200 SWC 45 ACP load suggestions

smlranger · 11-16-2012, 07:12 PM

My older brother is downsizing his reloading and gave me 500 Rainer 200 gr. SWC bullets. I'd like to load something fairly soft for target shooting. I've got some AA#2, Win 231 and some Bullseye. Just looking for any favorite loads.

woolleyworm · 11-16-2012, 07:22 PM

I'd take the 231 and do some work-ups with your gun, it's my favorite powder for 45acp. Followed closely by Titegroup.

steve4102 · 11-16-2012, 07:36 PM

All three of the powders you have will work well, look up data, load em and enjoy. Me I like WST above all else in my 45s

Bindernut · 11-16-2012, 08:28 PM

I've been using 231 behind 200gr SWCs in my 1911s.
6.5gr of WW231 is getting me 900fps. Start at published data minimums and work up for your own pistol though.
My PT1911 likes this particular load but my Springfield doesn't really care for it.

If you're looking for a lighter load, try 850fps or so...but most important is get the load to cycle your pistol. Functioning is more important than the velocity.

JLA · 11-16-2012, 09:57 PM

3.8 gr W231. Sam gimme that load and it shoots great

Dog Soldier · 11-16-2012, 10:48 PM

One of my favorite IPSC loads was 6.5/231 under a 200 grs H&G bullet.

Bindernut · 11-17-2012, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

3.8 gr W231. Sam gimme that load and it shoots great

3.8gr for 200grs .45ACP?
That's under the min load in all the manuals I've got...they all list around 5.0gr as a starting load.
What are you getting for velocity and what lb mainspring are you using with it?

smlranger · 11-17-2012, 07:20 AM

Looking at the Hodgdon load data for 200gr LSWC, it shows a starting load of 4.4 gr for 231. My Sierra manual only has data for 200 gr JFP and it shows 5.0 of 231 as starting load.

JLA · 11-17-2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bindernut

3.8gr for 200grs .45ACP?
That's under the min load in all the manuals I've got...they all list around 5.0gr as a starting load.
What are you getting for velocity and what lb mainspring are you using with it?

bout' 700 fps and a 12# variable spring. You wont find that load in any manual. Sam used it many many years in competition and he was gracious enough to share it with me and it shoots wondefully. With the soft recoil it produces it is not hard to shoot inch or better groups within 15 yds.

noylj · 11-17-2012, 08:27 PM

I found all plated bullets, and the SWC bullets in particular, to be amazingly inaccurate and a waste of my money. Hope yours work better.
4.1-5.0gn 231/HP38 (5.6-6.0gn for hardball)
3.2-4.2gn AA2
3.5-4.5gn Bullseye

steve4102 · 11-18-2012, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noylj

I found all plated bullets, and the SWC bullets in particular, to be amazingly inaccurate and a waste of my money. Hope yours work better.
4.1-5.0gn 231/HP38 (5.6-6.0gn for hardball)
3.2-4.2gn AA2
3.5-4.5gn Bullseye

Expensive too! The plated guys have become very proud of their bullets, pricing them right up there with true jacketed. No more plated for me, true jacketed or cast lead.

11-16-2012, 07:12 PM	#1
smlranger V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Smith Mountain Lake in VA Posts: 113	200 SWC 45 ACP load suggestions My older brother is downsizing his reloading and gave me 500 Rainer 200 gr. SWC bullets. I'd like to load something fairly soft for target shooting. I've got some AA#2, Win 231 and some Bullseye. Just looking for any favorite loads. -->

11-16-2012, 07:36 PM	#3
steve4102 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 2,760	Re: 200 SWC 45 ACP load suggestions All three of the powders you have will work well, look up data, load em and enjoy. Me I like WST above all else in my 45s

11-16-2012, 08:28 PM	#4
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,432	Re: 200 SWC 45 ACP load suggestions I've been using 231 behind 200gr SWCs in my 1911s. 6.5gr of WW231 is getting me 900fps. Start at published data minimums and work up for your own pistol though. My PT1911 likes this particular load but my Springfield doesn't really care for it. If you're looking for a lighter load, try 850fps or so...but most important is get the load to cycle your pistol. Functioning is more important than the velocity. Last edited by Bindernut; 11-16-2012 at 08:30 PM..

11-16-2012, 09:57 PM	#5
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,292	Re: 200 SWC 45 ACP load suggestions 3.8 gr W231. Sam gimme that load and it shoots great __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

11-16-2012, 10:48 PM	#6
Dog Soldier V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Great Desert Posts: 154	Re: 200 SWC 45 ACP load suggestions One of my favorite IPSC loads was 6.5/231 under a 200 grs H&G bullet.

11-16-2012, 07:22 PM	#2
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,882	Re: 200 SWC 45 ACP load suggestions I'd take the 231 and do some work-ups with your gun, it's my favorite powder for 45acp. Followed closely by Titegroup. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

11-17-2012, 07:20 AM	#8
smlranger V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Smith Mountain Lake in VA Posts: 113	Re: 200 SWC 45 ACP load suggestions Looking at the Hodgdon load data for 200gr LSWC, it shows a starting load of 4.4 gr for 231. My Sierra manual only has data for 200 gr JFP and it shows 5.0 of 231 as starting load.

11-17-2012, 08:27 PM	#10
noylj V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 113	Re: 200 SWC 45 ACP load suggestions I found all plated bullets, and the SWC bullets in particular, to be amazingly inaccurate and a waste of my money. Hope yours work better. 4.1-5.0gn 231/HP38 (5.6-6.0gn for hardball) 3.2-4.2gn AA2 3.5-4.5gn Bullseye