Lee mold DC 452-255-RF

[slk]

I think I have decided on this mold for my 45 colt. Does anyone have any load data. Also does anyone know the over all length (OAL) of this round using the lee bullet. In my Lyman book it only gives the lengths using the lyman molds.

Steve

[Ozark mike]

I wish lee would post blueprints like tom does. Lee says it is compatible to 45 acp so im guessing 1.552 from my calculation

[Harter66]

BlackHawk and M92' Rossi examples feed fine in the crimp groove which hits "not worth moving" close to the 454424 groove . 7.5-9.0 Unique shot fine in the above 8.0-8.5 made nice range ammo 9.5 in the BH for deer and hogs , 1050 fps .

The 2C old style and more recent 6C both drop 265 gr in 50/50 .

[slk]

I wish lee would post blueprints like tom does. Lee says it is compatible fo 45 acp so im guessing 1.662 from my calculation

45 colt is just about 1/2" longer than a 45 ACP. When I say OAL I am talking about the total length of the round including brass and bullet. I have some factory cowboy rounds in 250gn that I could measure. That should be relatively close.

Steve

[Harter66]

BlackHawk and M92' Rossi examples feed fine in the crimp groove which hits "not worth moving" close to the 454424 groove . 7.5-9.0 Unique shot fine in the above 8.0-8.5 made nice range ammo 9.5 in the BH for deer and hogs , 1050 fps .

The 2C old style and more recent 6C both drop 265 gr in 50/50 .

[gwpercle]

Use the Load Data in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th Edition for standard 45 Colt (begins on page 284) , use the load data listed for #452424 , 255 grain SWC . begin with starting loads and work up in your gun ...do not exceed Maximum loads .

Roll Crimp the case mouth into the Lee boolits Crimp Groove ! With revolver boolits , crimping into the crimp groove will set the round at it's proper length , no need to worry about a OAL dimension...just crimp into the crimp groove and check to make sure it chambers .
Gary

[Ozark mike]

45 colt is just about 1/2" longer than a 45 ACP. When I say OAL I am talking about the total length of the round including brass and bullet. I have some factory cowboy rounds in 250gn that I could measure. That should be relatively close.

Steve
What i did was take the length the bullet stuck out in the acp case and added it to the length of a colt case. Besides it was just a best guess

[CastingFool]

The oal for the 255 rf is 1.550, same as for the 200 rf. The cannelure is in the same location for both boolits. Remember these are for pistols, and they have to fit in the cylinder, without interfering with the cylinder rotation. Mind you, the 200 is. 532" long, while the 255 is. 632" so the internal volume is reduced when loading the 255's

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I load 'em with a medium dose of Unique and I seat 'em to the crimp groove, then they get a bit of a crimp.

[slk]

I load 'em with a medium dose of Unique and I seat 'em to the crimp groove, then they get a bit of a crimp.

Hey a fellow Minnesotan...........

Steve

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Hey a fellow Minnesotan...........

Steve

Right back atcha Steve.
I hope you have some good shoot'n with that 45 colt

[cwlongshot]

Is this the same bullet your speaking of SLK?

https://youtu.be/XcJHG-NF_NY

Two molds showcased. 45 starts about 2:43

I cannot find much info on either bullet and BOTH shoot VERY WELL!!

CW

[mdi]

See post #6. Gwpercle says it all. Bottom line, seat cast revolver bullets to the crimp groove (and J bullet to the cannalure) and disregard book OAL. My first revolver reloads were way pre web and I figgered the bullet designers knew what they were doing when they located the crimp groove. This method has worked for me since about 1970.

I wouldn't try to extrapolate reloading data/dimensions from one cartridge to a completely different cartridge using a "formula" and at best it's just a WAG.

[onelight]

What mdi said .
crimp in the grove pick a book with a similar bullet weight and depth in the case and work up from the starting load . The crimp grove sets your OAL 99% of the time.

[Walks]

I'm more concerned with OAL in regards to the Uberti 1866/1873 clones. All RF bullets have to be short enough to feed in these rifles.
The Lee #45-255-RF fits that criteria.
If they fit the rifles, then they will easily fit a Colt Revolver or Colt revolver clone.

[gwpercle]

See post #6. Gwpercle says it all. Bottom line, seat cast revolver bullets to the crimp groove (and J bullet to the cannalure) and disregard book OAL. My first revolver reloads were way pre web and I figgered the bullet designers knew what they were doing when they located the crimp groove. This method has worked for me since about 1970.

I wouldn't try to extrapolate reloading data/dimensions from one cartridge to a completely different cartridge using a "formula" and at best it's just a WAG.

Thanks mdi ... appreciate the observations .
In 1967 I didn't have any tools to measure OAL and my Hornady manual dated 1967 didn't list any OAL's ... you were left to your own devices to figger it out . Use a factory round to "go by" or seat to the crimp groove or cannelure and work from there .
We got by ... things were just simpler back then .
Gary

[reloader28]

Seriously?? Quit over thinking it.
There is a crimp groove. Load it to that, check for fit and shoot them

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hello Mike,

Here's what I have for the LEE 452-255-RF.

AntiqueSledMan.

[slk]

Ok quick question. When I size this bullet it will lube it at the same time, and will put lube in the crimp groove. Is that ok? I am assuming when I crimp the lube will squeeze out of the grove some.

Steve

[onelight]

You should be able to adjust your sized so it does not fill the crimp groove with lube.

[slk]

You should be able to adjust your sized so it does not fill the crimp groove with lube.

Ok I can do that. It was what I was thinking I could do if the grove was not suppose to be filled.

Steve

[FLINTNFIRE]

Walks is right , I load these for my uberti 1873 pistols and for the 1873 rifle as it can only take a certain length , I am ending up at 1.540 and loading red dot , nice shooting and am not needing to size after powder coating . Mine weigh about 260 after coating .