I shoot average of 50 rounds a week, using a Colt New Agent 45 acp the bullet is a Winchester 230 grain copper jacket round nose. 3 powders on hand, Bullseye , Win 231 & Hod, Universal. Made the mistake loading Universal to light 4.9 gr. OAL 1.260 was thinking of reloading bullseye 5 ea. from 5.0 to 4.5 Universal from 5.4 to 4.9 looking for a light load that will work the slide. Shooting distance 21 feet. Its a carry gun only. Would appreciate your input.
looking for a practice load Colt1911 3" 45acp
- Thread starter cw308
- Start date
g.willikers
New member
Any of those powders you've mentioned will work just fine and plenty of others, too.
Is there a reason you've chosen the ball round over others?
As for agreeable load data, that all depends on the gun, the installed springs, 'etc.
Kinda' hard to know from here.
It's really something you have to experiment with to find out.
Lots of help wasn't I?
Is there a reason you've chosen the ball round over others?
As for agreeable load data, that all depends on the gun, the installed springs, 'etc.
Kinda' hard to know from here.
It's really something you have to experiment with to find out.
Lots of help wasn't I?
g.willikers, you always add something positive to a thread - even if it's just general in nature.
Which is what I'll do too . . .
Bullseye and W231 are both legendary performers with 45 ACP. And your shorter barrel makes them even more attractive than many other slower burning choices.
If you have Bullseye and W231, you need not look further for the correct propellant(s) for your application. You're set.
Which is what I'll do too . . .
Bullseye and W231 are both legendary performers with 45 ACP. And your shorter barrel makes them even more attractive than many other slower burning choices.
If you have Bullseye and W231, you need not look further for the correct propellant(s) for your application. You're set.
"...Its a carry gun only..." You should practice with whatever you're using as 'carry ammo'.
However, I've only ever used 4.5 of Bullseye(Start load for a jacketed 230. 5 is max.) and only with cast 230's. Cycles a Colt Series 70 with no fuss.
Mind you, you need to work up the load for your pistol.
"...5 ea. from..." Is exactly how it's done. Shoot off as solid a rest as you can too.
4.9 of Universal is slightly below minimum of 5.1 though.
However, I've only ever used 4.5 of Bullseye(Start load for a jacketed 230. 5 is max.) and only with cast 230's. Cycles a Colt Series 70 with no fuss.
Mind you, you need to work up the load for your pistol.
"...5 ea. from..." Is exactly how it's done. Shoot off as solid a rest as you can too.
4.9 of Universal is slightly below minimum of 5.1 though.
T. O'Heir pretty much says it all.
If you want to tinker with different loads just for your own knowledge, here's my method of working down loads for any given caliber and bullet weight/profile:
Using standard load data for your specific bullet, you can reduce the powder charge until the round fails to function reliably in your firearm.
I would seek 100% reliable functioning with a full magazine (highest spring tension from magazine) and slide lock with last round fired. Anemic loads may provide reliable ejection of fired rounds and chambering of subsequent rounds, but it may not go into slide lock if slightly under-powered.
You don't really want your ammo to be at the margins, so this process is really just for your own information.
I would recommend that you sample different bullet styles, if you expect to be using assorted bullets, since not all guns like all bullet shapes. You don't want to find this out when in a crisis or when ordering bulk ammo.
Good luck.
If you want to tinker with different loads just for your own knowledge, here's my method of working down loads for any given caliber and bullet weight/profile:
Using standard load data for your specific bullet, you can reduce the powder charge until the round fails to function reliably in your firearm.
I would seek 100% reliable functioning with a full magazine (highest spring tension from magazine) and slide lock with last round fired. Anemic loads may provide reliable ejection of fired rounds and chambering of subsequent rounds, but it may not go into slide lock if slightly under-powered.
You don't really want your ammo to be at the margins, so this process is really just for your own information.
I would recommend that you sample different bullet styles, if you expect to be using assorted bullets, since not all guns like all bullet shapes. You don't want to find this out when in a crisis or when ordering bulk ammo.
Good luck.
A full size 1911 with A1 type firing pin stop (most) is easy to cycle. Even the commercial target load of 185 grain JSWC's and the equivalent of about 4.2 grains of bullseye will cycle most of them. The 3" guns with their heavy springs are a bit tougher. Sticking with the 230 will help from the cycling standpoint and will tend to keep your POI closer to the same than others. But you could start as low as 4 grains of Bullseye and work up in 0.2 grain steps till something cycles it, then make up a couple hundred of that load and see if it cycles them all or has a few feed failures, in which case you need to go up to the increment.
Thanks guys for answering
g.willikers
Hardball is what's recommended for the 3" I just bought the gun, first time with a 3" 1911, reading up on things to look for, most 1911 just keep them clean & lubed. 3" some could be finicky.
Nick C S
Bullseye as long as its in stock will be my first choice in powder.
T O' Heir
4.9 grains of Universal is below minimum, you can say that again, loaded one at a time & had to rack the slide 50 times. Just want a light for trigger time, always finish up with full loads.
CTSixshot
Practice loads will be midrange of Bullseye 4.5gr. I only shoot 230 gr fmj
Unclenick
I have a full size Colt 1911 series 70 with that collet barrel bushing, changed it to a standard bushing, the 5" shoots anything I feed it. The 3" my be a little iffy, as a carry I'll stisk to hardball.
As always, thanks again for your input guys.
Chris
g.willikers
Hardball is what's recommended for the 3" I just bought the gun, first time with a 3" 1911, reading up on things to look for, most 1911 just keep them clean & lubed. 3" some could be finicky.
Nick C S
Bullseye as long as its in stock will be my first choice in powder.
T O' Heir
4.9 grains of Universal is below minimum, you can say that again, loaded one at a time & had to rack the slide 50 times. Just want a light for trigger time, always finish up with full loads.
CTSixshot
Practice loads will be midrange of Bullseye 4.5gr. I only shoot 230 gr fmj
Unclenick
I have a full size Colt 1911 series 70 with that collet barrel bushing, changed it to a standard bushing, the 5" shoots anything I feed it. The 3" my be a little iffy, as a carry I'll stisk to hardball.
As always, thanks again for your input guys.
Chris
For the loads your looking into I would go with one of the plated bullets from Berry's, or similar. They can be had in bulk and aren't overly expensive.
Like mentioned, it's hard to beat Bullseye or even Unique for that matter but the BE meters great. I use anywhere from 4.0gr with cast 200swc's to up to 5.0grs for the plated 230's depending on which ones they are. Most of the time they are MUCH better than I am.
Just load up small batches at first for testing function and accuracy. Once you find what you're pistol likes then go mass production.
Like mentioned, it's hard to beat Bullseye or even Unique for that matter but the BE meters great. I use anywhere from 4.0gr with cast 200swc's to up to 5.0grs for the plated 230's depending on which ones they are. Most of the time they are MUCH better than I am.
Just load up small batches at first for testing function and accuracy. Once you find what you're pistol likes then go mass production.
Since I found Ranier plated bullets. Rainer has many bullets to choose from and at a great price. I think that's all I need for practice. To pay less and get the best accuracy I can't ask for more.
With my Colt 80 series I use Bullseye and their 200Gr. plated round nose.
It's my most accurate round.
Now you with your 3" being a shorter stroke you may just want to try a short round nose in a 200 Grain. Work up a charge of Bullseye with at least 3 clips of each load for testing from a good rest as Unclnick mentioned.
Try it I think you will like it.
With my Colt 80 series I use Bullseye and their 200Gr. plated round nose.
It's my most accurate round.
Now you with your 3" being a shorter stroke you may just want to try a short round nose in a 200 Grain. Work up a charge of Bullseye with at least 3 clips of each load for testing from a good rest as Unclnick mentioned.
Try it I think you will like it.
