.45 ACP Semi Wad Cutter

[JohnClark7886]

Anyone doing any casting for 45 ACP SWC's? If so what mold works best for you, also do you have any recipies for reloading these you can share?

[GSM]

H&G #68 or #130

For 185 gr bullets: 3.9 gr WST, WLP
For 200 gr bullets: 4.2 gr WST, WLP

YMMV

Note: These work in tuned guns - reduced recoil springs.

[UweJ]

hi
RCBS 200gr.SWC-4.5 grains Bullseye
Lee 200gr.SWC TL- 4.5 grains Bullseye
Both work with the same load very well, I use both for competition shooting.
Uwe

[Lonestar22]

In casting for .45ACP, I have used the Lyman #452460 200gr SWC and the RCBS-45-201-SWC molds. While both produce excellent CB's, my Series 70 prefers the RCBS bullet.
When I started shooting IPSC back in the late 70's, my load for making Major Power Factor was, 5.5grs W231. For practice I would drop the charge to 5.0grs. I have also had good results with WST in the 4.5gr to 4.9gr range.
In all cases I set my OAL at 1.250" with a .470" taper crimp.
I have read some good reports about the LEE 452-200-SWC. The bullet looks very much like the old H&G #68, that was very popular in the early IPSC days. While I have never shot the LEE CB, I would not hesitate to try it. Hope this is of some help.
Regards,
Tim

[runfiverun]

H&g #68 200 Swc
4.5-5.0 Titegroup
5.0-5.5 231 And 5.0-6.0 Unique

[ChuckS1]

H&G #68 200 grain SWC 3.8 Bullseye; also works well with Lyman 452460.

[wiljen]

200 Swc 4.2gr Clays WLP

[runfiverun]

thanks wiljen
couldn't remember the clays load, thats the same one i have used also.

[JohnClark7886]

Just out of curiosity, would any of these loads work well as a self defense load for the 45 ACP, or do I need to go to FMJ or HP for self defense. I am thinking that if you get hit within 50 feet with a 200 grain hunk of lead it is gonna hurt a little...

[HeavyMetal]

For defense you can load 7.5 grains unique and the Lee 200 gr semi.

However with the legal system the way it is I bought a box of Cor-Bon HP's.

This way I don't get accused of useing "specailly prepared" "Death Blasters" and I won't look like it in court either!

[Ricochet]

IF you practice a lot with your load and find it functions dead reliably, it ought to work well enough IMO.

Such questions normally stir up quotes of Massad Ayoob saying you'll get sued if you use handloads for self-defense, but you're going to get sued if you shoot anybody regardless, and I don't think any jury around here would pay a bit of attention to someone having used the same cheap practice ammo he uses for normal shooting.

[wiljen]

Would they work? Sure
are they the best thing? No
FMJ will over-penetrate and are not a great choice.

[Bret4207]

IF you practice a lot with your load and find it functions dead reliably, it ought to work well enough IMO.

Such questions normally stir up quotes of Massad Ayoob saying you'll get sued if you use handloads for self-defense, but you're going to get sued if you shoot anybody regardless, and I don't think any jury around here would pay a bit of attention to someone having used the same cheap practice ammo he uses for normal shooting.

I specifically asked Ayoob if he could provide info on that claim. He dodged the question like crazy and also refused to answer to just how much street time he had as a cop, which probably means not much. I let it drop since I do enjoy much of his writing and he's just feeding his family.

[runfiverun]

i just bought some federal classics
weigh each one for consistency [to check for powder] mostly cause i might not be here
if they need using.
made sure they run through your pistol 100%.

[StrawHat]

Another option

I am using the Lyman 452423 and the GB mold of the same to cast 238- 240 grain SWC.

I load them in my revolvers and have a buddy who uses them in the self loader.

[DLCTEX]

I use Lyman and Lee 200 SWC both. The Lee is so close to the same design as to be insignificant in difference. I also cast Lee 190 gr.SWC and RCBS 255 gr. SWC for use in my 45acp, as well as an assortment of 200, 225 and 230 gr.RN. They all work well. For carry I use the 200SWC. or jacketed HP over Green Dot I loaded years ago. DALE

[rbwillnj]

Lyman 452630 sized to .451
4.1 grains of Bullseye
Shot from a Kart Match Barrel fitted in an accruized gun
1-3/4" Group at 50 yards

[bullshot]

Lyman #452460 over 4.2 gr Bullseye. Great target load.

[MtGun44]

+1 on runfiverun's load info. 29 yrs of shooting LOTs of .45 ACP.

Bill

[nicholst55]

I've probably shot several hundred pounds of lead cast as the Lyman 452460 through several different 1911s. Powder charge has varied, depending on what I was using at the time but I've loaded Unique, 700X and HS-6 with good, if somewhat dirty, results. That was the only .45 mold I had for a long time, so I shot a lot of those boolits - until I loaned the mold to a friend who returned it totally destroyed. But, that's a different story.

While I'm sure that an adequately powerful load using this boolit would work for defense, I think I'd prefer a boolit design with a larger meplat - maybe a TC or RFN design, providing it will feed 100% reliably in my gun(s).

[azrednek]

For more years than I want to think about I've been using 4.0 grs of Bullseye with various 45 ACP semi-wad-cutters weighing apx 190-210 grs. All of them including the Lee 190's proved to be very accurate. Problem is making certain your pistol will digest them, not a biggie for punching paper dealing with an occasional jam, different story though when you life depends on it. I used to have a GI 45 that was really reluctant to feed anything but round nose but it swallowed all the hardball I fed it without a problem. I currently have an AMT Hardballer that eats and shoots everything I feed it except full wad-cutters.

For self-defense my car gun used to be a 45ACP Brazilian Model 1917 S&W revolver. I loaded it with Saeco 225 full wad cutters loaded hot, with new brass only with 5.0 grs of Bullseye. Assuming from what I've read about shock value, knock down and stopping power is correct, the full wad cutter will really let the bad guy know you mean business.

As far as the legal matters of using reloaded ammo for defense. I asked a prosecuting attorney about it while we were on smoke break from a Grand Jury. His feelings were it could play a big part in a pre-meditated murder case. As far as getting sued in a civil matter he said anybody with enough money can sue for any reason. If one is sued for a justifiable shooting and the bad guy has the recourses to finance it, he likely has enough to make it worth while to counter sue for a frivolous lawsuit. I've seen this on the net for a few years now but have never seen anybody that can name a specific case.

[trickyasafox]

I don't know if it's the best- but I have been playing with the lee 200gr LSWC so far with good results.

[colbyjack]

H&G #68 200gr 4.3 gr clays cci 300 primer 835 average fps 167 power factor -chris