Practice load for .45 auto

Ankeny · November 7, 1999, 07:42 PM

I haven't handloaded for .45 Auto in years. I just bought a stainless Kimber Gold Match and I am wondering if any of you guys can recommend a load. Yeah, I know the manuals are full of data, bit I thought perhaps there is an old standby that I ought to try.

BTW, I had my Kimber fail to feed constantly with 230 copper plated loads from American Ammunition. My buddy shot them up in his Glock. Is there anything a Glock won't digest? Good grief, I hate the taste of humble pie...especially when served up in polymer.

plateshooter · November 7, 1999, 09:28 PM

My favorite plate load, in fact the only load I use is 5gr Red Dot with a 230 Win fmj.
It's pleasant to shoot and very accurate for my gun.

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Good shootin to ya
Plateshooter

Art Eatman · November 8, 1999, 12:10 AM

Back when I shot IPSC, I used 5.8 gr 231 behind a 200-gr SWC lead...Or around 4.0 of Bullseye with a 185-gr jacketed as a nice plinker.

If the feed ramp has a nice polish on it, and the magazine lips are right, any Colt or clone oughta dang near feed empty cases.

Stephen A. Camp · November 8, 1999, 08:09 AM

Hello. I suggest a 225 gr CRN or 230 gr FMJ over 5.0 gr Bullseye. For a nice, light load that will work with standard springs, 4.2 gr Bullseye with a 200 gr SWC is nice. All of these have proven accurate for me. Best.

WESHOOT2 · November 8, 1999, 09:07 AM

Don't feel bad if your gun wouldn't swallow that crap.

All loads given are good. If you want to shoot lead the W231 5.8g / 200g LSWC OAL 1.250" is a good place to start.
W231 is the preferred 45ACP powder, but don't try to get 'hot' loads from it; it's just a bit too 'fast'. Very temperature stable. Decent flash signature, too.
Accurate AA5, Hodgdon Universal Clays, Alliant Power Pistol and others are more suited to heavy bullet / 'hot' or +P loads, and can also give good results when down-loaded.

I use 5.9g W231 / 200g LSWC's or 5.5g Universal Clays / 225g LFP in my 1911. If I'm using jacketed I reach for 5.5g W231 and Rainier or Winchester 230g ball. My carry / L.E. duty loads use the Remington 230g Golden Saber over 5.5g W231 for target-quality ammo (the single most accurate load in my Caspian), and my 'hotter' stuff is secret.

Welcome back to loading........

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"

BigG · November 8, 1999, 09:19 AM

A 200 gr SWC pill over 6.0 gr of Unique is a good target load in my Gold Cups.

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45 ACP: Give 'em a new navel!

Desert Dog · November 8, 1999, 01:09 PM

What WESHOOT2 said...

I love W231. 5.0 gr. behind a 230 gr. FMJ or RN lead, is my target load of choice.

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"No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority" - Thomas Jefferson

10mmrules · November 8, 1999, 01:56 PM

I have a gold match also, and if you read the owners manual it says to load to a OAL of 1.260 I have found that number to be majic. ALso The best round I have found in the kimbers (I have 5 of them) is 3.5gr titegroup under a 230gr rn. but you will need to change your recoil spring down to a 11 pounder. It will drill bullseyes all day with barely any recoil. great plate load also.

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10MM Magnum.... tried the rest, now I got the best

WalterGAII · November 8, 1999, 07:02 PM

Weshoot called it right on that American Ammo crap. Their bullets are not plated, they're copper washed, over soft lead. They will lead your gun, and if you're shooting a Glock, give you a very bad day.

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Shoot to kill; they'll stop when they're dead!

BenDover · November 8, 1999, 07:33 PM

Stick with lead swc 200 gr bullets and the last few shots with jacketed stuff to blow out any lead you "might have" in the bore. Bull-X and Lazer cast are some of the best for lead cast bullets. Have fun and don't spend too much money on plinking....Steve
P.S. If you reduce your load too much you will need to get a lighter spring to avoid jams.

JoeHatley · November 9, 1999, 11:33 AM

Ankeny,

I've had real good luck using 4.5 grains of Bullseye and a 200 grain LSWC cast bullet from www.castbullets.com

Joe

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Go NRA

Ankeny · November 9, 1999, 11:34 PM

Thanks guys, I am going to go with 200 grain LSWC for plinking and 230 Win FMJ for pins. I appreciate you folks taking the time to catch me up on loading for the .45 auto.

10mmrules:

I saw the OAL in the manual, I'll seat to that length and let you know how it works...as soon as I get the pistol back from Kimber. Need to send it in for some warranty work.

Joe D · November 10, 1999, 08:08 PM

I love TiteGroup. Gave up Bullseye and Unique after 30 yrs. for it. 4.5 gr. with a 200 gr. lead swc. I also use it for my 9s and .40s. The cleanest powder I have ever used.

Walt Welch · November 10, 1999, 09:20 PM

Well, now for a word from the really low end of the spectrum. My Gold Cups have been thriving for over 35 years on 4.0 to 4.2 gr. of Bullseye with a 200 gr. bullet. This bullet used to be the Lyman 452488, but I now use Dillons. The guns don't seem to mind.

You should be aware that this load only generates about 8,000 lup, so using a ten (10) pound recoil spring, and reduced power magazine springs is essential for totally reliable function. Needless to say, a return to normal power springs is absolutely necessary before firing more powerful loads.

The 200 gr. LSWC does not require all that much power to penetrate one layer of paper, and one of cardboard. Walt

ghostsix · November 11, 1999, 05:01 AM

I like Blue Dot;clean,and little flash.

Mikie · November 11, 1999, 01:30 PM

In my USP45, I like to use a 200 gr SWC. There are two kinds I use Carroll's LSWC for about $44/1K in my local store, and Rainier plated SWC for $80/1K through Midway. I use 4.9 gr of IMR Hi-Skor 700X for a light target up to 5.3 gr for a heavier target. Approximately the same powder charge under the Rainier bullet works well also.

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alan · November 13, 1999, 01:34 AM

The following loads all worked well in government model pistols:

5.9 gr 231 powder under 200 gr. swc, hard cast, sized .452"

8.0 grains of Accurate 5, same bullets

5.2 grains Red Dot, same bullet chros just oiver 900f/sec.

OAL for the above is 1.260". 5.2 grains Red Dot is my favorite, however thare are many, many other loads. Always work up from below.
By the bye, the red dot and accurate 5 loads I mentioned work fine in a Colt series 70 pistol and in a Kimber Custom Classic Match.

Hope the above help.

Big George · November 16, 1999, 04:43 PM

Like many above I find that 5.5 gr. Win 231 pushing a Carroll 200gr lswc w/ OAL of 1.260 works great in my Classic Custom Kimbers.

BTW, you can order Carrolls 45ACP 200 lswc for $37.50 delivered (1000), direct from Carrolls. www.carrollbullets.com

flatlander · November 20, 1999, 08:51 PM

I still have most of a 10 lb. keg of WW452AA shotgun powder(used up 20 lbs.of the stuff shooting IPSC) that gave me great accuracy with cast 200grH&G68 SWC. I went to the USPSA Nationals the 1st year they were held at Barry, Ill., and it was cold. The day they were chronoing loads to determine if they made major or not, many of the shooters from Texas and other southern states failed to make major with their W231 loads because of the cold temp. My 452AA loads went faster when it got cold. Never had anyone explain that to me.

November 7, 1999, 07:42 PM	#1
Ankeny Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 1998 Location: Shoshoni, WY USA Posts: 556	I haven't handloaded for .45 Auto in years. I just bought a stainless Kimber Gold Match and I am wondering if any of you guys can recommend a load. Yeah, I know the manuals are full of data, bit I thought perhaps there is an old standby that I ought to try. BTW, I had my Kimber fail to feed constantly with 230 copper plated loads from American Ammunition. My buddy shot them up in his Glock. Is there anything a Glock won't digest? Good grief, I hate the taste of humble pie...especially when served up in polymer.

November 7, 1999, 09:28 PM	#2
plateshooter Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 1999 Location: N.E. Ohio Posts: 522	My favorite plate load, in fact the only load I use is 5gr Red Dot with a 230 Win fmj. It's pleasant to shoot and very accurate for my gun. ------------------ Good shootin to ya Plateshooter

November 8, 1999, 12:10 AM	#3
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Back when I shot IPSC, I used 5.8 gr 231 behind a 200-gr SWC lead...Or around 4.0 of Bullseye with a 185-gr jacketed as a nice plinker. If the feed ramp has a nice polish on it, and the magazine lips are right, any Colt or clone oughta dang near feed empty cases.

November 8, 1999, 08:09 AM	#4
Stephen A. Camp Staff In Memoriam Join Date: April 16, 1999 Posts: 2,570	Hello. I suggest a 225 gr CRN or 230 gr FMJ over 5.0 gr Bullseye. For a nice, light load that will work with standard springs, 4.2 gr Bullseye with a 200 gr SWC is nice. All of these have proven accurate for me. Best.

November 8, 1999, 09:07 AM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Don't feel bad if your gun wouldn't swallow that crap. All loads given are good. If you want to shoot lead the W231 5.8g / 200g LSWC OAL 1.250" is a good place to start. W231 is the preferred 45ACP powder, but don't try to get 'hot' loads from it; it's just a bit too 'fast'. Very temperature stable. Decent flash signature, too. Accurate AA5, Hodgdon Universal Clays, Alliant Power Pistol and others are more suited to heavy bullet / 'hot' or +P loads, and can also give good results when down-loaded. I use 5.9g W231 / 200g LSWC's or 5.5g Universal Clays / 225g LFP in my 1911. If I'm using jacketed I reach for 5.5g W231 and Rainier or Winchester 230g ball. My carry / L.E. duty loads use the Remington 230g Golden Saber over 5.5g W231 for target-quality ammo (the single most accurate load in my Caspian), and my 'hotter' stuff is secret. Welcome back to loading........ ------------------ "All my ammo is factory ammo"

November 8, 1999, 09:19 AM	#6
BigG Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,334	A 200 gr SWC pill over 6.0 gr of Unique is a good target load in my Gold Cups. ------------------ *45 ACP: Give 'em a new navel!*

November 8, 1999, 01:09 PM	#7
Desert Dog Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 1999 Location: Deep East Texas Posts: 474	What WESHOOT2 said... I love W231. 5.0 gr. behind a 230 gr. FMJ or RN lead, is my target load of choice. ------------------ "No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority" - Thomas Jefferson

November 8, 1999, 01:56 PM	#8
10mmrules Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 1999 Posts: 140	I have a gold match also, and if you read the owners manual it says to load to a OAL of 1.260 I have found that number to be majic. ALso The best round I have found in the kimbers (I have 5 of them) is 3.5gr titegroup under a 230gr rn. but you will need to change your recoil spring down to a 11 pounder. It will drill bullseyes all day with barely any recoil. great plate load also. ------------------ 10MM Magnum.... tried the rest, now I got the best

November 8, 1999, 07:02 PM	#9
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	Weshoot called it right on that American Ammo crap. Their bullets are not plated, they're copper washed, over soft lead. They will lead your gun, and if you're shooting a Glock, give you a very bad day. ------------------ Shoot to kill; they'll stop when they're dead!

November 8, 1999, 07:33 PM	#10
BenDover Member Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: San Diego, CA. USA Posts: 51	Stick with lead swc 200 gr bullets and the last few shots with jacketed stuff to blow out any lead you "might have" in the bore. Bull-X and Lazer cast are some of the best for lead cast bullets. Have fun and don't spend too much money on plinking....Steve P.S. If you reduce your load too much you will need to get a lighter spring to avoid jams.

November 9, 1999, 11:33 AM	#11
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	Ankeny, I've had real good luck using 4.5 grains of Bullseye and a 200 grain LSWC cast bullet from www.castbullets.com Joe ------------------ Go NRA

November 9, 1999, 11:34 PM	#12
Ankeny Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 1998 Location: Shoshoni, WY USA Posts: 556	Thanks guys, I am going to go with 200 grain LSWC for plinking and 230 Win FMJ for pins. I appreciate you folks taking the time to catch me up on loading for the .45 auto. 10mmrules: I saw the OAL in the manual, I'll seat to that length and let you know how it works...as soon as I get the pistol back from Kimber. Need to send it in for some warranty work.

November 10, 1999, 08:08 PM	#13
Joe D Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 1999 Location: Alabama Posts: 455	I love TiteGroup. Gave up Bullseye and Unique after 30 yrs. for it. 4.5 gr. with a 200 gr. lead swc. I also use it for my 9s and .40s. The cleanest powder I have ever used.

November 10, 1999, 09:20 PM	#14
Walt Welch Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 1998 Location: Alamo, CA Posts: 424	Well, now for a word from the really low end of the spectrum. My Gold Cups have been thriving for over 35 years on 4.0 to 4.2 gr. of Bullseye with a 200 gr. bullet. This bullet used to be the Lyman 452488, but I now use Dillons. The guns don't seem to mind. You should be aware that this load only generates about 8,000 lup, so using a ten (10) pound recoil spring, and reduced power magazine springs is essential for totally reliable function. Needless to say, a return to normal power springs is absolutely necessary before firing more powerful loads. The 200 gr. LSWC does not require all that much power to penetrate one layer of paper, and one of cardboard. Walt

November 11, 1999, 05:01 AM	#15
ghostsix Member Join Date: November 3, 1999 Location: u.s. Posts: 45	I like Blue Dot;clean,and little flash.

November 11, 1999, 01:30 PM	#16
Mikie Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 1998 Location: Eastern MA, USA Posts: 229	In my USP45, I like to use a 200 gr SWC. There are two kinds I use Carroll's LSWC for about $44/1K in my local store, and Rainier plated SWC for $80/1K through Midway. I use 4.9 gr of IMR Hi-Skor 700X for a light target up to 5.3 gr for a heavier target. Approximately the same powder charge under the Rainier bullet works well also. ------------------

November 13, 1999, 01:34 AM	#17
alan Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 3,847	The following loads all worked well in government model pistols: 5.9 gr 231 powder under 200 gr. swc, hard cast, sized .452" 8.0 grains of Accurate 5, same bullets 5.2 grains Red Dot, same bullet chros just oiver 900f/sec. OAL for the above is 1.260". 5.2 grains Red Dot is my favorite, however thare are many, many other loads. Always work up from below. By the bye, the red dot and accurate 5 loads I mentioned work fine in a Colt series 70 pistol and in a Kimber Custom Classic Match. Hope the above help.

November 16, 1999, 04:43 PM	#18
Big George Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 1999 Location: Lynchburg, Va Posts: 125	Like many above I find that 5.5 gr. Win 231 pushing a Carroll 200gr lswc w/ OAL of 1.260 works great in my Classic Custom Kimbers. BTW, you can order Carrolls 45ACP 200 lswc for $37.50 delivered (1000), direct from Carrolls. www.carrollbullets.com

November 20, 1999, 08:51 PM	#19
flatlander Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 1999 Posts: 120	I still have most of a 10 lb. keg of WW452AA shotgun powder(used up 20 lbs.of the stuff shooting IPSC) that gave me great accuracy with cast 200grH&G68 SWC. I went to the USPSA Nationals the 1st year they were held at Barry, Ill., and it was cold. The day they were chronoing loads to determine if they made major or not, many of the shooters from Texas and other southern states failed to make major with their W231 loads because of the cold temp. My 452AA loads went faster when it got cold. Never had anyone explain that to me.