45 ACP and Lead

[tkcomer]

What range does the gang load lead bullets? I got my Missouri 230gr Softball bullets (18brn) in. Ramshot calls for 6.8 to 7.6 for the 230grn FMJ. I started at the low end of 7.0grs of True Blue. Got a fair amount of leading in the first 3" in my 5" barrel. Does the gang load a little toward the top end for lead? I have some Lee liquid Alox. Would lubing the bullets help?

 

[Walkalong]

18 BHN will need to fit the bore or be shot at max pressure. My guess is they do not fit the bore. You are definitely getting gas cutting which is from the bullet not sealing the bore. Additional lube may help, but won't cure the problem.

 

[EddieNFL]

Agree with Anthony. Too hard for low velocity.

 

[tkcomer]

All righty then. I'll bump them up toward max and see what I get.

 

[LiveLife]

FWIW, I shoot 230 gr RN with 5.0 gr of W231/HP38. Very accurate and no leading in 1911 barrels.

 

[Steve C]

Not enough pressure available in the .45 ACP to bump up 18 BNH bullets. You should have ordered 12 BNH. !8 would be fine for the .45 Super or the .460 Rowland. You can try to additionally lube them with Lee's Liquid Alox and that may cut your leading down or even eliminate it.

 

[LiveLife]

Steve, I did a side-by-side comparison with 18 BHN (IDP #1) and 12 BHN (Bullseye #1) 200 gr SWC out of .451" bore M&P45 and several Kimbers and there was no leading in the rifling using 5.0 gr of W231/HP38.

I even used lighter recoiling 4.0 gr of Promo load and just a minimal smear near the chamber end right at the start of the rifling.

I think if the bore size is right at .451", 18 BHN .452" sized bullet should work without leading with the right powder/charge.

 

[FROGO207]

I use the 18 BHN MB in S&W 645, 457, a 1911, a MAC10, and Ruger revolver. I have no leading with various loads each tailored for that particular firearm. I do use higher end loads with Red Dot, Blue Dot, W231, and 800X to good results.

 

[tkcomer]

The reason I asked is, I've shot store bought cast in my 357 and 44 mag wheel guns for years with very minimal leading. I load on the very low end of the scale with those two. The last batch I'm using is Laser Cast for both calibers. An extremely hard bullet.

This gun is a 1911 style Kimber. Could it be I'm pushing them too hard? Or does the gang think I need to go hotter? With this crappy weather, its been hard to test anything.

 

[bluetopper]

You need a much faster burning powder for 45acp than True Blue.

If you don't want to use another powder, load the max charge and see if it leads.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I load a lot of 18 BHN 230 gr MBC bullets using 5.3-5.6 gr. of Unique for a velocity of about 850 fps. The barrel in my 1911 is mirror bright. I've never had the first bit of leading.

 

[Cherokee]

I think the bullet is too hard for the velocity you are getting. Move up safely, or switch to 231/HP-38, WST.

 

[Walkalong]

The bullet does not fit the bore. Either the bore is over .451, or the bullets are getting squeezed under .452. The lack of pressure needed to obturate the bore with 18 BHN bullets is not really part of the problem. It would be irrelevant if the bullets fit the bore well enough to seal it. 12 BHN bullets are more suited to .45 ACP pressures.

True Blue will work here, it just isn't the best choice for light to midrange .45 ACP loads. It is more suited to full power .45.

For lead in the .45 W-231 is hard to beat, although other fast to medium powders work well too.

 

[res45]

I like the Lee TL 230 gr. RN shot as cast for 12 BHN WW alloy and 4.5 grs. Bullseye,cheap and accurate.

 

[tkcomer]

Bumped load to 7.6grs of True Blue. Leading got worse. Streaks are farther down the barrel now.

 

[Walkalong]

Same answer.

 

[tkcomer]

Backed the load down to 6.6grs of True Blue. Much less leading. In fact, not much at all.

 

[918v]

Try 4.5grs of Bullseye. Your TB load is not appropriate for lead.

 

[tkcomer]

Why is True Blue not the right powder for lead? Ramshot gives several loadings just for lead bullets.

 

[918v]

It is too slow burning. You need a powder that will create a rapid rise in pressure which will cause the bullet to increase in diameter and seal the freebore. Your TB is too slow and escapes around the bullet before the bullet has a chance to hit the rifling. This causes gas cutting and subsequent deposit of molecular lead in the barrel with every shot fired.

 

[tkcomer]

Then why did the light loads lead less?

 

[918v]

Less total volume of gas cutting on the bullet shank.

 

[Steve Koski]

Oh whatever.

 

[ljnowell]

I load that bullet with 5.5gr of AA#2 and get virtually no leading. A very clean and accurate load. Max is 5.6gr so do work up in your own firearm.

 

[chris in va]

I have some Lee liquid Alox. Would lubing the bullets help?

Am I to understand you are shooting lead bullets without any lube on them?