Most accurate load for a 200gr SWC

[dave33]

Im looking for the most accurate load data for a 200gr SWC, shooting out of a 5" 1911 and a USP Expert. I spend most of my load development spare time messing with 9mm since that is the caliber I shoot in competitions, my .45 loads have been pretty accurate but since I dont spend a lot of time tweeking them I was hoping to tap some of the knowledge here. Im looking for the most accuracy possible without regard to power factor, or anything else for that matter. I have lead 200 SWC, coated SNS 200 SWC and coated Missouri bullseye 200 SWC for projectiles. For powder I have on hand to experiment with, Titegroup, e3, 231, SR7625, PB, clay dot(suppose to be clays equal), and solo 1000. Looking for 25yd accuracy up to 50yds. Any help is appreciated.

[dsa]

I use a coated 200gr SWC from Leatherhead Bullets with 4.5gr of VVN310 @ 1.260"oal out of a 5" Kart barreled 1911 and it is the most accurate load I have ever seen, it routinely makes 172pf for me.The same load has proven to be effective for several of my friends in their 1911's as well. One of my friends shared this load with me and I believe he said it is a load made popular by Bill Wilson back in his competitive days.

[Steve RA]

4.2 of Clays and a Bulletworks 200gr LSWC.

[tac_driver]

6.0 Power Pistol

S&S Casting LWSC 200Grs.

1.4" groups at 20 yds

[mwx40x40]

I am still kind of from the old school when it comes to 200 swc's . Try 4.8 to 5.1 of 231. Has always been accurate in most of my 45's.

[bowenbuilt]

I'm just like you Dave and all I have been doing lately is looking for the best accuracy out of my .45's. So far e3 is the leader closely followed by Clays and RS Comp. 230's and 200 are running neck and neck in the accuracy department with the heavier bullets giving the least amount of recoil. I spent the last 2 years working on 9's and .40's so the .45 is a great change of pace for me. I drug out some of my pin guns that were built back in the late 70's by Blake Gann and am having a blast experimenting.

[copecowboy22]

I'm using 5.1 of titegroup. Don't know the exact grouping but I can keep it in the a zone at any distance on the practice range. Loaded to 1.260

[jcc7x7]

4.0 - 4.5 bullseye

5.0 grs up to max HP38/231

[noylj]

Taking this as accuracy only and implying <1.25" at 25 yards and <2" at 50 yards, consistently

Bullet: Zero 200gn swaged lead SWC or cast your own with the RCBS 45-201-KT (now, SWC, I believe) mold or H&G#68.

Next best: "soft" alloy 200gn L-SWC bullets from mastercastbullets.com or Missouri Bullets or Penn Bullets. None of my guns do as well with the shorter nose SWC bullets—including Lee, Precision Delta, Lyman, H&G, and others.

Powder: Bullseye (3.1-4.0gn) or 231/HP38 (4.1-5.0gn) or AA2 (3.2-4.2gn). This is the historic range for best accuracy out to 50 yards.

COL: load so shoulder just touches the lede/rifling

[FLSlim]

I am still kind of from the old school when it comes to 200 swc's . Try 4.8 to 5.1 of 231. Has always been accurate in most of my 45's.

This load with coated 200 gr. SWC gives excellent accuracy out of whatever 1911 I run it thourgh.

[freakshow10mm]

6gr WSF

[igolfat8]

3.5 grains of Bullseye under a 200 grain home cast LSWC shoots ragged single holes for me. I recently installed a comp on my RO and had to bump up the load to 3.8, still extremely accurate.

[fatman73]

I think you'll get many answers. But 4 grains of clays and a 200 swc is piont of aim for me.

[zzt]

I have four for you, and two of them are for a powder you have on hand.

1. 4.1gr VV N310, WLP, Nosler 185gr jacketed hollow Point loaded to 1.200". Stunningly accurate at 50 yards.

2. 4.0gr VV N310, WLP, H&G #68 LSWCBB loaded to 1.240". Tack driver Bullseye load just under Major.

3. 4.9gr Solo 1000, WLP, LTCPB loaded to 1.200". Makes Major and super accurate. SD 6.43. 5.0gr also terrific @ 172PF.

4. 4.9gr Solo 1000, WLP, H&G #68 LSWCBB loaded to 1.240". Amazing 50 yard load and super consistent. 5.0gr just as good.

Note: the CCI 300 primer can be substituted for the WLP in load 4 with few fps loss of velocity and a slight increase of SD to 7.72 from 7.42. All loads listed consistently provide SDs under 8.0 for 10 or 20 shot strings.

I have also been experimenting with e3 for 45 ACP, but do not have enough data to form an opinion yet. Clays and Clay Dot also make very fine loads.

My 1911 has a definite preference for 200gr bullets, so I've stopped playing with the 185s. However, two loads did stand out. 5.0gr Solo 1000 and 185 H&G #68 LSWCBB was accurate as was 3.8gr Clays. SDs for the Solo load were under 11.

Edited October 8, 2014 by zzt

[HOGRIDER]

zzt:

Appreciate the VV info.

Starting to work up some test loads for new Springfield RO using VV N320, and have loaded some test rounds with 5.0gr @ 1.250" with coated 200gr LSWC based on Wilson's IDPA practice load. Hope to test/chrono this weekend. Have also noticed claimed accuracy on another forum using 4.6gr N320.

Any experience with N320 from your end?

Thanks!

[zzt]

Sorry Hogrider, no experience with N320. I was going to try it until I found out it is just as temperature sensitive as N310. Since Solo 1000 is no where near as temp sensitive and is essentially equivalent to N320, I'll continue to use it. BTW, when you chrono you will find out that the velocities listed in the VV Reloading manual are a figment of some marketing type's overactive imagination.

[bodene 5]

4.6 gr 231@ 1.250 g21 but would not feed well very accurate

[dave33]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.

Got a little feedback from my first load tests. The best accuracy was 4.9gr Titegroup out of my H&K with the Lucky13 cast bullet. The next best loads were 4.7gr Solo 1000 under the SNS coated also out of the H&K, and then 4.1gr Clay Dot under the Missouri coated out of the 1911.

4.9gr Titegroup, 8 shot group at 25yds, arms supported on a bench.

4.7gr solo 1000, 8 shot group 25 yds, arms supported on a bench.

4.1 Clay dot, 8 shot group 25yds arms supported on a bench.

[HOGRIDER]

Sorry Hogrider, no experience with N320. I was going to try it until I found out it is just as temperature sensitive as N310. Since Solo 1000 is no where near as temp sensitive and is essentially equivalent to N320, I'll continue to use it. BTW, when you chrono you will find out that the velocities listed in the VV Reloading manual are a figment of some marketing type's overactive imagination.

zzt:

After viewing load data on this and other "reputable" forums, I too have noticed the discrepancies in VV's data! Must be the 6" test barrel?

Thanks for your reply!

[hcf1976]

That's why it's called titegroup lol look at that group u shot with it

[Fuelie777]

right now I am using 700x. 5.2 grains with a 200g lswc OAL of 1.250, about 180 power factor. Accuracy is better than most other powders, but recoil is not as soft.

[HOGRIDER]

Sorry Hogrider, no experience with N320. I was going to try it until I found out it is just as temperature sensitive as N310. Since Solo 1000 is no where near as temp sensitive and is essentially equivalent to N320, I'll continue to use it. BTW, when you chrono you will find out that the velocities listed in the VV Reloading manual are a figment of some marketing type's overactive imagination.

zzt:

Finally got a chance to test some N320 with SnS 200gr coated SWC. This was 5.0gr at 1.250" OAL, and the best 10-shot group out of 3. 25yds off a Caldwell rest:

Was very impressed with the accuracy out of my Springfield RO; though it was a little slow at 760fps. Think I'll bump it up to 5.2gr and see if I get close to 825fps.

Yes, VV's load data is WAY OFF from what I expected!

[zzt]

Thanks for the 320 info Hogrider. When you chrono, record the temperature. As you chrono throughout the year you can determine how temp sensitive the powder is.

[Butterpuc]

I also noticed VV data was way off too. I quit trying to use it in 45acp.

[HOGRIDER]

Thanks for the 320 info Hogrider. When you chrono, record the temperature. As you chrono throughout the year you can determine how temp sensitive the powder is.

Temp was noted.....

Thanks.