Need advice on load data for a 45 ACP full wadcutter

[gcsteve]

I recently acquired a mold from the Swappin & Sellin section of the forum and am in need of some load data for it. Its an Accurate Molds 455-170W full wadcutter that I bought to use for my 45 ACP revolver to make nice, neat holes in the paper. With my range scrap alloy (and after lubsizing) the weight of the boolit is 175 grains.

I have not been able to find any load data for this boolit in all the usual places. I would like to seat to an OAL of 0.970" and I have WST, Win231, Bullseye to choose from, but would prefer to use the WST as I have more of that then the others, and I haven't seen a new jug of Bullseye since last November.

I was thinking of starting out with 3.8 grains of WST and working up from there. Any input from the forum would be greatly appreciated.

[Mk42gunner]

What I would do is compare the seating depth of your boolit and a 185 grain SWC, then use the starting loads for the 185.

If your 170 seats deeper, I would cut the starting load a bit; if it is the same depth, I would use the load as published.

Good luck and be careful,

Robert

[gcsteve]

What I would do is compare the seating depth of your boolit and a 185 grain SWC, then use the starting loads for the 185.

If your 170 seats deeper, I would cut the starting load a bit; if it is the same depth, I would use the load as published.

Good luck and be careful,

Robert

Thanks for the input Robert.

The 170 full wadcutter seats deeper than a 185 SWC because the SWC has more of it's weight in the nose than a WC. The 170 WC seated at an OAL of 0.970" uses about the same case volume as a Lee TL452-230-2R seated at an OAL of 1.225".

[JSH]

Sent you a pm.
The 185 Lyman button nose is as close to a wc as I have ever had in my hands. 452389
May give you some insight as to a load
Jeff

[gcsteve]

Just an update: I loaded up 10 rounds with 3.8 gns of WST, and 10 more with 4.0 gns. All the boolits were sized at .452, lubed with White Label 50-50, and seated to a COAL of 0.970 inches. I went to my local indoor (50 foot) range and shot them through my 4 inch Taurus 455 45 ACP revolver. The 3.8 grn load shot pretty good (for me), and the 4.0 grn load shot a bit better. The holes in the paper were nicely cut, no signs of tumbling or key-holing. No signs of overpressure and no leading. Recoil was pleasant. I think I might try some at 4.2 grains, to see if they shoot even better.