45 acp

[TCLouis]

Ok so years ago I cast some boolits for a friends 45.
First batch worked, slightly softer did NOT!

I normally cast an alloy that is about 14.5.

Plan to cast them out of one of the old Lee 195 or 200 grain molds.

Size to 0.451" or 0.452"?

Plan to use 4.5 - 5.?? grains of Promo in a True Govt model.

Suggestions???

Funny that I would start loading for 45 this late in the game.

[trying2learn]

First suggestion is slug the barrel if you haven't. I shoot soww in my 45 acp with little to no leading. But I size it to 453 I think. My barrel was 4513 or so so I went up a size to cover me. Fit is everything. If the fit is correct them you can shoot slightly softer without many issues.

As I understand it that's why bulk manufacturer do hard stuff and do a 452 it covers more bases that way. Others will chime in here I am sure but if you haven't slugged your barrel I almost gaurantee every respomse will say something about needing to slug before you go farther. Although most 45s will run a 452 just fine why guess when you can kmow for sure.

451 is most likely a guaranteed too small boolit.

[dmclark523]

In my RIA 1911 .45, I size my 200gn to .452 after getting some bad leading at .451. No trouble chambering and they fit nicely in the gauge.

Never used promo. I load with AA#2 or AA#5.

[MtGun44]

Don't bother slugging. Size to .452. With "true government model" do you mean a
real issue 1911A1 that has an unmodified (not throated) barrel? If so, it will feed RN
best. If it has been throated or is a modern version made in the last decade or so,
it should feed most 200 SWC boolits well.

Use dismounted barrel as a gage to seat LOA and taper crimping. TC with a separate
die is highly recommended. Some taper crimp is necessary for proper chambering.
If loaded test round does not drop freely into chamber, you need deeper seating and/or
more taper crimp. Max 1 lb push to fully seat case to the end of the hood.

Bill

[huntrick64]

I have sized .451, .452, and .453 for my SR1911. The .453 is now my "go to" bullet now in the H&G 68 from Mihec

[Agent1187]

I too am using Mihec's H&G 68 200 grain design. I load about 4.4 grains of Promo for a nice shooting round. Up around 5+ grains and my groups were definitely falling apart.

[TCLouis]

Maybe get some boolits cast up this week and play/plink with a few at least

MtGun44

Essex Frame

Colt 1911 Barrel and slide

[161]

I didn't mess with the 45 ACP much until about a year ago. I like it although I shoot it in a S&W 625. Gettin to fat an lazy to chase brass around.

[scattershot]

I use .452 200 grain cast in my 45s, over 4.0 Red Dot (same as Promo). Probably 700-750 fps or so, cycles well, and is very accurate.

Good luck!

[MtGun44]

"Colt 1911 bbl and slide" - original military barrel? Can you show
me a pic of the back end of the dismounted bbl? I can tell you if the
H&G 68 will feed. Pure military bbl has a very narrow feed ramp, all
commercial barrels in the last 35+ yrs have the angle rolling way
around on the sides. Mil has dead square sides on the chamber at
the halfway up point from the bottom. Zero angle on them, feed
ramp is about 1/4" wide groove on old mil bbls.

Bill

[OregonCaster]

My are sized at .452" as far as powder goes I like "Clays" @ 3.7 grains.