.45 ACP load for IDPA - The Firearms Forum

Gunfyter · 04-08-2003, 10:07 AM

How about some input as to your favorite load for IDPA. I'm currently loading a Winchester 230 gr MC over 5.5 gr of 231. Do any of you use cast bullets? Quite a bit cheaper, but I'd like to hear what you think.

Shooter45 · 04-20-2003, 10:41 PM

I shoot alot of cast bullets. A good load is 5.2 gr. Win 231 under a 200 gr. LSWC .

Xracer · 04-26-2003, 09:23 AM

I use cast bullets (from wheelweights) for all my shooting (except for CC).

For plinking and paper punching, a 200 gr. SWC, 3.7 gr. of Bullseye.

For bowling pins, a 250 gr. Keith-type (made for .45 (Long) Colt....sized to .451), 6.1 gr. of Unique. The big square-nosed Keith-type bullet required some modification to the feedramp to feed reliably, but once I got that taken care of, that big ol' sucker would really bounce those pins!

For IDPA I loaded duplicate factory (or military) load. A 230 gr. RN (for sure feeding), 6.0 gr. of Unique. It's strong enough to meet the "full powered load" criterion, yet not so powerful that you have a long "recoil recovery" time.

As you can see, I much prefer the "big and slow" over the "light and fast". It's easier on me, easier on the pistol, gives a much more benign recoil, and a much faster recovery time.

inplanotx · 04-26-2003, 10:03 AM

I also use the HandG 68 200 grain LSWC cast from wheel weights. I load up 5.3 grains of WW231 with WW LP primers.
I have a 4 cavity Lyman mold for them and size to .452. My barrel, Ed Brown match, slugs out at .4515. Shoots like a dream.

Hey X, what did you have to do to the feed ramp to feed the Keith type 250's. I have another 4 cavity that spits out 255grain GC Keith type also, for my 45 Colt and have never tried it in my auto. Right now, my feed ramp is polished to where I can feed empty cases without problems.

Xracer · 05-02-2003, 08:14 PM

If you can feed an empty case, you should be able to feed one of those big square-nosed Keith types.

I polished the feedramp well and then carefully ground and polished down the small step at the rear of the chamber until there was an absolutely smooth transition from the feedramp into the chamber when the barrel was in the "feed" position.

inplanotx · 05-04-2003, 09:28 AM

Thanks Xracer. I looked at my ramp and it sounds like they are the same. Do you increase the spring weight when you shoot those? Also have some 300 grain GC that I might try also, but I'm worried that these may go too deep into the case. Will load a dummy and see how far she needs to be seated. What's your OAL on the 255?

Thanks

Xracer · 05-05-2003, 08:16 AM

I think my spring is about 18 lbs.....it's just a tad heavier than a stock Colt spring, but will still cycle GI ball ammo. This isn't really a hot load. It's big and slow and does a nice job on bowling pins.

I go for an OAL of about 1.17"

BUT......different guns differ (obviously). I started at about 5.8 gr. and worked up to about around 6.4 and then settled on 6.1 as having the best accuracy for my particular gun.

inplanotx · 05-05-2003, 03:49 PM

Thank for the info Xracer, gonna have to give it a try. I have a couple of wolf springs laying around.

rayra · 05-11-2003, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shooter45
I shoot alot of cast bullets. A good load is 5.2 gr. Win 231 under a 200 gr. LSWC .

same-same. and occasionally lead Truncated Cone as well.

Gunfyter · 05-16-2003, 01:11 PM

I made the switch to the 200gr SWC last night. The only thing I did was lower the powder charge to 5.2gr of W231. I left the bullet seating and crimp stages where they were. After the crimp, the case mouth is flush with the top of the shoulder of the slug. Is this good or should I pull the slug out a little bit? Also, should I expect any feed problems?

inplanotx · 05-16-2003, 01:54 PM

I usually leave 1/16" of lead outside the mouth, this makes it easier to slide into the chamber. It cushions the round also.

Gunfyter · 05-16-2003, 02:01 PM

I wondered about that, so that's why I asked. Just seemed to be better to leave the slug out a bit and get a tighter crimp as well. Thanks

04-08-2003, 10:07 AM	#1
Gunfyter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,956	.45 ACP load for IDPA How about some input as to your favorite load for IDPA. I'm currently loading a Winchester 230 gr MC over 5.5 gr of 231. Do any of you use cast bullets? Quite a bit cheaper, but I'd like to hear what you think. -->

04-26-2003, 10:03 AM	#4
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	I also use the HandG 68 200 grain LSWC cast from wheel weights. I load up 5.3 grains of WW231 with WW LP primers. I have a 4 cavity Lyman mold for them and size to .452. My barrel, Ed Brown match, slugs out at .4515. Shoots like a dream. Hey X, what did you have to do to the feed ramp to feed the Keith type 250's. I have another 4 cavity that spits out 255grain GC Keith type also, for my 45 Colt and have never tried it in my auto. Right now, my feed ramp is polished to where I can feed empty cases without problems. Last edited by inplanotx; 04-26-2003 at 10:04 AM..

05-16-2003, 01:11 PM	#10
Gunfyter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,956	OK GUYS I made the switch to the 200gr SWC last night. The only thing I did was lower the powder charge to 5.2gr of W231. I left the bullet seating and crimp stages where they were. After the crimp, the case mouth is flush with the top of the shoulder of the slug. Is this good or should I pull the slug out a little bit? Also, should I expect any feed problems? __________________ Anything worth shooting once, is worth shooting again. If it ain't broke, break it. Someone needs the work

05-16-2003, 02:01 PM	#12
Gunfyter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,956	I wondered about that, so that's why I asked. Just seemed to be better to leave the slug out a bit and get a tighter crimp as well. Thanks __________________ Anything worth shooting once, is worth shooting again. If it ain't broke, break it. Someone needs the work

04-20-2003, 10:41 PM	#2
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,749	I shoot alot of cast bullets. A good load is 5.2 gr. Win 231 under a 200 gr. LSWC .

04-26-2003, 09:23 AM	#3
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	I use cast bullets (from wheelweights) for all my shooting (except for CC). For plinking and paper punching, a 200 gr. SWC, 3.7 gr. of Bullseye. For bowling pins, a 250 gr. Keith-type (made for .45 (Long) Colt....sized to .451), 6.1 gr. of Unique. The big square-nosed Keith-type bullet required some modification to the feedramp to feed reliably, but once I got that taken care of, that big ol' sucker would really bounce those pins! For IDPA I loaded duplicate factory (or military) load. A 230 gr. RN (for sure feeding), 6.0 gr. of Unique. It's strong enough to meet the "full powered load" criterion, yet not so powerful that you have a long "recoil recovery" time. As you can see, I much prefer the "big and slow" over the "light and fast". It's easier on me, easier on the pistol, gives a much more benign recoil, and a much faster recovery time.

05-02-2003, 08:14 PM	#5
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	If you can feed an empty case, you should be able to feed one of those big square-nosed Keith types. I polished the feedramp well and then carefully ground and polished down the small step at the rear of the chamber until there was an absolutely smooth transition from the feedramp into the chamber when the barrel was in the "feed" position.

05-04-2003, 09:28 AM	#6
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	Thanks Xracer. I looked at my ramp and it sounds like they are the same. Do you increase the spring weight when you shoot those? Also have some 300 grain GC that I might try also, but I'm worried that these may go too deep into the case. Will load a dummy and see how far she needs to be seated. What's your OAL on the 255? Thanks

05-05-2003, 08:16 AM	#7
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	I think my spring is about 18 lbs.....it's just a tad heavier than a stock Colt spring, but will still cycle GI ball ammo. This isn't really a hot load. It's big and slow and does a nice job on bowling pins. I go for an OAL of about 1.17" BUT......different guns differ (obviously). I started at about 5.8 gr. and worked up to about around 6.4 and then settled on 6.1 as having the best accuracy for my particular gun.

05-05-2003, 03:49 PM	#8
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	Thank for the info Xracer, gonna have to give it a try. I have a couple of wolf springs laying around.

05-16-2003, 01:54 PM	#11
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	I usually leave 1/16" of lead outside the mouth, this makes it easier to slide into the chamber. It cushions the round also.