45 loads

[texastonk]

Just getting into reloading and thought I would start out with some target loads for my 1911. Just thought I would ask for a few primer,powder and bullet recommendations. Seen lots of write ups on rifle loads but fell short on the pistols. Will be shooting 25 to 50 ft just for practice and fun.

Thanks.

 

[notquiteright]

Re: 45 loads

I use pick-up brass, doesnt really matter for me.
Winchester large pistol primers
Oregon trail 230gr lead round nose
Clays 4.5 grains
Titegroup 5 grains

Both charges are higher than the book says but I've used both for years, on the Clays load right now. (Some call Clays dirty but 'they' also call Varget dirty and I use that in my 308 so maybe I just like my powders like my women)

I use the springfield XD45 but a friend that has a Kimber used a few rounds and didnt blow himself up, might be ok for you too.

Good Luck

 

[pcschwenke]

Re: 45 loads

Cases do not matter. Not like shooting precision rifle.
My preferred load for PPC, Bullseye, and plates is:

Winchester large pistol primers
4.3 Gr WST
200 SWC (H&G #68 mold)

Paul

 

[shoepop]

Re: 45 loads

A old target load that still works fine is a 200 lead SWC, 3.5 grains of Bullseye, Win or whatever primer, and whatever case. The Clays and Titegroup loads notquiteright posted are not what I would call target loads. Having used Clays for 6+ years with various 230 grain bullets 4.5 is way over red line. 3.9-4.1 over a 230 will get you a power factor required if shooting USPSA and that is hooking it, why beat up your pistol.

 

[turbo54]

Re: 45 loads

+1 on not caring about cases or primer. I have used about 15000 wolf large pistol, and have had 3 or 4 duds in that time.

I use range pickup, and have split ONE neck over the course of many, many, many reload cycles.

I use Montana Gold 185 JHP or 200 FP bullets, which are jacketed. With the 185, I run 5.5gr titegroup, and with the 200, I use 5.25 titegroup. Chronograph for the 200 shows 850fps out of my Glock 30 with 3.75" barrel.

I have yet to find a gun these loads don't run perfectly in. I run them in my G30, G36, G21, G21C and Sig 1911, as well as other peoples 45s.

I say TG powder is pretty clean. MUCH MUCH cleaner than Bullseye or Unique. Also, you can load just about any pistol out there with TG, although not always to peak performance. IMR 700X is similar.

 

[RottenII]

Re: 45 loads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pcschwenke</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cases do not matter. Not like shooting precision rifle.
My preferred load for PPC, Bullseye, and plates is:

Winchester large pistol primers
4.3 Gr WST
200 SWC (H&G #68 mold)

Paul </div></div>

WST has become my fav .45 auto powder for target shooting. I like Titegroup but WST burns as clean, seems to burn cooler (in my opinion) and fills the case up much better (im paranoid about double charges).

 

[pcschwenke]

Re: 45 loads

Rottenll, for target shooting, WST is my choice. Over the past 22 years I've tried everything. My Dad who shoots the Masters, Bianchi Cup, and Camp Perry suggested I try WST. Never looked back. Infact, I use it in 38 special and 38 super also. Since then I know of sever Master Bullseye shooters who picked it as their powder.

Many good bullet choices out. The 175 SWC grain (#68 shortened) is great and so is the 155gr SWC. Also, many use the 185 SWC. Some guns have a hard time feeding these from the magazine. The good old 200 is my favorite.

Other good powders for target shooting are Bullseye and 231. My go to powder for Bowling pin matches is WSF.

Bowling pin load
255gr SWC (45 long colt bullet sized to .452)
5.8gr WSF
~888 fps out of a 5" 1911.

Paul

 

[Jax27bch]

Re: 45 loads

Ive had great luck with range brass, CCI LP primers and 230 grn LRN by Laser Cast.

WIN 231 And WST are my favorites for target loads. But I load to Minimum Cycling Pressure.

My target pistol is and old Para P-14. It doesn't like SWC rounds for some reason.

 

[pcschwenke]

Re: 45 loads

Jax27bch, I've got 4 Para's and all feed the 200 SWC. You may want to try a lighter recoil spring (14lb) or up the powder charge.

An old Bullseye load (Actually Bullseye competition load)
Range brass
(primers don't matter either)
200gr SWC
4.0 grains of Bullseye

Paul

 

[RottenII]

Re: 45 loads

Paul, 231 was my go to powder until I found WST. Too bad 231 is so dirty.

 

[Ben Diss]

Re: 45 loads

Fav target load for 5" 1911

Montana Gold 200 grain JFP
Titegroup 4.5 grains
Winchester or Federal primer (not CCI)
any brass, completely clean inside
COL 1.180

Not every gun will feed this well, but if you have a good ramp you'll like the soft recoil and the very small groups.

 

[Mike_R]

Re: 45 loads

200 LWSC
4.0 grains bullseye

+1
Soft recoil, accurate and reasonably close to POI on my 5" 1911. Really dirty though!

 

[Clark]

Re: 45 loads

You can tune your ammo to your slide mass - recoil spring - momentum coupled to the hand, or you can tune your recoil spring to the ammo.

Too much powder and the cases fly too far and the slide slams into the frame.
Too little powder and the case does not eject.

Too much recoil spring force and the case does not eject.
Too little recoil spring force and the cases fly too far and the slide slams the frame.

0) 45 acp........................ 185 gr 7.6 gr AA#5 jams w/stock Patriot spring
1) 45 acp........................185 gr 10.2 gr AA#5 1100 fps 18,000psi
2) 45 acp +P....................185 gr 10.8 gr AA#5 1200 fps 21,700 psi
3) 45 Super.....................185 gr 12.4 gr AA#5 1312 fps 28,000 cup
4) 460 Rowland............... 185 gr 14.5 gr AA#5 1500 fps 38,800 cup
5) Easy extraction ............185 gr 15.0 gr AA#5 *rifle
6) Case starts to stretch.....185 gr 15.2 gr AA#5 *rifle
7) difficult extraction ........185 gr 16.0 gr AA#5 *rifle
8) primer falls out ............185 gr 16.5 gr AA#5 *rifle