Reloading Lead Bullets for 45 ACP; Help Please

[mhconfo]

Hello,
My apology for what I am sure are stupid questions upfront, but I would greatly appreciate anyone's guidance. I have been reloading for just over a year now and currently reload 9 mm, 45 acp, 44 Remington Magnum, 7.62 Nato and 30-06. All these rounds I have been building with FMJ bullets. I am now shooting approximately 400 rounds of 45 acp a week in my 1911 style firearm and I have been told shooting a lead bullet versus a FMJ bullet will significantly cut down on the barrel wear to the firearm as well be an 'easier' load on the weapon itself and not 'beat it to death with a full power load'.

So...I have never reloaded lead bullets and I am specifically looking for some help on lubrication. I have researched loading lead in the reloading manuals and I am a bit confused. I have purchased some Missouri Bullet Company's 200 grain Lead SWC that the manufacture tells me is 'prelubed' though they don't feel sticky to the touch. The bullet has blue ring above the base of the bullet but I am not sure if this is a wax or lube?. Do I need to add any additional lubrication and thus Mica to this bullet before I run it in my Dillon progressive press to reload (i.e., I have a Dillon Super 1050) and if so could you please be kind enough to recommend what lube and why and your process step for reloading lead over FMJ please?

I don't really have anyone near me who reloads so I greatly appreciate any advice and help on this.

Thank you for your time,
Mike

 

[lykoris]

no extra lube needed, load them boolits and shoot 'em

the ring on the bullet is the lube

 

[rcmodel]

The blue ring is bullet lube and no further lube should be necessary.

About the biggest difference in loading lead is you have to bell the case mouth a little more to prevent shaving lead & lube off the bullets when you seat them.

Use the barrel out of your gun to guage how deep to seat them.
In general, you will want to seat SWC so the front driving band is almost to the case mouth with just enough sticking out to taper crimp them.

rc

 

[jcwit]

No apology needed, you didn't know and did the smart thing, asked. Only thing I might add is when starting make sure you seat the bullet to the correct depth, I'd suggest you use your barrel for this, with the barrel out of the gun. Set up with case flush to just a few thousands below flush with the chamber.

Edit already--Ya what rc said.

 

[jfh]

I suspect your 'mica" question came up because 'somewhere else' I read about using that dust to help reduce stickiness of (Lee) Alox-lubed cast bullets. Was that comment also about using them in a bullet feeder, like one on a 1050? Maybe it was in the UltimateReloader comments about the RCBS bullet feeder not liking cast bullets....

Two separate issues--as the others have said, you need no additional lube on your MB bullets. For what Dillon recommends for using their bulllet feeder with cast bullets, check with them.

Jim H.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Best way to know is to load a box and shoot them. If the barrel leads tell these guys how much and where and they will help figure out why.

 

[LiveLife]

Good information mentioned.

BTW, you didn't say what powder - near max powder load for jacketed data will more likely lead the barrel.

For 200gr lead, many here like 5 grains of W231/HP38.

 

[Marc257]

I load 200 Lead SWC with 4.8 gr 231 @ 1.250 OAL. Nice, easy to shoot load and still makes major power factor.

 

[mhconfo]

I want to thank everyone for all of the advice, it is really appreciated. This is a great place to get help from!

Thank you again,
Mike

 

[dcl]

Heck Ya. Load up the 200 grain swc and save the FMJ for-well im not sure what to save them for. But shoot the lead. As stated above. Standard load of 4.8-5 grains of 231 will get you there in style. Have fun. dcl

 

[arkieron]

One quick question

One quick question without hijacking the thread. I have a "tactical" custom Kimber with an alloy frame (and ramp). Will the 200 gr SWC bullet damage the ramp in this pistol any quicker than 230 gr Round nose?

 

[Roadkill]

I use a wire brush in a drill motor to buff the lead shavings/lube off all my lead reloads after they are loaded. I have a Colt MKIV that they hang up sometimes and don't always chamber if I don't clean them.

 

[schmeky]

mhconfo,

Some posters have suggested 4.8 gns of WW231 with your 200 gn LSWC. I must add a "you betcha'" to that recommendation.

If your 45 ACP won't shoot this load accurately, something will be wrong with your pistol, i.e., badly bent barrel, barrel installed backwards, beer can lodged in the barrel, whatever.

4.8 gns of 231 with a 200 gn LSWC Missouri Bullet will go <1.0" @ 25 yards from my best'est .45's from a sandbag rest, when I'm having a good day that is .