Favorite load for 45 acp

grubbylabs · April 10, 2010, 03:22 PM

I have a springer XD 45 and have been using powers pistol with a 230 grn GDHP or a 230 grn ball and a 230 grn plated HP. But it is not as accurate as I would like. I mostly carry for self defense and for carry in the woods. In the woods my biggest concern is wolves.

So what are some of your favorite loads and why?

Thanks for your replies.

**Unclenick** · April 10, 2010, 03:30 PM

For round nose ball, I use the classic 5.0 grains of Bullseye and 1.270" COL the military once used. It's easy to remember. Accuracy usually depends on how well the gun is fit up, though you can tweak lead loads to come up to jacketed loads by seating out to touch the lands and headspace on the bullet.

Shorthair · April 10, 2010, 03:44 PM

The .45 is actually a very versatile load. I don' think there exists a more accurate bullet for handloaders than the Hornady XTP. For your needs, a good all around load might be a 200 grain XTP propelled by about 9 - 9.5 grains of AA Number 5. Would be very accurate and should go about 950 fps. If you wanted to go to the 230 grain bullet back down to about 8 grains.
There are other recipes but I love this bullet.

M&P40 · April 10, 2010, 06:02 PM

230 gr Berry's round nose. 4.5 grains of 700x. Very accurate in all my Kimbers.

**Unclenick** · April 10, 2010, 06:05 PM

That reminds me of another option: the Hornady 200 grain target SWC? The group below was fired just after one of my fitups to my Goldcup. 4.2 grains of Bullseye.

chunk · April 10, 2010, 06:26 PM

5 gr of bullseye, 230 gr pill, i've never needed anything else.

paralaska · April 10, 2010, 11:21 PM

I've tried working up some loads using Power Pistol, but have yet to find a load using that powder that I like . . .

My best (function & accuracy) loads in my 45ACP 1911s are:

Berry's plated 185gr HBRN - 6.9 gr of True Blue - 1.260 OAL

Berry's plated 200gr RN - 4.7 gr of Bullseye - 1.20 OAL

Berry's plated 230 gr RN - 5.4 gr of W 231 - 1.26 OAL

WW 230gr FMJ - 6.8 gr of Unique - 1.265 OAL

WW 230gr FMJ - 7.4 gr of True Blue - 1.265 OAL

My $0.02 worth . . . .

steve4102 · April 11, 2010, 01:46 AM

For extremely accurate plinkin rounds I use 230gr Zero and MG FMJ, JHP powered by WST. For high velocity "wolf" loads I use 230gr XTP powered by Silhouette.

Quote:

In the woods my biggest concern is wolves.

Wolves?? You got about 850-900 Wolves in the entire state of Idaho. Hell man come up here where we've got over 5000 in just the small Arrowhead Region of the state. They're running around like ants on an ant hill, bring your 45.

Crankylove · April 11, 2010, 02:05 AM

5.5 grains of Bullseye and a 200 grain lead SWC works well in my Kimber, as well as my mine and my brothers Springfields.

Sport45 · April 11, 2010, 05:06 AM

Quote:

5.5 grains of Bullseye and a 200 grain lead SWC works well in my Kimber, as well as my mine and my brothers Springfields.

I'd bet dollars against donuts his XD45 would choke on your SWC loads. At least I know mine would. XD's that reliably work with SWC are few and far between. I stick with 230gr ball or LRN for target, and 230gr Golden Sabre for serious times.

gregjc9 · April 11, 2010, 08:30 AM

I've not been reloading long, but here's my fav for my Kimbers.

Berry's plated 200gr RN - 5.3 gr of W231 - 1.235 OAL

totaldla · April 11, 2010, 12:06 PM

Power Pistol is a most excellent powder - you just have to find the load for your gun. I personally wouldn't go backwards to Bullseye, Unique, etc. I like the Hornady 185gr XTP driven to almost 1200fps from a 5" - (something you can easily do safely with PP). I like the feel of the recoil of a hot 185gr better than a hot 230gr. Joe at Realguns has(had) some warmish power pistol loads for reference.

Tacoma · April 11, 2010, 06:00 PM

3.8-4.0 gr clays behind a 200 gr RNFP cast bullet is clean, accurate and super reliable in every 45 acp I own.

ojibweindian · April 11, 2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

I'd bet dollars against donuts his XD45 would choke on your SWC loads. At least I know mine would. XD's that reliably work with SWC are few and far between. I stick with 230gr ball or LRN for target, and 230gr Golden Sabre for serious times.

I'll second that.

Both of my XD45s choke on a LSWC, no matter what. I've got a few loads for both XD's that are pretty good. First is a 230 grain LRN over 5.5 grains of Unique. A second is a 200 grain lead flat point over 9.3 grains of Blue Dot.

That'll Do · April 11, 2010, 09:00 PM

My pet load for my Kimber Stainless Target II is:

• 200gr lead SWC (I cast my own, but commercial works just as well)
• 4.2gr Hodgdon Clays (note: NOT to be confused with Universal)
• Any regular large pistol primer

This load will shoot 1" groups at 25 yards from a rest.

My other favorite load is a 200gr Hornady FMJ C/T (a jacketed SWC), over 4.8gr of Bullseye, with a standard LP primer.

Sarge · April 11, 2010, 09:00 PM

My single favorite .45 ACP bullet is a 200 grain LSWC of the basic H&G #68 pattern, seated to 1.250" OAL. I've used thousands in 1911's, and found it reliable and exceptionally accurate at any velocity between 635 and 1000 fps. I usually load it over W231. It kills game real well and I wouldn't hesitate to use it for defense.

SQUAREKNOT · April 11, 2010, 10:52 PM

MAKE THAT 3rd THAT
I'll second that.

Both of my XD45s choke on a LSWC, no matter what.

BOTH OF MINE TO ALSO. My XD40 loves the 175 gr by S&S casting using
5.0gr of W231-HP-38 (same stuff)

Sarge · April 11, 2010, 11:11 PM

True dat. I loaded 175 grains SWC's for a 40XD some time back, and had to load them real short to get them to feed. MO Bullet makes a 200 grain IDP #4-XD for you 45XD folks; believe there's a thread on it here already. While I haven't used the IDP #4-XD, I do use several of their other bullets and they have been uniform and accurate.

awdeity · April 13, 2010, 11:45 PM

4.2gr Clays - 200grFN Rainier electroplated - 1.255OAL through a Baer and some Kimbers

Old Grump · April 14, 2010, 03:11 PM

Well you didn't say barn busting but accurate load so what works for me is 4.5 gr of bullseye behind a 230 LSWC. That is my match shooting load out of my Colt 1911A1 NM pistol. You may need to tweak a bit for your gun but it will be close to that.

Fishslayer · April 14, 2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Well you didn't say barn busting but accurate load so what works for me is 4.5 gr of bullseye behind a 230 LSWC.

Who makes a LSWC in 230gr? I just might be interested in that.

Old Grump · April 15, 2010, 03:50 PM

Mag Tech does. I also have a Lyman mold but it only casts 225 grain. I haven't found any appreciable difference. Easier to find 230 gr LRN and they shoot nearly as accurate. Most people won't notice the difference. Just plinking they are good enough for me but for competition you like that little edge.

Fishslayer · April 15, 2010, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Just plinking they are good enough for me but for competition you like that little edge.

Gotta love the hole a .45 SWC makes in paper...

GeauxTide · April 15, 2010, 08:31 PM

For liability issues, I use Federal 230 Hydras for PD. If I was going to carry my SA 1911 in the woods, it would have 200gr SWC under 7.0gr of Unique. It's stout, but it's the only ACP load in my guns that will print a mag in the 10 ring at 50 feet. Offhand.

grubbylabs · April 24, 2010, 09:20 PM

Well I finally got around to working up some more loads and I tried some Blue Dot that I had for shot guns shells.

I have to say that I am really impressed. I used 8.8 grns behind a 230 grn JH. and they grouped really well for me.

April 10, 2010, 03:22 PM	#1
grubbylabs Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Hansen Idaho Posts: 1,465	Favorite load for 45 acp I have a springer XD 45 and have been using powers pistol with a 230 grn GDHP or a 230 grn ball and a 230 grn plated HP. But it is not as accurate as I would like. I mostly carry for self defense and for carry in the woods. In the woods my biggest concern is wolves. So what are some of your favorite loads and why? Thanks for your replies. __________________ * (Swinging club) Whack! whack! whack! * Nope, the old nag's still dead . (Capt Charlie)

April 10, 2010, 03:30 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	For round nose ball, I use the classic 5.0 grains of Bullseye and 1.270" COL the military once used. It's easy to remember. Accuracy usually depends on how well the gun is fit up, though you can tweak lead loads to come up to jacketed loads by seating out to touch the lands and headspace on the bullet. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 10, 2010, 03:44 PM	#3
Shorthair Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 348	The .45 is actually a very versatile load. I don' think there exists a more accurate bullet for handloaders than the Hornady XTP. For your needs, a good all around load might be a 200 grain XTP propelled by about 9 - 9.5 grains of AA Number 5. Would be very accurate and should go about 950 fps. If you wanted to go to the 230 grain bullet back down to about 8 grains. There are other recipes but I love this bullet. __________________ Earth First! We can hunt the other planets later. Last edited by Shorthair; April 11, 2010 at 11:45 AM.

April 10, 2010, 06:05 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	That reminds me of another option: the Hornady 200 grain target SWC? The group below was fired just after one of my fitups to my Goldcup. 4.2 grains of Bullseye. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 11, 2010, 02:05 AM	#9
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 8B ID Posts: 1,753	5.5 grains of Bullseye and a 200 grain lead SWC works well in my Kimber, as well as my mine and my brothers Springfields. __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

April 10, 2010, 06:02 PM	#4
M&P40 Member Join Date: May 25, 2009 Location: New Castle, PA Posts: 95	230 gr Berry's round nose. 4.5 grains of 700x. Very accurate in all my Kimbers.

April 10, 2010, 06:26 PM	#6
chunk Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2005 Location: alabama,gulf coast Posts: 131	5 gr of bullseye, 230 gr pill, i've never needed anything else. __________________ TRAMPLE THE WEAK-HURDLETHE DEAD

April 10, 2010, 11:21 PM	#7
paralaska Member Join Date: September 29, 2009 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 24	I've tried working up some loads using Power Pistol, but have yet to find a load using that powder that I like . . . My best (function & accuracy) loads in my 45ACP 1911s are: Berry's plated 185gr HBRN - 6.9 gr of True Blue - 1.260 OAL Berry's plated 200gr RN - 4.7 gr of Bullseye - 1.20 OAL Berry's plated 230 gr RN - 5.4 gr of W 231 - 1.26 OAL WW 230gr FMJ - 6.8 gr of Unique - 1.265 OAL WW 230gr FMJ - 7.4 gr of True Blue - 1.265 OAL My $0.02 worth . . . .

April 11, 2010, 08:30 AM	#11
gregjc9 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 501	I've not been reloading long, but here's my fav for my Kimbers. Berry's plated 200gr RN - 5.3 gr of W231 - 1.235 OAL __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Greg

April 11, 2010, 12:06 PM	#12
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,295	Power Pistol is a most excellent powder - you just have to find the load for your gun. I personally wouldn't go backwards to Bullseye, Unique, etc. I like the Hornady 185gr XTP driven to almost 1200fps from a 5" - (something you can easily do safely with PP). I like the feel of the recoil of a hot 185gr better than a hot 230gr. Joe at Realguns has(had) some warmish power pistol loads for reference. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

April 11, 2010, 06:00 PM	#13
Tacoma Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2004 Location: SE New England Posts: 620	3.8-4.0 gr clays behind a 200 gr RNFP cast bullet is clean, accurate and super reliable in every 45 acp I own.

April 11, 2010, 09:00 PM	#15
That'll Do Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 546	My pet load for my Kimber Stainless Target II is: • 200gr lead SWC (I cast my own, but commercial works just as well) • 4.2gr Hodgdon Clays (note: NOT to be confused with Universal) • Any regular large pistol primer This load will shoot 1" groups at 25 yards from a rest. My other favorite load is a 200gr Hornady FMJ C/T (a jacketed SWC), over 4.8gr of Bullseye, with a standard LP primer.

April 11, 2010, 09:00 PM	#16
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	My single favorite .45 ACP bullet is a 200 grain LSWC of the basic H&G #68 pattern, seated to 1.250" OAL. I've used thousands in 1911's, and found it reliable and exceptionally accurate at any velocity between 635 and 1000 fps. I usually load it over W231. It kills game real well and I wouldn't hesitate to use it for defense. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

April 11, 2010, 10:52 PM	#17
SQUAREKNOT Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2008 Posts: 263	MAKE THAT 3rd THAT I'll second that. Both of my XD45s choke on a LSWC, no matter what. BOTH OF MINE TO ALSO. My XD40 loves the 175 gr by S&S casting using 5.0gr of W231-HP-38 (same stuff)

April 11, 2010, 11:11 PM	#18
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	True dat. I loaded 175 grains SWC's for a 40XD some time back, and had to load them real short to get them to feed. MO Bullet makes a 200 grain IDP #4-XD for you 45XD folks; believe there's a thread on it here already. While I haven't used the IDP #4-XD, I do use several of their other bullets and they have been uniform and accurate. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

April 13, 2010, 11:45 PM	#19
awdeity Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Location: North Central IL Posts: 48	4.2gr Clays - 200grFN Rainier electroplated - 1.255OAL through a Baer and some Kimbers

April 14, 2010, 03:11 PM	#20
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	Well you didn't say barn busting but accurate load so what works for me is 4.5 gr of bullseye behind a 230 LSWC. That is my match shooting load out of my Colt 1911A1 NM pistol. You may need to tweak a bit for your gun but it will be close to that. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

April 15, 2010, 03:50 PM	#22
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	Mag Tech does. I also have a Lyman mold but it only casts 225 grain. I haven't found any appreciable difference. Easier to find 230 gr LRN and they shoot nearly as accurate. Most people won't notice the difference. Just plinking they are good enough for me but for competition you like that little edge. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

April 15, 2010, 08:31 PM	#24
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	For liability issues, I use Federal 230 Hydras for PD. If I was going to carry my SA 1911 in the woods, it would have 200gr SWC under 7.0gr of Unique. It's stout, but it's the only ACP load in my guns that will print a mag in the 10 ring at 50 feet. Offhand.

April 24, 2010, 09:20 PM	#25
grubbylabs Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Hansen Idaho Posts: 1,465	Well I finally got around to working up some more loads and I tried some Blue Dot that I had for shot guns shells. I have to say that I am really impressed. I used 8.8 grns behind a 230 grn JH. and they grouped really well for me. __________________ * (Swinging club) Whack! whack! whack! * Nope, the old nag's still dead . (Capt Charlie)