Ammo question

[gunner]

Hi to all,

i am shooting a 1911 Springfield Armory Trophy Match, wich is a good pistol. I am reloading my ammo and now i have reached a bad point in my tests.
I use a 185 grain SWC FMJ ENC from Hornady with 5.1 grs. of VV 320 powder
COL is 30.5mm. This load works out of every other .45 but not out of my one. Have you advices for better loads ? If yes then please tell me. Thank you in advance.

Regards

Gunner

Information

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[Johnny Peppers]

Exactly what is not working? Failure to feed, failure to eject?

[gunner]

There are two failures: 1. problems to feed with scratchmarks on the casemouth, 2. Accuracy isnt the best( shotgroups with 4" at 25 metres. An other shooter hold the bull with 5 shots of this ammo out of his LesBaer.

Regards

Gunner

[Johnny Peppers]

I have loaded nothing but 185 and 200 grain cast lead SWC for the last 20 years, using both Bullseye and Unique. All loads are on the mild side with no failures to feed and excellent accuracy.
One of the members in our now defunct gun club played with 185 grain cast bullets and Bullseye loads until he had a box stock Series 70 Colt GCNM shooting one ragged hole out of a Ransom rest at 25 yards.

[AKA Hugh Uno]

your message is a bit confusing, but in GENERAL, 200 grain semi-wadcutters (the lead ones) TEND to be more accurate than 185s. If you want a supremely accurate 185 grain bullet (besides the REM 185 match), then the Nosler 185 jacketed hollow-point is the no-brainer (but not cheap).

I think you may be confusing the 185 REMINGTON SWC MATCH-(encapsulated) with the HORNADAY 185 HP XTP. The Remington is a match bullet and should shoot well in almost anything. The XTP is good, but can be more finicky.

Frankly, 98% of what I shoot is 200 grain lead swc over 5.1 - 5.2 grains of W231 (although Clays and many others are also very good). If this load will not feed and shoot well in a .45acp of ANY type, it's the GUN and not the load.

[gunner]

AKA Hugh Uno, thanks for your reply and also thanks to Johnny Peppers. The 185grs. SWC FMJ Enc is from Hornady and is labled on the Bulkpack. But i am sure that the feeding problem is up on the gun. Tonight i go to the range and test some more loads with various COL., between 29.7mm and 31.0mm. Just see what happens.

Regards

Gunner

[JBS]

Try VV N340. All my 1911s love it. From 185 to 230 gr pills. Make little knot holes in the target.

[AKA Hugh Uno]

just make sure you leave a bit of widest part of bullet (before it tapers up and in) exposed above the case neck to ensure feeding like picture of the bullet on the FAR LEFT below.

I also strongly recommend the LEE carbide FACTORY CRIMP die, not to crimp the bullet, but as a final "sizer" to facilitate reliable feeding (i.e. as a FOURTH and final step in produicing the loaded round).

[gunner]

Thanks JBS i`ll try the N340.
Thanks AKA Hugh Uno, i`ll test it with the factory crimp.
I was shooting tonight and i have two fine groups both 5 shots the 1. is 1.5" and the 2nd is a little smaller. Interesting is also that the rounds with the COL of 30.5 mm works and the rounds with a COL from 29.3 mm works, but nothing between.I`ll test some more.

Best Regards

Gunner

[DaveHH]

4 grains of Bullseye with both sizes 185 and 200. The .45 is not a sensitive cartridge for things like OAL or case trimming. I have cases from 1918 that just keep on giving after many, many reloads. The lead bullets perform well and to be truthful, I have not noticed much difference in lead vs Sierra match bullets. I have a very accurate Bob Chow built (1950s) target piece built on an Army 1945 lend lease pistol.