45 ACP Lee 45-230-TC 5 gr Bullseye

[Larry Gibson]

I conducted this test today using 235 gr TC bullet cast in a new (to me) Lee 6 cavity mould I acquired last month or so. The bullets were AC'd and "aged" 10 days before sizing or loading. Pressure was measured via Oehler M43 using the Contender barrel which also measured the velocity for that firearm. Accuracy was excellent, as expected in all the firearms. The 50 yard ten shot group from the M98 (Rhineland conversion kit) measured 1 1/2". This load works for me.

45 ACP Lee 45-230-TC 5 gr Bullseye

Soft alloy (BHN 9-10), sized .452, BAC lube, 235 gr fully dressed, OAL; 1.199”, mixed cases, WLP primers, loaded on Dillon SDB. Oehler M35P with start screen at 10’ (2’ screen spacing). 65 degrees, 25% humidity. 10 shot tests.

Firearm Barrel Length FPS SD/ES PSI (M43)

Combat Cmdr 4 ¼” 849 12/38

Para 14 5” 891 6/18

Series 70 5 ½” 894 12/39

Contender 10” 976 13/46 16,700 psi

M98 16 ¼” 1025 18/67



Uberti ER SAA 4 ¾” [ 6 3/8”] 866 10/30

M1917/25 6 3/8” [8 1/8”] 877 15/48

[30calflash]

Thanks for sharing Mr. Gibson.

Your alloy is listed as 9-10 BHN, what did you use to create it? Asking as I've a large quantity of 22 rf backstop lead, maybe I can mix with other metals to get to the BHN 10 number.

30CF.

[tazman]

Very nice report. I have that mold and have some good results with it. Not certain I will keep it though.
My Lyman 452374 also does well as does my 452460 and H&G 68 clone.

[Larry Gibson]

Thanks for sharing Mr. Gibson.

Your alloy is listed as 9-10 BHN, what did you use to create it? Asking as I've a large quantity of 22 rf backstop lead, maybe I can mix with other metals to get to the BHN 10 number.

30CF.

I've a quantity of alloy recovered from a couple commercial indoor ranges. Mostly 22 LR, hard cast commercial and jacketed 45 and 9mm bullets were used thus the alloy is rich in antimony vs the tin. Analysis showed 4 - 5% antimony and only 1.5 - 2% tin. I mixed pure lead with it 50/50 (5 lbs of the RL to 5 lbs of lead). Then I added 2% tin (3.2 oz). Makes for a decent malleable alloy that casts quite well. WQ'd it will have a BHN of 13 - 15 but I wanted to see how it did AC'd with this bullet in my 45 ACPs. Not sure of the exact composition just a guestimation and letting the firearms tell me if it works.......so far so good.

Your 22 LR RL probably has lead and about 2 - 3% antimony if other than real quality match 22 LR was used. I would try just adding 2% tin to it.

[30calflash]

Will try it, thank you.

I've the 452374 and 45266 that runs about 215 grain weightwise, along with some 200 grain examples. Used to use WW's but they're harder to acquire now.

[Wayne Dobbs]

Great information! Amazing that the original bullet weight, powder and powder charge were so well thought out. I always jokingly say that JMB wasn't a human, but was brought here by aliens to make guns and ammo for us mere mortals.

[pacomdiver]

i tried the lee 230 tc ,5g bullseye load with 2 45s ( a glock 21 and a kimber custom 2), they didnt like it, am trying a couple loads with unique that are showing promise

[tazman]

My pistols seem to do better with a slightly lighter charge(or maybe it's just me) of Bullsye. I run 4.0 grains of Bullseye for a speed of around 700fps. It works well in all my 45ACP pistols.
I also use WST at 4.1 grains.
I also use the same charge under my 200 grain boolits. Makes a nice, soft shooting target load.

[30calflash]

For bullseye shooting I used 4 grains in my Clark longslide. For informal shooting with carry guns it's been 4.5 or 5 grains of bullseye with a H&G 68bb.

I'd like to try Larry's 230/ 5 grs bullseye in gov't model. Most of the older references mention 4.7 with 230 jacketed.