Bullet choice for .45acp...

[Skip]

Since I now have a .45, I now have to reload for it . Looking for some experience from .45 shooters on bullet weight. Readily available to me is 185, 200 and 230 grain (mostly FMJ, maybe some lead RN). Not looking for IPSC loads, just accurate cost-effective range plinking.

My standard pistol powders are win 231 and Field. I was thinking 200gr loaded up might give me a faster tighter group than 230g, or is there no appreciable difference once matched to powder...?

 

[Levi Garrett]

230 gr lead (lee TL mould) Works great

 

[wobbles99]

My 1911 loves 225gr lead rn. I buy them in 1000 round lots from Russell's.

The one range that I shoot does not allow cast lead so I use hornady 230 gr fmj fp with great success there as well.

I have had problems with the lighter weight bullets not feeding as well and from talking to others I believe it is very common with unmodified 1911's.

 

[Cocked&Locked]

My 1911 loves 225gr lead rn. I buy them in 1000 round lots from Russell's.

The one range that I shoot does not allow cast lead so I use hornady 230 gr fmj fp with great success there as well.

I have had problems with the lighter weight bullets not feeding as well and from talking to others I believe it is very common with unmodified 1911's.

? 200 semi wad cutters, I've never seen a 1911 that wouldn't feed them. I've never tried the 185's ......If you want a cleaner bullet, get some of the plated versions, montanna gold ect. cheaper than fmj, and just as good for plinking/target work...

 

[t-star]

i've had some problems feeding the 185 swcs- when i go to 200's no problem whatsoever- 6.0 of 231-

 

[daBear]

200SWC's are no worries at all. Reliable feed every time. If you're looking for middle of the road cost wise due to inability to use lead at your range, Canadian BDX has some plated 45 stuff that works extremely well and priced mid way between lead and jacketed.
Cheers
dB

 

[Cocked&Locked]

200SWC's are no worries at all. Reliable feed every time. If you're looking for middle of the road cost wise due to inability to use lead at your range, Canadian BDX has some plated 45 stuff that works extremely well and priced mid way between lead and jacketed.
Cheers
dB

Is there a contact for Canadian BDX? And any idea what shipping for bullets runs?

 

[Steve David]

I load 200gr. LSWC and they work great for IDPA. Chepaer to buy then jacketed/plated bullets and very accurate.

 

[happydude]

Is there a contact for Canadian BDX? And any idea what shipping for bullets runs?

canadianbdx.com

 

[david doyle]

Does not allow cast lead??????! What the f**K? The more I read about ranges on this site the more certain I am that the end of our sport is so very very near.

So the guy that shows up with a light cast and BP load in his 38-55 has to go home............

 

[david doyle]

Just thought about it for a minute and am now offering a free can of copper colored spray paint, a sandwhich and a pat on the back to any one who will fire 1000 rnds of cast at that range over the next year.

 

[spi]

Just thought about it for a minute and am now offering a free can of copper colored spray paint, a sandwhich and a pat on the back to any one who will fire 1000 rnds of cast at that range over the next year.

And get them shut down. Good idea.

The majority of ranges that have rules against unjacketed lead have those rules because one government regulatory agency or another has dictated it.

 

[wobbles99]

Does not allow cast lead??????! What the f**K? The more I read about ranges on this site the more certain I am that the end of our sport is so very very near.

So the guy that shows up with a light cast and BP load in his 38-55 has to go home............

It's due to the last inspection the range had. I'm not sure what the whole story is but apparently it has to do with our ventilation system. We also have a rule against any rounds over 1000fps because of the backstop.

I don't make the rules nor do I have any say in how the range deals with them. I just shoot there. In fact I'm not going to renew my membership this year as I've found better places to shoot.

Not a huge deal for me as the primary range I use is outdoor and anything goes there.

Also I have had feeding issues with my norc on 200 grt hp's and swc's. I've shot with kimbers, springfields, and others with the same issue. I have no reason to shoot them over the 230gr's anyway so I just avoid them.

 

[david doyle]

ahhh indoors............ Guess there are no heavy metals in primers. either way
it is a retarded rule.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Since I now have a .45, I now have to reload for it . Looking for some experience from .45 shooters on bullet weight. Readily available to me is 185, 200 and 230 grain (mostly FMJ, maybe some lead RN). Not looking for IPSC loads, just accurate cost-effective range plinking.

My standard pistol powders are win 231 and Field. I was thinking 200gr loaded up might give me a faster tighter group than 230g, or is there no appreciable difference once matched to powder...?

It's been a while since I've had a .45 ACP but a friend in Naniamo had a 160gr H&G mould that worked really well, especially for timed & rapid shooting. The bullet looked very similar to the 195gr Lyman # 452448 and was the most accurate I ever used in the custom 1911 I had. If I remember correctly, I was using 3.5 - 4grs of Bullseye.

 

[david doyle]

Well, I have decied to hop on the health nazi board, I am writing the CFC and making them aware that it is just as much fun shooting plastic bullets with low toxicity primers (both products available from your truly).

Because we all like options I will be offering a wax bullet as well.

This should insure that indoor ranges wont have to go through the long, painful emabrrassing process of bending over and taking it slowly each time someone figures out another way shooting could be harmful. Lets just get it over with quick.

new for 2007 will be a CF laser insert and scoring computer. Perfect for rifles and shotguns. Will totally replace the need for ammo on the Rifle range and shotgun sport fields.

 

[ton45]

I find that generally lead bullets from 200 SWC to 230 LRN grain are more accurate than FMJs well. Every time I have a chance to shoot outdoor IPSC matches, I will always use lead. I'ved always manage to get my As on the the 50 yard targets with lead. As for FMJs or plated bullets, I had always used 230 FMJ for indoor matches but I found that 200 gr plated FP from Frontier worked very well and are a bit cheaper. I just wished they offered a SWC plated version for the 200 grain. Makes for a nicer cookie hole.