[1858rem]

im getting set to reload for my new Rock Island Armory 45ACP and am looking for a bullet mold, ill be ordering in a few minutes and plan to get a 230g round nose tumble lube style, but would like to know what has worked best for everyone else also( within the Lee mold spectrum:neener:)

[gbw]

I use the 6-cavity 200gr. SWC mold, similar to the Lyman 452560, the shorter target bullet, not the more common H&G type. No feeding issues at all. I do lube/size the bullets although Lee says it's not necessary. I cannot think of a reason to waste 15% more lead making 230 gr. bullets. Actually I wish Lee made this bullet in 185gr.

I love these Lee 6 banger molds, one of the best deals in reloading. Extremely accurate, and very high production levels are possible after a short learning curve. Follow their insructions.

Dealing with Lee is also a pleasure. They stand 100% behind their stuff IME.

[1858rem]

how much velocity difference do you get with 200-230g bullets and target loads? i do like blasting milk jugs is why i like 230g but a SWC profile might be better, but i am more concerned with feed issues. anyone shoot lead in a Rock Island Armory?

[freakshow10mm]

I shoot the 230gr TC bullet a lot. When I'm paying 15 cents per pound of WW, the extra 30gr doesn't bother me one bit. It's what the gun likes.

[1858rem]

well i went ahead with the 200 SWC since it ought to be cleaner as far as paper punching and maybe better velocity, anyone want to post pics of there targets and favorite loads for the target with the 200SWC?

[SciFiJim]

I use Lee's 200gr Round Flat. I use LLA even though it has a lube groove instead of tumble lube profile. It's rounded enough to feed without problems and the large meplat provides a good smack down on what ever I shoot (bowling pins, jugs of water or ice).

[Jumping Frog]

My first bullet molds were all Lee 6-cavity Tumble Lube designs.

If I had it to do over, I would have gotten regular lube grooves instead of the tumble lube.

Why? Regular design bullets can still use tumble lube so they yield the option of being useful either with the Lee sizer/Lee Liquid Alox or being usable with a traditional lubisizer and lube, should I want to go down that road in the future. It is like buying an option.

The converse is not true. If I buy a tumble lube design, it is not usuable in a traditional lubiseizer/lube.

[fecmech]

well i went ahead with the 200 SWC since it ought to be cleaner as far as paper punching and maybe better velocity, anyone want to post pics of there targets and favorite loads for the target with the 200SWC?

Hard to beat the tried and true 3.6-4.0 Bullseye behind a 200 gr SWC

[gbw]

Hard to beat the tried and true 3.6-4.0 Bullseye behind a 200 gr SWC

Agree...I've given up trying.



The converse is not true. If I buy a tumble lube design, it is not usuable in a traditional lubiseizer/lube

Why? I use the Tumble Lube design LEE short 200gr. .45 bullets and lube/size them through a standard RCBS Luber/sizer, no problems. Shoot them from 750 up to around 950 fps (BE, WST, Unique, WW231, TiteGroup).

(I'll have to look for the photos, but these bullets are as accurate as anything I've ever used. Sub-1" 25 yd. groups are easily possible. No feed issues if the guns/mags are set up right.)

Maybe just some of the LEE TL bullets aren't candidates for traditional Lube/size?

Thanks,

[Vern Humphrey]

I have had and used the Lee 6-cavity 230 grain tumble lube design for more than 20 years. If you want to produce a lot of bullets fast, that's the route to go. And, since my carry load is a 230 grain hollowpoint, my reloads shoot to the same point of impact.

As a bonus, I have a Bob Watts .45 caliber flintlock rifle, and it shoots those 230 grain bullets about as accurately as it shoots round balls -- and they take deer with authority.