45 acp for Contender

[jeffsmith13]

Happy New Year everyone,
I’m looking for recommendations for a mold for my contender in 45 acp. I’d like something similar to the beartooth 255 wfn . I shoot 44,45-70 , and 45 acp all suppressed and subsonic. I’ve had great success on deer and hogs in both rifle and pistol using j bullets and would like to swap to hardcast. I’m new to casting but eager to get started. I love developing loads for each host and taking game with them . I enjoy the satisfaction of work = success. I’d appreciate any recommendations for molds you’ve had success with.
Thanks in advance.
Jeff

[45DUDE]

I have a nice 246 grain 452460 4 hole Lyman custom mold that drops a 455od boolit I shoot in my Kimber 1911 that groups well. PM if interested. It is factory length and big on the end like a wad cutter. A 45 Long Colt will work also and cheaper. I have never seen a T.C. 45acp. barrel. That would be cheap to shoot. Do you use rimmed brass or poke them out?

[nhithaca]

I have a factory 45 Winchester Magnum 10" barrel and have seen 45ACP barrels at gun shows. Barrels have spring loaded extractors like a Handirifle uses for rimless calibers.

[BBMF1]

G'day from Downunder.

G'day , I have a 10.5" stainless .45acp /.45 auto rim barrel that I had MGM build for me , it is set up to use the auto rim at the moment but I had them supply a .45 acp extractor as well in case I want to shoot rimless cased ammo.
I usually load 230 grain Hi-Tek coated cast bullets over a healthy dose of WW .231 to shoot field pistol silhouette and it is one of my favorites.

Regards Paul.

[jeffsmith13]

I’m setup with a 10” octagon tc barrel. I believe 10-11” is the ideal length for the 45 for full burn and velocity gains. I hope to find a mold or someone who makes a mold with a large meplat and a weight of 230 or more. I know several companies offer bullets of this design, I’d like to be able to make my own. I like the whole DIY process and the 45 is one of my favorite all time cartridges.
Thanks for all the replies.

[quilbilly]

I also have one of the older octagonal barrel 10" Contenders in 45 ACP. It really likes the Lee 200 gr RF that drops from my mold at 216 gr. That same boolit also shoots really well in my Ruger 45 LC. I am sizing to .452.

[turtlezx]

what is the contender getting for group size??

[Outpost75]

I have two .45 ACP single-shots, an H&R with 20-inch barrel and a Beretta FS1 with 27 incher. Hardball in the 27-inch barrel gets no more velocity than the same ammo fired from an M1911 pistol but is nearly silent, being much quieter than a Pyramid Air .45 air rifle. The H&R is louder, about like firing high velocity .22 LR.

Both guns are accurate enough for 100-yard head shots on an "E" silhouette with ordinary service grade hardball.

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[jeffsmith13]

Oh my! That H&r is gorgeous. I’d love to have a 45 barrel for my old .410

[Outpost75]

Oh my! That H&r is gorgeous. I’d love to have a 45 barrel for my old .410

John Taylor did both the Beretta and the H&R.

The .45 ACP barrel on the H&R also fires and ejects .455 Webley.

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[jeffsmith13]

I could hunt with that. I imagine those are a pleasure to shoot. Beautiful rifles you have there.

[jeffsmith13]

http://arsenalmolds.com/index.php?ro...product_id=212
Anyone familiar with this company?

[joebaja]

I have dealt with the company within the last year. Arsenal is top notch. Recommended. I'm glad you started this thread, it's something I have been curious about myself. So far my 45ACP Contender barrel seems to like and old Saeco 230gr RN the best of anything that I have tried in it. Most everything else that I have run through it is 185-200gr, and none of those seem to work as well as the 230s.

[jeffsmith13]

Anyone want to recommend a commercial cast bullet maker and which of their products to try ? I’m looking for the contender but would like to have one that works in my xd mod 2 45 as well. I’d like to buy another 1911 also but prices are a bit crazy right now.

[Outpost75]

I could hunt with that. I imagine those are a pleasure to shoot. Beautiful rifles you have there.

Thx. These are the Accurate molds I use in the single-shot rifles, Ruger revolvers and Colt New Service:

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[jeffsmith13]

Looks like a.452 bullet with a .32 meplat correct? That would be a thumper . I bet I could send a dummy round to Match Grade Machine and get a barrel with that load and threaded for my suppressor. Thanks for the info.

[Outpost75]

Looks like a.452 bullet with a .32 meplat correct? That would be a thumper . I bet I could send a dummy round to Match Grade Machine and get a barrel with that load and threaded for my suppressor. Thanks for the info.

Correct. When you order Tom can tweak diameters for your chamber dimensions and alloy.

[jeffsmith13]

Thanks Outpost75

[Ed K]

Bd45?

[Mmacro]

MP Molds might have something suitable for a .45 ACP carbine.