45ACP loads, what are you shooting?

[Whitey James]

Just out of curiosity, what do your loads look like?

I am currently shooting Missouri Bullets 230 grain "softball" that I powder coat over Titegroup. 

After this batch of bullets are used up I will be loading some 200gr Slippery Bullets (use for both ACP and Colt)

Does anyone BUY factory loads for WB?

[Boggus Deal]

Stick with the 230. If you have to make power factor, the 230 at 700 fps is quicker split times between shots than a 200 at 800 fps. Also, softer recoil. 

[El Chapo]

I am shooting 230s with Solo 1000.  I will probably switch to something like Ramshot Zip when I run out of it.  If I can make Ramshot Competition work at the PF I want, I may just do that since that's what I use for smokeless CAS.

[KingSnake]

230 LRN over 4.0 gr WST

[Garrison Joe]

Get WST powder.  Cleaner than Titegroup.  200 grain slugs making about 160 PF will probably need 4.6 grains of WST, but I find each 1911 gives slightly different velocities. Find a buddy with a chronograph and test your loads.

good luck, GJ

[Garrison Joe]

Quote

Does anyone BUY factory loads for WB?

Very few sources for factory lead bullet loads at the slower-than-factory velocities common in WB.

WB is a reloader's game!   GJ

[Whitey James]

2 hours ago, Garrison Joe said:

Very few sources for factory lead bullet loads at the slower-than-factory velocities common in WB.

WB is a reloader's game!   GJ

I figured as much. I suppose non-reloaders would have difficulty. Honestly, I can't imagine not reloading and being very active in this game.

[marshal stone]

230 gr. Desperado Cowboy bullets with either:

3.6 gr. Clays

4.3 gr. VV N320

4.1 gr. WST

4.8 Unique

5.1 HP 38

Any of these will work.

A Chrono is your best friend.

I also use Federal Large pistol magnum primers.

Marshal Stone

[Whitey James]

I am happy with my loads, I was just curious as to what everyone else shoots for WB matches.

[trooper]

We had a real famine of powder supply Down Under 2 years ago....(easing now somewhat)...  I got hold of Vectan A1 back then and have been MORE than pleased with it in the 45.  4.2 gr under a 200 RNFP

[Whitey James]

31 minutes ago, trooper said:

We had a real famine of powder supply Down Under 2 years ago....(easing now somewhat)...  I got hold of Vectan A1 back then and have been MORE than pleased with it in the 45.  4.2 gr under a 200 RNFP

Luckily I had stocked up on powder and primers so I never ran dry during the "Great Covid Drought" over the last four years. 

Now I am stocking back up. The next month may be very telling. 50/50 shot of panic buying and ammo/component hoarding. 

Never let an opportunity like social unrest and governmental overreach go to waste. raise those prices to 3 times what they were before!

 

[Doc12379]

I load Missouri Bullet's coated K-Ball (233gr RN), Winchester or Federal large pistol primers, and 3.8 gr of WST.  I like this bullet because it has a very close profile to the Lyman 225gr RN mold I use when I have time to cast bullets.  This bullet also feeds great.

[Whitey James]

40 minutes ago, Doc12379 said:

I load Missouri Bullet's coated K-Ball (233gr RN), Winchester or Federal large pistol primers, and 3.8 gr of WST.  I like this bullet because it has a very close profile to the Lyman 225gr RN mold I use when I have time to cast bullets.  This bullet also feeds great.

I use a lot of Missouri bullets. Good stuff. Just recently ordered some bullets from Slippery Bullets. They have a 200gr .45 that is a hybrid between a 45 ACP and 45 Colt that pretty nice. Loaded some for the last WB match I shot. fed great, no issues.

[Shootinfox2]

200 gr. RNFP over 4 grains of promo/red dot makes power factor easily and is a mild recoil load.

[Happy Jack]

DOC 12379  3.8 grains of WST may be a little light to make PF .  Most use 4.0 or 4.1 to make a little room over PF in case they test with a cheap chrono and it is a bit off.

[Joe Cross]

Missouri Bullet Co Hi-Tek coated 225gr TC, 4.1 gr of WST, Fed or Win std LPP.

[Abe E.S. Corpus]

Scarlett Darlin’ sells .45 ACP “Cowboy Cartridges” for those who don’t “roll their own”.

[Deacon KC]

Try this too:

https://choiceammunition.com/product-category/cowboy-action/cowboy-45/45-acp-wild-bunch/

[Burt the Undertaker]

230gr "pointed" bullet that a local guy makes, with 4.1-4.2gr Bullseye is what Ive been using for years.

I was thinking of trying 200gr rnfp with 4.9gr bullseye but I'm hearing that the split times/recoil is more with the lighter bullet....

[Boggus Deal]

1 hour ago, Burt the Undertaker said:

230gr "pointed" bullet that a local guy makes, with 4.1-4.2gr Bullseye is what Ive been using for years.

I was thinking of trying 200gr rnfp with 4.9gr bullseye but I'm hearing that the split times/recoil is more with the lighter bullet....

They absolutely are slower with the lighter bullet. Having spent way more time and money testing it, the 230 at 700-725 fps is the way to go. 
Anyone want my leftover 250 gr bullets I was trying to see if they were worth it….

[Abilene]

I was loading 4.4gr of 231 with a 230RN but now am using 4.1gr WST with 230RN

[El Chapo]

On 3/13/2025 at 7:48 PM, Boggus Deal said:

They absolutely are slower with the lighter bullet. Having spent way more time and money testing it, the 230 at 700-725 fps is the way to go. 
Anyone want my leftover 250 gr bullets I was trying to see if they were worth it….

Agreed.  250s would be too slow.  In 40, I found 200s to feel about the same as 180s so I shot the 180s.  In 9mm, I'm not even sure I can tell the difference between a 125 and a 147 at the same power factor.  The difference in 45 between a 200, 230, and 250 in slide speed is huge.

[Boggus Deal]

1 hour ago, El Chapo said:

Agreed.  250s would be too slow.  In 40, I found 200s to feel about the same as 180s so I shot the 180s.  In 9mm, I'm not even sure I can tell the difference between a 125 and a 147 at the same power factor.  The difference in 45 between a 200, 230, and 250 in slide speed is huge.

Shot splits made the difference for me. 

[El Chapo]

Loaded my WB ammo last night.  3.6-3.7 of Clays with a 230.  Thought about trying some new powders but Clays and 45 ACP go together like love and marriage.

[Boggus Deal]

24 minutes ago, El Chapo said:

Loaded my WB ammo last night.  3.6-3.7 of Clays with a 230.  Thought about trying some new powders but Clays and 45 ACP go together like love and marriage.

I believe WST is a softer recoiling powder than Clays. And Clays seems harder to get at the moment.