45 SWC in a 1911

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

This may have been asked before but I couldn't find it. So here it is (again?).

Of the different styles/shapes of 200 grain SWC, which seems to feed most reliably in a 1911. I should note that my 1911 isn't fussy at all, it will even fairly reliably feed the little button nose lyman 452389. So which is it, short and stubby like the lee tumble lube SWC? Long and thick like the HG68? Long and skinny like the Lee version of the HG68?

Thanks

[fcvan]

I don't have the Lee tumble lube SWC, but I do have the Lee 452-200 SWC. It works great in my Springfield 1911. The tumble lube design has a slightly different profile that's the standard lube version which is a clone of the HG #68. There is a thread here that shows pics of the Lee next to the HG, and I believe another manufacturer. I like the Lee mold, I'm sure your gun will too. Frank

[bigboredad]

Never used the stubby lee but the #68 option I've shot a few versions and none have been bad. If I pourchase one it will be the version To at accuratemolds.com has his mold are the best for me and he is fast and reliable

[MT Gianni]

I have had no issues with the 452460.

[zomby woof]

I have both LEE 200 swc. They both work great for me.

[runfiverun]

I have had no issues with the 452460.
that number sounds bout right.
got rid of my 2 cav H&G 68 copy,when i got my 4 cav version of this and never regretted it.
maybe it's the magazines in my auto ordinance and norinco [dunno] they all feed 100% with swc's and 160-250 rnfps so even the 230 rn mold don't get used much anymore.

[Iowa Fox]

I sure like the 452460

[MtGun44]

452460 is good in most 1911s today, H&G 68 is the absolute definition of reliable
feeding in a 1911. In my guns the 460 is just a bit ahead of the H&G 68 in accuracy.

I just cast up a few hundred 452460s tonight to use for match ammo.

Bill

[40Super]

I started out with the Lyman, it has a little longer nos and real small radius on the tip. That small radius kept hitting hard on my feedramp and getting damaged unless I ran hard bullets. Once I dropped down to 11-12ish bhn they kept getting big dent and didn't shoot as good, no jamming though. It was only in that 1911. they were fine in my XDm. I now have a 4c of the original H&G#68 and am running real soft alloys without issues.

[mistermog]

Just have to chime in... i had the Lee 200gr SWC non TL version, would not feed at ALL in my rock island 1911.

[noylj]

1) H&G #68
2) RCBS 452-201-SWC
3) Any long-nose #68 clone
Of these, the RCBS is most accurate for me...

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

Just have to chime in... i had the Lee 200gr SWC non TL version, would not feed at ALL in my rock island 1911.

That concerns me because I literally just ordered that mold in 2 cavity and it is for my rock island 1911. But like I said earlier, my RIA 1911 doesn't seem to be finicky at all about what it will feed. I hope I have better luck.

[MtGun44]

THE biggest issue with new reloaders for the 1911 platform is lack of or inadequate
taper crimp. Pull the barrel, set LOA so that the boolit full diam shoulder does not get marked
by the rifling, set TC by adjusting so the loaded round falls into the chamber flush with
the hood, or max 1 lb push.

My bet is that more TC will make that SWC feed in the RI 1911.

One issue is that if the RI has a 'throating' (feed ramp in bbl) like the old GI bbls -
which is a narrow groove at the bottom only, with the sides of the barrel beside
the chamber dead square at the rear, then it will need throating like (almost?)
all modern 1911 clones have. This wraps the ramping around the bottom about
60 degrees on either side of center. What is happening in the old GI bbls with
the tiny groove ramp is that the sides of the square edge of the SWC catch on
the square sides of the barrel at the rear of the chamber. Ramping these fixes
it, but -as I mentioned- the is pretty much standard design today for 1911s.

Bill

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

Bill,

My RI has modern throating, and so far my cast 230 gr and 185 gr have worked very well in it, so now that I have a few pet loads for it with cast boolits, I thought I'd experiment. Good tip though, if it seems to be hanging up i'll try increasing the TC a touch.

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

I should have the mold by Wednesday, I'll post an update after I've put 100 or so through my RIA to see if I have the same problem as mistermog.

[MtGun44]

I have not seen a 1911 produced in the last 10-15 years that doesn't have proper
barrel 'throating' (feed ramp, actually) for SWCs. Good data point that RI has modern
style. Check out the TC and LOA if you have feeding issues.

Bill

[captaint]

I taper crimp my 45ACPs to .471 at the case mouth. This size works in all my 1911's. Certainly no larger than .472. enjoy Mike

[Moonie]

Just have to chime in... i had the Lee 200gr SWC non TL version, would not feed at ALL in my rock island 1911.

I'd be willing to bet this is due to loading depth. In my family we have 3 RIA's, 2 full size and 1 compact. I use this boolit in all 3 of them and it is 100% reliable when loaded with just a sliver of the front band showing.

[mpmarty]

My RIA loves all semi wad cutters. Never had a FTF.

[singleshot]

I'd be willing to bet this is due to loading depth. In my family we have 3 RIA's, 2 full size and 1 compact. I use this boolit in all 3 of them and it is 100% reliable when loaded with just a sliver of the front band showing.

I was gonna say the exact same thing. I've found some boolits that feed at any reasonable OAL. Some only feed at a given OAL + or - .01; but all can be made to feed in mine reliably.

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

Well I took my Rock Island out today and fired a fair amount of the Lee HG68 clone, over 4.6 grs. of Bullseye, lubed with my homemade modified Saeco green, and it was spectacularly accurate, i could hit those tiny 8 oz. coke cans at 20 yards fairly easily. No feeding issue's at all. The ONLY problem was that because the nose is so narrow, the tip of it tends to sneak forward when I load the magazine, so the nose of a round will catch sometimes when I put the next round on top. No big deal, I just need to pay a bit closer attention.

[Boolseye]

If I don't taper crimp my Lee 200swc down to .467 or so at the mouth, they won't feed reliably in my Springfield mil-spec. This is leaving a thumbnail or so of the top bearing surface showing above the mouth.
-jp

[MtGun44]

You are doing the right thing, fitting the ammo to the gun. No problems.

Bill