Thinking about lead 45acp

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sigep749

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I've been reloading jacketed bullets for a while, and am considering starting to load lead for cost savings. I primarily shoot IDPA, and am thinking a 200g swc bullet for my 45acp, but looking around, there are lots of options as far as hardness and shape, and i honestly don't know where to start!

My powder of choice would be AA #2(I have an abbundance and it meters well).

I've been looking at Missouri Bullet company and Mastercast. Mastercast has some soft alloy really reasonably priced, so I'm leaning that direction, but don't want to cause myself leading issues or sacrifice accuracy.

Any suggestions or advice from some experienced reloaders?
 
"...there are lots of options as far as hardness and shape, and i honestly don't know where to start!"

Start the same as with jacketed; pick a box off the shelf and go! Good luck.
 
What effect do the hardness variations have? My biggest fear with switching to lead is leading.
 
Mo. Bullets are very good and the price and service are right.

I shoot the IDPA 200 Gr LSWC over 4.5-4.6 Gr WST at about 850 FPS without leading issues. Nice soft, clean load.

RMD
 
I starting running the Missouri IDP #4-XD (200gr) a few years back and have had minimal issues with leading. I don't know if my loads meet IDPA spec, but I doubt they are that far off.

Running a few copper jacketed rounds down the barrel along the way can help clear out minimal leading. I would not suggest doing that with seriously leaded up barrel. An old vet I knew back before I stared reloading suggested that and it seems to work (unfortunately he has since passed away).
 
A .45acp goes slower than a .22lr.

.22lr bullets are pure lead.

.22's don't lead unless something's exceptionally hinky.
 
.45 velocities are nowhere near enough to worry about leading. If you size the bullets properly and lube, you shouldn't get leading. I use 230 grain roundnose over 5 grains of bullseye in 45acp with great accuracy and little to no leading, sized at .452. With this load I regularly hit paper at 100 yards, which is plenty accurate for me.
 
I've had good luck with both the Mastercast and Missouri "soft" 200gr SWC bullets.

Is Missouri still selling to individuals? I thought I read where they were concentrating on their wholesale accounts.
 
231/HP-38 work well with lead, as does N320. I've been buying Dardas bullets, good stuff.
 
When that news first came out Brad said all that were buying from them before that date could still buy. Now that they are "caught up" they may take new customers. Email Brad and ask. He always responds very quickly to my questions.
 
I've gone through about 2000 MBC "softball" 230 grain LRN and 4.0-4.8 of red dot... I've settled on 4.4 grains. Very accurate, very reliable, no leading to speak of.

Actually I just ran out of Red Dot (again) and will try Herco next (any advice welcome).
 
Everyone seems to worry about leading when pushing the bullet too fast. In my experience you get more leading when you load you 45acp to soft.
 
Anything around 12 BHN should be good. The size of the bullet is the most important part to not get leading. I cast my bullets at 14 BHN and size them to .452 and use WST powder. I don't get any leading.
 
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MBC bullseye 200 gr SWC shoot great and don't lead for me with 3.6-4.2 gr bullseye.

MBC softball 230gr LRN lead the first inch of the barrel ahead of 5 gr bullseye but it comes right out with a copper chore boy wrapped brush. Just cleaned some out a few minutes ago. Not a problem.

J.
 
Anything around 12 BHN should be good. The size of the bullet is the most important part to not get leading. I cast my bullets at 14 BHN and size them to .452 and use WST powder. I don't get any leading.
Click to expand...

I shoot the IDPA 200 Gr LSWC over 4.5-4.6 Gr WST at about 850 FPS without leading issues. Nice soft, clean load.
Click to expand...

I love WST and 200 grain LSWC sized at .452. I cast a whole bunch of double lube groove bullets that I think should shoot pretty good considering the amount of contact this style semi wad cutter will have with the rifling. I was loading 4.2 grains of WST but noticed my groups get WAY better on a super hot day this July. Moved right up to point of aim too. I am going to test 4.5 - 4.6 since that is the next size larger on my Lee powder dispenser. ;)
 
I cast a whole bunch of double lube groove bullets that I think should shoot pretty good considering the amount of contact this style semi wad cutter will have with the rifling.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm casting. I'm using a Lyman 452460 four cavity mould. I really like these bullets.

ry%3D400.jpg
 
I'm sure you'll have no problem using most LSWC.

I've loaded thousands of 200g LSWC from Missouri Bullet Company, Mastercast and Z-Cast and guess what, they all shot the same.

I now mainly shoot Mastercast, the price can't be beat.

I seat em' at 1.25" over W231/HP38.
 
Before I started casting my own I ordered a few hundred from Missouri Bullets. If I ever decided not to cast, that's who I would use for sure. Great product, reasonable price and blazing fast shipping.
 
The MBC 200 gr. SWC feed smoothly and group great in my guns., There's no way I would waste my $$ on jacketed/plated bullets for a .45.
 
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