New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc - The Firearms Forum

power-strings.com · 06-04-2005, 06:05 PM

New load for me anyway. I've been using 5.5grns of bullseye with 200 grn lswc lately and getting great results form my Les Baer 1911 premier II 5" barrell.

Well wouldn't you know it. I ran out of powder so I went to bass pro (s)hoping to get some new powder maybe some titegroup or powerpistol not neseccarily for the 200gr lead bullets but because I read a lot of good articles and threads on this powder being accurate in the 1911. Of course they had neither one as usual (guess I need to have them order it). Man I hate stupid gun laws. Sorry getting off the subject. Anyway I picked up a lb. of unique. Thought it would be different but when I got home I realized I already had unique and a lot of it. (next time - I drive an hour remember to make a note of what I already have and exactly what I want).

Well I got it, might as well use it. Here is what I tried and I what I came up with so far in case anyone needs a reference. I know I will 3 months from now. (Also - if anyone knows a good load for unique, red dot, blue dot with 200grn lead swc for 45acp please let me know so I may use up the rest of my powder). Also my 1911's seem to prefer the max loads better with the 18lb springs I have in them.

All loads below are using Win lage pistol primers and various 45acp brass with 200grn lead SWC bullets and set to 1.19oal

First try with unique:
4.2grns - shot four or five rounds barely wanted to cycle and seem to ftf on the 2nd or 3rd shot. Lots of powder left in the barrel. Used the .53 lee auto disk per the Lee 2nd edition modern reloading which states max chare of 5.1 grns.

Second try with unique:
4.6-4.8grns - shot much better but this sill a little light for my gun. Ocassional ftf and some powder in the barrel. used the .57 disk.

3rd try with unique:
5.0 grns - Ah this feels better and it is cycling just fine. A little powder left in the barrel, but seems to be the same as compared to the bullseye powder loads. I will stop with this load and give it a try at the range in the next few days. Accuracy seems to be 1" or less freehanded at 20 yards with the 3 rounds I shot in my back yard.

I will load up a couple of hundred rounds and see how it does as far as reliable and grouping out to 50 yrds on a rest. The gun I'm using is guarenteed to shoot 1.5" at 50yards so that will give me something to go far. I know with the 5.5-5.8grns of bullseye I was putting them in the same hole at 7yds and all touching at 15 yards free handed but that has been about the just of my accuracy testing.

After I shoot these rounds I may go up to 5.2-5.3grns of unique to see what it will do.

Thanks to all and any who cares. Now I will contiue my search for other loads with these 3 powders and 200grn lead bullets.

verdejt · 06-04-2005, 09:11 PM

Sounds like you are reloading using Lee equipment. I say this because you make reference to a .57 disk. I dumped them long ago and use the Lee Charge bar. It's pretty much set it and forget it. I dial it in and weigh the loads until I get the charge I want then I only weigh about every 10th or 15th to ensure it is still on. So far it has only varied by about +/- .2 grains at the most.

Smoky14 · 06-06-2005, 09:54 AM

All my reloading books show you are playing on the edge of KB with those loads. The Bullseye is in fact exceeding max in two of my books. Just be careful too nice a gun to blow up.
Smoky has the t-shirt

power-strings.com · 06-06-2005, 10:55 AM

Thanks guys!!
Verdejt, I use the turret press. That charge bar I was looking at that a while back and was wondering if it worked good. It just replaces the disk right? Plus you can dial it to the charge you want whereas with the disk the charge you need is in between whats available with the disk cavity's some time. I'm getting ready to order some stuff from midway so I will give one of those a try. I also got to replace the hopper one of the screws is almost breaking. It's always been a great press for the cost but I would like a little improvement on the powder charging.

Hey I got a can of hodgesons Universal I'm going to make some loads to try as well. I shot a few with I believe 6.6grns and they seemed to pretty good had the feel of the bullseye plus it seemed to be cleaner.

verdejt · 06-11-2005, 07:25 PM

Once you put the charge bar in the powder measure you won't have to keep unscrewing the hopper. I also recommend the swivel adapter I just added one to my setup and it works great. I have the 4 hole autoindexing turret press.

Archie · 06-17-2005, 11:25 PM

200 grain lead SWC pushed by a moderate to high dose of Unique is the old standard 'combat' load. The recomended amount of powder changes over time, so I won't try to remember what I used to use; but it's a good load.

I've switched over to WW231 for most handgun applications. It loads about any handgun in about any bullet weight. (The heaviest magnum loads need a slower powder.) 231 is also finer grained and measures better in a measure.

However, Unique still works, and measures well enough not to worry over.

For a light plinking or target load, use the same bullet and between 3.5 and 4.0 grains of Clays. Very clean and very consistent. You just won't get the top end velocity of Unique or 231 or 'other'. But for paper or tin cans, who cares?
----------------------------------
What are you doing sitting here? Go load something!
Archie

blackhawkkid308 · 11-25-2005, 11:41 AM

my target-plinking load is a 200g lswc over 5.5grains of unique. not to light, not to heavy.
blackhawkkid223

mrjerry · 07-16-2012, 09:05 AM

I just read an article in american handgunner, that a very old load is 3.5grns of bullseye useing 200grn lead swc, which is a target load, but will it cycle? especially in my glock 30.YES I know about useing a glock with lead but until I receive the springfield that I ordered I'll have to use my glock 30, which I have great affection for............

mrjerry · 07-16-2012, 09:12 AM

would appreciate an answer to WILL 3.5grns of BULLSEYE USEING 200GRN LEAD SWC CYCLE IN GLOCK 30 .......................THANK YOU GENTLEMEN............JER

myfriendis410 · 07-16-2012, 11:56 AM

I load Unique and a 200 gr. home cast bullet. I'm loading 6.3 gr. That load was near or at the top recommended for lead, but it shoots well and chrono'd at 935 fps. It's a good pin load.

Deacon_Man · 07-16-2012, 04:21 PM

I load my .45acp with 6grn of reddot and a 230grn lead round nose bullet. My 1911 cycles just fine and is accurate.

JLA · 07-16-2012, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrjerry

I just read an article in american handgunner, that a very old load is 3.5grns of bullseye useing 200grn lead swc, which is a target load, but will it cycle? especially in my glock 30.YES I know about useing a glock with lead but until I receive the springfield that I ordered I'll have to use my glock 30, which I have great affection for............

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrjerry

would appreciate an answer to WILL 3.5grns of BULLSEYE USEING 200GRN LEAD SWC CYCLE IN GLOCK 30 .......................THANK YOU GENTLEMEN............JER

7 minutes isnt a whole lot of time for our members to spit out free information for you. So heres a suggestion. Perhaps you could load a few and try it.. then post back and let us know if it worked.

Alpo · 07-16-2012, 11:20 PM

It's amazing how much we think alike.

Load ten of 'em up, put 'em in your gun and pull the trigger.

Hell, even if they cycle MY gun, there is no guarantee they will cycle YOUR gun.

Oh yeah, and "Oh My God, my post has been there for SEVEN MINUTES, and no one has answered yet" is a little - hmmmm, ain't supposed to use that kind of language on this board.

JLA · 07-17-2012, 06:59 AM

Thats why I keep coming back here Alpo. Im surrounded by folks that think exactly like I do.

cpttango30 · 07-17-2012, 07:47 AM

I shoot 5.5gr Titegroup behind a 200gr RN rainer. Love that load for a plinking load.

06-04-2005, 06:05 PM	#1
power-strings.com Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 10	New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc New load for me anyway. I've been using 5.5grns of bullseye with 200 grn lswc lately and getting great results form my Les Baer 1911 premier II 5" barrell. Well wouldn't you know it. I ran out of powder so I went to bass pro (s)hoping to get some new powder maybe some titegroup or powerpistol not neseccarily for the 200gr lead bullets but because I read a lot of good articles and threads on this powder being accurate in the 1911. Of course they had neither one as usual (guess I need to have them order it). Man I hate stupid gun laws. Sorry getting off the subject. Anyway I picked up a lb. of unique. Thought it would be different but when I got home I realized I already had unique and a lot of it. (next time - I drive an hour remember to make a note of what I already have and exactly what I want). Well I got it, might as well use it. Here is what I tried and I what I came up with so far in case anyone needs a reference. I know I will 3 months from now. (Also - if anyone knows a good load for unique, red dot, blue dot with 200grn lead swc for 45acp please let me know so I may use up the rest of my powder). Also my 1911's seem to prefer the max loads better with the 18lb springs I have in them. All loads below are using Win lage pistol primers and various 45acp brass with 200grn lead SWC bullets and set to 1.19oal First try with unique: 4.2grns - shot four or five rounds barely wanted to cycle and seem to ftf on the 2nd or 3rd shot. Lots of powder left in the barrel. Used the .53 lee auto disk per the Lee 2nd edition modern reloading which states max chare of 5.1 grns. Second try with unique: 4.6-4.8grns - shot much better but this sill a little light for my gun. Ocassional ftf and some powder in the barrel. used the .57 disk. 3rd try with unique: 5.0 grns - Ah this feels better and it is cycling just fine. A little powder left in the barrel, but seems to be the same as compared to the bullseye powder loads. I will stop with this load and give it a try at the range in the next few days. Accuracy seems to be 1" or less freehanded at 20 yards with the 3 rounds I shot in my back yard. I will load up a couple of hundred rounds and see how it does as far as reliable and grouping out to 50 yrds on a rest. The gun I'm using is guarenteed to shoot 1.5" at 50yards so that will give me something to go far. I know with the 5.5-5.8grns of bullseye I was putting them in the same hole at 7yds and all touching at 15 yards free handed but that has been about the just of my accuracy testing. After I shoot these rounds I may go up to 5.2-5.3grns of unique to see what it will do. Thanks to all and any who cares. Now I will contiue my search for other loads with these 3 powders and 200grn lead bullets. -->

06-04-2005, 09:11 PM	#2
verdejt V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 59	Re: New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc Sounds like you are reloading using Lee equipment. I say this because you make reference to a .57 disk. I dumped them long ago and use the Lee Charge bar. It's pretty much set it and forget it. I dial it in and weigh the loads until I get the charge I want then I only weigh about every 10th or 15th to ensure it is still on. So far it has only varied by about +/- .2 grains at the most. __________________ It is better to have and not need than to need and not have.

06-06-2005, 09:54 AM	#3
Smoky14 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Nowhere NM Posts: 656	Re: New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc All my reloading books show you are playing on the edge of KB with those loads. The Bullseye is in fact exceeding max in two of my books. Just be careful too nice a gun to blow up. Smoky has the t-shirt

06-06-2005, 10:55 AM	#4
power-strings.com Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 10	Re: New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc Thanks guys!! Verdejt, I use the turret press. That charge bar I was looking at that a while back and was wondering if it worked good. It just replaces the disk right? Plus you can dial it to the charge you want whereas with the disk the charge you need is in between whats available with the disk cavity's some time. I'm getting ready to order some stuff from midway so I will give one of those a try. I also got to replace the hopper one of the screws is almost breaking. It's always been a great press for the cost but I would like a little improvement on the powder charging. Hey I got a can of hodgesons Universal I'm going to make some loads to try as well. I shot a few with I believe 6.6grns and they seemed to pretty good had the feel of the bullseye plus it seemed to be cleaner.

06-11-2005, 07:25 PM	#5
verdejt V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 59	Re: New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc Once you put the charge bar in the powder measure you won't have to keep unscrewing the hopper. I also recommend the swivel adapter I just added one to my setup and it works great. I have the 4 hole autoindexing turret press. __________________ It is better to have and not need than to need and not have.

06-17-2005, 11:25 PM	#6
Archie V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hastings, Nebraska; the Heartland! Posts: 294	Re: New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc 200 grain lead SWC pushed by a moderate to high dose of Unique is the old standard 'combat' load. The recomended amount of powder changes over time, so I won't try to remember what I used to use; but it's a good load. I've switched over to WW231 for most handgun applications. It loads about any handgun in about any bullet weight. (The heaviest magnum loads need a slower powder.) 231 is also finer grained and measures better in a measure. However, Unique still works, and measures well enough not to worry over. For a light plinking or target load, use the same bullet and between 3.5 and 4.0 grains of Clays. Very clean and very consistent. You just won't get the top end velocity of Unique or 231 or 'other'. But for paper or tin cans, who cares? ---------------------------------- What are you doing sitting here? Go load something! Archie

11-25-2005, 11:41 AM	#7
blackhawkkid308 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: pensacola florida Posts: 871	Re: New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc my target-plinking load is a 200g lswc over 5.5grains of unique. not to light, not to heavy. blackhawkkid223 __________________ 9-11-01 lest we forget AMEN

07-16-2012, 09:05 AM	#8
mrjerry Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: pa Posts: 11	Re: New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc I just read an article in american handgunner, that a very old load is 3.5grns of bullseye useing 200grn lead swc, which is a target load, but will it cycle? especially in my glock 30.YES I know about useing a glock with lead but until I receive the springfield that I ordered I'll have to use my glock 30, which I have great affection for............

07-16-2012, 09:12 AM	#9
mrjerry Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: pa Posts: 11	Re: New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc would appreciate an answer to WILL 3.5grns of BULLSEYE USEING 200GRN LEAD SWC CYCLE IN GLOCK 30 .......................THANK YOU GENTLEMEN............JER

07-16-2012, 11:56 AM	#10
myfriendis410 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Lompoc California Posts: 543	Re: New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc I load Unique and a 200 gr. home cast bullet. I'm loading 6.3 gr. That load was near or at the top recommended for lead, but it shoots well and chrono'd at 935 fps. It's a good pin load. __________________ Life's too short to shoot an ugly gun.....

07-16-2012, 04:21 PM	#11
Deacon_Man V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Weatherford Texas Posts: 452	Re: New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc I load my .45acp with 6grn of reddot and a 230grn lead round nose bullet. My 1911 cycles just fine and is accurate.

07-16-2012, 11:20 PM	#13
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc It's amazing how much we think alike. Load ten of 'em up, put 'em in your gun and pull the trigger. Hell, even if they cycle MY gun, there is no guarantee they will cycle YOUR gun. Oh yeah, and "Oh My God, my post has been there for SEVEN MINUTES, and no one has answered yet" is a little - hmmmm, ain't supposed to use that kind of language on this board. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

07-17-2012, 06:59 AM	#14
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,317	Re: New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc Thats why I keep coming back here Alpo. Im surrounded by folks that think exactly like I do. __________________ 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!

07-17-2012, 07:47 AM	#15
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: New 45acp load using unique & 200gr lswc I shoot 5.5gr Titegroup behind a 200gr RN rainer. Love that load for a plinking load.