[aem]

I am a newbie to THR but have been lurking a while. I would appreciate some help figuring out why my cast .45 ACP loads are shooting to the right.

I bought some commercially cast .45 ACP roundnose bullets, with a stated diameter of .451. They look well made. I have no idea how hard they are. I loaded some test loads using 4.5 and 4.6 g. Unique in once fired brass with Win. standard large pistol primers. I weighed each charge.

I used an RCBS carbide die set with taper crimp. I had a little difficulty getting the seating depth and crimp to work together and wondered if the crimp might be a little heavy, but nothing major. Also, my seating stem is for SWC and it left a light ring around the nose of the bullets, but again nothing that caused me concern. I checked to make sure the dummy round chambered easily in the barrel of my 1911.

I fired them offhand at 5-7 yards. Both loads functioned perfectly and made tight little groups, but the groups were about 4 inches to the right of point of aim. I have never experienced horizontal dispersion like that in any of my reloading. I have fixed sights so I can't adjust the pistol. Besides, it is just too far off the point of aim to leave it alone.

Any idea what I did wrong or how I can correct it?

Many thanks,

Alan

[Shoney]

What is your cast bullets shape and grain weight?

What weapon are you using?

[bullseye308]

How clean is the barrel?

[earplug]

A firearm will change its impact when shooting if your grip is differant, your trigger finger is pushing the gun or even a strong light from the side fools your eye.
I suspect this is what is going on.
I cast, load and shoot various handgun bullets and have never seen, read or heard of a problem as you describe being caused by any bullet.

[Steve C]

Your loads are quite light. The lowest start level listed with Unique and a 230gr laed RN in the manuals covered by the "Load book" and any of my other manuals is 5.0grs with maximums listed from 5.7gr to 7.3 grs.

Bullets that leave the muzzle at low velocity are subject to wider diversions from typical shooting errors as they remain in the barrel for a longer period of time. Fire a few rounds from a benched rest to see if the bullet is causing the diversion or the shooter (see the Wheel of misfortune).

Up your charge to 5.0 to 5.3grs at least and see if that doesn't improve the performance.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=111426&stc=1&d=1261362281

[eldon519]

When you shoot slower bullets, believe it or not, follow-through becomes much more important because the bullet spends more time in the barrel. I have experienced the same thing in 9mm with light 147-grain cast compared to 115-gr factory ammo.

[qajaq59]

Steve C that is an interest chart. I wonder if there is one for rifles as well.

[loadedround]

I agree 100% with Steve C and have used his chart many times as a NRA Instructor. One other thing is to examine is the muzzle crown for any small nick(s ) that could affect the lead bullets but not jacketed ones. I have seen a similar thing happen with a M1 Carbine and lead bullets.

[aem]

Thanks for the responses!

I am pretty sure it wasn't my shooting, but I will try to rule that out next time by shooting some factory loads at the same time. I am almost positive it wasn't caused by the pistol. I will check to make sure I haven't picked up a burr on the muzzle. The barrel was squeaky clean, although I haven't used a copper solvent on it and it has probably had 1500 jacketed rounds through it. I'll strip out the copper before I shoot cast bullets again.

Thanks again,

Alan

[243winxb]

Any idea what I did wrong or how I can correct it? Different loading shoot different. This is why they make adjustable sight. All you can do is try increasing the velocity.