45 acp - 45 long colt projectile

[jef2015]

Another question for you guys...
I bought a used press which came with quite a few bullets and brass in different calibers. Many of the bullets were mixed together. I have separated most of them into respective boxes by caliber, type and weight.
My question, what are the dimension differences between 45 acp and 45 long colt. I understand some 45 long colt are a little heavier than 45 acp. 45 acp load data is usually for a max of 230 grain bullet so the heavier bullets I put aside. The diameter looks to be the same of .452 for lead bullets. Can you reload 45 long colt bullets that are 230 grain or less in 45 acp brass? What other differences should I look for? For now I don't have a 45 long colt to load for.

Thanks in advance for helping the newbie out...

 

[Vartarg]

Yep

Your gun won't know the difference......

 

[Mal H]

What other differences should I look for?

The .45 Colt bullets may or may not have a cannelure. If they do, don't feel like you need to crimp at it for your ACP rounds. Use the proper OAL as your guide, and you may have to do some guessing as to what is proper since the bullet types can be quite different even for similar weight bullets. The idea is to have an equal amount of the bullet base inside the case for each type. You may have some feed ramp issues as well with some of the .45 Colt bullets.

Otherwise, just use conservative loads to start with, and you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[Hondo 60]

Mal H gave the best answer I could think of. ^^^^^^

 

[Master Blaster]

Measure the bullets first with a set of calipers or a micrometer. Some older .45 colt guns had a .454 groove diameter and those bullets may be for an older .45 colt and could be sized .454 or even .455, so you could create a dangerous overpressure situation in your 45 acp. If they measure .452 or .451 you are good to go so long as you use the correct data for the bullet weight.

 

[Paladin38-40]

Duel purpose bullet

200 grain cast SWC sized .452 works well in 45 ACP and my Gen 3 .45 Colt (AKA LC). Roll crimp over the shoulder for .45 Colt. 8.5 grains of Unique gives
825 fps in a 4 3/4" barrel. This is a very pleasant plinking load.