Any Favorite Loads for .45 Short Barrel?

HiCap

Well, my Para Ordnance C645 should be in today and I need to figure out what to feed her. I'm sure that there will be a lot of trial and error to see what types of loads she will like or dislike, but I was hoping some of you may be able to help me out.

Do any of you have experience with certain brands or loads for a short barrel .45? The Para Ord has a 3 inch barrel.

I'm looking for 1) a good range round and 2) a good home defense round.

Do I want a higher grain bullet (what about recoil / muzzle flip with the short barrel) or do I want a lower grain with a +P?

I know a lot of this will depend on what the weapon likes or dislikes, but maybe some of y'all can help reduce my learning curve a little with regards to ammo selection.

Thanks.

MudbugnLouisiana

HiCap I have a Ruger P-90 and mine has been a great little gun. I shoot 2 different loads in my gun. One is a 185 grain and the other is a 240 grain. I like using Winchester ammo then reloading it for my gun. You will get much better groups with reloaded ammo provided your reloads are being done correctly. My 185 grain is a Remington Golden Sabre. I shoot this round because it has less jump on the barrel and it is a fast round for a 45. I also have a 240 Grain Remington Golden Sabre loaded for my gun. This one is slower than the 185 grain but the stopping power is like a train hitting you. I also reload a cast lead round nose just for plinking. This round is just as accurate in my gun as the other 2. It will be different in your gun so just shoot a few rounds and see which ones your gun likes. You will have to try different powder loads until you find the one your guns likes also. Once you get this done the gun will perform like you want it to. The heavier bullets in my gun do cause more barrel jump than the lighter grains. You will just have to shoot your to find out. On your power, let's say your max load is 6 grains. Load three rounds at 6, 5.5 and a 5.0 load with the same grain bullet. Shoot them and see which one groups better. Once you determine which load the gun seems to shoot better increase and decrease the powder by .1 until you find the best round for your gun. This is how I did my gun so I hopes this helps you.

Shootist3006

For home defense, go with a commercial loading, the 230 gr Golden Saber works well in my Officers Model Colt. For practice/plinking try a 200 gr LSWC (I like the H&G 68 shape) over 4.2 gr. Bullseye. Very accurate load in all my .45s.

Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis

HiCap

Thanks for the info.

Currently I don't reload, but I do want to get into it. I'll print out your suggestions for when I can give them a try.

Right now I'm looking for a more commercially available load.

Something over the counter that my short barreled little Para will respond well to.

Like I said, I'll do some trial and error. I was just hoping some of you guys might be able to steer me toward or away from specific brands.

Thanks again.

punchie

Most of my 45s (small, medium, and large) shoot very well with the Speer Gold Dots. The older 200gr 'flying ashtray' did have some feed problems associated with the shape but it was always fixed by a little fluff and buff.

I have found that the Gold Dot was a very consistant performer over a broader paramter of velocities than some brands (Cor-Bon).

AN ARMED SOCIETY IS A POLITE SOCIETY

Richie Rich

I have a kimber ultra carry and it likes almost anything, for home defense stick with a factory load. I use the hydro shock in 165 gr. They are rated as a top contender in the one stop shot book.

Remember,"your woman may not find you handsome, But atleast she'll find ya handy". I love that show..............

Ed45+P

Your idea to test several kinds of ammo is wise. I personally like the lighter, 185 grain round in the short barrel for a chance to get enough velocity to get the bullet to perform. You might also look at Hydrashocks, Silvertips and XST's from Winchester. You will find that little beauty will like one better than another. I also recommend you look at shooting in subdued light (turn the lights off at your shooting point) and see how much muzzel flash you are getting. Remington uses a flash supressor in their Golden Sabre propellent. One round I personally don't like in the smaller guns is the CorBon. I actually broke a link in my lightweight Caspian Commander with it. Just too hot for a small weapon and needless to say, you don't want the ammo itself to cause a malfunction in the midst of a firefight. Happy shooting and good luck with that new gun. Ed