+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: Cast bullets for 45 ACP

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Gary Kaney's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    10-26-2010 @ 07:27 AM
    Posts
    6
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:18 AM

    Cast bullets for 45 ACP

    I'm going to cast for my 45 ACP. The question i have , should i go with gas checks on a 230 RN?
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    DMS42's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    08-09-2015 @ 09:52 AM
    Location
    Spokane, WA
    Age
    81
    Posts
    4
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:18 AM
    Gas checks aren't really needed for .45 ACP. The velocities aren't high enough to cause leading problems in most .45s unless you are using very soft bullets. I've fired tens of thousands of cast bullets through various .45s with no leading problems -- all were plain base bullets.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Gary Kaney's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    10-26-2010 @ 07:27 AM
    Posts
    6
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:18 AM
    Thread Starter
    I havn't ordered the mould yet from LBT . That's why i asked. I'm tired of looking for (OUT OF STOCK )

  6. #4
    Legacy Member AKA Hugh Uno's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    04-12-2020 @ 07:37 PM
    Posts
    303
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    08:18 AM

    Agree NO GC and...OTHER FACTORS more important

    without much doubt, for ACCURACY, the 200 grain Semi Wadcutter is the no-brainer of all time in a .45ACP. This assumes your pistol will FEED them (most will do so fine). An easy test to ensure that ANYTHING (reasonable) will feed in a 1911 is to load up four or five FIRED/EMPTY cases in the magazine and then cycle the slide. If they feed and eject, things are probably good.

    The 230 grain round-nose lead bullet can be very accurate of course (certainly tends to be more accurate than FMJ RN), but the 230 grain RN bullet itself is an effort to get as big a bullet as reasonably possible for "knock down" power in conformity with the Hague Convention.

    I honetsly don't even think you would have much need for gas checks even in a .45 "Super."

    Don't forget to get some decent lube (like LBT) and you will never have to worry about leading anyway. http://www.lbtmoulds.com/lube.shtml

  7. Thank You to AKA Hugh Uno For This Useful Post:


  8. #5
    Legacy Member NuJudge's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Last On
    09-21-2023 @ 10:08 AM
    Location
    SE Michigan
    Posts
    100
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    08:18 AM
    Seating depth is important with the 200gr SWC. Sometimes my Colt Series 80 likes them, sometimes it does not.

    I'm going to try round nose bullets again. I'm having jamming trouble with the SWC bullets now. I've never been able to get the accuracy out of RN that I have with SWC bullets.

    CDD

  9. #6
    Legacy Member AKA Hugh Uno's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    04-12-2020 @ 07:37 PM
    Posts
    303
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    08:18 AM

    seating depth is important

    Quote Originally Posted by NuJudge View Post
    Seating depth is important with the 200gr SWC. Sometimes my Colt Series 80 likes them, sometimes it does not.

    I'm going to try round nose bullets again. I'm having jamming trouble with the SWC bullets now. I've never been able to get the accuracy out of that I have with SWC bullets. the amoumy opf

    CDD
    I think one of the secrets is that you leave a small amount of lead from the "wadcutter" part sticking above the case mouth. this helps feeding by allowing the bullet to "ride" the lead part into the chamber. Putting the wadcutter part AT or BELOW the case mouth is not helpful. The seating depth in the picture is actually TOO deep in my opinion, but some folks seat even deeper thinking it helps feeding.


  10. #7
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Vern Humphrey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    09-09-2009 @ 04:54 PM
    Location
    Deep in the Ozarks
    Posts
    74
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:18 AM
    Amen. If you don't leave a bit of the semi-wadcutter shoulder above the case mouth, the case mouth will tend to scrape on the ramp and foul things up.

    Personally, I like the Lee 230 grain tumble lube in .45 ACP. I cast from wheel weights and lube with liquid Alox. Keep your bullet seater clean, though -- the tumble lube can build up on the seater stem.

  11. #8
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Jerome Cooper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    09-26-2014 @ 11:04 PM
    Posts
    55
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    08:18 AM

    RN Cast bullet choices 45ACP

    First of all..good advice above on leaving a bit of shoulder with semi-wads in the 45ACP. On the selection of a RN; I have been using two of them. The first is the RCBS 225 grain with two wide bands and the second is the H&G #34. They are virtually identical. Those wide bands afford a greater degree of bearing surface and as such provide a greater amount of longitudinal guidance while going down the bore. Both bullets are accurate...moreso than the Lyman 452374 which has no (such) band in front of the grease groove. Both of Lee's RN's...the TL and the regular RN appear to have sufficient support in this regard. Saeco's #456 & 457 also are in this category and should perform well. WW metal is sufficient for these bullets as it is neither too hard nor soft. Gas checks are not necessary in 45ACP loads which, if used for target shooting usually run anywhere from 750-900fps. The semi wad designs that have been developed for 45ACP over the years are so well done that excellent accuracy with bullets weighing 185-200 grains is readily attainable with moderate loadings such as the classic 3.5 grains of Bullseye. I took the advice of Mr. C.E. Harris in one of his articles for the NRA loading book and used 4.0 grains of BE as it handles the wind better at 50 yards. For the round noses I found that 4.0-4.1 grains of Red Dot or 4.0 grains again of BE gave the best grouping in my autos and revolvers. Good shooting. JC

  12. #9
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Mike Haas's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    04-23-2019 @ 05:54 PM
    Posts
    509
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    08:18 AM

    Very interesting thread!!

    I'm not a "Pistol Guy" but I do have a 100 Bullet Box of "Speer" .45 - 200Gr. SWC" Cat. No. 452-200-SWC. The old red & yellow box; prelubed by Speer.

    I do have a friend that loads .45 ACP but has never used 'Cast Bullets". I did catch the comment about leaving abit of the bullet shoulder above the case lip.

    I only have the 100 bullets so feed issues are not a huge problem. Any other suggestions.

  13. #10
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Texasflyboy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    04-28-2010 @ 12:01 PM
    Posts
    28
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    08:18 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Gary Kaney View Post
    The question i have , should i go with gas checks on a 230 RN?
    In a word, no.

    I've never used gas checks in 25 years of reloading 230 grain Lead Round Nose .45's.

    I have an eight cavity Hensley & Gibbs #34 Bevel Base mould that spits out bullets as fast as I can cast. For years I tossed the tops of the primer boxes in an old 20mm ammo can as a way to keep count. When I cleaned out that can in 2007 prior to a house move, I counted over 75,000 Large Pistol primers that I've loaded over the years for my 1911's.

    Nary a gascheck.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Cast bullets for my 03A3
    By Major Tom in forum Ammunition and Reloading for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 07-22-2009, 01:09 AM
  2. 100 yard cast load
    By andiarisaka in forum Krag Rifles
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 07-18-2009, 10:19 PM
  3. Cast Bullets for 2 groove bbl #4MKI*
    By Frank46 in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 06-04-2009, 11:17 PM
  4. Cast in .308 M1A - Help!!
    By captain-03 in forum Ammunition and Reloading for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-21-2009, 03:26 PM
  5. Cast Bullets and the Garand
    By bacarnal in forum Ammunition and Reloading for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 04-24-2009, 01:39 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks