New to 45 loading... good starting point for 200gr hornady LSWC

First topic message reminder :

OK, Im just starting out loading 45acp, and trying to find a good load for my firearm. I have some Hornady 200gr swaged LSWC, and I have Bullseye, or HP38/w231 powders to work with. Ive read the pet loads post, and did some searching, but most is geared to the JSWC projectiles. The gun is a old Remington rand Bullseye gun that was put together back in the early 60's..  Not doing a lot of matches, just starting my training, and looking for a load to work with. The gun is running iron sights, and has a lighter then stock spring in it. Can I get some advice for a starting point?

CJN casting much better 

Penn much better

3.6 bulleseye 

4.6 231 good start loads for a gun with iron sights. 

RT

S1120, my suggestion would be to contact Terry Labbe @ Magnus bullets. He has everything you want, supports this forum and the Bullseye discipline, and will work with you on figuring out what you need.

Jim

The cost of 500 bullets there(Missouri Bullets) is 62.00. The cost at the site I posted above is 51.00. And your site only has 1 box in stock. Hmmm.

Len   NFI


Terry is also a great choice. I buy my 38 HBWC from him.

the Missouri bullets I've used have been "ok".

not near the weight variance I'd like to see or have experienced from other bullet suppliers.

Magnus #801.  185gr very accurate.  Get them direct from Magnus, who gives forum members a discount.  Or can also get them from Midsouth Shooters Supply.  Magnus also sells a 200gr bullet but I don't remember the number.

james r chapman wrote:S1120, my suggestion would be to contact Terry Labbe @ Magnus bullets. He has everything you want, supports this forum and the Bullseye discipline, and will work with you on figuring out what you need.

Jim

Ill check it out. Thanks

They have a good reputation. Try them and maybe their "button" style.

OK so here is another question for you guys.  So at this point in my learning curve..  practicing, shooting league shoots, and maybe a bullseye match or two over the summer...  and being new to the 45...  any advange to the 185 over the 200gr bullets? At this point im not looking to work up two loads for the short, and long line. Just one load to work with and hone my skills.

The lighter the bullet, the lighter the recoil--in theory. Different bullets are going to need different powder charges to shoot the best in your gun, and that might make the recoil harder with a lighter projectile.

At the short line, a .45 can shoot lubed rocks accurately, so any bullet and load is fine for the short line.

Sometimes it's hard to get lighter bullets to group well at the long line.

You still need to overcome recoil at some point, and it's pretty easy to find a good 200gr LSWC load that works well for the long line. That's why so many people use them.

Rob Kovach wrote:The lighter the bullet, the lighter the recoil--in theory.  Different bullets are going to need different powder charges to shoot the best in your gun, and that might make the recoil harder with a lighter projectile.

At the short line, a .45 can shoot lubed rocks accurately, so any bullet and load is fine for the short line.

Sometimes it's hard to get lighter bullets to group well at the long line.

You still need to overcome recoil at some point, and it's pretty easy to find a good 200gr LSWC load that works well for the long line. That's why so many people use them.

OK, thanks.   So it sounds like its not a terrible idea to just stick with the 200gr right now? It seems to me, once I get some time behind the trigger, and iron out the kinks of the guy holding the gun, that I can then adjust loads for the long/short line, when I myself can produce some better comparable numbers.

That would be fine.

http://www.cjncasting.com/45-caliber-Semi-Wad-Cutter-bullet-p/45swc200.htm

http://magnusbullets.com/store/page8.html

https://www.pennbullets.com/45/45-caliber.html

http://www.rozedist.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RZD&Product_Code=R186-B&Category_Code=ZSB-45ACP

Thanks for all the help guys!! I ended up going with the CJN 200gr SWC.   Im going to give them a test, then I am going to order up some of the Magnus 185gr ones to try. Lots of good info here!!  Thank you all.

These: http://www.rozedist.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RZD&Product_Code=R186-B&Category_Code=ZSB-45ACP

You will not be sorry. 3.9 gr bullseye = 755 fps. What I was shooting when I made master.

Well guys the old girl seems to still like the 3.5-3.7 range of bullseye with the cast 200gr SWC.  Im not liking the way they load using the Lee expander die. No matter how I set it, it really is not easy to get the bullet seated straight. The cast 200gr are a tick bigger then the Hornaday 200gr swaged bullets. I ordered a Lyman M expander die, and will give that a shot when I get it. Its a good learning curve, and Im really learning a lot with every load! 

As most of you know, pistol powder has been tough to find. Wile I polish my prosses, Im also keeping a eye out for different powders. I have not been able to find any more bullseye, so Im also looking for WST. Seems those two are the favored powders for 45 target loads. Any others out there that people have had luck with?

Some people have had good results from TiteGroup.  Try 4.0 to 4.5 gr.

Still loading and shooting!!  Getting more experience under my belt shooting the 45, and loading it. Im down to about 100 of the 200gr swc I got from CNJ, and getting about time to do some shopping. Im going to try the Magnus #801 185 gr swc that most seem to love. Still working with Bullseye powder at this time, but keeping a eye out for WST also. So to shift gears a bit....  Right now im shooting at just 50 feet. Well sooner or later Ill be hitting the long line, so tossing around finding a load for that also. I will be sticking with lead. Will that Magnus #801 185 gr bullet be fine for it, or should I work with a 200 gr for the long line? If so what of the Magnus castings would you recommend? Thanks for all the help!!!

http://www.magnusbullets.com/test-targets/