Down side to shooting lighter loads? 45acp

AKGunner · September 28, 2008, 09:33 PM

I shoot a lot of 200 gr swc bullets through my 1911. From 200-350 each trip to the range. Do any of you all shoot the 185 or 155 gr so called "target loads" through your 45? The prices seem considerably lower from some lead casters.

Why not shoot them punching paper?

Thanks for your opinions

Crosshair · September 28, 2008, 09:57 PM

The main disadvantage is a sometimes significant change in the point of impact. There is also the issue of cycling in some guns. Other than that, they are just fine for punching paper.

I cast the Lee 160 grain RN and will try my second batch sometime this week. I screwed up the first batch by casting them too hard.

Scorch · September 29, 2008, 12:02 PM

I load 185 and 200 gr target loads for my 45. I avoid lighter bullets and very low velocity loads due to cycling issues. I imagine if you changed out the recoil spring you could shoot 155 gr at very low velocity with no problems. My favorites are the 200 gr LSWC because they cycle teh action reliably and don't kick hardly at all.

Bailey Boat · September 29, 2008, 03:44 PM

Personally I try to have my practice rounds equal to my carry rounds, weight and recoil impulse wise. I carry Speer 185 grain Gold Dots that chrono around 900 fps. I load Berry's 185grain FP to the same (or as close as possible) velocity. POI is within an inch with either round at my practice ranges (usually around 3 to 20 yards) and my Colt Defender loves either load.....

CowTowner · September 29, 2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Personally I try to have my practice rounds equal to my carry rounds, weight and recoil impulse wise.

+1. I carry 185 Grain Winchester Silver Tip HP in my .45 ACP and I load 185 Grain JHP from Zero for practice ammo. Not exactly the same bullet, but close enough for good practice. I also make sure to fire a box of the Silver Tips every now and then.

zippy13 · September 29, 2008, 05:17 PM

For paper punching practice, my light load is fairly typical old school...

191-gain SWC (alloy = equal parts of wheel weights and "hard" shot plus 1.5% tin)
3.5-grains of Bullseye
CCI #300 Large Pistol primers
Remington-Peters cases w/ cannelure

This load is surprisingly accurate for home cast, and if functions flawlessly in my Gold Cup with the original type spring.

dardascastbullets · September 29, 2008, 10:16 PM

Hi AKGunner,

Our .45-185 gr. SWC's are used by many bullseye shooters for 50 yds, 25 yds., and 50 ft. indoors with no problems. I believe your question is a searching question in that you would like to know the success of others using the 185 SWC?

Mike1 · September 30, 2008, 03:49 PM

In most of my guns light 185gr loads will feed and function OK (albeit somewhat slower) without changing a spring. I use these for fun paper punching. When it comes to more serious practice, I use a load that has a POI close to my carry loads.

Mike

September 28, 2008, 09:33 PM	#1
AKGunner Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2006 Location: Alaska Posts: 152	Down side to shooting lighter loads? 45acp I shoot a lot of 200 gr swc bullets through my 1911. From 200-350 each trip to the range. Do any of you all shoot the 185 or 155 gr so called "target loads" through your 45? The prices seem considerably lower from some lead casters. Why not shoot them punching paper? Thanks for your opinions

September 28, 2008, 09:57 PM	#2
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	The main disadvantage is a sometimes significant change in the point of impact. There is also the issue of cycling in some guns. Other than that, they are just fine for punching paper. I cast the Lee 160 grain RN and will try my second batch sometime this week. I screwed up the first batch by casting them too hard. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

September 29, 2008, 05:17 PM	#6
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	For paper punching practice, my light load is fairly typical old school... 191-gain SWC (alloy = equal parts of wheel weights and "hard" shot plus 1.5% tin) 3.5-grains of Bullseye CCI #300 Large Pistol primers Remington-Peters cases w/ cannelure This load is surprisingly accurate for home cast, and if functions flawlessly in my Gold Cup with the original type spring.

September 29, 2008, 10:16 PM	#7
dardascastbullets Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Essexville, MI Posts: 164	Hi AKGunner, Our .45-185 gr. SWC's are used by many bullseye shooters for 50 yds, 25 yds., and 50 ft. indoors with no problems. I believe your question is a searching question in that you would like to know the success of others using the 185 SWC? __________________ Matt Dardas

September 29, 2008, 12:02 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I load 185 and 200 gr target loads for my 45. I avoid lighter bullets and very low velocity loads due to cycling issues. I imagine if you changed out the recoil spring you could shoot 155 gr at very low velocity with no problems. My favorites are the 200 gr LSWC because they cycle teh action reliably and don't kick hardly at all. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 29, 2008, 03:44 PM	#4
Bailey Boat Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2006 Location: NC Posts: 365	Personally I try to have my practice rounds equal to my carry rounds, weight and recoil impulse wise. I carry Speer 185 grain Gold Dots that chrono around 900 fps. I load Berry's 185grain FP to the same (or as close as possible) velocity. POI is within an inch with either round at my practice ranges (usually around 3 to 20 yards) and my Colt Defender loves either load.....

September 30, 2008, 03:49 PM	#8
Mike1 Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 178	In most of my guns light 185gr loads will feed and function OK (albeit somewhat slower) without changing a spring. I use these for fun paper punching. When it comes to more serious practice, I use a load that has a POI close to my carry loads. Mike