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Thread: 45 acp accuracy load with 230gr Boolit?

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    45 acp accuracy load with 230gr Boolit?

    I have the Lee TL452-230-2R mold that puts like 5 gas ridges on the boolit. My load books don't show this boolit, so was wondering if anyone has an accuracy load to try? Of course I will work up to any suggested loads.. Will be shooting from a Les Baer 5" 45 ACP. Boolits have been lubed with 45-45-10. Will be using Starline brass, and have either Tulammo KVB-45 or CCI-300 primers.

    Powders I have are: Unique, Ramshot Competition, Zip, True Blue, and HP-38.

    Thanks!

  2. #2
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    try 5.5 grains of Unique to start. I have used 6.0-6.3 and had good results. 6.3 grains is a healthy load. HP-38 = Winchester 231. Same powder. lots of data available.

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy MrHarmless's Avatar
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    I use 4.5 grains of Titegroup. I've been really impressed with the accuracy.
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  4. #4
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    lots of 230 grn loads http://castpics.net/dpl/index.php/re...et-data-lookup

    Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook #3 PDF
    http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manu...-%20Reduce.pdf

    not the same but will give you a place to start


    Last edited by Conditor22; 03-01-2019 at 12:52 PM.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master

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    I believe the "gas grooves" are a tumble lube design. I have loaded T/L bullets with the same data as regular lube groove bullets, with comparable results. I started casting a 44 cal. SWC T/L in '88 or so and tumble lubed with alox. Kept me shooting for over a year then I got another mold...

    I used data for a "standard" 240 gr. SWC right out of my manual, mostly with Unique and W231.
    My Anchor is holding fast!

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by gareth96 View Post
    I have the Lee TL452-230-2R mold that puts like 5 gas ridges on the boolit...........Thanks!
    FYI; the "gas ridges" you refer to are actually called "driving bands" on a cast bullet. They may be small on the Lee TL bullets but that's what they are.

    The 5.7 gr Unique charge shown in the Lyman manual as posted above is an excellent duplication load for US GI 230 gr FMJ hardball. The discrepancies between the max loads for the Lee TC bullet and the Lyman 225 gr RN has to do with seating depth. The seating depth with your TL452-230-RN splits the difference. Try 5, 5.4 and 5.7 gr Unique with your bullet. You will find happiness in there.
    Larry Gibson

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  7. #7
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    I won a first place trophy with 5.2 grains of Unique and Lee's standard lube groove 230 grain RN , not the TL design .
    That's where I would start !
    Gary
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  8. #8
    Boolit Master rsrocket1's Avatar
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    The most important thing you do with these bullets in a 1911 style gun is to find the seating depth that will give you 100% feed functionality. If your gun eats everything without ever having a 3 point jam, good for you, just make a load that is comfortable to shoot and you'll be accurate.

    I have an ancient Thompson Auto Ordnance 1911 that hates SWC's unless they are seated to a perfect depth and even then, I might average 98-99% functionality. So I started with the TL452-230-TC and when seated to the edge of the cone, it feeds 1000 out of 1000 times.

    So I would first seat your bullets at various depths and see if they feed with all your magazines. If they do, then pick a load that's safe, load up a bunch and shoot 'em. Unless you are shooting at 50+ yards with a ransom rest, you probably won't be able to tell the difference in accuracy due to the actual charge so whatever functions the gun properly would be fine.

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master tazman's Avatar
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    I have been using the starting load for 230 grain boolits using whichever powder I have on hand that I have data for. These loads work my 1911 pistols and shoot both accurately and comfortably.
    If you need more power for your usage, you can use the data from the Lyman 452374 for this boolit without and concerns.

  10. #10
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    4.8gr of W231 under a 225gr RN boolit is all I use in my 1911
    kids that hunt and fish dont mug old ladies

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master fredj338's Avatar
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    My 45acp powder of choice, after trying almost a dozen, is WST. Though I do like Ramshot Comp too, 4.2gr of either is a good target load. For target ammo, you do not need anything slower burning than those. JMO, I read a lot fo stories about poor accuracy with the TL bullets, so I choose conventional lube grooves regardless of how they are lubed or coated.
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  12. #12
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    Thanks all.. looks like today is loading day. I guess I'll try a couple loads of unique and maybe a true blue and a comp too..

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by gareth96 View Post
    Thanks all.. looks like today is loading day. I guess I'll try a couple loads of unique and maybe a true blue and a comp too..
    If you have any Bullseye powder try some in the 4.0 to 4.5 grain range. I use 4.2 in my Colt 1911 with the 452460 that weighs around 210 grs. cast out of ACWW.It will hold the 10 ring of the 25 yard slow fire pistol target at 25 yards from a rest.Can't do that standing using one hand unfortunately to many wobbles...

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check