How should I select moulds and sizer dies?

[cookvette81]

Although I have been reloading for several years I am a newbie to casting as I only have about 1500 cast bullets under my belt. I feel like I've been doing well and I have learned a lot since I was actually to put to practice what I have read about casting and sizing. So far I have been casting with a .401 lee mould and then sizing/lubing in a Lyman 4500 with a .401 sizer die. I am looking at the options for moulds and sizer dies for my 45. I will be shooting from a 1911 and ruger Blackhawk. I'm trying to figure out which diameter of mould and sizer die I should purchase; .452 vs .451. These bullets will be fired from a 1911 and a Ruger Blackhawk. Can someone educate me a on how I am to make the best selection or point me in the right direction to read more on how to select the right mould and die for the types of guns the bullet will be used in?

Thank you,

Caleb

[ReloaderFred]

Caleb,

I shoot both 1911's and Ruger Blackhawks in .45 acp. The Blackhawks are combination guns, .45 Colt/.45 acp. I size all my .45 bullets at .452" diameter. With one of my Blackhawks, with the .45 acp cylinder in it. I put 5 shots into 1 9/16" at 35 yards with .452" diameter SWC bullets. With the .45 Colt cylinder in it, and using .452" diameter 235 gr. SWC bullets, 5 shots went into 2 1/4" at 35 yards, off of sandbags of course.

For an all around bullet for both the .45 Colt and .45 acp, I really, really like the 200 gr. RNFP bullet, sized .452". In fact, I sized and lubed 2,000 of them earlier today, and I've got another 1,200 all ready to be sized and lubed this evening. I'm using Star sizers, so it goes a little faster than with the other machines...

Hope this helps.

Fred

[cookvette81]

That does help, thank you!

[flyingmonkey35]

I have ubriti 1873 colt cattleman, it came in 45 lc, I bought a after market .45acp cylinder for it. as well as a 1911.

I found that the 45 LC and 1911 like .452 and my ACP for the colt likes .451

My suggestion is to slug em all, and go .001 above the smallest one for best results.

[runfiverun]

I was out shooting two of my 1911's and one of my 45 acp black hawk's today.
I used 452 in them all [including the 45 colt cylinder] I don't want fifteen different diameters and loads kicking around for the various 45's I have. [god what a headache that would be]
I do have 451-2-3-4 sizers but only the 452 get's used now.
the 453 used to get used but I got rid of the old vaquero that liked that size.

[ssnow]

.452 is the usual size for 45ACP cast bullets. As far as bullet/mold selection, that really depends on what you want to do........my personal favorite is the H&G 68, which is a 200 grain semi-wad cutter, it really set the standard by which all others are judged. Ballisti-Cast can make one for you.

Most mold makers sell a clone/similar design.

In the swapping & selling section, I notice one of the members selling a Saeco Mold. Saeco makes high quality molds, that are a joy to cast with vs. some of the more economical molds. Here is the link;

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?240770-WTS-Molds

If you like this bullet, then this is a really good deal..........I would buy it myself, except I just don't need it since I have the H&G 68.

[gwpercle]

.452 should be fine for Ruger Blackhawk and 1911. Ruger normally has their revolver bored for .451 , 1911's should be the same. Of course cast boolits are normaly sized to .452. But..I have a 45 acp revolver that has min. dimension cylinder and throats and will not chamber ammo loaded with .452 dia. boolits...I have to size them to .451 before they will chamber. Some target 1911's may have min. sized chambers....If ordering , go ahead and get both .451 and .452. You just never know what you will run into.
Gary