Help me settle a 45ACP v 45LC bullet diameter debate!

They will work in the 45 ACP, but are actually for the 45 Colt.

The only real issue may be with the length, the size .001 difference is a non-issue.

And if you look at the Sierra Bullet selection you will find all 45 bullets sized .4515.
The diameter difference is not an issue unless you have an oversize barrel so the bullet doesn't expand. Then you need to find a .454 bullet, which was the original bullet size of the 45 Colt. Newer guns have the smaller barrel.

The difference between the 230 gr and 240 gr Hornady is the 240 is .001" more in diameter and is .034" longer in length. Since you new to 45 acp, learn with normal loads. But there is published load data some where if Steves pages list it. http://stevespages.com/page8a.htm Its under .451" I see a listing here for the 230 http://www.jbmballistics.com/ballistics/lengths/lengths.shtml but none on the Hornady website??

I checked the Hornady site and those bullets are listed as XTP Mag bullets which means they are for loading the 454 Casull.

Bullet size

I pour my own and load them in both 45 ACP and 45LC .451 after pressed thru sizing die and lubed with Bees Wax. NEVER and I mean Never had a problem with them 200 Gr. Simi Wadcutter, Round nose in 230 Gr. and 240 Gr. Doesn't mean a hill of beans. Been doing it for over 12 years 1000's of rounds of 45ACP and 45LC.

Good info thread.
Opened it thinking simply .451 for ACP and .452 for LC.

Another positive point is that 230gr .451 FMJ-RN bullets are way cheaper than the 240gr XTP-MAGs.

I load the 240 and 300 gr XTP Mag in my 454 Casull and 460 S&W. I load lead for my lever action 45 Colt - both .452 and .454 diameter. I have never considered loading any of these in my 45 ACPs - I stick with .451 in 180gr-230gr - always jacketed.

Gotta love this hobby, there are almost infinite variations on what we can do.

I agree, I wouldn't load those 240gr bullets in a 45 Colt because of cost. No reason to waste a good bullet in the Colt that can use a less expensive bullet.

My Berry's 230 grain round nose plated bullets are factory labeled "45 ACP (.452)" I use them in both 45 ACP and 45 LC.

"Normally" your friend is right, but some use those 240 gr. bullets in 45 ACP, and often .001" diameter makes no difference. For a new reloader, or a new to a cartridge loader, I suggest a tried and true load. For 45 ACP that would be a 230 FMJRN, or a cast 230 gr. LRN over a mild load of medium fast powder. This combo has been reloaded 2.94 bizilllion times and tons of info is available and will work in most guns chambered for it. After you get the hang of it (easy chambering rounds) you can try other combinations of components (my favorite bullet for my 1911 is a 200 gr. SWC H&G 68 clone). K.I.S.S.

Checking my notebook I have reloaded/handloaded
2002-2003
.451" 230gr jacket bullets in .45 ACP
.452" 200gr lead SWC bullets in .45 ACP
2003-to date
.454" 255gr lead RN "Cowboy" bullets in .45 AutoRim for a "cut" Webley MkIV.

That's very limited experience I know, but it makes me cautious.

.452" 240gr XTP jacketed bullets sound tight and heavy for .45 ACP pistols. Hornady lists .451" jacketed 185gr, 200gr and 230gr for .45 ACP nothing heavier. Hornady lists a .452" lead 200gr semi wadcutter for .45 ACP.

.452" sounds right for jacketed .45 Colt (which I want to call .45 Long Army compared to .45 Schofield). Hornady lists a .452" 250gr jacketed bullet for ".45 Long Colt" a name never official with Colt.

Old 45 Colt, .454, after about 1960 or so, both take .452 nominal. Way too much stress over this. Best bet, measure chamber throat and pick that diameter. I'll takes a thousandth or so over bore rather than under.

FWIW you will find that lead bullets are sometimes .001" larger than jacketed pistol bullets in more than one caliber.

Often the .355" fmj for 9mm when cast ends up .356" for example.

Same for the 45acp. Lead bullets are .452"

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