Light loads for the .45?

[Izzy]

My daughter loves shooting, but is intimidated by my .45.

I have a 1911 compact & want to load some light loads to make shooting the .45 "FUN" for Her.
I ordered some 185gr. bullets & I have some "Unique" powder. I'm wondering what is the least amount of powder I can use, and still run the action.

I know what ever info I get here, I'm still going to have to play around with the load to get it to function reliably in my pistol. I'm just wanting to get some "starting" info from anyone who has done this already.

Thanks!!

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[SAR1846]

My daughter loves shooting, but is intimidated by my .45.

I have a 1911 compact & want to load some light loads to make shooting the .45 "FUN" for Her.
I ordered some 185gr. bullets & I have some "Unique" powder. I'm wondering what is the least amount of powder I can use, and still run the action.

I know what ever info I get here, I'm still going to have to play around with the load to get it to function reliably in my pistol. I'm just wanting to get some "starting" info from anyone who has done this already.

Thanks!!

Unique & cast lead go very well together...

Alliant has online data for 200gr cast SWC & Unique... which is a really nice plinking round.

Lyman Cast book and some of the others may have data for 185gr (assuming cast). Otherwise, 185gr jacketed... most any reloading manual will have data - paper & online.

 

[jimwsea]

I tried a 20% powder reduction in reloading 9mm for a KelTec PF9. It was definitely softer to shoot and cycled as well as a normal load. That KelTec stung more than a full-size 45!

 

[roguebowhunter]

another option i use is titegroup 4.5 grns w/ 230 grn rn. shoots @ 850fps and cycles my xd45

 

[HappyRoman]

If you have a lighter recoil spring, you can load redot all the way down to 1.6->2grs.. but will need a 9-11# spring so it cycles. experimenting can be fun, if you reload.

 

[chemist]

The factory std. recoil spring in a Colt 1911 is 16#, but you can get them all the way down to 7# for a conventional or 5# for a variable-power spring:

<broken link removed>

Pair up one of those babies with your x-lite handloads and you can make it shoot like a .22!

 

[chemist]

If you have a lighter recoil spring, you can load redot all the way down to 1.6->2grs.. but will need a 9-11# spring so it cycles. experimenting can be fun, if you reload.

Ha! I see our answers overlapped in time - but I was penalized two minutes for looking up the link.

 

[MarkAd]

I suggest you start with 3.7 gr of clays. As long as the recoil cycles the action that is all that counts.
Unless you want to change parts.

 

[PinkhamR]

7.3 grs of Unique .... JMO