Very bestest .45ACP target loads

B

Brutus

New member
Just curious as to what other folks deem to be their most accurate and favorite reload is for the .45ACP.
Used to love shooting 200gr. lead SWC's with Bullseye but I shoot at an indoor range so I've switched to 200gr. plated flat points to reduce lead fumes, even though I still shoot lead out of my revolvers.

My favorite to date has been 200gr. Rainier flat points on top of 6.0gr. of HP-38 or WW231. Gets me 845fps with a spread of 49fps.
 
200 grain Hornady JSWC over 4.2 grains of Bullseye. Federal brass and Federal 150 primer.

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Everybody seems to be on the same page with bullseye, haven't reloaded for 45's for awhile, but I remember it was on the dirty side. I think winchester 231 was the powder that worked for me.
 
Bullseye's got enough graphite on it that it blows around a bit. But it works and has a lengthy history. A lot of folks like OBP231 (sold as Winchester 231 and Hodgdon HP38; same stuff; same load data at Hodgdon's site). It meters more consistently than Bullseye, but it's still not really clean. For cleaner go to Hodgdon Universal.
 
Don't know why but Alliant powders, with the exception of some rifle offerings, just aren't making it to the local store shelves in my area. Haven't seen bullseye, unique or 2400 in several years. Fortunatly Hodgden powders have made something of a come back as well as some from Accurate. Not going to pay a hazemat fee if I don't have to. Love Universal clays but it's my goto powder for .357, .44mag. and .45 Colt target rounds where I do shoot lead SWC's. It has for all intents and purposes replaced Unique in those applications and I don't think I'll be going back to it unless Universal dries up and Unique becomes abundent.
 
Currently my target load is 4.2 grains of Bullseye under a Blue Bullets coated 200 grain SWC. Works great in my HK. No smoke, no smell, no leading.

My old standard was the Hornady 200 grain jacketed SWC. They haven't been available for almost 3 years now. I still have ~1000 stashed.

ETA, I've also had great luck with Clays and VV N310.
 
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I used to use Xtreme 200gr flat points which gave excellent accuracy. My pistols feed the 200gr round noses better and accuracy is comparable so I switched to those. I've had good results with Universal, Clays, 700X and N320.
 
Mine has been Hornady 200gr. LSWC 12108, and the C/T LSWC 12208.
Both of those over 5.6gr. of Unique.
Mixed brass.
Winchester WLP for the large primer pocket, and Federal 100 for the small pockets.
 
Most of the bullseye shooters I shoot with use 185 grain SWC bullets, use the shorter button nose with larger bearing surface of you pistol will feed them well. I started with bullseye powder but switched to WST powder at the recommendation of a bullseye vet, it's a bit less snappy. I have issues with recoil anticipation but the 185 grain bullets and WST have been helping me a bit.
 
200g Berry's flat point over Silhouette. R&P brass with S&B primers. Close range indoors I could not tell a difference between the Sellier & Bellot and a name brand primer. There on sale most of the time at the BBS close to my house for 20.00 per 1000. Any good, bad input on S&B?
 
4.0/Red Dot/200 gr. SWC for PPC-type stuff & falling-plate matches.
4.0/Red Dot/225gr. TC or 230gr. LRN for falling plate match with obstinate plates.
4.6/Red Dot/225gr. TC or 230gr. LRN for IDPA, practice, general purpose.
 
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