1911 Commander Reloading Report

[doc540]

First .45ACP reloads on my RCBS Rock Chucker w/Lee dies

1998 Colt CCO
4.25"
.45ACP
Bar-Sto match barrel

Bullets:
200gr LSWC
230gr LRN

Powder: Win231

Primers: Federal LMPP

Misc Brass

200gr OAL - 1.240
240gr OAL - 1.249

Temp 70
Humidity 90
Wind 5-10

25 yds

Semi-rested (front frame only)

Benchmark: Winchester White Box 230gr FMJ
Av - V: 794fps

200gr LSWC
avg:
4.6gr - 777fps
5.1gr - 788fps
5.6gr - 873fps *MOST ACCURATE*
5.9gr - 923fps

230gr LRN
avg:
4.6gr - 757fps * MOST ACCURATE*
5.0gr - 814fps
5.5gr - 859fps



230gr LRN
4.6gr

[doc540]

Nice shooting, doc - which of the 2 bullet types would you say was more accurate in your pistol?

thanks

Since my rest and shooting were kind'a half-azzed, I can't say for sure yet.

I'm going to reload more of each and try to focus on accuracy.

Of course, common sense dictates using the 230's since the require less powder, and powder is scarce right now.

[doc540]

Reason I ask is I've never met a 230gr mold I liked enough to buy, but v-rog recently bought himself an NOE 230gr mold and gave me 50 or so rounds to try out.

I didn't have enough time to try them at 25 yards, but they fed very smoothly - so I was fiddling with the idea of loading some 200gr SWC and some 230gr RN to just hit Major factor - and then compare the general recoil/accuracy of both for IDPA purposes.

That's an excellent plan.

[LTUME1978]

Andy,

Please let us know how testing on the two bullet weights work out. I plan to do the same thing after state IDPA as I want to switch from shooting a 9 mm in SSP and go to a 1911 is CDP. I am always interested in learnings from others. FWIW, every top shooter I have talked to in IDPA uses the 147 grain bullet for the 9mm to get lower recoil/less muzzle flip at power factor. I have talked with one really good CDP shooter that likes the 200 grain SWC over the 230 RN only because of the clean hole it cuts vs. the round nose. He said he has picked up enough points over the years at big matches from that (being able to tell that the bullet just did cut the line) that he thinks staying with the 200 gr. SWC is the way to go (at least for him).

[v-rog]

Great shooting and a great report!
As Andy stated, I'm using a new boolit for IDPA, CDP division. After a year of shooting the 200gr SWCs, I switched to the 230gr boolits. I've found that I have less muzzle flip and more control for quicker follow-on shots. My data is:

Gun: S&W M&P 45 (4' barrel length, .4523 bore diameter)
Boolit: NOE .454-225 RN (sized down to .453)
Powder: Titegroup, 3.9 gr.
Primers: CCI 300
Shells: mixed
OAL: 1.250
Chronographed results- 745 fps avg (CDP 230gr bullet PF=720 fps)

I'll be interested in your findings.

[LTUME1978]

V-rog,

Curious why you shoot a M&P 45 in CDP. You can use that in SSP and not have to run against 1911s. I did that (shot my M&P 45 in SSP) until I started working as an SO and was not able to police my brass (it kills me to loose 45 brass). Once I started working as an SO, I switched to the 9mm (does not hurt as bad to loose 9 brass :-) ).

[v-rog]

V-rog,

Curious why you shoot a M&P 45 in CDP. You can use that in SSP and not have to run against 1911s. I did that (shot my M&P 45 in SSP) until I started working as an SO and was not able to police my brass (it kills me to loose 45 brass). Once I started working as an SO, I switched to the 9mm (does not hurt as bad to loose 9 brass :-) ).

At the time, my decision was based on practical reasons. I had a M&P 9c and I liked the platform so much that I ordered the M&P 45. Also, I'm more accurate with my 45 than my 9mm and I enjoy shooting in CDP. My next IDPA gun will most likely be an STI Trojan 5.0 (45ACP). Concerning ammo costs, I have a decent supply of lead and brass, so the cost is negligible.

[v-rog]

Just for kicks I've added two pics. The first pic is of my old boolit, the Lee .452-200SWC. The second pic is of my new boolit, NOE .454-225 RN.

OLD

NEW