lead bullets - 44special & 45auto

[bender]

I want to try out lead bullets in my 45s. I have a RugerP345 and a Colt 1911.

The reloading books say to use .452 diameter bullets. At Sportsmans Warehouse they have Laser Cast (oregon trail) and Meister. Some are labeled ".45 cal" and some are labeled ".45 LC". I know LC is Long Colt. Both are listed as .452. I want to load 200gr RN. but the only ".45 Cal" bullets they have are 230gr RN. The 200gr RN bullets are labeled ".45 LC"

I assume, since they are the same diameter, that 200gr LC bullets are fine for 45 autos, is that correct?

2nd question: I just ordered a Taurus Model 44, 44mag revolver with a 4" barrel. I want to shoot 44 special loads with lead bullets. The reloading manual I was looking at, said that the specification for 44 barrels was .430 and to use lead bullets .001 over that, or .431. Sportsman's has Laser Cast 44 bullets labeled as .429, and Meister 44 bullets labeled as .432. Why can't bullet companies make bullets that are what the reloading manuals specify? Which bullet would be better for a 44 mag revolver, .429 or .432 ?

thanks! Never loaded lead before, so I'm a noob about it. Been reloading for many years though, just not with lead.

 

[highlander 5]

Current production 45 acp and 45 colt both have the same diameter so .452 diameter bullet should be fine. The only problem you might run in to is a crimp groove for the bullets for 45 colt but it's not insurmountable for use in a 45 auto
On the 44 mag your best bet is to slug the bore and the chamber mouths.but in my experience the normal bore dia is .429 so .430 should be alright

 

[griz]

The 45LC bullets do work in an ACP. They may look funny with the crimping groove hanging out, but they feed well.

The different diameters are because not everybody agrees on what is best. There are also supposed to be some 44's (44-40?) that take different diameter bullets.

 

[bender]

so .430 should be alright

but the problem is that 44 bullets are labeled .429 or .432

 

[Harve Curry]

Wait till you get the Tauras and measure the chamber mouths of the cylinder and the groove diameter of the barrel.

 

[Archie]

Shoot the bullets you can find.

Start with the starting level loads and you probably won't notice the difference.

Lead bullets obdurate when fired, they mush out and fill out the lands and grooves. Conversely, if they are a little too big, they simply squish down to fit.

Back in the 'old days" .45 Colt was bored to .454 and .45 ACP has always been .451 groove to groove diameter. Now, as mentioned, they're the same. I've shot .45 Colt bullets in 45 Auto cases in autopistols and I've shot .45 ACP bullets in 45 Colt cases in revolvers.

The .44 Special and .44 Magnum have always been .429 groove to groove diameter. So, depending on the authority, the 'perfect' bullet is either .429 or .430. I've used both in .44 Specials and Magnums. Some bullets work better than others, but I've never noted a difference in bullet diameter.

The worst thing that can happen is a too small bullet that is too hard may not fully engage the rifling and you get really poor accuracy. A 'too big' bullet will not increase pressures enough to concern unless you're all the way to the top of the loading charts anyway.

 

[Steve 48]

I usually call the people that make the bullets. Leadheads will size them at any width and will give you good advise along with good bullets. Look at their website and call. That's how I find out a lot of my loads and sizing problems. Steve 48

 

[bender]

I usually call the people that make the bullets.

actually, a couple days ago, I emailed the owner of Penn Bullets and asked him about 44 bullets for my Taurus Model 44, and my Marlin 1894.

His answer on the Taurus was for me to measure the chambers and use the same bullets.

His answer on the Marlin rifle was "if it has shallow rifling (micro groove) then .429 to .431 would be ok, if it has cut rifling then .431 bullets would be ok".

According to Marlin, the rifle has deep cut 'Ballard style" rifling, so I guess I'll use .431 bullets.

 

[georgeduz]

i use .451 on a hard cast 200gr semiwadcutter,for both 45colt and 45auto.a nice tight groups and less lead fouling the barrel.

 

[highlander 5]

another thought on the 44 mag,as was said earlier measure the bore and the chamber mouths if chamber mouths are larger than bore size buy the bullets to fit the chamber mouths
45 Colts had two bore dimensions Pre WW II .454 Post war .452
but the chamber mouths were usually cut to Pre WW II dimensions this resulted in that the 45 Colt accuracy was terrible.
Then someone realized the problem and started to size bullets to fit the chamber mouths and accuracy improved considerably.
The above situation has been corrected by the various gun mfgs but if you can't get the 44 to shoot well this might be a help

 

[TonyT]

In mu colt 1911 types I have always used 0.451 or 0.452" diam lead bullets. In my S&W 44 mag i have always used 0.429" diameter lead bullets.

 

[bender]

I'll get some .431 bullets for my Marlin rifle, and some .429 bullets for my Taurus revolver...

hmm.... the reason I bought these two guns was to shoot the same stuff...

maybe .430 would be a compromise for shooting in both

edit: I don't have either gun yet, should get the Taurus in the next couple days, and the Marlin rifle next week

edit 2: For my Ruger .45 and my old Colt 1911, I'll use either .451 or .452 whatever the companies make. Some make one size some make the other size. I'll probably stick to RN lead bullets, so hopefully feeding probs won't occur.