Armored farmer
Member
I have reloaded a truckload of shotgun shells, and quite a few .357s and .45colts...... .45acp is a different animal.
I bought a Lee 230gr TC tumble lube mold. Molded 100 bullets and lubed with Alox. Loaded 7 rds to specs according to Lee's info with my new Lee carbide 3-die set. My 230gr cast over 5.5gr Unique. They wouldn't come close to passing the 'plunk test'. I loaded 7 more in an attempt to slim down and shorten the ammo so It would chamber. Of those, only four would chamber, and they needed a little assistance. I was also less than Lee's min overall length. I fired the four rounds and they were all over the paper.
Questions to those familiar with both .45acp and Lee equipment:
1. Did I make a poor choice of molds?
2. Would it simplify things if I buy a Lee Factory Crimp die?
3. Can I get acceptable accuracy from Unique? I have a bunch of it.
I'm not looking to load 'hot' loads, just want cheaper practice ammo. I have been buying Win 230 fmj white-box target ammo for $.50/rd.
BTW I'm using the Win brass to reload.^^
-----45acp/ 14 vs kbbailey/ 4 ...this may take a while.
I bought a Lee 230gr TC tumble lube mold. Molded 100 bullets and lubed with Alox. Loaded 7 rds to specs according to Lee's info with my new Lee carbide 3-die set. My 230gr cast over 5.5gr Unique. They wouldn't come close to passing the 'plunk test'. I loaded 7 more in an attempt to slim down and shorten the ammo so It would chamber. Of those, only four would chamber, and they needed a little assistance. I was also less than Lee's min overall length. I fired the four rounds and they were all over the paper.
Questions to those familiar with both .45acp and Lee equipment:
1. Did I make a poor choice of molds?
2. Would it simplify things if I buy a Lee Factory Crimp die?
3. Can I get acceptable accuracy from Unique? I have a bunch of it.
I'm not looking to load 'hot' loads, just want cheaper practice ammo. I have been buying Win 230 fmj white-box target ammo for $.50/rd.
BTW I'm using the Win brass to reload.^^
-----45acp/ 14 vs kbbailey/ 4 ...this may take a while.