TargetTalk

I shoot NRA Gallery Match at 50 ft. I reload 45 ACP with Rainier 200gr SWC and 3.8gr Bullseye. I want to reduce the recoil. Will using a 185gr SWC make much difference? Rainier does not make one but Berrys does - are they as good a bullet? (I prefer plated bullets so I would like to choose between these two.) How much should I reduce the powder to compensate for the lighter bullet?

Why do you prefer plated bullets? They are not very accurate but at 50 feet it won't matter. The lighter bullet will require either the same or more powder for the same kick. I have a friend who uses 185g LHP with 3.5 bullseye at all distances. They seem to function well in his gun. If they do not in yours you might need to reduce the recoil spring. Are you only going to shoot at 50 feet or will you want to go out to 50 yards come summer?

In my experience there is no accuracy difference between the 185gr and the 200gr bullets. You may have to adjust your powder charge to realize this. Some like the 200gr bullets for slow fire at 50 yds, as they buck the wind better. Many good shooters I have known, tend to go the other way, as upping the charge of Bullseye to 4.0 or 4.2gr in an attempt to get a faster cycle of the gun. This, with getting the right weight recoil spring, will get the sights much closer to the target after recoil, recovering you more quickly for the next shot. Personally, I feel the 185gr with a slightly heavier charge will accomplish this better than the 200gr, especially in the rapid fire stage. I have used the Rainier 185, 200 and 230gr restrike bullets. I have found them to shoot decent, but not better than good quality cast bullets. Despite all the equiptment tricks, it's the shooter that makes the difference in the end.

The lighter bullet will require either the same or more powder for the same kick.
I don't want the same kick. Like I said, I'm looking for less recoil.

Are you only going to shoot at 50 feet or will you want to go out to 50 yards come summer?
At 50 yards I will use the 200gr bullets.

In my experience there is no accuracy difference between the 185gr and the 200gr bullets.
Thanks for all your input. Can someone answer my original questions?

Yes, I can answer your question. The lighter bullet will infact reduce recoil. Also, reducing powder down to 3.6 will also help. In an open sight gun, or scope gun either one. Remember that you have to match the spring to the load. Too light a spring will increase felt recoil, because the gun is moving faster per say. But, I have shot as low as 3.5 with 185 bullets open sights and feels like a light 38. Hope this helps.

Gary;

At the long line I use a Dardas 200gr LSWC with 4.45gr Solo 1000

At the short line I use a Dardas 185gr LSWC with 3.76gr Solo 1000

I do this to reduce recoil at the short line and also a plus is that I do not adjust the red dot between long and short line.

It works for me.

Clarence

Thank you. I will give it a try.

I second Hill987.