.45 230 gr RN Hard Cast

[Cacique500]

Quick question - I've been loading Rainier 230 gr RN TMJ and will be switching over to hard cast due to prices. My current load with the Rainier is 5.1 gr Win 231.

If I switch to a hard cast (16 BHN) 230 gr LRN and run the same load will I see any leading in the barrel? Bullets I'm looking at are from www.mastercast.com - have gotten good reviews but leading is my main concern.

Thanks in advance!

 

[loadedround]

5.1 gr of Win 231 is basically the starting load for a 230 gr RNL bullet and I would be very surprised if you experience any leading with this load. I use Oregon Trails "Laser Cast" 230 gr RNL bullet with a slightly higher charge of Win 231 than you are using and I get no leading at all. However "Laser Cast" bullets are probably the hardest cast bullets on the market. Good shooting!

 

[Galil5.56]

Proper diameter will play a huge role in barrel leading (and accuracy), more so than hardness in my experience within reason. Good bullet lube is of course important as well, and a lot of the " colored candle wax" lube used by comm casters looks great and holds up to shipping, but IMO is not always correct for the application. The std .452" of most commercial casters may or may not be the best diameter for you, and only barrel slugging will give you some idea as to what's best.

For me, the bullets I cast I like to use at .453"-.454" in my 45 auto pistols. Might be worth asking a caster if they can size the bullet you want to use in a slightly larger diameter, and see if it helps with accuracy and leading if it is a problem. If the loaded round will fully chamber easily, then the diameter is OK, and will be safely swaged during firing. If you do find the cast bullets you bought are leading, you can always apply a thin coat of Lee liquid ALOX. I have done this many times, and it works well.

Good luck!

 

[Cacique500]

Thanks for the replies - guess I'll give it a shot!

 

[SASS#23149]

Give your bore a very good cleaning,and leading will be less likely to happen.
My 30-30 wouldn't even hit a barn with caset bullets until ALL the old jacket material was outta there.

I think barrel leding is an overblown and over worried problem.Try it and see is the way to go.

 

[tbeb]

I've used 230 gr. lead round nose and 4.9 grs. of Winchester 231 for years. Nice load , no leading from a 5" barrel. My powder dispenser throws 4.9 or 5.3. I've never tried 5.3.

 

[Walkalong]

I have never experienced leading in the .45 ACP using many different brands of .452 sized cast bullets over the years. It is a great caliber to start on. It's as easy as it gets.

 

[Cacique500]

Ordered 10k of them and I'll stick with the 5.1 gr of 231 unless I see something funky. Thanks again for the replies...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I wouldn't worry about a charge of 5.1gr W231 in your .45 Auto. Most hard cast lead bullets can be pushed to 1,200 fps without leading though I don't push them over 1,100 fps to be safe. I doubt the round you will get with 5.1gr W231 will push 800 fps so I wouldn't worry much. If anything, it will be too show and cause leading.

I charge 5.5gr W231 under a 230gr Hard Cast for my son's 1911A1 and get no leading at all.