45ACP load data?

tomh.

Any of you guys have a load that works well in a 45 Govt Model with a compensator? I just got this pistol and don't know where to start with a load for it. I'm a newbie to this pistol but not to reloading. So I don't know how the comp will affect my load.
I'm not trying to make major power, just have some fun with it.

ContacFront

Tomh,

I use 5.1gn of Hodgdon Titegroup. Works very well in my Kimber. What bullets are you using?

Pearyw

I have a 1911 that I built with a Wilson full profile comp. It takes a hot load and a light recoil spring. My standard is 230 fmj with 8.2 gr AA5 with a 13 # recoil spring. A lot depends on the effectiveness of your comp. If you are trying to get away with light loads, you will have to use even lighter recoil springs. I don't like to go lighter than a 13# due to reliability problems in chambering a round.

tomh.

Thanks guys. I was thinking I'd use a 200 gr Speer but just because I have some ready at hand. One of my favorites is 200 gr Speer with 9.2 gr Blue Dot. I don't have a problem buying some different weight or powder, though. Any excuse is good enough!
My Lyman cookbook is a few years old and doesn't really have any comp-specific loads. So I'm really looking for a complete starting point. I found two major power comp loads from magazines: 185 gr swc with 5.6 gr Red Dot and 200 gr swc with 5.8 gr W231 Got any feelings on these two?

Contac, what bullet are you using? And what spring?

Pearyw, that's almost a max load, isn't it? That's the point to the comp, right? That I can use a hotter load with less perceived recoil? (I'm trying not to look like a newbie here.) Maybe I'll try that one.

I'm liking this a lot better than paintball already!

ContacFront

Tomh,

I am using a 18lbs spring and my gun is more geared for tactical use instead of competition shooting. I don't know if the load I use would cycle your gun with a comp on it.

If you do get a chance try Titegroup, very clean buring powder and gives you a lot of velocity using very lil powder.

I am using 230RN FMJ.

bpost

I've used 6.0 gr of UNIQUE in my "ball ammo" loads, 230FMJ or CAST. I haven't found a good enough reason to change it in 20 years.

Shootist3006

For the 200 gr bullet, try 4.1 to 4.4 gr. of Bullseye.

NRA ENdowment, CRPA Life, Past President NRA Members Council
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CS8161

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Chris8161
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n/a

www.loadyourown.com, recommends different loads for different weight and type bullets.. I personally use 5 grans of Bullseye, or 5.4 grains of 700X,

Go to the site and print out all the different .45 loads and recommendations..

rimfire72

For my selfdefense loads I use a 200gr Hornady XTP with a Win. primer and 5.0 grains of Bullseye. For targets a cast 200gr rnfp with 4.5 grains Bullseye. (same primer)

Bopeep2

[}:)]Everybody likes a little A-- but NOBODY likes a Smart A--!!!!!!!!!!quote:Originally posted by Chris8161
invest in a reloading manual!

Chris8161
Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof!

yekimak

I once used 242gr hard cast lead semi wadcutters over 6.5 grains of unique with magnum primers out of my megastar....we called them "Kenworths" because the guy that loaded them was Ken and they hit like a truck. Flattened out the primers so it was a bit stiff for most, but they were fun to shoot.

steve45

My standard practice load is 5.5 grains of 231 powder with a 200 gr lead semi-wadcutter. Accurate, clean and functions perfectly.

RadCat

Standard formula for compensators: light bullet + slow burning powder.

The stupidest thing would be to use the heaviest bullets with the fastest powders. (for compensators)

The light bullets will reduce recoil and give you higher speeds. The slower burning powder will give you the "gases" needed to eject upwards from the compensator to give you down force. Fast powders do not create enough gases, and heavy bullets produce more muzzle jump.

A formula that works very well is 185gr. JHP (Star Bullets) with 7.5 gr. of Vihtavuori N350 powder. Another one is 185 gr. JHP with 9.2 gr. of True Blue (Ramshot Powders). And still another one is 185 gr JHP with 7.3 gr. of Hodgdon Universal powder.