41rem
Mr 1 grain under max
- Jun 8, 2015
- 59
- 46
Have a favorite? I'm thinking of using a 200 grain LSWC to punch some X rings out
New to the 45 ACP game
New to the 45 ACP game
45 ACP Accuracy Load
- Thread starter 41rem
- Start date
truck driver
Ammo Smith
- Mar 11, 2013
- 7,519
- 1,351
Lots of good accurate target loads for .45 acp with light bullets to soften the recoil.
First you need to find a load that is consistent and reliable that you can tune to the gun. Just like a rifle each pistol likes a specific bullet and powder.
Bullseye powder is the most popular and can be loaded up and down with no problems and is not position sensitve in the case, 200 gr lead SWC start with 3.8grs, go up to 4.0grs or down to 3.5grs, works well with a 185gr Lead SWC also taper crimp to .465", OAL is measured off the bullet shoulder and here's the scientific measurement, the thickness of your finger nail, the bullet is seated off the shoulder and the seating stem is modified by drilling it with a 3.8" drill bit. AMU's favorite load is 4.3grs of Vit N310 Star Line cases WW large primer 185gr Nosler JHP or a 185gr Zero JHP taper crimp to .470" OAL 1.20", case length is .888"- .893" before sizing anything shorter should be recycled, the bullet is seated off the ogave so you have to drill out the seating stem with the same 3/8" drill bit. the reason for doing this is so you can seat the bullets straight in the case, it is very easy to seat them crooked.
If you want more info look at the BullseyeL web sight and you will find a ton of information.
bullseyeforum.net
First you need to find a load that is consistent and reliable that you can tune to the gun. Just like a rifle each pistol likes a specific bullet and powder.
Bullseye powder is the most popular and can be loaded up and down with no problems and is not position sensitve in the case, 200 gr lead SWC start with 3.8grs, go up to 4.0grs or down to 3.5grs, works well with a 185gr Lead SWC also taper crimp to .465", OAL is measured off the bullet shoulder and here's the scientific measurement, the thickness of your finger nail, the bullet is seated off the shoulder and the seating stem is modified by drilling it with a 3.8" drill bit. AMU's favorite load is 4.3grs of Vit N310 Star Line cases WW large primer 185gr Nosler JHP or a 185gr Zero JHP taper crimp to .470" OAL 1.20", case length is .888"- .893" before sizing anything shorter should be recycled, the bullet is seated off the ogave so you have to drill out the seating stem with the same 3/8" drill bit. the reason for doing this is so you can seat the bullets straight in the case, it is very easy to seat them crooked.
If you want more info look at the BullseyeL web sight and you will find a ton of information.
bullseyeforum.net
Last edited:
truck driver
Ammo Smith
- Mar 11, 2013
- 7,519
- 1,351
Hunter26
Handloader
- Jul 10, 2024
- 332
- 832
I don't have a specific load but my Springfield gets fed a lot of 200gr SWC's over Titegroup and Win231/HP-38. I've used Hornady HAP, Oregon Trail and cast my own that are a copy of the famous H&G 68 mold. All have been extremely accurate with loads on the lighter side but that would function the slide reliably.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 27,092
- 13,524
Nice shooting Roger!
JD338
JD338
Bruce Mc
Handloader
- Oct 26, 2005
- 1,454
- 1,101
5 grs of 231 with the 200gr lead swc has worked for me a long time.
truck driver
Ammo Smith
- Mar 11, 2013
- 7,519
- 1,351
Thanks JD338, but it was not me. This is a test target fired from a Ransome pistol rest by my pistol smith. If I could shoot that good I would be a National Champion lol, funny thing is the pistol was built by the now National Bullseye Champion. He not only shoots good but builds a great shooting pistol. If I can hold the 9 ring at 50yds I will be very happy, at 77yrs I'm well past my prime but I'm still out there trying.
wvbuckbuster
Handloader
- Nov 5, 2015
- 3,360
- 3,827
3
Shot some 3.5grs Bullseye and 200gr SWC loads yesterday. Pleasant to shoot and made a big hole clustered together as long as I did my part.
Shot some 3.5grs Bullseye and 200gr SWC loads yesterday. Pleasant to shoot and made a big hole clustered together as long as I did my part.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 18,239
- 8,390
Sadly Bullseye has been pretty much unobtainable for several years. It's a great powder for accuracy loads with the 45 ACP and 38 Special.
- Thread starter
- #10
41rem
Mr 1 grain under max
- Jun 8, 2015
- 59
- 46
Thats ok on my end, l have a decent supply of WW 231 on hand so I'll start with that.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 18,239
- 8,390
Aiming at the "8" and the head at various distances:
5.0 grains of W231 is working out well for me.
Guy
5.0 grains of W231 is working out well for me.
Guy
- Nov 4, 2004
- 27,092
- 13,524
I load 5.3 grs W231 with a Berry 230 gr copper plated bullet.
JD338
JD338
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 4,608
- 8,033
Nice shooting Guy
truck driver
Ammo Smith
- Mar 11, 2013
- 7,519
- 1,351
I showed you what the pistol will do so since I just got it back from the Smith I thought I would share a few pictures.
The padded waterproof case was unexpected but a nice touch from the Smith, the picture of the bottom of the slide shows a special cut done to relieve the pressure on the disconnect when the slide goes back into battery after firing. This is done for smoother cycling of the slide when shooting soft target loads under 800fps, it also helps to make it more reliable when feeding the next round but not necessary on a carry gun.
Tight fitted barrel, barrel bushing, new pins custom made slide stop, sear cut for a short roll along with a 14# flat coil recoil spring and long recoil guide rod and 19# main spring is what makes it shoot so good.
Even though it has had virtually 10s of thousands of rounds shot threw it since Les Bare built it while working in the Springfield Armory Custom shop the slide is still fairly tight which also helps.
The padded waterproof case was unexpected but a nice touch from the Smith, the picture of the bottom of the slide shows a special cut done to relieve the pressure on the disconnect when the slide goes back into battery after firing. This is done for smoother cycling of the slide when shooting soft target loads under 800fps, it also helps to make it more reliable when feeding the next round but not necessary on a carry gun.
Tight fitted barrel, barrel bushing, new pins custom made slide stop, sear cut for a short roll along with a 14# flat coil recoil spring and long recoil guide rod and 19# main spring is what makes it shoot so good.
Even though it has had virtually 10s of thousands of rounds shot threw it since Les Bare built it while working in the Springfield Armory Custom shop the slide is still fairly tight which also helps.
