shopping for a .45 ACP mold

[6GUNSONLY]

Hi all, read here some, haven't posted much. A wealth of information and experience here. I'd call myself an "advanced beginner" in casting, have been casting .38/.357 and .44 Special/Mag bullets for many years, pretty comfortable with my results on that. Also cast for my .40-65 Sharps replica rifle.

After many years of not owning or shooting .45 ACP, I have recently acquired two .45s, both Ruger 1911s, an all-steel and an alloy frame Commander-length guns. Obviously, I need a bullet mold for these, and would like some recommendations on one good all-around bullet/mold.

My intended use is casual shooting, maybe some field carry (especially the LW gun). I'd like at least a 4-cavity mold in a SWC or TC design rather than a roundnose. Not a competition shooter, and my volume of loading/shooting for the .45s is probably a few hundred rounds a year. Still, I can't stand to have to buy bullets when I know I could cast equally good or superior bullets myself. You know how we are about that...

I've looked at the Lyman 200 gr. SWC, and at the Lee molds, both 200 in SWC or TC and their 230 grain TC. They have these in their 6-cavity version. Any thoughts on the Lee tumble-lube design bullets vs. traditional luber/sizer design?

I really only want to buy one mold right now (though I know how that goes - my .357 and .44 mold collection has grown over the years). Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on .45 bullets and molds. Thanks much,
Ken

[RobS]

Many newer firearms have pretty short throats so with that a TC or SWC design may likely need to be seated pretty deep to due to the full diameter front drive bands. The Lee traditional 200 grain SWC (H&G style design) would be a decent choice and if you go with the Lee 230 TC it may be likely that you have to seat pretty deep for a shorter than normal COAL.

May suggest that you wait until it comes in and in the mean time see if some of the forum members here could sent you some samples to work with before you buy.

[Ed_Shot]

Take a look at the 45-200E from Accurate Molds. Tom bills it as his favorite 45 ACP boolit. It has performed perfectly in every .45 I've tried (1911, CZ 97, G30, G21). Worth every penny because you get a quality mold that will last as long as you do.

[Boogieman]

I have both Lee 200gr. SWC molds The 200gr TL boolit does not feed 100% in my Colt 1991A1 or my O.M. Colt The H&G #68 style feeds 100% in both guns . It is my every day carry load.

[DerekP Houston]

I have occasional feed issues with my 68 clone, I know its probably the amount of freebore in the barrels though not related to the round. The MP 452-200gr HP functions just as good as factory ball ammo for me.

[Dan Cash]

I would agree with the Accurate 45-200E though I prefer the 45-230E for the extra weight. Actually, the Truncated Cone design is ideal where you are loading for multiple pistols which probably have different throats. Seat the bullet so that the case mouth meets the start of the conical taper and you are good. I have the 45-230E as a 4 cavity but it is available as a 5 holer and the price is right as is the incredible delivery time. You will not find a more precise, well made mould than an Accurate.

[tazman]

If you are concerned about short throats in your pistol barrel, get a bullet mold that has a small step in front of the front drive band. This makes it so the throat and rifling never touches the boolit nose.
Your only concern then is how much of the drive band shoulder to leaved outside the case if any.
This works for nearly all nose designs.

[gwpercle]

I would get the Lee 452-200-SWC , as this is a proven design in feeding and there is no issue with deep seating...it's designed to be seated to the top edge of the band.
I have heard spotty results with the Tumble Lube designs. If you are going to tumble lube a double cavity try mould would not be expensive.
If you plan to powder coat , the conventional lube grooved will work just fine.
Gary

[RobS]

If you are concerned about short throats in your pistol barrel, get a bullet mold that has a small step in front of the front drive band. This makes it so the throat and rifling never touches the boolit nose.
Your only concern then is how much of the drive band shoulder to leaved outside the case if any.
This works for nearly all nose designs.

This is exactly what I did when I designed a 230 grain round nose flat point over at accurate molds.

[6GUNSONLY]

Thanks for the great, informative replies! Looking at Accurate molds, wow, he has a dizzying variety of molds available. Will probably end up ordering one of theirs. Anyone have any experience with any of the mid-weight bullet designs - the 215-220 trainers?

[RobS]

I designed the 230 V over there as a ball style nose with just enough front drive band to seat to and not have any full diameter outside the case.
http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=45-230V-D.png

[Elkins45]

I have had great success with the Lee 200 TL SWC. I have a couple of other 45 molds, both hollow points, one from NOE and one from MP that are exceptionally well made. Still, the cheap old Lee six banger shoots just as well on paper.

[RobS]

Quite a few options at MP-Molds too:
https://mp-molds.com/e-shop/molds/hollow-points-molds/mp-452-374-hollow-point-4-cav-brass-mold
https://mp-molds.com/e-shop/molds/hollow-points-molds/mp-452-200-hp-4-cav
the 45 caliber page:
https://mp-molds.com/e-shop/search-result?attribute_ids=44

[TexasGrunt]

A SWC bullet is not a good choice for carry...unless it's a hollow point. SWC bullet noses push material away from the rest of the bullet. Leaving a smaller than caliber hole in the material.

A WFN is a much better choice.

[Elkins45]

Quite a few options at MP-Molds too:
https://mp-molds.com/e-shop/molds/hollow-points-molds/mp-452-374-hollow-point-4-cav-brass-mold
https://mp-molds.com/e-shop/molds/hollow-points-molds/mp-452-200-hp-4-cav
the 45 caliber page:
https://mp-molds.com/e-shop/search-result?attribute_ids=44

And right now he's having a 25% off sale with free shipping.

[DerekP Houston]

And right now he's having a 25% off sale with free shipping.

someones an enabler :) :) :kidding:

[Finster101]

I have had very good luck with an MP HG-68 clone and after getting my dies set properly it feeds in every .45 I've tried it in.

[primersp]

I have had very good luck with an MP HG-68 clone and after getting my dies set properly it feeds in every .45 I've tried it in.

Me too

[Moonie]

someones an enabler :) :) :kidding:

This group is the biggest bunch of enablers on the internet lol

[tazman]

If you are looking at the Lee 200 grain designs, I just shot the best group I ever fired with my 1911 45ACP with the Lee TL452-200-SWC. No failures to feed in my Springfield Mil-Spec.
I have also had good luck with the Lee H&G 68 clone.

[newrib]

I have three .45 acps and only one .45 bullet mold, that mold is a 2 cav RCBS 200 grain semi wadcutter. I have never had a feed problem or a jam with this bullet.

[bns454]

45-200E gets my vote also.

[John Boy]

Accurate 45-200E (H&G 68 clone) in a Ruger Sr 1911 ... no issues chambering or extraction. Key to the bullet - COAL of the round

[rintinglen]

I rolls with them as rolls with the H&G 68 and it's clones. I had the pleasure watching my SIL's Para choke on hard ball while banging away with my 5.2 grain 231 H&G loads.

[KenT7021]

I have used Lyman 452460,RCBS 45-200-SWC and Lyman 452488 molds.They are worked well.I have also used Lyman 454424 255 grain bullets thru a couple of Gold Cups.They fed without any problems.

[Grmps]

[QUOTE=tazman;4118304]If you are concerned about short throats in your pistol barrel, get a bullet mold that has a small step in front of the front drive band. This makes it so the throat and rifling never touches the boolit nose.
Your only concern then is how much of the drive band shoulder to leaved outside the case if any.
This works for nearly all nose designs.[/QUOT

I have had very good luck with the TL452-230-2R PC'd or Hi-Tek coated. It has the "small step in front of the front drive band." that tazman described. The 452-230TC worked well is seated deep enough BUT the 452-228 1R was a no-go in several guns

[Leadmelter]

I just made a bunch of NOE 453-196mold. In about 90 minutes I made about 600 boolits with a 4 cavity mold. I believe it is a copy of a H&P.
I have a whole collection of 45 ACP mold from 147-245gr and a MIHEC 200 gr HP.
I would start with the a HG68 style bullet and change from there.
Enjoy.
Leadelter
MI