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View Full Version : Good all around bullet for both the 45ACP and 45 Colt



wildchild2010
03-19-2014, 06:24 PM
Like to find a good all around bullet for hunting with the 45 Colt and plinking and maybe hunting with the 45ACP. I was thinking something with a FP or WNFP. Any suggestions.

Thanks

xman777
03-19-2014, 06:26 PM
+1 I would love some responses as well. There are a lot of schools of thought here.

pearcetopher
03-19-2014, 07:30 PM
thats a difficult question, I find the 45 acp really likes no heavier than 230 grain
but the 230 grain doesn't have a crimp grove for revolverss

2AMMD
03-19-2014, 07:32 PM
This might be worth looking into.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?229962-MiHec-2-or-4-cavity-brass-45-RCBS-Cramer-HP-Rerun
2AMMD

C. Latch
03-19-2014, 07:35 PM
I have a NOE 452-230-HP that casts ~230 with the large HP pins and ~250ish as a flat nose. It has a very small crimp groove that seems to hold well enough with what I've shot so far out of the .45 Colt (nothing hotter than 20.0 grains of 2400).

I'd rather have a heavier HP for hunting, but as a flat point it ought to be OK.

CastingFool
03-19-2014, 07:42 PM
It'll be interesting to follow this post. I reload both calibers and have been toying with Lee 452-200 RF. I liked the results with the few I reloaded for 45LC, can't get them to feed on my 45acp (may be the gun itself)

Big Steve
03-19-2014, 07:43 PM
I was thinking a tumble lube designed 230 grain. For the revolver load maybe you crimp on the top groove. I'm gonna be trying that out soon myself.

Outpost75
03-19-2014, 07:44 PM
I use the Saeco #954 230-grain flatnosed Cowboy bullet, 4.5 grains of Bullseye in the ACP and 6.5 grains of Bullseye in the .45 Colt. Works for me!

C. Latch
03-19-2014, 07:46 PM
It'll be interesting to follow this post. I reload both calibers and have been toying with Lee 452-200 RF. I liked the results with the few I reloaded for 45LC, can't get them to feed on my 45acp (may be the gun itself)

Both of my 1911s will feed the Lee 452-255-rf, but you have to cram it so deeply into the case that I'm afraid to shoot it at very high velocities.

DougGuy
03-19-2014, 07:53 PM
For hunting in the .45 Colt chambering, the Lee C452-300-RF is a gas checked design with a wide flat nose that is an extremely efficient killer. The GC allows the use of softer alloy than coww if you favor some expansion, but mostly these are used at velocities that completely penetrate the game, so you have an entrance wound and an exit wound to bleed out of, with a good sized wound channel between the two.

With a wide flat nose like this boolit has, a hollowpoint design is completely unneccesary, as it does terrific damage to tissue just as cast. These really shine in carbines and Ruger revolvers where you can load them to +P+ pressures.. Plenty of load data out there for this boolit, as it is a favorite in many circles.. These can weigh in at 320gr with gas check, depending on the alloy you choose, Lyman #2 for example will put them right at 320gr.

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/DougGuy/Reloading/b0365352-e008-4573-ae2e-859b8a99fe82_zps7c72c5cb.jpg (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/DougGuy/media/Reloading/b0365352-e008-4573-ae2e-859b8a99fe82_zps7c72c5cb.jpg.html)

Lee also makes a mold for a 255gr RF which looks much like the 300gr RF and a lot of folks like this lighter wide flat nose for both hunting and general shooting.

I might also add that it is fairly difficult to find decent hunting ammo with heavier boolits in the .45 Colt caliber, and will be quite expensive when you do find it. The win goes to the handloader who casts or has access to cast boolits of various designs and is able to pick and choose the boolit to suit the game animal. This Lee boolit would be devastating on hogs and bear in the harder alloys, yet able to expand if loaded in the softer alloys and driven at moderate to brisk velocities.

I don't think it practical to hunt out just one boolit for both calibers, this will basically hogtie the .45 Colt into a lighter boolit with enough ojive to cycle in an ACP, it might as well be a .44 Special at that point. Choose a boolit that does it's best in each caliber and develop a load that is accurate, don't try to compromise two already established and very fine cartridges into using the same boolit.

josper
03-19-2014, 08:20 PM
thats a difficult question, I find the 45 acp really likes no heavier than 230 grain
but the 230 grain doesn't have a crimp grove for revolverss
That is not exactly correct. I'm casting a 230 hp from NOE and it does have a crimp groove. .452 230gr. HP [.20] RG2 cavity PB

SwedeNelson
03-19-2014, 08:21 PM
wildchild2010

That was kind of the idea behind our 452 230Gr. HP
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=41&products_id=251
Its worked out great for me in both 45 Colt and ACP

Shameless plug
Bullet maker, maker
Swede Nelson

Jupiter7
03-19-2014, 08:29 PM
Rcbs 45-230cm, mihec 45-225

I'd trust what swede said too :)

josper
03-19-2014, 08:38 PM
And a fine mold it is Swede. One of my favorites for my Ruger Colt.45's

Bigslug
03-19-2014, 10:06 PM
My Accurate 45-230F could conceivably be crimped over the front of the slight SWC shoulder on a .45 Colt, but the 45-230X seems like it was tailor-made for somebody with your problem.

Catshooter
03-20-2014, 12:03 AM
I like the current production Lyman 452424. It seats deeply in the ACP but getting 800 feet isn't difficult. Some autos may not feed it but most of mine down the years have without problem.


Cat

fcvan
03-20-2014, 12:17 AM
Years ago, my Dad bought an 1899 Colt and wanted me to load him some rounds. At the time, I only had the Lee 452-228 1R and the 452-200 SWC. The RN boolit worked fine for him. Since then, I've gotten a Vaquero in 45 Colt, and have picked up a few more molds. I have yet to try the 452-255 RF in my 1911 but I have read many have done so successfully. I would think the 452-230 TC would be a good choice and in a lighter boolit the 452-200RF would also do well. The latter has a crimp groove if you feel you need one. I didn't when using the 228 1R in the revolvers because you can crimp into the boolt if need be. Case mouth tension was always good enough to prevent set back in the auto or boolit jump in the revolver. For heavier loads in the revolver I do crimp more. Over time, I have probably collected more molds for 45 than any other caliber I shoot. You will likely collect more than 2 even if you get one for the auto and another for the revolver. It's an obsession and there is no cure!

Taco Belly
03-20-2014, 12:34 AM
I use the Saeco #954 230-grain flatnosed Cowboy bullet, 4.5 grains of Bullseye in the ACP and 6.5 grains of Bullseye in the .45 Colt. Works for me!

This bullet feeds in every 45 ACP pistol I have tried...and shoots perfect in 45 Colt....and 45 AR...I wish it was available in a six-cavity mould.

Old School Big Bore
03-20-2014, 12:57 AM
I made up some thumpers for the 1911 once using a 240 gr SWC and they fed great in my gun, but it's throated six ways from Sunday. If you can get one of the NOE molds, that boolit was designed to be 'ambidextrous'. A tumble-lube TC type, crimping in the top groovelet as stated above, would be good too. But don't be afraid to get more molds!

StrawHat
03-20-2014, 06:50 AM
Lyman 452423 or one of the clones. A Keith bullet of appoximately 235 grains.

reloader28
03-20-2014, 09:05 AM
I bought the NOE mold for the multi purpose.
Very sweet boolits and shoot excellent in acp and colt.

jonp
03-20-2014, 09:07 AM
Hunting what with a 45ACP? I have been using a rnfp 200gr in both that has a crimp groove but it is a small boolit for hunting at the velocities your getting from a 45ACP I think.

Blammer
03-20-2014, 09:19 AM
I believe this projectile was purpose built for both, I could be wrong, I know it came in two pin sizes for the HP and it comes in two dia's for casting. 452 and .454, just pick the one you want.

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=41&products_id=267

Big Boomer
03-20-2014, 09:36 AM
Since you desire to use this boolit for both .45 ACP and .45 Colt, LBT offers a LFN (Long Flat Nose) 225 to 230 (depending on alloy) cast boolit mould. I have one in 4-cavity that is a great hitter/smacker because of the wide flat nose. It feeds well in my .45 ACPs. Have not used it in the .45 Colt. Have other heavier moulds/ boolits for those revolvers. Big Boomer

Larry Gibson
03-20-2014, 09:38 AM
Have to ask the same as jonp except for both cartridges; "hunting what"?

Larry Gibson

Randy C
03-20-2014, 10:15 AM
100048100049100050100051

I had mine made buy Old West bullet Moulds 230gr the one's posted look good also, some of my moulds have 2 different style bullets in 1 mould these are old pictures.

Blanco
03-20-2014, 11:51 AM
I have the Lee 230 gr TL.FP 6 hole
I have only been shooting it in 45 ACP but it has surprized me how accurate it is. Not sure how it would work out in LC ?
I really like 4.5~5 Gr. Trail Boss. Makes a very pleasant and accurate round

sandman228
03-20-2014, 12:19 PM
how about the lee 200 gr tl swc bullet ?I just recently bought a ruger Blackhawk 45 convertible I cast a 230 gr tc a 230 lrn and a 200 swc for my 1911 so I decided to just load that in 45 lc also . I ordered a lee 252 gr swc mold from midway and it was junk, new out of the box cavitys out of align , so I returned it for another and it showed up the same way so I returned it as well and just gave up on it and use what I have here

Blanco
03-21-2014, 09:41 AM
I have the same 200 Gr swc .45 mold from Lee (6 hole)
I haven't had any problems with the mold except for breaking the cam levers on the sprue plate.
I'm not a big fan of that design. I would prefer a tang extended as a part of the sprue plate.
Lee uses that design on some of their 2 hole molds.
I don't have a 45 revolver but my Glock ate the SWC's like candy and they were very accurate also.

wildchild2010
03-21-2014, 12:02 PM
For hunting in the .45 Colt chambering, the Lee C452-300-RF is a gas checked design with a wide flat nose that is an extremely efficient killer. The GC allows the use of softer alloy than coww if you favor some expansion, but mostly these are used at velocities that completely penetrate the game, so you have an entrance wound and an exit wound to bleed out of, with a good sized wound channel between the two.

With a wide flat nose like this boolit has, a hollowpoint design is completely unneccesary, as it does terrific damage to tissue just as cast. These really shine in carbines and Ruger revolvers where you can load them to +P+ pressures.. Plenty of load data out there for this boolit, as it is a favorite in many circles.. These can weigh in at 320gr with gas check, depending on the alloy you choose, Lyman #2 for example will put them right at 320gr.

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/DougGuy/Reloading/b0365352-e008-4573-ae2e-859b8a99fe82_zps7c72c5cb.jpg (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/DougGuy/media/Reloading/b0365352-e008-4573-ae2e-859b8a99fe82_zps7c72c5cb.jpg.html)

Lee also makes a mold for a 255gr RF which looks much like the 300gr RF and a lot of folks like this lighter wide flat nose for both hunting and general shooting.

I might also add that it is fairly difficult to find decent hunting ammo with heavier boolits in the .45 Colt caliber, and will be quite expensive when you do find it. The win goes to the handloader who casts or has access to cast boolits of various designs and is able to pick and choose the boolit to suit the game animal. This Lee boolit would be devastating on hogs and bear in the harder alloys, yet able to expand if loaded in the softer alloys and driven at moderate to brisk velocities.

I don't think it practical to hunt out just one boolit for both calibers, this will basically hogtie the .45 Colt into a lighter boolit with enough ojive to cycle in an ACP, it might as well be a .44 Special at that point. Choose a boolit that does it's best in each caliber and develop a load that is accurate, don't try to compromise two already established and very fine cartridges into using the same boolit.
That 300gr would be a great hunting bullet in the 45 Colt, I wish it would fit in the 45 ACP.

wildchild2010
03-21-2014, 12:03 PM
Lot of great responses and ideas posted here for both rounds. I will have to look at some of the bullets and molds posted here. Thanks a bunch.

DaveSpud
03-21-2014, 04:22 PM
It'll be interesting to follow this post. I reload both calibers and have been toying with Lee 452-200 RF. I liked the results with the few I reloaded for 45LC, can't get them to feed on my 45acp (may be the gun itself)I use the Lee 452-200RF in both .45 Colt and ACP. Works well on both for me. No feeding issues on my ACP. Have had good results with Unique, Blue Dot and PB. PB has prolly been the best powder for both.

RobS
03-22-2014, 12:01 AM
The RCBS 230 45-230-CM could work, I have the 230 Large HP/260 grain solid design that NOE has out and it's a good one if you are after a HP 230 grainer for your 45 ACP, and then there is this one I put together over at Accurate Molds - http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=45-235R-D.png

The RCBS 45-230-CM or very similar is also over at Accurate Molds too (45-230Y). The Lee 452-200-RF may also work but can give feeding issues in the auto due to the short OAL because of the short nose length.

wildchild2010
03-22-2014, 02:01 AM
Have to ask the same as jonp except for both cartridges; "hunting what"?

Larry Gibson

Deer and need be black bear maybe. The 185gr gold dots are great on deer out to 40 yards, is the Farthest with the 45acp.that I have shot them.

jonp
03-29-2014, 12:21 AM
Deer and need be black bear maybe. The 185gr gold dots are great on deer out to 40 yards, is the Farthest with the 45acp.that I have shot them.

Really? Your hunting deer with a 185 Gd out of 45ACP? Your pushing the envelope on that one IMHO. I've used 165gr Core-Lokt 357Mag for hunting deer but I don't think the 185GD is suitable for hunting whitetail and I'm surprised your getting clean kills at 40yrds with it.

wildchild2010
03-29-2014, 05:06 AM
Really? Your hunting deer with a 185 Gd out of 45ACP? Your pushing the envelope on that one IMHO. I've used 165gr Core-Lokt 357Mag for hunting deer but I don't think the 185GD is suitable for hunting whitetail and I'm surprised your getting clean at 40yrds with it.
Why not? I have t kills taken several deer and black bear with a single shot .223, growing up we didn`t have the money to buy the latest bolt action rifles, so we used what we had. It`s all about placement when hunting, a few of the deer dropped in their tracks with 55gr FMJ`s.

jonp
03-29-2014, 05:16 PM
What you are comparing are apples and oranges and i would highly discourage the 185gd/45acp combo on bear

rexherring
03-29-2014, 06:25 PM
That 300gr would be a great hunting bullet in the 45 Colt, I wish it would fit in the 45 ACP.

It will fit but, no room for the powder.:lol:

C1PNR
03-29-2014, 08:03 PM
+ 1 with Strawhat! My 452423 casts in my mould with my alloy at 238 grains. It runs smoothly through all my acp guns and my Colts Love it! I do too, I save 30 grains of lead with every shot.

jdgabbard
03-29-2014, 09:45 PM
wildchild2010

That was kind of the idea behind our 452 230Gr. HP
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=41&products_id=251
Its worked out great for me in both 45 Colt and ACP

Shameless plug
Bullet maker, maker
Swede Nelson

This is the exact same mold I use (except I have the 4-cav), and I absolutely love it. Casts great, and shoots great too.

45-70 Chevroner
03-29-2014, 11:57 PM
You didn't mention if you were using a semi auto and a revolver or a revolver with two cylinders one for each cartridge. It does sound like you are asking for infor on two different guns though.