Sounds like a good project. I could kick myself, if I wouldn't fall down, over not buying a GI 1911 model RIA around 15 years ago when they could be had for under $200. I already had a Kimber Compact Stainless (still do as it's my favorite) so I was more into spending money on the 9mm "bottom feeders" for the range and carry revolvers for my daily work needs. A few years later I found out that the RIA frames were used in some custom 1911 builds … so I figure they must be pretty danged good after all.
As far as the loads, I've tried several powders over my vast 9 years of reloading
but have finally realized the best overall has been found in the Accurate powders. Since we're considering (normally) under 900 fps and generally what's considered a "low pressure" round, cast bullets whether plated or un-plated fit the need. I've found that around 8.2 gr of AA#5 fits the need ….. BUT, recently decided to really cheap out and try AA#2. From playing with around 5.4 gr of AA#2 with the cast 230 gr RN, I've been pleasantly surprised.
Just to keep rambling, the .45 Auto (aka .45 acp) has always been, by far, my favorite bottom feeder to hand load. Big fat bullet, big fat brass, big primers …… reminds me of first grade with the big fat pencil and Big Chief Tablet
jd
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There's just some things best left unsaid on the internetsuperhighway.
Plain Jane model, no trick stuff, plain hardwood grips, flat black finish (can't remember what it's called) tight fit and a very decent trigger. I like it. It is now sitting in my reloading room. Of course the first thing to do is to totally disassemble it and clean everything. I only had to watch two maybe three videos on U-tube (may have called LarryW Also) to get it back together 
. Plus, my pard, LarryW also sent me a BUNCH of 45 brass that I received Friday (thanks again Larry) and it's now all been sized, deprimed and wet tumbled. I just received notice that I have 1000 RMR plated bullets in my mail box, powder and primers are on hand so I guess I'll be in the reloading room today firing up the Loadmaster Press.......... 
) is 200gr. RMR plated RN bullets over 7.2-7.4 grains of Herco. That's about as close as it will meter. OAL is running 1.180/ 1.183 on my Load Master press. Data from Lee 2nd edition shows a start of 7.4 and Max of 7.7 with OAL of 1.175.So I could bump that up a bit if I feel the need. Herco is a bit out of the ordinary I know but I happen to have about 7lbs of it left and I'll use it where I can. Besides that, this is a very soft shooting load in this application (as I also found in the 9MM) and should be in the +800 fps range. It's burning clean, gun has run flawless and I am hitting where I'm aiming. Well, pretty close anyhow. 
So all is good. If I were really interested (read lazy) I'd get out the chrony and run a few over that but generally when that happens you all of a sudden turn a "good, fun" load into a not so good load when you find out it's a wussy, so think I"ll just stay in ignorant bliss. 
. Not sure if I'll load a "bunch" of them or not but for now I'm having a good time.
loads I do have about a half pound of 231, about the same of Bullseye. A couple pounds of HS6 that I use for 9mm loads. I'll probably use the 231 up for the 45 ACP 
