 SWC, I've used 7.0gr of Unique for longer than I like to remember. Stays in the 10 ring at 50' from rest and one or two cut the 9 ring offhand.

November 11, 2014, 07:03 PM	#11
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I'd expect a 200@700+ load to need a lighter recoil spring. I use a 14# for 200@850, and it might work for loads lighter than that, but a 12# would probably give more reliable ejection, as long as you get reliable feeding, too.

November 11, 2014, 08:45 PM	#13
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	A 200 gr SWC + 4.0 gr Bullseye will usually function a 1911. Try some. If they don't work in yours, either increase the powder charge or get a softer recoil spring.