Heavy Bullets in .45 Auto Rim

[StrawHat]

Dale,

I use a similar method to your pie plates. After I am sighted in on paper with the load I prefer, I quit shooting paper and just walk the property. Targets of opportunity can be found if one looks. A five gallon pail I have left out is a good target from a variety of distances. And stumps and rocks are usually around. Occassionaly, a groundhog will be present. This way, I have to figure range and holdover. And I try to quickly assume a shootable position. Sitting has gotten to be a bit much for me, (I am 2 belt notches larger than when I was competing) so kneeling and braced offhand get a lot of use. But I am losing weight and sitting will get used more often. Weather also plays into it. Ohio can bring cold and wet conditions and then I prefer to be on my feet, not on my knees or butt!

I have used your pie plate method also but substituted paper plates. Sometimes, I leave them out so they weather a bit and are different shapes and colors when I walk up on them.

[Dale53]

Strawhat;
Your program not only sounds effective, it sounds like FUN! The one advantage of paper targets is that they record your shots. Sometimes, when we are shooting random targets we have a tendency to only remember the hits. By having strict discipline to limit your ranges to only those where you are 100%, you tend to strive harder. THAT is GOOD!

fwiw
Dale53

[GLL]

Although lighter than the 454423 the NOE 45-210 BD is another nice bullet for .45AutoRim !

Jerry

[Dale53]

I just LOVE this bullet porn...

Here is another VERY useful bullet in both the .45 Auto Rim AND the .45 ACP (in both the 1911 and revolver platforms);



It is no great trick to drive these safely to 1000 fps in a modern revolver. That can also be safely done in .45 ACP cases for the 1911 autos. This bullet is the Mihec 200 gr H.P...

Brain Peace, in his article in Handloader on the .45 Auto Rim has a number of loads using the RCBS 45-270-SSA bullet. I have that bullet in several Mihec moulds including a hollow point Cramer style mould from MIhec. I have not used that bullet in the 625's, as yet but it is a definite possibility. Here it is in solid point form:





Dale53

[Shooter6br]

Throats are .453 Nice pistol Shoot mainly whatever feeds in my Kimber Target II. This is Milhec 200g HP / 210 fp. Nice modest Unique charge 5.8 g or so

[20nickels]

Great thread,
I used a Meister 250gr in my 4" 625 coupla yrs back over 6.5gr of Unique before I chickened out. I don't own a chrony. I used mixed brass and moonclips, nothing special but it knocked the snot out of steel targets and bowling pins were very impressed as well, was controllable and burned clean. Would still take down a Texas star in under 3 sec., resetting them was no fun though because it knocked them back twice as far away than standard loads.
Pin shooters have been using this load for yrs. If you need more get a .41 or .44.

[Wayne Dobbs]

I've used 6.5 Unique with a 255 SWC in my 625 for some time as a Texas deer load. I've killed several with it and it works great. No recovered bullets of course, as it just knocks a big hole all the way through, no matter what the angle.

[brotherdarrell]

For revolvers can you use the same load data for 45 acp that is used in the 45 ar? I have a Ruger bh convertible and am always looking for more data to compare.

brotherdarrell

[20nickels]

For revolvers can you use the same load data for 45 acp that is used in the 45 ar? I have a Ruger bh convertible and am always looking for more data to compare.

brotherdarrell

Yes, I do anyway. It's a fully supported chamber though others may nitpick. They say to stay away from balloon head AR brass whatever that is.

[Dale53]

.45 ACP brass and modern .45 Auto Rim brass have the essentially the same capacity. Old brass in .44 Special and .45 Colt had balloon head brass (the primer pocket, when viewed from the case mouth appears to have been pushed in from the head - as in, "it balloons from the base"). While I have examples of balloon head brass in both .44 Special and .45 Colt I, personally, have not seen it in Auto Rim cases. However, if you follow the time lines, it is almost certain that they made balloon head brass in Auto Rim.

The important thing to remember, is that balloon head brass is much thinner at the head and should NEVER be used for heavy loads (it is over fifty years old, for one thing). Some say it should never again be used for anything. I have been using mine for target loads and will until it cracks at the mouth then I'll discard it.

FWIW
Dale53

[GLL]

Paul5388 summarizes the long haul it took to get a Group Buy copy made of the Ohaus #45255K for .45AutoRim. He initially had NEI make a copy of Chunkum/Stuffit’s original (I got one) and eventually a 45 2.1 designed Lee 6-cavity Group Buy was produced by Dutch4122. The links have the history.

Jerry

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...Ohaus+Auto+Rim

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...Ohaus+Auto+Rim

[Dale53]

Jerry;
How does that Ohaus bullet shoot in your 625 compared to your Group Buy 454423 bullet? Have you tried it at 75 or 100 yards?

Dale53

[brotherdarrell]

appreciate the responses gentlemen

brotherdarrell

[Catshooter]

I too have some ballon head Auto Rim, nickeled. Haven't used yet, but I would if needed.

And watch that 'over 50 years old' stuff if you'd be so kind.


Cat

[ramsay]

Hi all:

I load .45 auto rim for use in my Webley MKVi... I use a Lyman #454190 bullet cast from linotype and sized .454.. I lube with Jakes lube and load over 5 gr Unique.

I also have a hollow point mold I fashioned from a one cavity 454190 that I use..

Webley shoots well with this load and shoots right on the sights..

Ramsay

[motorcycle_dan]

I like the .45 Auto Rim with a light bullet. Quality Cast Bullets (local caster here in OH) makes a flat base 160gr SWC. Seat almost flush with the shoulder, 5.0gr of Hodgdon Tite Group. Runs about 825fps. Perfect bullseye load. (Earned my Harry Reeves t-shirt with it last summer)
The gun is a mutant. Started life as a 629-5, now wears a 5" .45 barrel and a .45ACP unfluted cylinder. I shoot it in a local 50ft bullseye league and regularly break 560/600.

[captaint]

Guys, I'm enjoying every inch of this thread. I have a beautiful old 1955 Target that has big throats(of course) and only shoots .452 boolits OK. I have gotten a clone of the 454424 from Mihec and that gun and mold will be one of this season's projects. Can't wait to get it runnin good... Think I'll start with softer .454's.. enjoy Mike

[Dale53]

captaint;
I have not had the "pleasure" of a large throated .45 Auto Rim since my salad days. We didn't know much about the problem in the fifties. My father had a 1950 Target and then when they first hit the market, he brought home a 1955 Target (heavy barreled version of the 1950 Target).

One of the things you'll have to watch is the loading dies. You must make certain that the dies can and will handle the large diameter bullets. This may or may not be a problem. You may have to watch the diameter of the expander rod or drop tube. If the bullets are soft, and the expander is for smaller diameter bullets, the case, after expansion, could possibly squeeze the bullet diameter smaller than you desire leading the gas cutting and leading, etc. Of course, it may be perfectly ok.

The Cowboy Dies for the .45 Colt are often sized for larger bullets but that may or may not be true for the .45 ACP dies. Sometimes, a simple phone call to the die manufacturer can turn up solutions.

As an example, I wanted to use a roll crimp with my Lee Factory Crimp die in .45 ACP. These are normally set up for a taper crimp. I called and asked if I could use a .45 Colt roll crimp insert (these dies crimp with a removable insert). The Lee technician said yes, but I would also need an adapter (which they would be willing to furnish). As I remember, it was only about $7.50 for both parts and they work perfectly.

Bottom line, if you run into bullet size problems with your die set, don't hesitate to talk to the manufacturer. Phone calls are cheap and can save a bunch of aggravation. In the past, RCBS has also offered solutions to problems with reloading. I have heard good things about Hornady, also, in this area.

Dale53

[45 2.1]

Paul5388 summarizes the long haul it took to get a Group Buy copy made of the Ohaus #45255K for .45AutoRim. He initially had NEI make a copy of Chunkum/Stuffit’s original (I got one) and eventually a 45 2.1 designed Lee 6-cavity Group Buy was produced by Dutch4122. The links have the history.

Jerry

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...Ohaus+Auto+Rim

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...Ohaus+Auto+Rim

This boolit has just been reborn........... Here is the thread.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...60#post1613460

[captaint]

Dale53 - thank you for the info. Doubtless, I would have had some problems, and I did not consider the 45ACP die issue, though I should have. Looks like I'm going to have to contact RCBS before Spring arrives and speak with them. Think I'll also pour up a few of those boolits and see how they work in the 45ACP dies. Thanks again, Mike