So, I'm working on getting more accuracy out of my 45ACP pistol loads.
I started with "what I have" so I can work on my progress.
I have never really concentrated on Pistol accuracy in the past instead looked at similar factory loads of the same bullet weight and emulated an approximate velocity or with some old milsurp stuff, just looked at lighter pet loads that cycled. Making sure pressures were good and reliability was good.
I took my ATI 1911 to the range and a pistol rest and ran 10 rounds through a chrono and shot at a target at 25 yards. Stock Iron sights
ATI 1911 45ACP
5.4gr W231 200gr Copper washed RN from Xtreme Bullets @ 1.250"
Avg 838fps StdDev 37fps 108fps Extreme Spread
Groups were about 5" @ 25 yards
5.6gr W231 200gr Copper washed RN from Xtreme Bullets @ 1.250"
Avg 843fps StdDev 19fps 67fps Extreme Spread
Groups were about 5" @ 25 yards
I also brought 2 9mm Pistols that have decent crisp triggers.
Star B
4.0gr Bullseye 124gr FMJ RN
Avg 1054fps StdDev 14fps 44fps Extreme Spread
Groups were about 5" @ 25 yards
4.0gr Bullseye 128gr Powder Coated RN Wheel Weight Lead (10-12BH)
Avg 1093fps StdDev 12fps 36fps Extreme Spread
Groups were about 3"
Taurus PT199 with Target Sights
4.0gr Bullseye 124gr FMJ RN
Avg 1056fps StdDev 18fps 70fps Extreme Spread
Groups were about 5" @ 25 yards
4.0gr Bullseye 128gr Powder Coated RN Wheel Weight Lead (10-12BH)
Avg 1079fps StdDev 12fps 41fps Extreme Spread
Groups were about 4" @ 25 yards
I was surprised that the PC bullets did better in the 9mm but the velocity of course was different w/o the Jacket. I could stand to do a latter/ocw with that powder (or different powders).
The 45ACP is a cheap 1911 but I don't know how much that has to do with it from the bench.
My next step really is to look at a .452 Mold for the 45 and cast up maybe a SWC? I have read how they shoot better in a 45. I can powder coat (Prefer) or Xlox coat them.
Powders I have to choose from are Bullseye, W231, Unique and Power Pistol Not sure which one would be more favorable to start with.
Also, using iron sights, not sure how much I'm handicapped with that. I could take a 22 with a red dot and see how good that shoots compared to the same pistol/bullet and iron sights on the same pistol rest just to compare. I can do that with my Browning Buckmark.
Just not sure what my expectations SHOULD be with the 45, should I be able to get 3" or even 2" groups out of a good 1911 with iron sights from a pistol rest?
Thoughts?
Thx
EDIT: I do have this mold that I use for my 45 Colt Cowboy loads. All of the bullets I have already cast are soft lead though. I tried the soft lead Powder coated just once and it was all over the place. I could run some with harder lead though and see how well it shoots.
https://leeprecision.com/mold-dc-452-200-rf.html
I started with "what I have" so I can work on my progress.
I have never really concentrated on Pistol accuracy in the past instead looked at similar factory loads of the same bullet weight and emulated an approximate velocity or with some old milsurp stuff, just looked at lighter pet loads that cycled. Making sure pressures were good and reliability was good.
I took my ATI 1911 to the range and a pistol rest and ran 10 rounds through a chrono and shot at a target at 25 yards. Stock Iron sights
ATI 1911 45ACP
5.4gr W231 200gr Copper washed RN from Xtreme Bullets @ 1.250"
Avg 838fps StdDev 37fps 108fps Extreme Spread
Groups were about 5" @ 25 yards
5.6gr W231 200gr Copper washed RN from Xtreme Bullets @ 1.250"
Avg 843fps StdDev 19fps 67fps Extreme Spread
Groups were about 5" @ 25 yards
I also brought 2 9mm Pistols that have decent crisp triggers.
Star B
4.0gr Bullseye 124gr FMJ RN
Avg 1054fps StdDev 14fps 44fps Extreme Spread
Groups were about 5" @ 25 yards
4.0gr Bullseye 128gr Powder Coated RN Wheel Weight Lead (10-12BH)
Avg 1093fps StdDev 12fps 36fps Extreme Spread
Groups were about 3"
Taurus PT199 with Target Sights
4.0gr Bullseye 124gr FMJ RN
Avg 1056fps StdDev 18fps 70fps Extreme Spread
Groups were about 5" @ 25 yards
4.0gr Bullseye 128gr Powder Coated RN Wheel Weight Lead (10-12BH)
Avg 1079fps StdDev 12fps 41fps Extreme Spread
Groups were about 4" @ 25 yards
I was surprised that the PC bullets did better in the 9mm but the velocity of course was different w/o the Jacket. I could stand to do a latter/ocw with that powder (or different powders).
The 45ACP is a cheap 1911 but I don't know how much that has to do with it from the bench.
My next step really is to look at a .452 Mold for the 45 and cast up maybe a SWC? I have read how they shoot better in a 45. I can powder coat (Prefer) or Xlox coat them.
Powders I have to choose from are Bullseye, W231, Unique and Power Pistol Not sure which one would be more favorable to start with.
Also, using iron sights, not sure how much I'm handicapped with that. I could take a 22 with a red dot and see how good that shoots compared to the same pistol/bullet and iron sights on the same pistol rest just to compare. I can do that with my Browning Buckmark.
Just not sure what my expectations SHOULD be with the 45, should I be able to get 3" or even 2" groups out of a good 1911 with iron sights from a pistol rest?
Thoughts?
Thx
EDIT: I do have this mold that I use for my 45 Colt Cowboy loads. All of the bullets I have already cast are soft lead though. I tried the soft lead Powder coated just once and it was all over the place. I could run some with harder lead though and see how well it shoots.
https://leeprecision.com/mold-dc-452-200-rf.html