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Thread: Round ball .45 acp loads?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master Thumbcocker's Avatar
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    Round ball .45 acp loads?

    I am thinking that a .454 rb in .45 acp brass would be a neat woods tromping can killing load in a Ruger BH with an acp cylinder. Anyone ever try this or have data. I am leaning toward red dot.

    Thanks.
    Paper targets aren't your friends. They won't lie for you and they don't care if your feelings get hurt.

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy
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    I used to shoot Rb in 45, ( S&W 1917) and they are fine, lube them with lee tumble lube.

    The charge I used I do not remember, but do keep in mind they will shoot VERY FAR from your normal point of aim.

    Heavy bullets shoot high, light bullets shoot low. You might look in the Speer manual, for data as I recall they had RB data in one of their books, a few copies back.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    I shoot RB in my Kirst 45 LC conversion cylinder in Pietta 1858 Remmie. Six grains of Trail Boss and they are the most accurate of all the loads, possibly because of the Pietta 1:32 rifling twist.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thumbcocker View Post
    I am thinking that a .454 rb in .45 acp brass would be a neat woods tromping can killing load in a Ruger BH with an acp cylinder. Anyone ever try this or have data. I am leaning toward red dot.

    Thanks.
    I use 3.6 grains of Tightgroup. Ought to be real close in there somewhere I would think. The same pressure level with Red Dot is 3.3 grains if this helps you.
    Reading can provide limited education because only shooting provides YOUR answers as you tie everything together for THAT gun. The better the gun, the less you have to know / do & the more flexibility you have to achieve success.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
    2ndAmendmentNut's Avatar
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    Used some .451 dia round balls a while back in a 45Colt Ruger. Accuracy was ok, usually a 6 shot group measured around 3" at 15yards. The only problems were the groups patterned a good 10 inches low from POA, and greasy brass from the low pressure. I would be very interested to hear how a tighter .454 ball and thin 45auto brass works in your gun. Red Dot should do it. Hopefully you will get just the can killer load you are looking for. Good luck.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master Baron von Trollwhack's Avatar
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    Phil Sharpe, in his 1937 book, advises 4 grains bullseye, or 6 grains unique with the 145 grain RB for the 45 ACP. BvT
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  7. #7
    Boolit Master Thumbcocker's Avatar
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    both midsouth and natchez are sold out of lee .454 rb moulds just now. I will acquire a mould and report on results.
    Paper targets aren't your friends. They won't lie for you and they don't care if your feelings get hurt.

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy Mtman314's Avatar
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    Cabela's claims that they can get them in. I'm supposed to pick up my 54 cal rb mould this friday through them. The .454 and the .457 moulds along with the .440 are the last of my rb moulds I need. Cabela's claims they have a three week shipping and claims that my mould is not back ordered as of last friday.

    I'll believe them when I have it in my hot little hands and pouring lead.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    I use 454 RB in 45 Colt for my R&D conversion cylinder in my piatta 1858 Remington. I load it with either 28 gr of FFFG black powder or 5 gr of red dot. It shoots about to point of aim with both loads. I have also loaded 5 gr of RD and two 454 balls in a 45 colt and shot them from my Ruger Black Hawk. That load shot low but the balls were within two inches at 15 yards.

  10. #10
    Banned 45 2.1's Avatar
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    I have a couple of Speer manuals as well as some of the older (~#38)that have RB data in them like your asking for.

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy Mtman314's Avatar
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    Well I thought I'd do a follow up. I went to Cabella's today to get my mould and was told oh it's back ordered it was supposed to be in the warehouse today check back in 3-8 days.

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy Mtman314's Avatar
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    Went back today to Cabella's and they told me it'll be August until the mould will be delivered. I won't be holding my breath and told them until I get the moulds I've ordered I won't be ordering anymore.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master Thumbcocker's Avatar
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    I have about 3 dozen loaded up with some swaged .454 balls a friend donated. I hope to test them on the 5th.
    Paper targets aren't your friends. They won't lie for you and they don't care if your feelings get hurt.

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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