Question about bullet diameter.

[SunnySlopes]

I ordered some plated bullets from Berrys. Round nose hollow base bullets .452 inch diameter. I want them for loading 45 Colt. All the data I see verifies 45 Colt fires bullets with a diameter of .452. But this box is labeled for 45 ACP. Again, the data I've consulted says 45 ACP is .451 diameter.

Two questions.

Can a 45 ACP safely handle a .452 diameter bullet? And, just because the box is labeled for 45 ACP, is it ok for 45 Colt? Hopefully I'm just overthinking it.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Depends on what you're shooting it in.
.451 in a 45colt? not likely a problem if its a modern gun in good condition. I do it in my Henry Classic with no problems and no loss of accuracy.
.452 in a 45acp? That likely will also depend on the gun. I doubt it would be a problem but I haven't actually tried that yet. Someone who has will probably chime in soon.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Depends on what you're shooting it in.
.451 in a 45colt? not likely a problem if its a modern gun in good condition. I do it in my Henry Classic with no problems and no loss of accuracy.
.452 in a 45acp? That likely will also depend on the gun. I doubt it would be a problem but I haven't actually tried that yet. Someone who has will probably chime in soon.

Absolutely .452” in 45acp. I actually thought that was the primary size. But regardless, it’s all I use—berry’s & xtreme & acme & Missouri & you get the idea.

 

[Anchorite]

The acceptable diameter for the ACP is .451 for jacketed bullets and .452 for 45 Colt. I believe all plated bullets like the Berry in 45 run .452, but I could be mistaken. You might notice a slight difference in accuracy, but that’s a function of your guns barrel. You should be fine from a safety standpoint.

 

[CQB45ACP]

The acceptable diameter for the ACP is .451 for jacketed bullets and .452 for 45 Colt. I believe all plated bullets like the Berry in 45 run .452, but I could be mistaken. You might notice a slight difference in accuracy, but that’s a function of your guns barrel. You should be fine from a safety standpoint.

Yeah that’s right for fmj, .451”. all mine are plated or coated so .452”

 

[AJC1]

Your good just don't try .454 in 45acp. You may test and run that big in a colt depending on the barrel.

 

[Atavar]

Per SAAMI specs for .45acp the bullet diameter is .449 to .452 for jacketed bullets, .450 to .453 for lead.
For .45 colt the numbers are .450 to .456.
The Berrys are coated bullets, not jacketed so they would use the lead specs.
In either case .452 falls within the spec range so you’ll be fine.
I would suggest measuring the actual bullet.
As others have mentioned each individual handgun is different so ymmv.

 

[SunnySlopes]

Thanks for all the responses. I'll be fine with the ranges I shoot.

 

[.45Coltguy]

.451 jacketed in .45 acp, .452 if cast. .452 in .45 Colt, as coated cast is all I shoot in my three .45 Colt's. It is a first world problem I suppose.

 

[Walkalong]

You can shoot those safely in .45 ACP or .45 Colt. .451, .452, doesn't matter enough to worry about with plated ot jacketed. Lead? It needs to fit the throats, and
the throats need to be slightly larger than the bore.

You bought bullets intended for .45 ACP, but you can taper crimp them in .45 Colt and shoot them no issues. Make sure you have good neck tension.

This is a .44 Spl, but it's a taper crimped plated bullet.

 

[Atavar]

.451 jacketed in .45 acp, .452 if cast. .452 in .45 Colt, as coated cast is all I shoot in my three .45 Colt's. It is a first world problem I suppose.

You are ignoring the tolerances. Look up the specs. .45acp is .450 to .453, .45 Colt is .450 to .456

 

[LV Gun]

I ordered some plated bullets from Berrys. Round nose hollow base bullets .452 inch diameter. I want them for loading 45 Colt. All the data I see verifies 45 Colt fires bullets with a diameter of .452. But this box is labeled for 45 ACP. Again, the data I've consulted says 45 ACP is .451 diameter.

Two questions.

Can a 45 ACP safely handle a .452 diameter bullet? And, just because the box is labeled for 45 ACP, is it ok for 45 Colt? Hopefully I'm just overthinking it.

I consistently use .452 lead/coated/plated in 45 auto have done it for 28 years and never had an issue. The only thing you may possibly run into is a gun with a tight chamber I have 5 - 45 autos and have never had a problem. You can use them in 45 colt I have done that also.

Edited Note- if you use 45 Auto bullets in 45 colt consider using a taper crimp die as 45auto bullets typically don’t have a crimp groove in them. Otherwise you could cut through the plating/coating.

 

[.45Coltguy]

You are ignoring the tolerances. Look up the specs. .45acp is .450 to .453, .45 Colt is .450 to .456

.451-.452 in .45 acp. .452, maybe .453 in MY .45 Colts. These work for me in my hand guns and one .45 Colt rifle.

 

[Atavar]

.451-.452 in .45 acp. .452, maybe .453 in MY .45 Colts. These work for me in my hand guns and one .45 Colt rifle.

You measure all your bullets to .001"? Or are you just believing what they wrote on the box?

 

[CQB45ACP]

You measure all your bullets to .001"? Or are you just believing what they wrote on the box?

I measure a small sampling of each box of each brand I buy ever since I found a typo on extreme's 45acp 230RN boxes. Box said .451", but bullet, website, and customer service said .452".

So, mistakes are definitely made and it's worth the effort to check.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I ordered some plated bullets from Berrys. Round nose hollow base bullets .452 inch diameter. I want them for loading 45 Colt. All the data I see verifies 45 Colt fires bullets with a diameter of .452. But this box is labeled for 45 ACP. Again, the data I've consulted says 45 ACP is .451 diameter.

Two questions.

Can a 45 ACP safely handle a .452 diameter bullet? And, just because the box is labeled for 45 ACP, is it ok for 45 Colt? Hopefully I'm just overthinking it.

Just remember: in a revolver the bullet makes contact with the cylinder throat first, then the forcing cone, before engraving the lands and grooves. The cylinder throat and bullet diameter have to be close. If the bullet is under the throat diameter, accuracy goes out the window. If the bullet is grossly over, the pressure can spike and cause wear. .452” bullets are good for a .451” throat. .453” is fine and .454” will also work in most revolvers. Not all.

In a self loader the chamber mouth and throat matter but because things are designed to move around under pressure the tolerance is tighter.

 

[.45Coltguy]

You measure all your bullets to .001"? Or are you just believing what they wrote on the box?

I do pretty much what CQB45ACP mentions above. Also, I don't shoot plated, so, really can't type much about those.

 

[Walkalong]

I measure and log all bullet diameters with calipers at least, then log it. Handy to know, especially if shooting lead.

But the OP is shooting plated, so all they need to do is have good neck tension, not be too fat, and chamber freely.

The difference between .451/.452 won't matter at all.