Need suggestions on accuracy load for 1911 .45ACP

ElyBoy

OK guys, you helped me in the past and I could use a little now.
Last month I ended up with an AMT 1911 .45ACP.
Today was the first day that has been warm enough to shoot serious this winter.
I loaded up some 230gr FMJ bullets using 5.6gr of W-231 powder.
The pistol as been tuned up by a gunsmith by the previous owner and shot very well for starters.
A guy at the range who shoots competition with his 1911 said that I should use 185gr bullets with a taper crimp.
I didn't use a taper crimp because of head space worries but can sure see that a little crimp would smooth the end of the brass against the radius of the bullet.

My question to you guys because I am totally green with the .45ACP and the 1911 is: Should I change to the 185gr bullets even though I really like the 230grs., and can I put a taper crimp on without messing up the head spacing?
Any other advice that you fine people could give me would be appreciated because, with my Wife's permission, I will be shooting competition with this gun next winter, so, if I think that my 1911 needs accurizing I will do it, but I want to get it tuned in to the most accurate handload possible, so I know where I stand.

Thanks,
Eric Marleau

Handloader

ElyBoy: a primary decision is whether you are going to shoot cast or jacketed. Either choice takes you down slightly different roads. Then, is your competition for score, ala Bullseye shooting or are you interested in some of the action pistol competition such as IDPA or IPSC or others? Does your intended competition have minimum power level requirements?

The 1911 is a marvelous format for any type of competition. Some basic handloads have always worked well for me and one of my favorites is a 200gr cast SWC ahead of 4.7gr of 231. This is a choice of economy that allows superb accuracy, mild recoil and enables me to practice with 300 round sessions.

Taper crimps allow proper headspacing as long as the crimp is properly done. It is, IMO, better than any roll crimp and crimping adds the benefit of more complete ignition and uniformity of velocity.

Please tell us more.

ElyBoy

I will be shooting for score Handloader, and I will be using jacketed bullets.

I hope that this narrows this down for you to help me a little more.

Eric

Bushmaster

I have a Colt 1911 and it performs quite well using a 185 grain JHP and 5.7 grains of W-231.

If you are using a seating die that incorprates a crimp use it and just remove the bell. If you have a dedicated crimping die like a Lee FCD then a mild taper crimp is all that is needed. Unless you crimp it so much as to form the crimp into the bullet you'll have no problem with head spacing.

Dawgdad

The Hornady 200 grain TC fmj is a very accurate bullet if you want a good jacketed target combat bullet. It is a jacketed semi wadcutter design.

For bullseye competition, I load them way down to 750 -800fps with 4.2 grains of Winchester Super Target. ( It is a bit cleaner than 231) just enough pop to reliably cycle the action. your gun may need a differnt charge to be 100% reliable. For action shooting, I load them up to the 5.5gr level with WST and 231. This bullet shoots well in my Kimber at any velocity.

Jack · Member Joined: Oct 19, 2005 Posts: 98

Since every gun has it's own preferences, no one can really say what's the best load for your pistol.
Generalizing, but my experience is that 200 SWC's shoot a hair better than 185 SWC's..I suspect because they have more bearing area? Or maybe just a fluke, too.
Nothing wrong with using a taper crimp on 45 ACP cases. A light crimp is generally all that's needed.
I have had very good results with WST powder in target type loads, and 231 is a known good performer.

Gil Martin

My standard .45 ACP load has been 6 grains of Unique and a 230 grain bullet for more years than I care to recall. All the best...
Gil

ElyBoy

Thanks for your input guys.
I couldn't find any 200fmj bullets, but I am having my Nephew pick some up at a gun show tomorrow.
I put a slight crimp on my loads this afternoon, and they look much better.
I'm sure that they will feed much smoother.

Bad news on my part.
While at the gun shop today, I made the mistake of picking up a Kimber Target II 1911.
I can see a lateral transfer coming.
With my bad leg, I can't upland hunt like I used to and my Browning 12ga Superlite might be on the block to get my greedy little hands on that Kimber.

Eric Marleau

PaulS

When I was shooting the 45ACP I had a short barreled Colt combat commander. WW231 was the best powder I found for target loads - My gun wasn't reliable enough to carry for defense so that wasn't an issue. I loaded the starting load and worked it around until I found the best accuracy. In my experiments I loaded down to the point where it would just cycle the weapon and at that point it was nearly as accurate as my most accurate load. There is a wide range of uses with WW231 in the 45 ACP so have some fun with it!
Paul

minerfile

I use 7.8gr of Herco with 185gr rem Golden Saber in both my govenrment model and my springfield V-16 with very good results.

ElyBoy

Thanks for all of the tips gentlemen.
I put a taper crimp with my Lee Loader on my reloads.
Went to the range tonight, and the 1911 preformed without a hitch.
Very tight groups, and no malfunctions.

Eric

Crackshot

4.8gr Bullseye 200gr LSWC. shoots great in my STI Trojan.

TRBLSHTR

I've got an AMT longslide that I bought over 23 years ago,and I have not found a better load for it than a 185gr jhp pushed by 6.0-7.0 grs of unique.Start @ 6.0gr for accuracy. Cool

SwampFox

Eric,
The 45 is just like a rifle, work the loads, do not just throw a load in your gun and expect magic.

Most folks like the 200 in the 45 and 231 is a good powder. If you can find 452AA or Trap-100 (Hodgdon 452) grab it up. The powders are no longer made but are very good powders for the 45 (used by the US AMU) The powder also burns very clean in a stainless gun.

Be careful in crimping the case. Crimp only enough to make the case mouth straight. A properly set up 1911 will feed empty cases all day long. If using lead, do not build-up shaved lead over the case mouth.

If you are using a taper or profile crimp and a multiple station press, the best method is to set the seating depth at a seperate station, before the crimp is applied. If you Crimp without seating you will avoid build-up on the case mouth.

I used an AMT Longslide for years shooting pins, plates and IPSC. The secret to the AMT is keeping it lubed with a good synthetic grease and cleaning and re-greasing after each use.
Ed

WILDCATT

ElyBoy wrote:

I will be shooting for score Handloader, and I will be using jacketed bullets.

I hope that this narrows this down for you to help me a little more.

Eric

bullseye was the powder of the top pistol shooters. I have an AMT longslide I used. 200gr swc lead with 3.6 of bullseye.if you leave the wadcutter out 1/32" and crimp it will work.the bullet headspaces the rd.the hardball just makes it more effort to shoot.actually I use 700x.
that load works all my 45 acp.(3).its also an inexpensive load.