452 2r Lee TL

[jhalcott]

Any one ever use this mold? What results did you get from it in a .45 ACP? I just cast a bunch from wheel weight and am thinking about the load to use. Is the 230 grain round nose any good or not? If it is a good bullet, I'll probably make some with a softer alloy for defensive use.

[happy7]

My friend has this mold and we could never get it to shoot very accurate in two different 45s or 45 colt either, but maybe it was just us. So when I got a mold for myself, I got the 1R. It is not a TL design, but I tumble lube it anyway, and I find it is accurate. I get about 2 in groups at 25 yards over 3.6 gr of Clays.

[docone31]

I use the 200gn flat nose. I like it.
It prints real nice, hits hard, ejects real well, no leading. I pan lube and push thru size.
I found a very nice conbination with that casting.

[dam555]

I use this mold for a plinking load for my Springfield Mil-Spec and get a decent group at 25 yds using 4.3 grains of Red Dot

[FieldShunt]

4.2gr of Winchester Super Target (WST) should make "major" for USPSA.
4.5gr of the same is book max and should come close to being a hardball equivalent.
Works fine for me, but I'll admit I keep these TLs for practice and use my ancient, mid-70's 228RN Lee for match work, since it maybe feeds a trifle better.

[medicstimpy]

It's a really good practice bullet but it's accuracy isn't up to using for competitions. I'm not a fan of LLA so I just run them through my Lubersizer.

For the TL designs, I prefer the 200gr LSWC bullet. Much more accurate. Uses the same load as my 230gr (Max 200gr=lower end 230gr). Still run through the lubersizer and is just better overall.

[Ranch Dog]

I started shooting the TL452-230-2R early in '04 and have had great results with the bullet. I have a 1991A1 and use 5.0-grains of Unique (not the best choice but I have a bunch of it). I cast with 95% Plumbers Lead and 5% tin and get super definition on the Micro-Bands®. One coat of LLA and seat it at 1.254". I haven't chronographed it since '04 but back then I could depend on a flat 650 FPS. I'm not a competitive shooter but seem to hit what I shoot at and I suspect it will always be my choice. I just bought it's little brother for my 9mm, the TLC356-124-2R.

[jhalcott]

Thank you for these replies. Ranch dog, what do YOU consider the best choice for this bullet IF 5 gr Unique isn't the best.?

[35remington]

The 230-2R is a more faithful duplicate of ball bullet profile, and will produce a round of correct OAL that will feed in most .45's. The 228-1R is a nonstandard design that results in a somewhat shorter OAL (around 1.220") when loaded.

Correct overall length with the 2R will be in the vicinity of 1.250 - 1.265", depending upon the throating of your particular .45. Most factory FMJ 230 roundnose ammo tends to be between 1.260 - 1.265", in my own measuring.

The 2R, in my pistol, is seated and works at 1.265." This allows a little protrusion of the bullet shoulder out of the case, which is the correct way to do it.

I find it shoots well enough in my 1911's. Ideally, if you are duplicating ball velocities of around 820 fps, you might want to go with a bit softer mix than straight wheelweights. Cleaner shooting is the result.

[Echo]

RD, 2.50" OAL? In a .45ACP?

[Ranch Dog]

RD, 2.50" OAL? In a .45ACP?

Oops... corrected.

I never converted this record from Shooting Lab to TMT PB&R so it was about time to do it. I keep all the printouts I load from in binders, and sure enough I even had the target from all the chronograph work.


25-yard target, 1 clip, measures 3.44" at 646 FPS


Here is the load record