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Four Fingers of Death
04-25-2006, 08:04 AM
I have been shooting 44s in cowboy action and have now changed over to a pair of 45 Colt/ACP convertibles.

Any suggestions regarding standard Lee 6 cavity moulds? I fancy the tumble lube types as I have used a similar type mould made by CBE in 38 which worked well and was as easy as pie to cast and use.

I would probably be better off with 2 moulds. I think the 45ACP would work better with a 200Gn boolit (this has been my experience in 45 autos, but I have never cast and reloaded for a 45ACP revolver before). I also feel that a 250Gn rn or there abouts would fill the bill in the 45Colt.

Perhaps a 230Gn Rn would be a good choice in both?

Any ideas.

robertbank
04-25-2006, 08:40 AM
I shoot a lot of .45acp through my autos and a fair amount through my .45LC revolver. For Cowboy Action I would go with either 200 gr LSWC using the .45acp cylinder or loaded in .45LC cases. Titegroup is onepowder, if you can get it down there, that is supposed to be non position sensitive. I have had good luck with it in my guns. Might make a good combo for what you are looking for.

Winchester 231 is of course a standard in .45acp and Winchester lists 5.5 gr under 250 gr boolit in .45LC to match their commercial Cowboy Action Loads. I chroned these loads in my Stampede and it indeed match their commercial load.

I have never gone higher than 230 gr in the .45acp in my autos so I have no comment as to how they would shoot in your revolvers. I did ask the question on the 1911 forum regarding use of 200 gr boolits in .45LC and most of the guys that got back to me told me they had shoot thousands of 200 gr boolits through their Colts as a plinking round which ought to serve well in Cowboy Action.

Hope some of the above helps.

Take Care

Take Care

454PB
04-25-2006, 12:55 PM
A good compromise boolit I use in both .45 Colt and .45 ACP is the Lee 45-230-TC, which is also made in tumble lube as TL452-230-TC. This boolit feeds well in .45 ACP and shoots great in my Ruger Blackhawk convertible.

RayinNH
04-25-2006, 10:20 PM
4fingermick, you mentioned a 250 grain RN for the 45 Colt. If your using a 45 Colt lever gun in competition you'll want a flat nosed boolit. 454PB suggested the 45-230-TC which might fill the bill if your looking for one mold to do double duty, 45 Colt/ACP...Ray

Four Fingers of Death
04-26-2006, 12:00 AM
I have fired squillions of 200Gn SWCs through the 45 autos I have had in the past, it is my standard 45 auto boolit.

I have 300x200Gn SWCs, 800x230Gn RNs and 500x185Gn SWCs in stock at the moment, they will keep me out of mischief for a while.

Thanks for the ideas. Mick.

Four Fingers of Death
04-26-2006, 12:01 AM
I have fired squillions of 200Gn SWCs through the 45 autos I have had in the past, it is my standard 45 auto boolit.

I have 300x200Gn SWCs, 800x230Gn RNs and 500x185Gn SWCs in stock at the moment, they will keep me out of mischief for a while.

Thanks for the ideas. Mick.

DEVERS454
04-27-2006, 01:39 PM
The Lee 452-255-RF is a heavier bullet and has 2 lube groves. Works like a charm in model 92s and 94s that I have used. (I still have my 94AE and these work quite well)

Many folks considered this to be a better BP bullet since the lube groves were "seperated" and added a tad more lube. (until the advent of the PRS design)

The 452-200-RF is the 200gr version with a shorter base. I have had some success with it.

44man
04-27-2006, 02:40 PM
I have the Lee 452-300 loaded with 21.5 gr's of 296 for deer. I had to cut a dead tree that was hanging over the chicken coop. I set up two burner barrels to get rid of the smaller stuff, but the one I made from an old Sears water storage tank would not burn good because it only had a hole in the bottom. I took the .45 down and shot holes through it. It now has huge air holes and it burns just great. There is more then one use for a good boolit! Besides, it was FUN!

Four Fingers of Death
04-27-2006, 09:16 PM
Those 45 punkin rollers do that to you, I have two 45/70 rifles as well, just love those big holes and those big cases, 'kerschlunk!!!'

JudgeBAC
04-30-2006, 10:13 AM
I shoot two Ruger Vaqueros ( amongst many others) in Cowboy action. I use Meister 200 gr with IMR trail boss. This is the greatest powder ever made for Cowboy action shooters. Fills up the case, very hard to overcharge, no air pockets, powder position not a problem and very clean burnig. Try it I guarantee you will love it.

Four Fingers of Death
05-01-2006, 12:45 AM
Sounds great, but alas, no IMR powders are available here. :-(

MikeG
05-02-2006, 12:07 PM
I like the Lee 253 SWC in both 45 colt and 45 AutoRim.

Mike G.