45 ACP & Lee TL452-230-TC powder charge discrepancies

[Bazoo]

So I've been working with the lee TL452-230-TC in 45 ACP The Lyman 4th edition cast bullet handbook gives HP-38 at 5.0 grains as a starting load. With 1.170 OAL.

So I loaded some at 5.0. They give more recoil than factory ball. I worked down and settled on 4.3 grains as duplicating the recoil of factory. My OAL is 1.168.

My mould drops at 239 grains with WW. Lyman undoubtedly used something else (I don't have my manual at hand). So anyways, it just seems like I'm going quite a bit lower than I'd expect on the powder charge.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Bazoo

[BigBore45]

Well. So you use the same powder charge for a 115 grain 9mm as a 124gr 9mm? I'd say ur boolit weight has some to do with it. Also best to chrony it

[Bazoo]

I have not this chronograph of which you speak. Not do I have any friends that reload to which I might borrow.

[BigBore45]

Well I'd look up the 240 grain bullet load data. Or I could be nice and quickload it. Give me a min.

[BigBore45]

i think your COAL is short. mine measure 1.25"

you were over pressure at 5gr. your good at 4.6 id guess but hard to say i didnt manipulate the bullet weight up 9 extra grains.
247595
247596

[Bazoo]

None of the manuals I have lists heavier than 230 for the 45.

Thanks, I appreciate any help.

[BigBore45]

yep. per quickload you were at the top of +p

[BigBore45]

here is the bullet weight at 239 Gr.

same 4.6 grains.

the high one is at your COAL
the low one is at 1.2

makes 4000+ psi difference.

247597
247598

[Bazoo]

Dang that's sweet, I've never seen quickloads, but heard about it.

The manual lists 1.170 for OAL, and It won't chamber if it's much longer.

[BigBore45]

Dang that's sweet, I've never seen quickloads, but heard about it.

The manual lists 1.170 for OAL, and It won't chamber if it's much longer.

I wouldnt go over 4.6 gr then. thats real close to max per quickload

[Bazoo]

I see that. I settled on 4.3,

Thank you for your help.

[Bazoo]

In the last data, I happened to notice you have my OAL as 1.150.

Well the time before last and last now.

[BigBore45]

think this should match your load. 5" barrel
247601

[Bazoo]

That's spot on. Thank you for the trouble.

That quickloads is pretty neat. I seen the price is like 150.00. I'll have to look into it. Course I'd have to get a computer to run it too. I got a laptop but it's a chromebook and don't have a disk drive. Shame I ain't got a couple buddies that we could split the cost.

[BigBore45]

Quickload is ok. I load commercial ammunition so I needed it for various purposes. I wouldn't trust it 100% but it does really well once you learn to use it.

[BigBore45]

Here is some info for heavyweight 45 boolits.
247605

[Burnt Fingers]

So I've been working with the lee TL452-230-TC in 45 ACP The Lyman 4th edition cast bullet handbook gives HP-38 at 5.0 grains as a starting load. With 1.170 OAL.

So I loaded some at 5.0. They give more recoil than factory ball. I worked down and settled on 4.3 grains as duplicating the recoil of factory. My OAL is 1.168.

My mould drops at 239 grains with WW. Lyman undoubtedly used something else (I don't have my manual at hand). So anyways, it just seems like I'm going quite a bit lower than I'd expect on the powder charge.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Bazoo

Not all 230 gr boolits are the same. A lesson you just learned. Always start at the lowest recommended charge. Not the top.

[ole_270]

I just started working with this one as well. My barrel has been throated so I can seat to 1.25". The longer the bullet is seated the more the pressure drops. Think I'm going to settle around 1.2" and try 5.3 Universal or 5.4 531. Not trying to build a 45 colt, but want to get this one to full power load area.

[Larry Gibson]

Lyman used #2 alloy, you used WWs. Always going to be some weight discrepancy, mould to mould, but that is why your bullets drop heavier. With my alloy of 96/3/3 all my Lee 45 moulds [452-190-SWC, 452-200-RF, 452-200-SWC and 452-430-TC] drop 2 - 4 gr heavier than when cast of #2 alloy. WWs have more lead so it makes sense the same bullets cast of that alloy would be a heavier.

Also in small pistol cases the seating depth [not to be confused with OAL and irrespective of OAL] of various different bullet designs can and does have a large effect on pressure.

[JBinMN]

That's spot on. Thank you for the trouble.

That quickloads is pretty neat. I seen the price is like 150.00. I'll have to look into it. Course I'd have to get a computer to run it too. I got a laptop but it's a chromebook and don't have a disk drive. Shame I ain't got a couple buddies that we could split the cost.

I would get the chrony first, if the $$ come into your hand.
;)

Maybe you could ask if George knows someone that has an old one & may be able to help ya out.
;)

G'Luck!
:)

ETA: BTW, here is one like I have,( Although I bought the premium set with the extras for around %120.00+/-) a Caldwell Ballistics one, on sale for $84.00 + shipping. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1015050210/
;)

[Bazoo]

Thanks for all the replies.

Looking back, I didn't take into account the difference in alloy and thus weight.

[fatelk]

I would get the chrony first, if the $$ come into your hand.
;)

Maybe you could ask if George knows someone that has an old one & may be able to help ya out.
;)

G'Luck!
:)

ETA: BTW, here is one like I have,( Although I bought the premium set with the extras for around %120.00+/-) a Caldwell Ballistics one, on sale for $84.00 + shipping. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1015050210/
;)

I have one of those, just picked it up a couple weeks ago. Literally, I picked it up out of the trash barrel at the range. It had been shot through and through.

The bullet just barely missed the readout in front by the tiniest amount, blew out a big hole in the side, tore out the battery, made a real mess of it. For kicks I took it home and took it apart. The bullet fragments barely missed any vital components. I soldered a couple wires back together and the dang thing actually works.

[JBinMN]

I have one of those, just picked it up a couple weeks ago. Literally, I picked it up out of the trash barrel at the range. It had been shot through and through.

The bullet just barely missed the readout in front by the tiniest amount, blew out a big hole in the side, tore out the battery, made a real mess of it. For kicks I took it home and took it apart. The bullet fragments barely missed any vital components. I soldered a couple wires back together and the dang thing actually works.

Nice find! "One mans junk is another mans treasure.", right?
:)

I have had mine a couple years & really like it.

BTW, for any that are interested... Free shipping at MIdway right now:
https://www.midwayusa.com/promo/free-shipping-919?utm_source=bullseye-bargain&utm_medium=email&utm_content=main-image-link&utm_campaign=bb-fs49

So a chrony from them would be even less cost without shipping.
;)

Anyway, I don't want to stray too far from the original subject about 45ACPs & powders, so I will add that I found that I set my Lee 230gr TC at 1.17" , and the Lee 230-2R at 1.25", and run 4.7gr. of Red Dot(or Promo) for an accurate load for both.

ETA: I forgot to mention I use Clays on occasion with both boolits 3.8 or 3.9 gr. for the best accuracy in my 45ACP.