What bullet/powder combo for 3" barrel?

[Dusty Miller]

I own a Para Carry C6.45 which has a 3" barrel and I'm really curious about what bullet/powder combination works best in these little guns.  At first I was wanting to go with the 185 gr JHP and a fast burning powder but then was advised by one who seems knowledgeable in these matters to stick with the 230 gr. bullets.  Does anybody here have any experience reloading for a short barrelled 45 ACP semi-auto.  What works and what don't?

[Mikey]

Dusty - what seems to work best in many short barrelled handguns is the ehaviest bullet commonly availalbe - the 230 grainer at either factory velocities or loaded to higher velocities.  The 230s seem to work the action on those shorties more reliably than the lighter weight higher velocity loads do.  

If you handload I would start with the 230s, in whatever configuartion feeds most reliably in the pistol and start from there.  If a 230 at 850-900'/sec reliably functions the pistol and shoots to poa, then there you have it.  After that, you can play with the lighter weight bullets - a 200 grainer at about 950-1K'/sec or a 185 at about another 100'/sec faster.  

You may not get enough velocity with the lightweights out of that 3" bbl to get hollowpoints to expand.  I have always felt a heavy slow moving bullet works best.  JMHO.  Mikey.

[RupertBear]

I should be getting my Para Carry this next week. I was advised that they prefer the 230 grns to cycle properly. I'm just a little concerned about the recoil and how quickly can get back on target.