230gr JHP or FMJ in .45Colt and .454Casull?

[shovel66]

Of all my 6 reloading manuals none of them list a 230gr bullet for .454Casull. Some list a 225gr, 240gr, 250gr etc. I have some .230gr JHP and FMJ I have used for .45ACP. Will these be OK to use in either Casull or .45Colt? Will they be long enough to get a good crimp? Has anyone else tried this before?
Shovel

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I'm no expert on .45LC or .454 Casull, but I think the problem you'll run into using those bullets is that they probably don't have a cannelure to crimp into. Roll crimping tends to be necessary for stout revolver loads. If you try crimping a non cannelure bullet, enough to keep it from creeping forward when you fire, you may deform the bullet which can cause accuracy and/or other issues. Someone with more experience may correct me but I believe this is an accurate answer. You may be able to get by with a decent taper crimp on light .45LC loads but I don't think it'll work besides that.

 

[joecil]

Most if not all the 454 Casull will shot 45 Colt fine and even the shorter Schofield also. 454 generally starts around 260 gr and up and is a bit of a waste loading a 454 case to 45 Colt powder levels with light weight bullets. I wouldn't fire anything under a 200 gr bullet in a 45 ACP or a 45 Colt. Just my opinion.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have loaded and shot 45 ACP bullets in my 45 Colt as well as plated bullets without issue. But, I only load 45 Colt to standard levels. Neck tension is important and 45 Colt sizer die and expander button may not reduce the case mouth sufficently.

Hot, Ruger only 45 Colt and 454 Causull loads will need a roll crimp and bullets with a cannelure.

There are tools out there that you can put a cannelure in a bullet.

 

[buck460XVR]

Can it be done? Sure can. Is there a legitimate reason you cannot find any load info for it. Sure is. On top of not having the cannelure for a firm roll crimp, the thin jackets on bullets intended for use at .45ACP pressures and velocities can lead to excessive forcing cone erosion and top strap cutting when used at .454 pressures and velocities. I suggest getting a more appropriate bullet intended for .454, but hey, it's your gun.

 

[SDGlock23]

Yes it can be done but don't push them hard. I'd recommend staying below 1100-1200 fps since most 230gr hollow points are designed to work at 850-950 fps. I've shot a number of 230's out of the Ruger .45 Colt but never tried it in the 454 SRH.

 

[shovel66]

I believe I will try and find better bullets to load for the Colt and Casull. I'd rather be safe than sorry and I don't want to take any chances. I had a bunch of 250gr cast RNFP bullets I loaded .45Colt with but I either ran out or misplaced them during my recent move from Virginia to Rhode Island. Thanks for all the good advice.
Chad

 

[gamestalker]

I would be concerned trying to down load a jacketed bullet that doesn't have a canelure, with enough velocity to push it out the barrel. You would likely be dealing with bullets jumping out of the case mouths at the necessary pressures for jacketed data. Or risk sticking bullets in the barrel using reduced charges, that wouldn't cause bullets to jump out of the case mouths.

GS

 

[ljnowell]

You can roll crimp a jacketed bullet without a cannelure. I have loaded 185gr 45acp JHPs into 45 colt cases. They have the shortest bearing surface and still didnt have bullet slip or tension issues when a roll crimp was applied. It simply deforms the bullet some, basically making its own cannelure.

 

[RealGun]

I have .451 XTP (hollow points) from Hornady and .452. The larger .452 has a cannelure and is intended for .45 Colt.