WWII S&W 45 ACP Mold

[DonMountain]

I have an old S&W world war two double action revolver in 45 ACP that the kids like to shoot. So I am looking for a mold for boolets to use in it. I have been shooting purchased 200 grain semi-wadcutter boolets that seem to shoot pretty well to the point of aim. Does anybody else have one of these revolvers and shoot cast lead boolets? What mold would you suggest?

[Harter66]

Just for plinking ? Sounds like you have a good 1 .
I have shot 45-200 , 454423 , 454424 and 454-255 RNFP in both Colts and S&W 1917s with good results.
I think NOE has a 45?-165 RNFP , sometimes called the collar button if less lead is the goal.

[Outpost75]

My S&W .45 Hand Ejector is sighted for 230-grain bullets and the 200-grain SWCs, like the H&G68, while very accurate, hit low in relation to the sights. I like the Saeco #954 230-grain Cowboy bullet. This has a crimp groove, which I feel is needed for a revolver bullet, it is the right weight to shoot to the sights, and casts of adequate diameter to fit the LARGE .456" cylinder throats. The flat nose is more effective on game than a RN. The RCBS 45-230CM would also be a good choice. A charge of 4 grains og Bullseye or 5 grains of Unique is pleasant for recreational shooting. Increase either 1 grain for "hardball" equivalent.

[jrmartin1964]

Lyman No.452374 and 3.5 grains of Bullseye was a favorite load in my S&W 1917 in .45 A.C.P.
179379

[GoodOlBoy]

There was also an old Lyman Mold that cast 175grainish hollow base 45s. Worked real real well for accurate low power loads in older 45 long colts, in old 45 acps, and in old 45 schofields. I can't remember the mold ID numbers off the top of my head, and mine is buried in the disaster area that is my reloading room.

God Bless, and One Love.

GoodOlBoy

[Bigslug]

We just finished the group buy for this 230 grainer (220 in HP format): http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=41_427&osCsid=gkq856p48ethqt2v2o7mc5pq10

Tumble lube for mass production, crimp groove for revolvers - don't use it for autos, big meplat (.32) for added thump. Hopefully gonna solve all my medium weight .45 needs.

[Dan Cash]

Truncated 225-230 grain mould from Accurate. Superb in autos, my 1917, Scofield and Colt .45 revolvers.

[wv109323]

I would stay with the 200 or 185 SWC because of recoil for the youngsters. A 230 gn. Bullet uses 15 per cent more lead to cast.

[W.R.Buchanan]

the two boolits that show up most often for the .45 ACP are Lyman 452374 and H&G #68. The Lyman is a 230 gr RN and the H&G isa 200 gr SWC.

Both are also available is Copper Plated Boolits From Berry's, Xtreme and others.

Both are excellent boolits and will work great in your revolver .

Randy

[DougGuy]

Check your cylinder throats, they may be on the large size and you would want to size to a light drag fit in the throats if you can. If a .452" falls through with no effort at all, then use a pure lead ball like a fish sinker from wallyworld and slug at least one of the cylinder throats and measure the slug, size boolits half a thousandth smaller than that.

[Good Cheer]

There was also an old Lyman Mold that cast 175grainish hollow base 45s. Worked real real well for accurate low power loads in older 45 long colts, in old 45 acps, and in old 45 schofields. I can't remember the mold ID numbers off the top of my head, and mine is buried in the disaster area that is my reloading room.

God Bless, and One Love.

GoodOlBoy

Mine is the 45468... uh, I think.

[.45Cole]

My 625 loves Hornady 230 LRN's and lyman's 452374 (230 RN). There are other things out there but I'd start with something like these. Don't need to push them hard, about 750-800 fps will work fine for plinking.

[Harter66]

You may also find a Unique specimen . I had 1 that had all matching number all of the correct stamps and extremely tight . 451 groove , .452 throat , .002 gap , .002 headspace and fast per load. Greased glass action.