Preferred 45ACP boolit from a lee 6 banger.

[vogironface]

I am going to switch from tumble lube to traditional and was wondering what your favorite is. I will likely use it both tumble lubed and through a lubrisizer. The boolit will be shot through an XD45.

Thanks for participating.

[blikseme300]

I use and prefer the Lee 452-230-TC. I have a number of H&G molds for the 45 as well but the Lee just works.

[imashooter2]

Gotta have a round nose for smooth speed loads in the 625.

[Case Stuffer]

Same as H&G 68

http://leeprecision.com/6-cav-h-g-68-200-swc.html

[Larry Gibson]

I've been using the Lee 452-190-SWC for many years in the ACP, the AR and the .45 Colt. Unfortunately Lee has discontinued it.

I use the Hornady 185 XTO over 7.5 gr Unique in the ACP as my seriuos social load. Used to use the 200 gr Speer "FAT" HP.

Larry Gibson

[trixter]

I started out with the Lee 452-200 1R, but had feed problems (my gun, my fault) so I switched to the Lee 452-200 SWC (H&G) 68 clone. I really love that boolit. I then tried the Lee TL 452-200 SWC and fell in love all over again, plus the mold is one of the newer types. and It releases boolits like it was already lee-mented, and I did nothing but clean it and start using it. Then I went crazy and ordered one of the M-P molds from Slovenia, and it is a work of wonderment. Just by changing the pins you can cast 3 different boolit types. And the boolits fall out like they were greased with Canadian Honker grease. So now I am just going to shoot lotz-o-boolits till I run low and try to decide which one to stick with. I am sure that I have not helped you make any kind of decision, but you see, that is the dilemma of the boolit caster.

Whew, I am sure glad I got all of that out.

[armedmoose]

Perfect Paper Holes are from the 200gr SWC, my 1911 loved them.

[silverjay]

I agree with the RN for the revolver. Been trying to feed SWC in full moon clips. Exercise in frustration.

[rsrocket1]

The 452-230-TC has a good sized metplat in case you ever need it and it feeds reliably in my ancient Thompson AO 1911 which chokes on SWC's.
The gun loves RN bullets, but I've heard bad things about some not liking the 1R, then others not liking the 2R.
The TC bullets feed perfectly and the TL bullets work great with 45/45/10.
I love the 6 bangers, makes about 500-800 boolits an hour. These were from the very first lead boolits I ever cast.
6892368924

[vogironface]

Trixter,

The idea here is to reduce indecisiveness not contribute to it. Your post was contrary to the intent of the question. :p

I own the tl 452-230-tc. My intent is to sell that one and buy a traditional lube design. I could use it tumbled or traditional lubed. So far it looks like the 200 swc is winning.

I started out with the Lee 452-200 1R, but had feed problems (my gun, my fault) so I switched to the Lee 452-200 SWC (H&G) 68 clone. I really love that boolit. I then tried the Lee TL 452-200 SWC and fell in love all over again, plus the mold is one of the newer types. and It releases boolits like it was already lee-mented, and I did nothing but clean it and start using it. Then I went crazy and ordered one of the M-P molds from Slovenia, and it is a work of wonderment. Just by changing the pins you can cast 3 different boolit types. And the boolits fall out like they were greased with Canadian Honker grease. So now I am just going to shoot lotz-o-boolits till I run low and try to decide which one to stick with. I am sure that I have not helped you make any kind of decision, but you see, that is the dilemma of the boolit caster.

Whew, I am sure glad I got all of that out.

[vogironface]

This is the very mold I started with as well. Part of me wants to keep it since I don't have any real complaints about it but I really need to consider simplifying as well. Has anyone ever tried lubing these tumble designs in a lube sizer before? I wonder if you would get a little lube to stick in those micro grooves. With my 38/357 I get tighter groups with traditional lube than tumble and that is my intent here.

[historicfirearms]

I really like the 230-TC, it feeds great in everything I've tried. The SWC can be picky about seating depth for feeding.

[Sweetpea]

Has anyone ever tried lubing these tumble designs in a lube sizer before? I wonder if you would get a little lube to stick in those micro grooves.

Been there, tried that... it is an exercise in futility... MUCH harder to size and MUCH more effort to pump the lube...

Brandon

[kir_kenix]

I voted the 452-200-swc...but it really depends on the platform. I think we could help you a lot more if we knew what you were planning to shoot it thru...

The 452-200-swc will work well in a variety of guns...both autos and revolvers. A RN may be more appropriate if you shoot with speed loaders in a revolver...or an older or unthroated 1911 that chokes on anything with a shoulder. The SWC makes nice holes in paper, shoots well in most guns, and saves you 30grs every shot.

[JIMinPHX]

I use and prefer the Lee 452-230-TC. I have a number of H&G molds for the 45 as well but the Lee just works.

I borrowed that one from a friend once.

It will probably be the next mold that I buy, if I ever get back to buying molds.

They also make a 160gr RNFP that shoots well. If you want to be stingy with the lead supply, that one is a real good choice. The only part about it that I don't like is that my fat little fingers have a hard time setting them flat on the case mouth.

[vogironface]

Good point. I shoot it through a XD45. I will update the original post to state as much. Thanks.


I voted the 452-200-swc...but it really depends on the platform. I think we could help you a lot more if we knew what you were planning to shoot it thru...

The 452-200-swc will work well in a variety of guns...both autos and revolvers. A RN may be more appropriate if you shoot with speed loaders in a revolver...or an older or unthroated 1911 that chokes on anything with a shoulder. The SWC makes nice holes in paper, shoots well in most guns, and saves you 30grs every shot.

[MtGun44]

I never saw the Lee 200 SWC called (by Lee) a "H&G 68" before!

If it is their old design, it is not a clone of the H&G 68, but a 'kinda, sorta' copy
with the BB feature. Reports are that it works pretty well, but unless they
have redesigned it, it is NOT a clone of the H&G 68. Longer nose, smaller
meplat, narrower shoulder.

The H&G 68 is pretty nearly the class of the field, with the Lyman 452460
usually a bit more accurate, but at the cost of usually a bit less reliable in
feeding. A real H&G 68 is essentially 100% reliable feeder in 1911s.

Bill

[Moonie]

I voted for the 200gr SWC and it works beautifully in all of the family's 1911's however I also have a 2 cavity 230gr TC, this boolit feeds in just about anything, I use it for light loads in my NMBH convertible.

[Dale53]

The question is which LEE mould I prefer. 98% of my 1911 and 625 shooting is done with a Mihec version of the H&G #68 SWC. However, for quick reloads in the revolvers, the Lee (conventionally lubed) 230 TC is used with clips.

My heavy bullet load for the 625's is the NOE version of the Lyman 454424 at 250 grs (Keith semi-wadcutter).

FWIW
Dale53

[Shiloh]

Just purchased a LEE 452 200 gr SWC. Similar the the H&G 68 but with the BB.
Mine has a .006 gap from the bottom of the BB to the bottom of the sprue plate. Gonna have a good part of the BB milled off.

That being said, I have four LEE molds for the .45. The other ones cast good boolits and shoot well.
I can't choose more than one option so I'll pass for now.

[MtGun44]

Real H&G 68 came either BB or FB.

Bill

[RobS]

Considering the XD in particular if it's an older one..........the Lee TC. SWC designs do not do well with the older XD's and There is very little throat on the springfield XD barrels so having much of a front drive band sticking outside the case doesn't work so well nor does a boolit with a tangent ogive and wide meplat.

[Artful]

My 230 TC isn't Lee's but I would have no problem buying a 6 banger in that design from them.

It seems to work well in most guns I have tried.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/rowdyfisk/FAL/P1020211.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rowdyfisk/media/FAL/P1020211.jpg.html)

Mine is an older 5 cavity from NEI

[RobS]

Nice entourage you have there Artful.

[fredj338]

Trixter,

The idea here is to reduce indecisiveness not contribute to it. Your post was contrary to the intent of the question. :p

I own the tl 452-230-tc. My intent is to sell that one and buy a traditional lube design. I could use it tumbled or traditional lubed. So far it looks like the 200 swc is winning.
The 200swc will NOT likely feed well in the XD45, it doesn't in 95%. The newer XDM has supposedly fixed the feeding issue, but the older XD45 vary form totally unreliable to only about 80% w/ any SWC design. So IMO, the 228grRN or 230grTC are the way to go in a Lee 6cav.

[vogironface]

That is good to know. I have only shot the truncated cone and round nose through it. In the poll the TC design has pulled ahead.

Thanks to all who have shared opinions. I think I may have changed my mind from my original intent. I always learn so much fro you guys.


The 200swc will NOT likely feed well in the XD45, it doesn't in 95%. The newer XDM has supposedly fixed the feeding issue, but the older XD45 vary form totally unreliable to only about 80% w/ any SWC design. So IMO, the 228grRN or 230grTC are the way to go in a Lee 6cav.

[mpmarty]

I voted the 200gr swc before realizing you had an XD. Semi wadcutters don't work for beans in XDs so I dumped my XD and quit worrying about it. 200gr swc work for me just fine, LEE, H&G and Lyman 452460s all make me smile. All my 1911s eat them like candy.

[rintinglen]

I prefer the 200 grain SWC, but for an XD I'd go with the TC. Yeah, I know, I'm parroting what others have said, but IME, they just don't run well on Semi-Wadcutters.

[wallenba]

This was a hard choice. Because I love both, the 200 SWC and the 230 TC, for different guns. The SWC works best in my 625, and the TC in my 1911. But I voted the SWC since I shoot the 625 more.

[ku4hx]

I tumble lube many of my tradition lube boolits, and the results has been quite good. I use either thinned LLA or thinned 50/50 Alox+Bee's wax and finish with a light dusting of MotorMica.

I voted the 230 grain TC although I have a bucketful of Lee's discontinued 190 grain SWCs. 190 works fine, but I have this thing about a 230 grain bullet in a 45 ACP. More boolits per pound is a strong selling point.

[mikeym1a]

Years ago, I bought the Lee 200gr/microgooves, 6 cavity mould. I never had any problem with it. Never had to size them, they shoot great in my AutoOrdance 1911A1. Never shot at paper, always at tin cans. (Instant gratification, seeing something fall over after the 'bang'.) My first try at making pistol boolits, and I guess I just lucked out.

[MtGun44]

Later model XDs handle SWCs fine. Factory modified the slide to add a bump
on the bottom to depress the top round in the mag as the slide moves rearward.
The extracted case WAS dragged hard over the boolit of the next up round
in the early guns, and the SWC shoulder would pop the extracted case loose and
cause a jam. By depressing the top round in the mag, the problem is solved.

Bill

[Elkins45]

FWIW the 200 TL SWC is my favorite 45 boolet. I would dearly hate the thought of having to run every one of my 45 boolets through the sizer before I could load them.

[vogironface]

Thank you for all of the feedback. The poll is pretty evenly split between our top two. I know the TC feeds since I have been shooting the TL variety so I think I will go with that. I am glad I asked the question since I was originally going to order the 200 SWC. I did not know of the feeding issues.