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45 ACP, Range & Practice Ammo?

What do you guy's use at the range for extended plinking and practice in your 1911's? After recently buying a new SW1911 (should be getting it on the 16th) I was wondering what I should get as far as practice ammo. I would like to stay away from the +P stuff for practice, using just the standard 230gr.FMJ and keep the price down too. I've been warned away from Wolf, Blazer, and Magtech, most of the really cheap stuff. Price seems to dictate buying in a large quantity probably a case of 1,000 rounds. I want to stay away from the lacquered steel, or aluminum cases, and go with brass that can be used for reloading at a later date. I don't want anything that is extremely dirty, something that burns clean, and is at least fairly constant in accuracy. Seems to leave out Hornady as far as price. Was told to consider Seller & Bellot but I'm thinking maybe I should stay with one of the big three, "Federal American Eagle", "Winchester White Boxed", or "Remington UMC". I think all can be had for less than $200 per case.

Also what do you all think about using the +P stuff for anything other than protection? Seems a lot of people feel it will put an auto into early retirement quicker than anything.

Would sure appreciate some opinions,

Phil

I was going to say Blazer till I saw you wanted to reload, in that case I would get the Winchester white box or the Remington "UMC" yellow box at your friendly neighborhood Wally-World.

Thanks TLee, truth is I don't even know if the Wally-Worlds of California even sells ammo any more! I know they stoped selling rifles last year. Belive they got popped by the DOJ, or ATF for improper selling practices or something. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, after reading quite a few previous threads, on multiple sites. Seems some even consider the "Federal American Eagle" to be quite dirty. So trying to take everything into consideration, talking with some friends, and browsing ammo sites. Wound up buying from "Natchez" again. They had the Winchester (#WNQ4170) Government 45 Auto 230gr. FMJ (White Box) 50 round boxes for $8.99 a box. With a discount if purchasing 10+ boxes at $8.22 per box. So I bought a case of 20 boxes totaling $164.40. Wasn't really counting on such a high shipping charge ($35.62). But delivered it stills comes to only $200.72, which is about what I was figuring on.

Hopefully this will function properly and be a consistent, accurate ammo.

Thanks again,

Phil

After a recent experience with UMC 44 mag ammo,I'll never buy it again. I'v bought the Winchester white box for both my 45ACP and 40S&W while waiting for my dies to ship.It was pretty accurate plus I chronographed 10 rds of the 40s and got an SD of 6 fps! When I got the 44 they were out of it,so I got a box of UMC and it was something else! Every other round sounded and felt diferent and I ended up shooting some nice 4-6 inch "patterns" at 20 yds.2-3 rounds,I had flames a foot long shooting out of the muzzle and I could swear the cylinder.I cut the session short and pulled some bullets and weighed the powder charges which deviated up to 2 1/2 grs!If it was H110 a couple charges had to be right around and maybe slightly over max. I probably should have sent the rest back to remington but I didn't think of it,just pulled bullets and settled for some real expensive brass.I'd stick with the White Box stuff.

Jeff

Phil, for high volume .45 shooting I've been using the Wolf hardball. It's cheap in 1000 round cases, I don't have to fool with picking up brass, functions perfectly in two different 1911s, and is plenty accurate for informal plate smacking, etc. The .223 stuff is OK too--I've got 20 30 rounders full of it for my AR "just in case". It is very liberating to leave your freaking brass on the ground and walk away. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I would advise practicing with what you are going to carry. What good would it do to shoot light loads with cheap bullets, when your "carry load" would have a different point of impact? Just my .02 worth.

Easy, my .45 does the same POA/POI with Winchester white box, CCI Blazer and 230gr Federal Hydra-Shoks, my carry laod. I'm glad cause I dang sure can't afford to practice with the Federals!

Around here Wally-Worlds have Winchester 230 FMJ for $13.00/hundred. If you can't buy ammo at Wally-Worlds find a dealer that carries the same stuff, it isn't a Wally World exclusive. Sean

I really like the Win. USA loads as well as the S&B stuff. The UMC won't cycle the slide on my Kimber and is iffy in my S&W. Not to mention being very dirty. It works well in my .40 Glocks but leaves a yellowish film all over them that sucks to clean. I still have 500 rounds of the .40 UMC left that I'll shoot up in a weekend and get the cleaning job over with. After shooting well over 10,000 rounds of the S&B stuff in 9mm, .40 and .45 over the years, I think it is probably the best deal going when you can find it on sale.

Sniper--I practice with the same load--230 at standard velocity--the difference is the brass case and the expensive Hornady hollowpoint--neither of which I need for plates or paper. The Wolf and Hornady shoot to the same POI, one just costs 3 or 4 times as much every time you squeeeze one off. Light load practice in a 1911 really requires a different spring, if you go light enough to make a difference, and of course that would defeat the purpose.

I usually buy whatever Natchez has on sale. Had good luck with S&B, Win White Box, UMC, and Magtech. Almost bought a case of Wolf a while back but was scared away by some bad reports on the internet.

I use the same stuff and no problems at all in my springfield mil-spec but it is $19.99 at the wally worlds in the deep south.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Greyghost,

I have been using the Federal NATO 45 ball from Natchez. It shoots well but the primers are crimped.

Bob

I use the same stuff and no problems at all in my springfield mil-spec but it is $19.99 at the wally worlds in the deep south.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> [/quote]

$19.00 here on the Left coast as well...

Mark

I reload, but I would recommend buying Winchester loads. You can recoup 25-50% of the ammo cost by reselling once-fired brass to guys like me. I sometimes buy Remington brass but it has to be a steal.