.45 ACP: Reloading for reduced recoil.

[fstdraw]

I'm fairly new to the 1911 world. I've owned and reloaded for several .45 ACP semi's, but not owned "1911's" until recently.

I like taking peeps up with me to shoot a variety of guns so I'm alway experimenting with reduced loads. Same true of the .45 ACP. I settled on 5.3 grains of Unique for a reduced load that was accurate and enjoyable to shoot. Feeds and ejects well from my Kimber's, very easy shooting. However I do notice a bit of black soot on the case mouths indicating a poor seal. At 5.5 grains I think I notice less soot.

Thoughts and recommendations? 5.5 Unique is very similar to 5.4 of 231. Thank you.

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[Mikej]

I'm fairly new to the 1911 world. I've owned and reloaded for several .45 ACP semi's, but not owned "1911's" until recently.

I like taking peeps up with me to shoot a variety of guns so I'm alway experimenting with reduced loads. Same true of the .45 ACP. I settled on 5.3 grains of Unique for a reduced load that was accurate and enjoyable to shoot. Feeds and ejects well from my Kimber's, very easy shooting. However I do notice a bit of black soot on the case mouths indicating a poor seal. At 5.5 grains I think I notice less soot.

Thoughts and recommendations? 5.5 Unique is very similar to 5.4 of 231. Thank you.

That's unique for you. And the reason I don't use Unique in anything hand gun. I don't do magnum hand gun, other than .357. Do you have W231/HP38? It runs cleaner and is rated just a little faster than Unique. That's my go-to for .45acp and .38sp.

 

[RVTECH]

Thoughts and recommendations?

I have used Unique a LOT over the years and it is my experience when ya start getting into the 5 grain-ish category (0r less) it does not burn well, is inconsistent and dirty - especially in 9mm and .45 ACP.

While I still use it for other things where it works very well, I stopped using it long ago in these two and stuck with either Bullseye, and eventually Titegroup for them.

 

[Alexx1401]

While I do not share my load info I have LONG rolled light loads for Wife. I use 231 but a LOT of powders work fine. Little soot means nothing to me. I keep a 16# spring for when she wants to shoot them and just drop it in one of the 1911's. For Wife who is VERY recoil sensitive she LOVES them.

 

[fstdraw]

I do have 231! It's all I ever used until recently. I started using Unique because I'm loading tons of .45 Colt and .38-40 and have pounds of it.

Cool, back to using W231. Easy. Thank you.

 

[Mikej]

I do have 231! It's all I ever used until recently. I started using Unique because I'm loading tons of .45 Colt and .38-40 and have pounds of it.

Cool, back to using W231. Easy. Thank you.

It measures so well too! That, and HS-6, I will drop 15-20 rounds with out checking.

 

[fstdraw]

Thanks for the advice for my recoil sensitive wife!

 

[Nwcid]

I know that is it not exactly what you are asking about but have you considered a lighter bullet and lighter recoil spring?

 

[Mikej]

I know that is it not exactly what you are asking about but have you considered a lighter bullet and lighter recoil spring?

Oh that's a good question! Going down to 185gr and loading some T&B coated might get your recoil down some too. You might be able to play with it so it just cycles?

 

[Alexx1401]

I know that is it not exactly what you are asking about but have you considered a lighter bullet and lighter recoil spring?

Lighter bullets will make some difference but lighter spring will not change the felt recoil. If the rounds feed fine with the heavy spring all a lighter one will do is beat the gun up. I drop a light spring in one of mine when Wife shoots the light loads because they are so light they will not feed well with the normal spring in the guns.

 

[Nwcid]

Lighter bullets will make some difference but lighter spring will not change the felt recoil. If the rounds feed fine with the heavy spring all a lighter one will do is beat the gun up. I drop a light spring in one of mine when Wife shoots the light loads because they are so light they will not feed well with the normal spring in the guns.

I was not implying that a spring would change the felt recoil,, but a lower power load may need a different spring for proper cycling.

 

[DizzyJ]

185gr lead bullets.

Bullseye

 

[1911Fanatic]

IIRC I used 4.6 gr 231 with a 200gr LSWC and worked my way up to 5.5. Settled on just under 5 for bullseye shooting.

 

[NeoBlackdog]

This sounds to me like an ideal time to buy a 9mm 1911, but I'm an enabler that way.

 

[ron]

Standard reduced load for the 45 auto I have been using for many years. It is also very accurate
'Target' load. 200 SWC and 4 grains of Bullseye. It will function with standard recoil springs.
The 1911 barrel will need to be 'Throated' as most of them are now, to feed SWC bullets reliably.
I now use the coated 200 SWC bullets from T & B. I have used this load in a dozen different
1911s with excellent accuracy. Titegroup I have tried did not match the accuracy of Bullseye.