1911 .45 ammo help

[Mj45]

Just bought my first 1911 .45ACP and need educated on what to look for in ammo. Gunbot has a lot of wolf, tula and some other no names listed and I'm not sure what is good and what is bad. I know ammo is in short supply, but ideally what brand and grain should I be looking for? Handgun will mostly be used to kill paper targets. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

 

[hdatontodo]

You can also check here for 230 grain FMJ

http://www.wikiarms.com/group/.45ACP

 

[Infantry23]

230 gr is the normally available rnd, 185 winchester is a great paper killer.

 

[Mj45]

You can also check here for 230 grain FMJ

http://www.wikiarms.com/group/.45ACP

I've seen this site before and thought it was just a nicer cleaner version of GunBot. Thanks for the link.

 

[mark71211]

What make of 1911 is it?

 

[Mj45]

What make of 1911 is it?

Ruger SR1911

 

[Infantry23]

Personally, im really digging 230 gr lead cast bullets but it may not help much if you or friends dont reload.

 

[montoya32]

Get that feed ramp nice and shiney and it won't matter what ammo you use. I have an EMP in 9mm and it doesn't like the Federal Guard Dawg rounds. Too light of a load and won't cycle reliably. Just try out different types and see which ones group the best and run reliably.

 

[Infantry23]

Get that feed ramp nice and shiney and it won't matter what ammo you use. I have an EMP in 9mm and it doesn't like the Federal Guard Dawg rounds. Too light of a load and won't cycle reliably. Just try out different types and see which ones group the best and run reliably.

+1

Trial and error is the best recommendation

 

[Mj45]

Get that feed ramp nice and shiney and it won't matter what ammo you use. I have an EMP in 9mm and it doesn't like the Federal Guard Dawg rounds. Too light of a load and won't cycle reliably. Just try out different types and see which ones group the best and run reliably.

Sounds good. Mainly wanted to know if there were brands to stay away from due to bad experiences from others.

 

[montoya32]

Sounds good. Mainly wanted to know if there were brands to stay away from due to bad experiences from others.

I am not a fan of Tula, but others get good results. I have only shot their 9mm ammo and it was dirty and I got a squib out of one box. Also, some of the ammo you mentioned can have a steel core which is not allowed at indoor ranges and can be sketchy shooting at steel at closer distances.

 

[Bafflingbs]

NOTHING STEEL!!! That means, no Wolf, Tula, Bear and sometimes Herterz.(sp). Other than that, anything else.

 

[Infantry23]

I've had no problems with federal, winchester, tula, blazer etc. Obviously performance differs though.

 

[Sportstud4891]

I would recommend brass cased. Other than that find the ammo that your gun shoots best.

 

[Mooseman]

I don't have a lot of rounds down the pipe of my SR1911 but it has fed and shot everything I gave it with no problems.

 

[Biggfoot44]

230 fmj is origional ( ok , post 1911 ) round , extremely common , fine to kill paper , and reliable in any gun that will function at all. Most 1911s , of decent quality , intended for US market , manufactured in the last 30 or so years will also be intended to function with many , if not most JHP loads , of the common specs from 185 std vel thru 230 +P .

The steel vs brass debate falls into the usual three camps : 1. Steel is fine 2 Steel is horrable , avoid at all costs 3. Steel won't cause any imeadate problems , but *might* *sometimes* cause accelerated wear on extractor after thouisands or tens of thousands of rounds.

 

[Paper Puncher]

I would avoid steel depending on the extractor set up. Not to familiar with the Rugers. If you reload, 185grn SWC. They will pinch the best little holes ever while barely making the gun work. Otherwise, the 1911 was designed around 230gr ball. I had a series 70 that wouldn't eat anything but ball until Tussey Customs worked out the kinks.

 

[Boom Boom]

You'll probably find Winchester white box 230gr FMJ. In my experience, it always goes bang but accuracy is bad and it gets your gun filthy.

 

[Pinecone]

ANY commercial .45 ammo should work in that pistol.

The 185 grain semi wad cutter target loads might be a bit light to reliably cycle, but other than that, buy what you can find to shoot.

The Series 70s were built to the original design of the 1911. It was only reliable with jacketed round nose unless you were VERY lucky or you had the gun tuned.
Most made today have lower ejection ports, polished (or at least smooth) feed ramps, throated barrels, etc. This makes them feed most rounds fine.

 

[Mj45]

Thanks everyone for your opinions and education on the subject.