I've been considering the purchase of a .45 ACP 1911 and an XDs recently. Although the acquisition hasn't yet occurred, I've been starting to accumulate the necessary tooling and supplies to build ammo for this cartridge. But never having shot a larger caliber handgun, I have no idea of what bullet weights these guns might like best: 185 gr, 200 gr or 230 grain.
As availability is a bit of a problem in the current marketplace, and as a standard practice [even before our current marketplace situation], I like to buy in bulk when I find a source of available satisfactory product. So... If you were to buy a couple thousand bullets for your .45, what bullet weight do you find to work most reliably and accurately in your pistol? And what powder have you found that works best? Also, as I'm a bit recoil shy, is there a substantial difference in recoil between the 185, 200 and 235 grain loads?
I've shot a .45 only about 3-4 rounds, unknown bullet weight, during an informal "show and tell" gun trade at a local club a few years ago. The recoil was modest and easily controlled in the 4" barreled 1911. But the experience created a desire that has been smoldering for a time now and will likely soon result in the purchase of a couple of new pistols.
Gee, how I long for the good old days when you could go into your local gun shop and buy a hundred of each bullet weight, a couple recommended powders and then assemble some test loads. I haven't seen single boxes of pistol bullets on the shelf in many months..... Obviously this is good for business, for the manufacturers and the retailers, ... but it makes our retail purchasing a bit more difficult than before. As when you see it, you need to get it, lest it be gone and next availability is a large question mark.
As always, thanks for your generous assistance.
rquack
As availability is a bit of a problem in the current marketplace, and as a standard practice [even before our current marketplace situation], I like to buy in bulk when I find a source of available satisfactory product. So... If you were to buy a couple thousand bullets for your .45, what bullet weight do you find to work most reliably and accurately in your pistol? And what powder have you found that works best? Also, as I'm a bit recoil shy, is there a substantial difference in recoil between the 185, 200 and 235 grain loads?
I've shot a .45 only about 3-4 rounds, unknown bullet weight, during an informal "show and tell" gun trade at a local club a few years ago. The recoil was modest and easily controlled in the 4" barreled 1911. But the experience created a desire that has been smoldering for a time now and will likely soon result in the purchase of a couple of new pistols.
Gee, how I long for the good old days when you could go into your local gun shop and buy a hundred of each bullet weight, a couple recommended powders and then assemble some test loads. I haven't seen single boxes of pistol bullets on the shelf in many months..... Obviously this is good for business, for the manufacturers and the retailers, ... but it makes our retail purchasing a bit more difficult than before. As when you see it, you need to get it, lest it be gone and next availability is a large question mark.
As always, thanks for your generous assistance.
rquack
I have been using the 200 gr. SWC because lead is getting hard to get around here, almost like impossible. My stepson works for a car dealership and was selling me used wheelweights from their tire shop until the boss found out Seems like they'e supposed to sell only to licensed recylers and the recylcers say that the EPA rules forbid selling lead to us peons. :x We have a few wildcat tire shops here in town and even they won't sell used weights because they reuse them. 
