Do you have a favorite .45ACP bullet weight?

MDS · September 25, 2010, 10:55 PM

I know styles of bullets will come into play. I like a round nose for general shooting. 200 grain lead. Shooting a 1911. What do you like ?

CrustyFN · September 25, 2010, 11:00 PM

I like a 200 grain LSWC.

reloader28 · September 25, 2010, 11:06 PM

I agree with the 200gr'er. But I've also had good luck with my 225gr RN Lyman. So, I guess I like both. I do want to try the 230gr cone nose tho.

TXGunNut · September 25, 2010, 11:16 PM

Gee, not much fun here. Another 200gr swc fan here. Even thinking about buying a mould.

burrhead · September 25, 2010, 11:22 PM

230 gr. RN cast with 4.0 gr. of Bullseye. I've shot tens of thousands of them over the past 35 years.

TXGunNut · September 25, 2010, 11:31 PM

Are you a comp shooter, burrhead? What discipline?

burrhead · September 25, 2010, 11:48 PM

No TXGunNut, just a fun shooter. I have a range at my home (200 yd rifle range and a small handgun pit) and a group of us meet every Tuesday to shoot. There’s everybody from a 98% High Power shooter to a former vegetarian now deer hunter and everything in between shooting. One of the group is a long time IDPA competitor who has been running me through some drills and I’m having a great time with it. So who knows, I may eventually get a rating and start playing. One of the drawbacks is in the past I broke a knee and hip and have some mobility problems but I’d really only be competing against myself.

chris in va · September 26, 2010, 12:31 AM

Quote:

230 gr. RN cast with 4.0 gr. of Bullseye

Same here, except I prefer Universal. Now that I have the Lee mold dialed in, everything is kosher. Ever see a 230gr bullet set at 1.20oal?

Crankylove · September 26, 2010, 01:41 AM

200 grain cast SWC (pushed by 5.5 grains of Bullseye).

That'll Do · September 26, 2010, 01:54 AM

Another 200gr LSWC user here. I currently use either W-231 or Bullseye for target shooting. Hodgdon Clays has also provided excellent accuracy.

m&p45acp10+1 · September 26, 2010, 06:26 AM

Home cast 200 grain LSWC. 3.9 to 4.1 grains of Trail Boss. Clean, and acurate. My other load for this bullet is 4.2 grains of Bull's Eye.

Sport45 · September 26, 2010, 06:35 AM

230gr

My favorite SD ammo is 230gr Golden Saber.
My range ammo is usually 230gr LRN handloads. Used to be 200gr SWC, but then I bought a XD.

dlb435 · September 26, 2010, 07:48 AM

An other 200 gr. SWC here. The 45 is used as a target gun only. I've got a Gold Cup with the reduced tension springs so you need a target load for the gun.

lmccrock · September 26, 2010, 08:03 AM

230 gr with a fast powder (like Clays or Titegroup) provides a soft feel, especially with light springs (15 lb recoil, 17 main). About 730 fps. A powder like 231 takes more, and has more felt recoil, but I loaded lots of 231 before switching.

Lighter bullets cost less, for sure.

Lee

spacecoast · September 26, 2010, 08:10 AM

I like shooting 230s, but for economy I find that a 185 LSWC and 4.7 gr. of Titegroup works well.

tac_driver · September 26, 2010, 09:58 AM

Cast 200gr. LSWC with 4.7gr of Bullseye
COAL of 1.250 traveling at 874fps SD 8.36
out of a Glock 21SF LoneWolf aftermarket
barrel. Cuts nice clean holes for scoring.

floydster · September 26, 2010, 10:07 AM

230 gr. RN pushed by 4 gr. Trail Boss, fine, clean burn in my Witness Match.
Dardas has a 200 gr. RN I am going to work up a load for using Trial Boss, what a fun powder to load.

Real Gun · September 26, 2010, 10:23 AM

I suspect the answers have more to do with the shape of the bullet and its paper punching properties than the weight. Home made bullets are going to be 200gr, so no surprises there.

TXGunNut · September 26, 2010, 10:57 AM

I think 200 gr SWC's work well because a light load with it functions reliably in most guns with minimal recoil. Lighter bullets don't seem to stabilize well for me and must be loaded faster to cycle the heavier springs in my carry guns. Heavier RN bullets feed better in some guns but recoil can be tiring during extened firing sessions and can also increase recovery time during timed-fire events. 200's are also easy to find, possibly because they seem to work so well for most folks.

WESHOOT2 · September 26, 2010, 11:20 AM

I'm married to the 230g weight.

I stock bullets weighing from 165g up to 255g.

TXGunNut · September 26, 2010, 12:26 PM

255 in a 45acp? Sounds interesting but would have to choose powders carefully.

MDS · September 26, 2010, 01:13 PM

It waslooking like it was going to be all 200's. A lot of 230 showing up.

4runnerman · September 26, 2010, 01:46 PM

For self defense 260 gn.For just range plinking i have found the 185 swc to be very accurate in my 1911.

Ed_ · September 26, 2010, 01:54 PM

200gr LSWC 4.5gr N310

rtpzwms · September 26, 2010, 02:03 PM

230gn RN plated pushed by Unique.

September 25, 2010, 10:55 PM	#1
MDS Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 492	Do you have a favorite .45ACP bullet weight? I know styles of bullets will come into play. I like a round nose for general shooting. 200 grain lead. Shooting a 1911. What do you like ?

September 25, 2010, 11:22 PM	#5
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,149	230 gr. RN cast with 4.0 gr. of Bullseye. I've shot tens of thousands of them over the past 35 years. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

September 25, 2010, 11:48 PM	#7
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,149	No TXGunNut, just a fun shooter. I have a range at my home (200 yd rifle range and a small handgun pit) and a group of us meet every Tuesday to shoot. There’s everybody from a 98% High Power shooter to a former vegetarian now deer hunter and everything in between shooting. One of the group is a long time IDPA competitor who has been running me through some drills and I’m having a great time with it. So who knows, I may eventually get a rating and start playing. One of the drawbacks is in the past I broke a knee and hip and have some mobility problems but I’d really only be competing against myself. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

September 26, 2010, 01:41 AM	#9
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 4B ID Posts: 1,770	200 grain cast SWC (pushed by 5.5 grains of Bullseye). __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

September 26, 2010, 06:26 AM	#11
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,947	Home cast 200 grain LSWC. 3.9 to 4.1 grains of Trail Boss. Clean, and acurate. My other load for this bullet is 4.2 grains of Bull's Eye. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

September 25, 2010, 11:00 PM	#2
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	I like a 200 grain LSWC.

September 25, 2010, 11:06 PM	#3
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 1,061	I agree with the 200gr'er. But I've also had good luck with my 225gr RN Lyman. So, I guess I like both. I do want to try the 230gr cone nose tho.

September 25, 2010, 11:16 PM	#4
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Gee, not much fun here. Another 200gr swc fan here. Even thinking about buying a mould.

September 25, 2010, 11:31 PM	#6
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Are you a comp shooter, burrhead? What discipline?

September 26, 2010, 01:54 AM	#10
That'll Do Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 546	Another 200gr LSWC user here. I currently use either W-231 or Bullseye for target shooting. Hodgdon Clays has also provided excellent accuracy.

September 26, 2010, 06:35 AM	#12
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	230gr My favorite SD ammo is 230gr Golden Saber. My range ammo is usually 230gr LRN handloads. Used to be 200gr SWC, but then I bought a XD. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

September 26, 2010, 07:48 AM	#13
dlb435 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 654	An other 200 gr. SWC here. The 45 is used as a target gun only. I've got a Gold Cup with the reduced tension springs so you need a target load for the gun.

September 26, 2010, 08:03 AM	#14
lmccrock Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Red Rock. TX Posts: 820	230 gr with a fast powder (like Clays or Titegroup) provides a soft feel, especially with light springs (15 lb recoil, 17 main). About 730 fps. A powder like 231 takes more, and has more felt recoil, but I loaded lots of 231 before switching. Lighter bullets cost less, for sure. Lee

September 26, 2010, 08:10 AM	#15
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	I like shooting 230s, but for economy I find that a 185 LSWC and 4.7 gr. of Titegroup works well.

September 26, 2010, 09:58 AM	#16
tac_driver Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 61	Cast 200gr. LSWC with 4.7gr of Bullseye COAL of 1.250 traveling at 874fps SD 8.36 out of a Glock 21SF LoneWolf aftermarket barrel. Cuts nice clean holes for scoring.

September 26, 2010, 10:07 AM	#17
floydster Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2008 Posts: 472	230 gr. RN pushed by 4 gr. Trail Boss, fine, clean burn in my Witness Match. Dardas has a 200 gr. RN I am going to work up a load for using Trial Boss, what a fun powder to load.

September 26, 2010, 10:23 AM	#18
Real Gun Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: SC Posts: 2,743	I suspect the answers have more to do with the shape of the bullet and its paper punching properties than the weight. Home made bullets are going to be 200gr, so no surprises there.

September 26, 2010, 10:57 AM	#19
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	I think 200 gr SWC's work well because a light load with it functions reliably in most guns with minimal recoil. Lighter bullets don't seem to stabilize well for me and must be loaded faster to cycle the heavier springs in my carry guns. Heavier RN bullets feed better in some guns but recoil can be tiring during extened firing sessions and can also increase recovery time during timed-fire events. 200's are also easy to find, possibly because they seem to work so well for most folks.

September 26, 2010, 11:20 AM	#20
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	I'm married to the 230g weight. I stock bullets weighing from 165g up to 255g.

September 26, 2010, 12:26 PM	#21
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	255 in a 45acp? Sounds interesting but would have to choose powders carefully.

September 26, 2010, 01:13 PM	#22
MDS Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 492	It waslooking like it was going to be all 200's. A lot of 230 showing up.

September 26, 2010, 01:46 PM	#23
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	For self defense 260 gn.For just range plinking i have found the 185 swc to be very accurate in my 1911.

September 26, 2010, 01:54 PM	#24
Ed_ Member Join Date: January 27, 2009 Location: Southwest Missouri Posts: 96	200gr LSWC 4.5gr N310

September 26, 2010, 02:03 PM	#25
rtpzwms Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2010 Location: OTS Posts: 1,035	230gn RN plated pushed by Unique. __________________ Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.