Thinking about lead 45acp

[ljnowell]

I load pretty much all my lead in 45acp with AA#2. That includes 200gr SWC and 230gr LRN. I find AA#2 to be much better than bullseye or w231. Its certianly much cleaner burning and meters unbelievably through a powder measure.

 

[Hootus]

I've had outstanding results with Penn Bullets' 230gr "TCBB" truncated cone bevel base. It gives the most accurate load I've developed yet for my Kimber and its design has been 100% reliable. I normally load using 231 powder and don't have experience with AA#2 but it may do just as well with that powder also. As others have noted, at .45 velocities I've never had any problems whatsoever with leading.

 

[furfinsandfeathers]

Softer lead can use light to moderate loads and will actually run very clean in your barrel and more accurate. Harder lead can let some of the flash get through and make your barrel dirtier. Soft lead is great for shooting bowling pins because they flatten out,while a hard lead bullet is very hard and does'nt give at all and would be great for hunting...
Check this video out on youtube... Hard Cast Lead Bullets vs Soft Lead Bullets
And call Mike at mastercast.com in Carbondale, IL... He is very friendly.

 

[mljdeckard]

I bought some cheap SWC bullets and loaded them. The thing that makes me never want to use them again or cast my own, was that the bullet lube made my guns dirtier than they have ever been.

 

[garyn]

Check out Bayou Bullets

 

[orionengnr]

I am a fan of Missouri Bullets, and especially their "Bullseye #1" 200 gr. SWC.
Great product, and fantastic people to work with.

 

[CGT80]

My dad has a 1911 45 acp. Bear Creek moly coated lead bullets ran great for him. They were only slightly more money that lubed lead, but they are not sticky to load, and smoke less. He uses red dot powder. We load on the low end of published data.

I also shoot my own cast 270 grain hollow points from my 460 Smith revolver. They work very well at 600-1200 fps, depending on load (45lc and 460 brass).

 

[USSR]

Like RustyFN, I cast the Lyman 452460 200gr SWC. I also cast the hollowpoint below that comes out weighing about 205gr. Casting your own is not difficult, and something all reloaders should consider.

Don

 

[rdhood]

I shoot MBC softballs with 5gr of W231... exclusively. No problems with leading.

 

[furfinsandfeathers]

Soft lead can leave less lead and residue than harder lead... Call Mike at Mastercast.com not .net... they seal better and don't let the flash get between the bullet and the barrel... Use light to moderate loads. and softer lead is easier on the barrel... Hard lead keeps its shape even when hitting it with a hammer. SOFT LEAD for bowling pins (It makes a better THUD)...

 

[Rugg_Ed]

I like rduckwor reply. I have no idea how many 1000s of 200 Gr LSWC over 4.5 To 5.2 Grns WST depending on power factor required. Works great, others brands work well also.
Enjoy

 

[jody3870]

Mo. Bullets - IDPA #1, 200gr. LSWC, 18 brinnell hardness. I've loaded several thousand after trying others..

 

[hueyville]

Been shooting lead bullets in 45 acp for 30+ years. Occasionally you get a soft alloy and others you drive them too hard. If rios happens, a single pass with a Lewis.Lead Remover fixes you righhttp://www.waterproofpaper.com/targets/t up. A few jacketed bullets down the spout helpe but occasionally the lead remover makes it like it never happened. Lead is too.cheap and.accurate to not fling some down range.

 

[GLOOB]

Start the same as with jacketed; pick a box off the shelf and go! Good luck.

This has always been my method with cast. Instead of slugging bores and casting chambers, I just pick a bullet and a load and see how it works. Adjust from there. Hard, soft, fast, slow... it's all relative to your starting point.

If every bore needed to be slugged and every bullet needed to be custom-sized with custom hardness/alloy, the big cast bullet retailers wouldn't exist. They're in business cuz the bullets they make will probably work for you.

 

[rskent]

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.

This is pretty much my experience as well. If you just pick up a box of laser cast or other fairly hard bullet you are going to want to run them pretty fast or they will lead a bit.

 

[Walkalong]

If every bore needed to be slugged and every bullet needed to be custom-sized with custom hardness/alloy, the big cast bullet retailers wouldn't exist. They're in business cuz the bullets they make will probably work for you.

Yep.

I used to buy the cheapest commercial cast bullets I could find, and never had leading in my .45. Matter of fact, it seems hard to lead up a .45 ACP. When I started casting, I used wheel weights with a little 95/5 solder, sized to .452, and never had leading.