Stratmeister

That VV-310 load is what they use to test fire new Wilson guns before shipping them out. It's 4.5 gr and is wonderfully accurate at 25 yds. Haven't shot it on a longer line yet...

I'd almost forgotten about this thread! So, a couple of months later and primers and powder are on the shelf again. I now have some Clay's, Bullseye, and VV-310 to play with. And Federal and Winchester primers. And prices aren't sky high like they were just a short time ago. Looks like there's hope for us reloaders again. Regarding the Clay's, I agree that lower charges (4.2, 4.4 gr) don't provide very good accuracy with the 185 HBRN Berry's. The starting loads you guys suggested seem to be pretty darn good though. I'm running at 4.7 currently. I also now have some Speer 185 TMJ SWC and a lot of Zero 200 gr. LSWC, and just found some Rem. 230 ball. The TMJ and the LSWC are wonderful with the Clay's, right now I'm at 4.4 with the TMJ and 4.2 with the LSWC and very happy with the accuracy and they're rather clean. I'll probably kick them up a notch just to see where I start to get pressure signs and see what happens with the accuracy. For plinking though these loads seem quite sufficient. I've also been able to get SR and LR primers and even some rifle powder lately, so I've pulled out the .223 and 6mm Rem dies and am full speed ahead with those, and added 9mm and 40 S&W on the pistol side. Needless to say I'm back into reloading hog wild and shooting every week for a reasonable price. Thanks for all the help guys, see you on other threads...

Hmmm, I'm not crazy about some of these comments because I don't have a crappy 1911 to shoot them from, was hoping for decent accuracy, and was planning on loading them for plinking! LOL... Actually I'm using them because they were all I could get in a decent timeframe. I have several other bullet types backordered at different places but these were in stock and delivered in 3 days. Well, I've got 100 of them to fool around with regardless. Man this reloading supply shortage ba-lows doesn't it? Thanks for all the comments/suggestions guys.

Thank you Joe. I'll roll up a few of those tomorrow and give them a try. I appreciate the help...

I'm getting back into reloading after several years away and obviously picked a bad time. I can't find LP primers anywhere except for like 10x what they should cost at Gunbroker. Anyway, I finally got some Berry's .45 ACP 185 gr. RNHB plated bullets, round nose hollow base. Weird but that's all I could get as everything else from every other seller in the world is backordered for weeks, months, whatever... I finally found a can of powder at my local Bass Pro, the only one left in the store, a pound of Clays. I've got a ton of range brass all cleaned and belled waiting for primers now. So, this is my first experience with plated bullets, and hollow base? What's the purpose of the hollow base, just to allow more powder without having to compress it? And once I get primers (a year or so from now...) what type of Clay's load should I be starting at? Searching and reading seems to imply more than a lead equivalent, but less than a jacketed version. So somewhere around 4.0 gr of Clay's to start maybe? Anybody have any experience with these bullets and Clay's powder? Or better yet, any accurate loads for a Gov't model 5" 1911 (EB Special Forces). And of course the master obligatory question... wait for it... where I can find some LP primers without selling one of my 4 daughters? Oh yeah, I'm a new poster, been lurking around, from Ft. Lauderdale, and would appreciate any help or suggestions you guys have. I'm just going to target shoot with these loads for now. Thanks!