Bullseye, .45ACP and Rainier 185gr. FP

treebeard68 · December 9, 2006, 12:48 PM

I am going to try some Bullseye in my .45ACP loads tonight so I did a search on the forums and came back with alot of info. However, I seem to be getting some mixed opinions. According to the Hornaday book 5.3 grains of Bullseye and a 185 grain FMJ SWC will get me 850fps. I am loading a Rainier 185 grain FP so I loaded up 5.0 grains of Bullseye. I am not interested in HOT loads, and I think 800-850fps is fine out of a 1911 style semi-auto (I could be wrong?) Do you think 5.0 grains is enough or not enough. I could not find much load data for this type of bullet. Thanks for the help!

.45 Vet · December 9, 2006, 12:55 PM

I've never used any Rainier bullets, but I tought their site offered info for the product. At any rate, 5grs. of B/E should cycle a 5" auto with 185's. As always you should start low on the load tables and progress slowly in your developement to find what works best in your firearm....

treebeard68 · December 9, 2006, 01:23 PM

I figured starting low would be the safer bet. I figured I would load about 15-20 rounds to start and then try it out when I go to the range tomorrow. I have been using TiteGroup for my .45 loads up until now, but I need a change of pace.

Hotdog1911 · December 9, 2006, 11:53 PM

I don't know what it is about 185s in an .45acp. I always have problems with anything less than 200; no matter the primer, powder, AOL.

200H&G, 230RN, 230HPs, cast, lead, no sweat. Less than 200 with a 1911 is problem city. It's probably me. I am at ground zero for most problems and shooting & reloading are no exceptions.

treebeard68 · December 10, 2006, 08:32 AM

I don't really like shooting 230gr. stuff, but that is just me. I shoot 200gr. and 185gr. I probably should have mentioned that I am trying different loads to find the most consistent accurate load. I already have recipes for several different 200gr. bullets. Thanks.

Bailey Boat · December 10, 2006, 11:31 AM

I love the Ranier's and use the 185 in .45 exclusively. Try 5.0 grains of HP38 over a CCI standard primer, cases don't seem to matter. I get 1.5" handheld groups out of a Gold Cup @ 25 yards. Recoil is on the light side and it functions perfectly.......

clayking · December 10, 2006, 08:46 PM

Because the Ranier bullets are plated they are soft like lead, therefore one should use lead loads for the Ranier bullets. I've only loaded 9mm's with them and I use the same load as lead and its works fine............................ck

shooter chef · December 10, 2006, 10:42 PM

I use both Ranier 185 and 200. I have to agree, 185 is not as accurate, but i have gotten pretty close to my 200 gr. load with a 5.1gr charge of 231 with a 185gr ranier... just shot it today out of my Sig revolution with great results....6 out of 7 shots within 1.5" overall at 25' was not bad on recoil, and took good aim at hand.... just my .02

treebeard68 · December 11, 2006, 09:03 AM

Thanks for the info. I don't think that 185gr. is going to do it for me. I have a strong feeling that 200gr. and 230gr. is the way to go. I am hoping to have my order of Meister bullets by midweek. I am looking forward to loading them. I just bought an almost NIB S&W 1911PD so I am looking forward to shooting that one as well.

XD-Guy · December 11, 2006, 10:20 AM

Rainer bullets MUST be loaded with lead recipes not jacketed

December 9, 2006, 12:48 PM	#1
treebeard68 Member Join Date: December 6, 2006 Location: NH Posts: 33	Bullseye, .45ACP and Rainier 185gr. FP I am going to try some Bullseye in my .45ACP loads tonight so I did a search on the forums and came back with alot of info. However, I seem to be getting some mixed opinions. According to the Hornaday book 5.3 grains of Bullseye and a 185 grain FMJ SWC will get me 850fps. I am loading a Rainier 185 grain FP so I loaded up 5.0 grains of Bullseye. I am not interested in HOT loads, and I think 800-850fps is fine out of a 1911 style semi-auto (I could be wrong?) Do you think 5.0 grains is enough or not enough. I could not find much load data for this type of bullet. Thanks for the help!

December 9, 2006, 12:55 PM	#2
.45 Vet Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2004 Location: Western Penn. Posts: 387	I've never used any Rainier bullets, but I tought their site offered info for the product. At any rate, 5grs. of B/E should cycle a 5" auto with 185's. As always you should start low on the load tables and progress slowly in your developement to find what works best in your firearm.... __________________ For those who've never fought for it, the price of freedom shall never be known...

December 9, 2006, 11:53 PM	#4
Hotdog1911 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2006 Posts: 282	I'll 2nd what 45 Vet said. I don't know what it is about 185s in an .45acp. I always have problems with anything less than 200; no matter the primer, powder, AOL. 200H&G, 230RN, 230HPs, cast, lead, no sweat. Less than 200 with a 1911 is problem city. It's probably me. I am at ground zero for most problems and shooting & reloading are no exceptions.

December 10, 2006, 08:46 PM	#7
clayking Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 796	Because the Ranier bullets are plated they are soft like lead, therefore one should use lead loads for the Ranier bullets. I've only loaded 9mm's with them and I use the same load as lead and its works fine............................ck __________________ Never argue with an idiot, they will just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

December 10, 2006, 10:42 PM	#8
shooter chef Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2006 Location: Northeast, Ohio Posts: 106	I use both Ranier 185 and 200. I have to agree, 185 is not as accurate, but i have gotten pretty close to my 200 gr. load with a 5.1gr charge of 231 with a 185gr ranier... just shot it today out of my Sig revolution with great results....6 out of 7 shots within 1.5" overall at 25' was not bad on recoil, and took good aim at hand.... just my .02 __________________ "You're grounded"... My wife

December 9, 2006, 01:23 PM	#3
treebeard68 Member Join Date: December 6, 2006 Location: NH Posts: 33	I figured starting low would be the safer bet. I figured I would load about 15-20 rounds to start and then try it out when I go to the range tomorrow. I have been using TiteGroup for my .45 loads up until now, but I need a change of pace.

December 10, 2006, 08:32 AM	#5
treebeard68 Member Join Date: December 6, 2006 Location: NH Posts: 33	I don't really like shooting 230gr. stuff, but that is just me. I shoot 200gr. and 185gr. I probably should have mentioned that I am trying different loads to find the most consistent accurate load. I already have recipes for several different 200gr. bullets. Thanks.

December 10, 2006, 11:31 AM	#6
Bailey Boat Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2006 Location: NC Posts: 365	I love the Ranier's and use the 185 in .45 exclusively. Try 5.0 grains of HP38 over a CCI standard primer, cases don't seem to matter. I get 1.5" handheld groups out of a Gold Cup @ 25 yards. Recoil is on the light side and it functions perfectly.......

December 11, 2006, 09:03 AM	#9
treebeard68 Member Join Date: December 6, 2006 Location: NH Posts: 33	Thanks for the info. I don't think that 185gr. is going to do it for me. I have a strong feeling that 200gr. and 230gr. is the way to go. I am hoping to have my order of Meister bullets by midweek. I am looking forward to loading them. I just bought an almost NIB S&W 1911PD so I am looking forward to shooting that one as well.

December 11, 2006, 10:20 AM	#10
XD-Guy Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Posts: 102	Rainer bullets MUST be loaded with lead recipes not jacketed