Need 45 ACP Reload Info

[leecorky]

I just purchased my first 45 ACP pistol. So I am looking for a good receipe for target shooting the pistol at about 50 foot. I will likely be using copper coated 230 grain FMJ bullets and Winchester large pistol primers.

I don't like to have too many powders around, so I would like to use one I already have in stock. These are all Hodgons powders, more specifically, Bullseye, Red Dot, Green Dot, H110, H4895 and Varget.

Again, I'm looking for a mild and accurate load for target shooting. Anybody got a good receipe for me to start with. Thanks

Information

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[dukeofdata]

Here are some loads for 230 grain FMJ bullets from the Alliant Powder web site: Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

Most serious target shooters use 185 or 200 grain lead semi wad cutter (or jacketed hollow point) bullets driven to 750-820 fps. These slow velocities will often require a weaker recoil spring in the gun for reliable operation. Do some searches on "bullseye pistol" to learn more about this.

[slamfire1]

Bullseye was the original 1910 vintage powder used in the 45ACP. The load was a 230 FMJ at 800 fps.

Bullseye is still an excellent powder in the 45 ACP.

I don't have data with 230 FMJ's and Bullseye. A load that a Bullseye shooter was using at the range was 5.0 grs with a 230 FMJ.


I did my load testing with 230 Lead bullets. My data is below, for reference. My next batch will be 4.5 grains with 230 LRN.

Kimber Custom Classic M1911

230 LFN Bull-X 3.5 grs Bullseye Mixed Brass WLP		
OAL 1.20"	taper crimp .469"
8-Jan-06	T = 61 °F
Ave Vel =643.6				
Std Dev =14.07			
ES =	63.63			
High = 	679.9		 		
Low =	616.3				
N =	32				 
shot a little high Pistol cycled each shot



230 LFN Bull-X 4.0 grs Bullseye Mixed Brass WLP		
OAL 1.20" taper crimp .469"		

8-Jan-06	T = 61 °F

Ave Vel =715.9				
Std Dev =11.45			
ES =	48.32		 		
High = 	742.9		 		
Low =	694.8				
N =	32				 
shot a little low

					
230 gr LRN 4.0 grs Bullseye Mixed Brass WLP		
OAL 1.250" taper crimp .469"
29-Jan-06 T = 68  °F
	
Ave Vel =698.8				
Std Dev =10.19		
ES =	36.33		 		
High = 	713.5				
Low =	677.1				
N =	28				 
Little High =  put close point of aim V. Accurate
		
230 gr LRN  4.5 grs Bullseye Mixed Brass WLP		
21-Jun-06 T = 97  °F	
OAL 1.250" taper crimp .469"
	
Ave Vel = 805.2		
Std Dev =11.4		
ES=54.08		
High=836.9		 
Low=782.8		 
N =32

200 LSWC 4.0 grs Bullseye Mixed cases WLP 		
21-Jun-06 T = 97 °F
		
Ave Vel =748.2		
Std Dev =10.86			
ES =	41.52			
High =   	763.2			
Low =	721.7			
N =	22			
Mild recoil, very accurate, excellent target load. 

[Old Gun Guy]

I've been loading and shooting 230gr FMJ bullets over 5.1gr Win 231 and Winchester primers and it shoots just fine.

[leecorky]

Thanks for the info, guys. It was just what I was looking for.

[Bayou]

Bullseye was the first powder I used for 45ACP when I started reloading a couple years ago. My slug of preference is a 200 gr polymer coated lead bullet. I haven't shot a whole lot of 230 FMJ pills due to their expense relative to lead and poly coated lead offerings. However I did find some data in my range log:

bullet = Winchester 230 gr FMJ
brass = mixed
primer = WLP
powder = Bullseye 0.53 cc (Lee Autodisk this equals 5.0 gr for Bullseye)
OAL = 1.20"
Dies = Redding Competition
pistol = XD45 w/ 5" barrel

mean velocity = 827.2 fps
std. dev. = 12.75 fps
high = 850.1 fps
low = 815.8 fps

I usually don't make comments about conditions in my range log probably because its usually hot and humid here, lol.

I found Bullseye to be a very dirty powder. Because of this I switched to Accurate Arms #5 for my 45 ACP loads.

[Gun Surfer]

Bayou, did you seat the Win 230gr FMJ to 1.20 in OAL? I use the same load, Win 230 FMJ RN bullet, with 5 gr of Bullseye. My "accuracy" load is 4.7 gr. I use 1.26 - 1.28 in. as the "standard" or normal OAL in that type bullet. I would think setting it at 1.20 with 5 gr of Bullseye might develop some pressure, or at least not be very optimal in accuracy. Bullseye is somewhat dirty, I have tried Titegroup and 231 with some success, but Bullseye is accurate in so many loads, I keep going back to it.

[Bayou]

Bayou, did you seat the Win 230gr FMJ to 1.20 in OAL? I use the same load, Win 230 FMJ RN bullet, with 5 gr of Bullseye. My "accuracy" load is 4.7 gr. I use 1.26 - 1.28 in. as the "standard" or normal OAL in that type bullet. I would think setting it at 1.20 with 5 gr of Bullseye might develop some pressure, or at least not be very optimal in accuracy. Bullseye is somewhat dirty, I have tried Titegroup and 231 with some success, but Bullseye is accurate in so many loads, I keep going back to it.

That was a couple years ago so I really can't remember but 1.20" is what my range log says so probably that's what it was. Back then I was new to reloading and shooting. I started reloading a couple months after I bought my first gun. I didn't worry about accuracy in the beginning because I figured poor accuracy is probably just me needing to learn how to shoot and not necessarily an indication that there is was anything wrong with the load recipe.

Now I don't use OAL anymore due to the vastly different bullet profiles I use (SWC vs round nose VS flat points, etc). I got a bullet comparator that measures from some point near the ogive. I find that much more useful to keep track of than OAL.

[Gun Surfer]

Whatever works,

BTW

I see NOTHING, I hear NOTHING, I know NOOTHING!! :-)

[lucky dog]

I found this reference from American Rifleman magazine. I use the 231 recipe and works well out of my 5" Milspec.

American Rifleman January 1987, pg. 66
Loads to Duplicate Military Ball Ammo

230 gr FMJ
4.6 gr BE (Bullseye)
5.6 gr WW231
6.5 gr Unique