PBcastcoInline FabricationTitan ReloadingRepackbox
Load DataRotoMetals2Lee PrecisionWideners
MidSouth Shooters Supply Reloading Everything
Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Heavy Bullet in the 45 ACP

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    622

    Heavy Bullet in the 45 ACP

    I've loaded a few of the Lee 255gr. RFN for use in my Colt Combat Commander. I'm using 6.0 gr. of Herco and it's traveling 805 fps. Has anyone used a similar load and do you think that load is too heavy? It's almost equivalent to a standard 45 Colt which was my intent but certainly don't want to put too much stress on my pistol.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    3,401
    Buffalo Bore lists a 255 grainer at 970 fps so I'd say 805 is not too hot.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master jmsj's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    1,166
    txbirdman,
    I just got back in from shooting about 200 of the Lee 452-255-RNFP out of two of my 1911's
    They were loaded with 5.8gr of Unique. I don't own a chronograph so I don't know how fast they traveling. The two guns I was shooting are my CCW and HD guns and it did not seem that the load was battering the gun. Recoil seemed about the same as hardball loads maybe just a little more. My Detonics/commander has a 20# recoil spring but my full size has a standard recoil spring(16# I think). The Detonics was dropping the fired cases about 3 feet away. the fullsize was ejecting them much further. Part of this was due to 25-35 mph wind catching them and carrying them off. I am thinking about trying a 20# recoil spring in the full size with this load. What are your thoughts on this?
    I did have one failure to feed, I took the round out and look at it. The OAL was noticeably too long. I must have screwed up when seating this round. I need to tighten up on my quality control.
    jmsj

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    622
    I'm not a big fan of the heavy recoil springs. I think a 20# is plenty of spring for a Commander, I thought the stock spring was 18#. I would think your load may be a little hotter than mine so I guess I should be okay. Truth is that my load seems to accomplish what I wanted. I've never been able to approach Buffalo Bore's stats I was just wondering if anyone had used a load similar load to mine over a long period of time without problems.

    Thanks

  5. #5
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Eastern South Dakota
    Posts
    3,662
    I like the Lyman 452424 over 4.7 to 5.0 grains of Universal Clays. Out of a 3 3/4 inch barrel I get 780 to 850 fps.


    Cat
    Cogito, ergo armatum sum.

    (I think, therefore I'm armed.)

  6. #6
    Love Life
    Guest
    Your fine. I loaded the same boolit for a Kimber Custom TLE II for 4 years and had no problems. I used unique and had no high pressure signs. This boolit will lay deer down at 30 yards at 876 FPS +/-. I also used this boolit to kill those pesty hogs in Corsicana, TX for awhile.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
    dk17hmr's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Wyoming
    Posts
    2,205
    My carry load consists of a 454424 (260gr) moving at 870FPS. Its not my every day plinker but it will do what I need it to.
    Doug
    .................................................. ........................................
    Sticks and stones may break my bones but hollow points expand on impact.

    Taxidermists are cheaper than surgeons....keep shooting

    ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

    Some people measure success in Minutes of Angle

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Paw Paw, Michigan
    Posts
    2,008
    Not to hijack here, but those who running the 454424 do you seat to the top of the front drive band? Or leave a little exposed much like the 452460 or other swc designs meant for the acp?
    Been wanting to try these in the auto's, just haven't messed with them yet.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Eastern South Dakota
    Posts
    3,662
    I seat showing a small bit of front driving band. Maybe .020 or so. Most all 45 ACPs have a short to non-existant throat. Means that if your .451 (or more) driving band is out there very far at all it will strike the rifling.


    Cat
    Cogito, ergo armatum sum.

    (I think, therefore I'm armed.)

  10. #10
    Boolit Master Whistler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Sweden
    Posts
    524
    What OAL do you guys use with the Lee 255gn RF in your 1911's?

    I find it makes very nice low recoil loads for shooting major in IPSC competition, but have had some trouble finding the right OAL.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    622
    OAL of 1.157 works in my Combat Commander.

  12. #12
    Moderator Emeritus robertbank's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Terrace, B.C. Canada
    Posts
    5,245
    Quote Originally Posted by txbirdman View Post
    I've loaded a few of the Lee 255gr. RFN for use in my Colt Combat Commander. I'm using 6.0 gr. of Herco and it's traveling 805 fps. Has anyone used a similar load and do you think that load is too heavy? It's almost equivalent to a standard 45 Colt which was my intent but certainly don't want to put too much stress on my pistol.
    I loaded 250 gr lead boolits meant for the .45Colt using 3.9 gr of BE. OAL 1.887. Avg Vel 735fps. Very soft shooting. SD was 9. Load worked well in my Norinco 1911 5" gun. Another load was 4.1 gr of BE which gave me 783 fps though i noticed the Extreme Spread opened up along with the SD. No pressure signs and again the load was very soft shooting. The Norincos have excellent steel in the frames and slides so I really don't worry to much as far as stress on the gun is concerned.

    Take Care

    Bob
    Its been months since I bought the book, "How to scam people online". It still has not arrived yet!

    "If the human population held hands around the equator, a significant portion of them would drown"

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
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