45acp 185 vs 230 grain bullet

[JAH 3rd]

Read that some folks, especially in 10 round magazines, use a 185 grain bullet to reduce the weight total that the mag spring has to push (elevate). The theory was that with less weight to elevate, the next round is presented quicker, thus an extra measure of reliability. Sounds interesting. I have never used a 10 round mag in my 1911. Just wondering about thoughts on the matter. Inquiring mind wants to know! Thanks in advance.

[theJanitor]

I've converted to the 185, not for the use of 10rd mags, but for the slides less than 5". The cycle speed of the shorter guns means the mag has to keep up with the elevated pace. This was mentioned by Bill Wilson a short while ago, and I couldn't find anything wrong with the argument, so I switched.

[SAWBONES]

Following.

For years I used to regularly carry (and occasionally still do) a Colt CCO I got from Gunsite, 4.25" barrel, with the Officer's Model-size grip.

Never carried anything but premium commercial 230gr JHP (not+P), with which it was well vetted.
Practiced with 230gr ball.

Used a variety of Officer's Model 6-round magazines from different makers, later settled on Tripp 7-rounders.

It's never yet malfunctioned.

(That may have to do in some degree with its having been worked over by Steve Morrison, and afterward treated with Robar's NP3, but still...)

The 185gr loads hit low, and judging from steel swinger movement, have less momentum as well.

I ain't changin'. :cool:

[45dotACP]

I've converted to the 185, not for the use of 10rd mags, but for the slides less than 5". The cycle speed of the shorter guns means the mag has to keep up with the elevated pace. This was mentioned by Bill Wilson a short while ago, and I couldn't find anything wrong with the argument, so I switched.

Basically this.

I actually don't have any Commander or CCO framed guns in anything but 9mm for that reason.

For my government models, they'll either run ten round mags or not. Regardless of bullet weight. I wonder if perhaps the strength of the mag spring has anything to do with how reliable the 10 rounders are. I tend to avoid them in general. I have two. A Wilson and a CMC. The CMC powermag I had was unreliable with everything from 185gr Barnes JHP, 200gr SWC and 230gr. RNL, FMJ and JHP, so I put a Tripp super-9 kit in it and it works now.



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[Trooper224]

When I was living with the 1911 I never used anything other than a 230 bullet for serious purposes. That being said, I doubt the small weight savings of an 185 grain bullet would be a critical, or even meaningful factor. I think it's another urban myth that goes along with downloading your mags by one or two rounds to prevent fatigue. The reality is that 10 round 1911 mags in .45acp just wear out quicker no matter what. I always had to stay on those more than seven or eight rounders. Probably why I never bothered with them much except for range use.

[Jim Watson]

What, nobody favoring 200 grain bullets?
I shot 200 gr SWCs at IPSC for so long that it feels natural to me.

[Trooper224]

What, nobody favoring 200 grain bullets?
I shot 200 gr SWCs at IPSC for so long that it feels natural to me.

My handloads are all 200 grain SWCs, but for carry it's always been 230 grain HPs.

[theJanitor]

hornady used to make a 200gr TAP load (black nickel case, +p). that was a great shooting load

[SAWBONES]

Back in older times (1980s), I carried an American (rebounding hammer) Sig-Sauer P220 loaded with Speer "flying ashtray" JHPs.
(That was the way-cool .45 Auto load back then.)

It always fed and fired in that gun, but not reliably so in my old series 70 Colt Gold Cup, unfortunately.

[Caballoflaco]

I shot Limited 10 in USPSA with a 1911 loaded with whatever 230gr. ball I could find for 3 years back around 03-04. I used all CMC 10 rounders and never had any magazine related issues of note.

I will add that most of my live-fire was at the matches (2-3 a month) and the majority of my practice was dry fire for budgetary reasons so my round count wasn’t stupid high, I would estimate maybe 300ish rounds a month.

[Salamander]

I’m currently running 185 gr Black Hills with Barnes bullets, but it’s got nothing to do with magazine weight and it’s not in a 1911. It’s a way of dealing with California’s non lead ammo regs. My USP full size always has non lead, and when I go into big critter country the hollow points get swapped out for hand loads with 200 gr Cutting Edge solids.

The 185 gr Barnes is on Doc’s list but if I had a heavier non lead option I’d use it. And if I knew I wasn’t going to be off the pavement for a while, I’d go back to a heavier conventional option. The non lead is for my woods gun only, and is a way of not being able to forget and need to waste time explaining to some rookie ranger that it’s not being used for hunting.

Those 200 gr SWC are sweet for practice though.

[Navin Johnson]

5-in gun with good magazines .....anything else is a compromise.

Seven or eight round magazines......or get something designed to carry more

[JohnO]

I've heard some old time 50 yard bullseye shooters say the 185's are not accurate enough for their game.

[Trooper224]

I've heard some old time 50 yard bullseye shooters say the 185's are not accurate enough for their game.

The 200 has largely replaced the 185 in bullseye for the long course. However, that's a fine difference when compared to a defensive scenario.

[MK11]

How does shooting 185 compare to 230? Is there a significant difference?

230s in a lightweight Commander are getting harder for me to manage, particularly one-handed.

[rkittine]

I also favor the 200 grain SWC in .45 ACP.

Bob

[DocGKR]

Fun and plinking, do what you want.

For duty/defensive use, none of the .45 Auto 185-200 gr loads, with the exception of the 185 gr all-copper, have proven to offer optimal terminal performance.

[Baldanders]

How does shooting 185 compare to 230? Is there a significant difference?

230s in a lightweight Commander are getting harder for me to manage, particularly one-handed.

I find 230 grain Gold Dot softer than 185 grain Gold Dot in my CW45, but 230 gr. Dot may be softer than other 230 grain duty loads.

I have found that I am more sensitive to "snap" than "push." Muzzle energy is usually a better rough gauge of potential felt recoil than bullet weight for me.

In handloads, I have used near-minimum charges of powder behind 230 grainers (in my 625) for puffball loads, and it worked well.