185gr vs 230gr for .45 ACP, What’s Your Pick?

[RangeReady]

When it comes to .45 ACP, the debate between 185gr and 230gr never seems to end. Some prefer the heavier 230gr for its deep penetration and proven history, while others swear by the faster 185gr for a flatter trajectory and quicker follow-up shots. Does one really outperform the other, or is it all just personal preference? If you've shot both, what differences have you noticed in recoil, accuracy, or reliability? Whether it's for carry, home defense, or range time, what's your go-to and why?

I saw a few really like the Underwood ammo, so I was going to purchase some...so this is the rabbit hole I went down, could spend my times doing worst things

 

[Mike D]

I'm completely sold on the 200gr "Lauck" loading described here;

D&L Sports .45 ACP GSP Ammunition Review - The Armory Life

Dave Lauck from D&L Sports has developed a promising all-purpose .45 ACP load. His goal was to market a round that offered the reliability of FMJ round nose with better terminal performance. It needed to be controllable and ballistically efficient; it had to penetrate adequately. So, did he...

www.thearmorylife.com

Considering the fact that JMB designed the 1911 for a 200 gr round, it just makes sense. That full shoulder has a big effect on the end result of the round. I have been shooting/carrying these for a year or so now.

 

[Mike A]

I use these in the Kahr CW45.



I use these in my Colt 1911s.

 

[RustyPickle]

It's interesting to see how opinions on 185gr vs 230gr align with what's been discussed. Some prefer the snappier feel and quicker follow-ups of 185gr, while others stick with 230gr for its tried-and-true stopping power. For target shooting, use anything IMO. If you're training to carry, shoot with the rounds you so you're comfortable with the bite (if any).

A few threads I've read mention barrel length playing a role—especially in compact 1911s. Have you noticed a difference in reliability or accuracy based on what you're running? Are you even running a compact or full size 1911, I think you were looking at a few options previously.

 

[BigJohn]

Buy a box of each, see which one you shoot better and are more comfortable with. What I prefer is my opinion, 200gr., XTP that I hand load. One thing you can be sure of is what ever you shoot is not going to have a good day!

 

[Snowman45]

I prefer to tailor my bullet weight and configuration to the barrel length of the gun, as a general rule. I use 230 grams. standard FMJ for practice in 4.24" and 5" 1911s. For carry, I use either 230 or 200 grain JHP rounds. Brands may vary based on current information on performance. For barrel lengths 4" or under in a 1911, I generally prefer to use 200 or 185 grain, with 165 grain bullets used on occasion. Primarily, in the past I've be concerned with slide speed/recoil profile in concern for reliability and performance due to reduced velocity.

 

[HooDoo Man]

I've gone back and forth with both 185 & 230. Finally, just decided to go with 230 JHP for all. Gold dot or HST.

 

[Bob Lee]

I'm completely sold on the 200gr "Lauck" loading described here;

D&L Sports .45 ACP GSP Ammunition Review - The Armory Life

Dave Lauck from D&L Sports has developed a promising all-purpose .45 ACP load. His goal was to market a round that offered the reliability of FMJ round nose with better terminal performance. It needed to be controllable and ballistically efficient; it had to penetrate adequately. So, did he...

www.thearmorylife.com

Considering the fact that JMB designed the 1911 for a 200 gr round, it just makes sense. That full shoulder has a big effect on the end result of the round. I have been shooting/carrying these for a year or so now.

View attachment 37646

I've gone back and forth with both 185 & 230. Finally, just decided to go with 230 JHP for all. Gold dot or HST.

Can't fault that! I have 185gr Silvertips in my L/W Commander. That or what ever mag I grab as backup. Ball or hp. I like Black Hills 230gr XTP Gold dot and HST all in 230gr iteration. For total wacko breakdown I have plenty of 230gr ball. That sh*t feeds in everything lol.

 

[HooDoo Man]

Can't fault that! I have 185gr Silvertips in my L/W Commander. That or whatever mag I grab as backup. Ball or hp. I like Black Hills 230gr HTP Gold dot and HST all in 230gr iteration. For total wacko breakdown I have plenty of 230gr ball. That sh*t feeds in everything lol.

If you get hit with anything with a 45acp, the game is probably over. No matter where the impact is on a body.

 

[Bob Lee]

If you get hit with anything with a 45acp, the game is probably over. No matter where the impact is on a body.

Good point

 

[Slim]

Just hard to beat the old 230 grain ball ammo.

 

[Mike A]

Just hard to beat the old 230 grain ball ammo.

Sure is.

 

[Gary Blakely]

I like both of them but have shot more of the 230 grain ball.

 

[RangeReady]

Seems like a lot of folks stick with 230gr out of habit, but I'm curious—has anyone actually noticed a big difference when shooting both side by side? Especially in shorter barrels like a Commander or Officer-sized 1911? I've heard 185gr can run better in compacts, but is that really the case?

And for those running defensive loads, any noticeable difference between something like Federal HST or Speer Gold Dot in these weights?

 

[Mike A]

I have 9 > 1911s from 1917 to 2011.
1 is a commander the rest are Government models.

They have a WWI, WWII or a modern Colt barrel & all feed 230 gr FMJ flawlessly.
All will not feed HPs reliably & all will not open a 45 acp HP reliably at 45 acp speeds.

Do you really believe that any scumbag will get up & dance a jig after a .452 dia projectile
just passed through their body. We've used this round from WWI up until today with great results.

If you can get a 185 JHP bullet to feed 100 % then use it, if not use Ball it feeds very well

 

[dmbellboy]

The times I had to shoot someone with a 45, they stayed down. It didn't matter the gram size. They stayed down.
I'm just saying...

 

[Mike D]

Just to clarify, I CARRY the 200gr Lauck round, but I still shoot a ton of the tried and true 230gr ball, the exact same stuff we used in Vietnam, as many of you have said, it works, and works well, they don't get back up. I haven't seen a 1911 yet that didn't handle ball ammo correctly. .45 ? Because they don't make a .46!

 

[dennishoddy]

I like to play, and I hunt with my pistols as well as compete in shooting events. Everything from .22 rimfire for small game, to . 45ACP and .45Colt on big game like whitetail deer and the occasional varmint. .40 and 9mm for competition.
Since I hunt and do autopsies on everything I shoot, (except back in the army days in the early 70's) I get to see how each bullet selection performs on internal organs, which we all know is where the game ends.
I'm also a big-time rifle shooter on big game, like elk and whitetail. 12 elk and close to 300 whitetails, as I help the state wildlife department in depredation hunts to reduce overpopulations of deer(each taken go to a needy family)
When the decision to take a deer with a .45acp was presented in a hunting forum I participate in, I was poo-poo'd as it wasn't enough gun. You MUST have a .300 Win Mag to humanely take down a deer. LOL.
I came on some 185 gain HP bullets from Georgia Arms at the Wannamaker Gun Show. (largest gun show in the US, located in Tulsa Oklahoma) They tested at 1100 fps on the chrony with no signs of overpressure.
Decided to try them on some deer after some testing. First doe fell to the ground like being hit with a lightning bolt. Quivered for a few seconds and expired.
Second made about 20 yards before blood loss had it die. NICE! A passing bobcat from the tree stand succumbed as well.
That was the only three taken with the .45. It's very effective with HP as the bullet expanded very nicely and was recovered after an almost complete body pass through, under the skin on the offside on the first deer. The other made a complete pass through and was not recovered.
Just as a side note, I've gone from the 30-06 back in the day with a 165 grain Sierra HP BT, to an AR with .55 grain Sierra Softpoint spitzer for a deer round. They die just as quickly as the bigger cartridge if I do my job. 8 million people have died with the .55 grain FMJ from the AR platform.
It doesn't matter the caliber of the bullet in lethality. It's the hunters/shooters responsibility to put it in the correct placement for the targeted specie, be it human or animal.
I can go on for hours about bullet performance, but I'll stop here.

 

[Gamma4510]

When it comes to .45 ACP, the debate between 185gr and 230gr never seems to end. Some prefer the heavier 230gr for its deep penetration and proven history, while others swear by the faster 185gr for a flatter trajectory and quicker follow-up shots. Does one really outperform the other, or is it all just personal preference? If you've shot both, what differences have you noticed in recoil, accuracy, or reliability? Whether it's for carry, home defense, or range time, what's your go-to and why?

I saw a few really like the Underwood ammo, so I was going to purchase some...so this is the rabbit hole I went down, could spend my times doing worst things

One in every crowd, I much prefer 200gr, if however forced to make a choice between only those 2, I'll go with 230gr.