Using 200 gr bullet with .45 Colt

[wiiawiwb]

I have been reloading 250 gr RNFP and 255 gr SWC (MBC) for use in my Rossi 92 and Ruger SRH Toklat. I'm pleased with both.

MBC offers a 200 gr RNFP bullet. What would be the attraction and use of that weight bullet in .45 Colt vs the heavier cousins? Plinking?

 

[Chuck R.]

1. Cost savings, generally the lighter bullets are slightly cheaper over the long run
2. Reduced recoil, depending on load

I've always stuck with 250s in my SAAs because with the lighter bullets there's a POA/POI shift.

Chuck

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Besides lower recoil it's good for the lower power 45s. .455 Webley, .45 Schofield and .45 AR.

 

[dh1633pm]

I use a boat load of 200 gain lead in my Rossi. They work well with AA5744. I use SWC and RNFP. They feed well and shoot good. Keep a couple thousand on hand.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

In some calibers the lighter bullets are used to achieve higher velocities but as said, in the .45 Colt a lighter bullet is great for lighter loads.

All else being equal you can expect a lower point of impact with a lighter bullet. That could be a positive, negative or neutral depending on your gun.

I use 200 grain bullets in my .45 ACP loads. Lower recoil means faster follow up shots.

 

[Don McDowell]

The lighter recoil of the 200 gr bullet can serve to bring younger/small shooters into full sized cartridges. When the granddevils were young enough to think spending time with Gramma and Grandpa was a neat thing to do. I had to make sure there was a couple hundred rounds of 45 colts loaded with 8 grs of unique and 200 gr bullets available, and all those cases were empty when they packed up and headed home, with lots of smiles, laughs and grins in between.

 

[stoky]

Lighter bullets are higher velocity in .45 LC as well. They shoot a little flatter too.
I like Trail Boss for this. Seriously smacks the rack plates.

 

[ReloaderFred]

About all I shoot in my .45 Colt Marlin rifles and Blackhawk revolvers is the 200 gr. RNFP bullets. I get more bullets per pound when casting, less recoil and I've never had a steel or paper target complain about getting hit with the lighter bullet.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Rule3]

I use them in my 45 Colt and my 45 ACP semi autos,

It works very well in the original XD 45 ACP before the M versions came out,

 

[119er]

I ran 1000 200gr RNFP's through an Uberti 1873 revolver with no problems. I found a good deal on them and loaded them with Trail Boss. Fun to use for everyone on some plate racks.

 

[ljnowell]

I shoot that exact same bullet that I buy from Missouri Bullet in 45 colt and 45 acp.

 

[Dframe]

I buy and use them by the thousands. They work well in everything, including my lever action. Cost savings, easy on recoil, works like a hot knife through butter. Whats NOT to like?

 

[cfullgraf]

200 grain bullets shoot fine in the 45 Colt.

I've shot a bunch of the Speer 200 grain JHP "Ashtrays" over the years in my 45 Colt revolver.

No reason cast bullets would not shoot well.

 

[whughett]

From the numerous posts here regarding satisfactory use 200 grain bullets in 45C, I think I need to revisit that particular loading. I tried my hand casted 200grn SWCs that I am using in 45ACP in a S&W Model 25 with less than satisfactory results. Numerous squib loads and a lot of unburned powder led me to think that I was getting bullet jump from the primer ignition. I tried a heavy taper crimp, but with no crimping groove on the bullet, one designed for 45ACP, the results were just not good. Too little powder in too big a case, or so I reasoned.
I was using Clays and also tried Unique. I even have a mold for 180 grain .452 bullets. Did not even try those in the 45C.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I know at least one guy who shoots 165 gr. RNFP bullets in his .45 Colts, which is pretty close to shooting round balls, but with more bearing surface. He gets pretty good accuracy out of them, too, but I prefer the 200 gr. RNFP bullets myself.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[ljnowell]

From the numerous posts here regarding satisfactory use 200 grain bullets in 45C, I think I need to revisit that particular loading. I tried my hand casted 200grn SWCs that I am using in 45ACP in a S&W Model 25 with less than satisfactory results. Numerous squib loads and a lot of unburned powder led me to think that I was getting bullet jump from the primer ignition. I tried a heavy taper crimp, but with no crimping groove on the bullet, one designed for 45ACP, the results were just not good. Too little powder in too big a case, or so I reasoned.

I was using Clays and also tried Unique. I even have a mold for 180 grain .452 bullets. Did not even try those in the 45C.

Seat the bullet deep and crimp over the shoulder of the bullet. If you were getting squib loads you need to up the powder charge, that's a big old case.

 

[Dframe]

It is indeed a voluminous case. That's why my choice of powders is Trail Boss which takes up a lot more space than other powders

 

[whughett]

"Seat the bullet deep and crimp over the shoulder of the bullet. If you were getting squib loads you need to up the powder charge, that's a big old case. "
__________________
Good advise, did not try it with smokless loads but oddly enough have to with the black powder shot in a conversion cylinder on my Ruger Old Army.

BTW: The Clays load was their max listed on container.

 

[CraigC]

I use the 200gr RNFP's from MBC in my weaker .45's because they're cheaper than 250's and fly just fine. Tin cans and rocks don't know the difference. Loads for field use will get a heavier SWC or LBT.

 

[ljnowell]

I use the 200gr RNFP's from MBC in my weaker .45's because they're cheaper than 250's and fly just fine. Tin cans and rocks don't know the difference. Loads for field use will get a heavier SWC or LBT.

That's my thought. Busting clays or poking holes in paper it's just a waste to use a heavier bullet

 

[shootniron]

When shooting the 200grs in the colt...wear your jockstrap...cause they will shoot low.

 

[cfullgraf]

Not a problem if they are riding Shetlands.