Using 45 ACP cast bullets in a revolver?

[rkammer]

I reload 45 ACP and also 45 Colt. Currently, the only bullets I have are 200 LSWC and 230 LRN for my 45 ACP loads. Can I use these same bullets for loading 45 Colt? They do not have a crimp groove but, I'm wondering if I can just crimp the case over the end of the body of the bullets where it drops down to begin the curved portion? I don't shoot the 45 Colt very much and would like not to have to buy any more bullets.

 

[8emem]

You most certainly can use the 45 acp bullets in .45 colt. I apply a mild roll crimp just at the top of the full-diameter shoulder of both the round nose and semi-wadcutters. The 200 gr semi-wadcutter will look a little strange with just the cone of the bullet sticking out of the case, but the accuracy is excellent in my revolvers.

 

[rkammer]

You most certainly can use the 45 acp bullets in .45 colt. I apply a mild roll crimp just at the top of the full-diameter shoulder of both the round nose and semi-wadcutters. The 200 gr semi-wadcutter will look a little strange with just the cone of the bullet sticking out of the case, but the accuracy is excellent in my revolvers.

That's what I was hoping to hear. I plan to use the LRNs in the revolver and the SWCs in the carbine to guard against primers going off inside the tube.

 

[rbernie]

I shoot the MBC 200gr 'IDP#4/XD' RN bullets in my 45 Colt loads all the time. As was mentioned, all you need to do is use a good roll crimp (which will make a 'cannelure' in the cast bullet) and use an appropriate powder.

 

[Walkalong]

Or just taper crimp them with the .45 seater.

 

[ljnowell]

When shooting a lighter target load I have used them and just taper crimped them. However, when they get a little hotter, I have just roll crimped them into the lead bullet, they do a good job.

 

[ReloaderFred]

The 200 grain RNFP bullet that Missouri Bullet sells is the only one I shoot through my .45 Colt Marlin, though I cast my own from the same Magma mold. Just roll crimp where it needs to be and the crimping die will form it's own crimping groove in the bullet.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[evan price]

I've been loading the Lee TL-452-230-2R in .45 Colt cases by seating them until the top edge of the driving band is flush with the case mouth and roll crimping. They are a bit over the max OAL still, but they go in a Taurus Judge and it has cavernous cylinders so they work fine.

 

[THe Dove]

Sample of mine.



The Dove

 

[rkammer]

Well, it looks like I'm going to have to buy some 45 Colt .452 bullets after all. I tried some of my 230 LRN hard cast and they almost fall into the case when seating them. Reason? My .45 bullets are .451, not .452 which works fine for my ACP loading. But, I need .452 for .45 Colt loadings it seems.

 

[ReloaderFred]

You may be able to make them work. Size as you normally do with the .45 Colt sizing die. Then, instead of using the .45 Colt expander die, use the .45 acp expander die, but back it out of the press the proper distance to give you enough belling of the case mouth to accept the bullet without shaving. The two expanders may be different diameters. You can measure them and see before you experiment, but I'm betting it will help.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Palehorseman]

If the fit, they will flit. I shoot 185 grain .45acp SWC boolits in my .45 LC all the time. and they are very accurate, for me.

 

[rkammer]

You may be able to make them work. Size as you normally do with the .45 Colt sizing die. Then, instead of using the .45 Colt expander die, use the .45 acp expander die, but back it out of the press the proper distance to give you enough belling of the case mouth to accept the bullet without shaving. The two expanders may be different diameters. You can measure them and see before you experiment, but I'm betting it will help.

Hope this helps.

Fred

I thought of trying this but, with the dillon 550 and dillon powder die, their powder funnel is the same part number for both 45 ACP and 45 Colt. I backed it out as far as I could while still allowing enough bell to seat the bullets but, they are still pretty loose. I don't doubt that they would probably work, as many of you have indicated, but decided to just bite the bullet (no pun intended) and pick up some .452 250 gr bullets to load 45 Colt with. I guess I'll just have to start shooting a lot more which is no bad thing the way I see it.

 

[GooseGestapo]

What many of the previous posters have said.

For my .45Colts, the 200grSWC's are the most accurate bullet, just as they are in the .45acp. Sometimes even with the same powder charge, but ususally a 10% increase due to the larger case volumn.

I even load the 200SWC (Lee Hensly & Gibbs copy) sized to .450" and driven in a MMP .50/.45 sabot. Over 70gr of Hodg. 777, or 80gr of Pyrodex-RS it gives about 1,700fps and drops deer like lightning. At 75yd zero, it's down about 3" at 100yds and shoots 1.5-2" groups. Cost is near nothing..... as I bought several pounds of both at Walmart several years ago when they were clearancing the powder after the hunting seasons for $5/lb for Pyrodex, and $7/lb for 777.

I crimp the SWC's just back from the edge of the bullet and taper crimp with a .45acp Lee Seater/crimper.

If your cylinders are on the large size, you can load the bullets "as cast" and tumble lube with Lee liquid Alox. Good to about 1,000fps.

 

[nulfisin]

I, too, would like to try some 230 gr lrn bullets in my 45 Colt. Are there any published data for this particular load? Thanks.

 

[LiveLife]

I thought of trying this but, with the dillon 550 and dillon powder die, their powder funnel is the same part number for both 45 ACP and 45 Colt. I backed it out as far as I could while still allowing enough bell to seat the bullets but, they are still pretty loose.

After full-length sizing the cases using just the 45 Colt resizing die, change out the resizing die and use the 45 ACP resizing die to size the top 1/2 - 3/4 inch or so of the case neck.

Then remove the resizing die and put the other dies back and run your progressive process using the 45 ACP bullet while using just slight flare to seat the bullet.

This should provide the proper neck tension for the smaller 45 ACP bullet diameter.

Hope this helps.

 

[evan price]

Nulfisin, I have some old Speer manuals that showed cast 230-gr loads for the 45 Colt.