What bullets do I want?

[BridgeWalker]

I apologize in advance for the basic question, but I'm trying to buy some bullets ahead of time, and am not sure what to buy. I don't own a .45 yet, have not loaded .45's and essentially don't know what I'm doing. But I'd like to get in on a killer deal on bullets now, since we're probably getting a 1911 in the fall.

So, I see that .45 bullets come is three sizes: .451, .452, and .454

Which one do I want to buy for SWCs for a 1911? Do I even want to get SWCs for a 1911? It's only a good deal if I can use the bullets later one...

TIA.

 

[snuffy]

I don't own a .45 yet, have not loaded .45's and essentially don't know what I'm doing.

Without having the pistol in your hand, it's probably not a good idea to be pre-ordering bullets. As for size, it depends on what you are considering buying. Are they lead boolits, jacketed, or copper plated? If they're lead, you need to know what the bore of the pistol "slugs", IOW what size is the bore? Lead boolits need to be sized to fit the bore of any firearm.

Most all jacketed .45 bullets are .452. The .454 bullets are for very old colt SAA 45 long colts. Modern 45 colts are .452.

Some 1911 45's won't feed SWC bullets reliably. It has to do with the feed ramp, a good gunsmith,(pistol smith), would be able to make it feed SWC well.

 

[ForneyRider]

get some FMJ.

Easier to start out with.

 

[rcmodel]

Normal bullet dia for .45 ACP is .451" for jacketed, and .452" for lead or plated.

.454" is generally for .45 LC in revolvers.

As for SWC in the 1911, some feed it well, and some won't without feed ramp & throating mods.

You might want to get the gun first and try it before you buy a whole bunch of SWC bullets for it.


rcmodel

 

[BridgeWalker]

Ok, clearly I don't even know enough to ask the right questions. They are lead. I will surely do some FMJ before starting with lead, but I am not confident that components will become more affordable or that they the price increases will slow down. .45's are just so very expensive that I'd prefer to start building up a supply now. Of course, if I change my mind, it is unlikely they will be difficult to sell.

Perhaps I should go with round nose instead?

Thanks for the suggestions to obtain the gun first. Of course, in a perfect world, that would make more sense. But I can either incrementally start laying in supplies and buy the gun when it is in the budget, or I can buy the gun when it is in the budget, and not be able to shoot it. Vicious little Catch-22 there.

 

[snuffy]

Most all jacketed .45 bullets are .452.

I quoted myself!

OOPS! Been so long since I bought jacketed 45's, I didn't realize they were .451 now. Commercial lead cast boolits are sized at .452.

If it were me, I'd get those boolits in a round nose configuration IF they are sized at .452. Lead prices have stabilized to some degree, but some may use the increases as an excuse to jack their prices up.

No need to explain budget constraints. We all have to wait, save for a big purchase. You could buy some brass, primers, even powder in advance too. WW-231 is a can't miss powder for 45's. If you see a deal on it, you just saved a bit.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

As already stated .452 for most cast bullets. However, as casters know, they can drop from the mold a little larger of smaller depending on the lead percentage. I sized some swaged speer SWC to .451. once. The increase in accuracy shrunk groups about 30%. That's how I found out that particular bullet was the most accurate at .451 in my Gold Cup.

 

[1911NM]

While I don't have much to add to the diameter question as several knowledgable poster's have taken care of that. Your question remains regarding stocking components or budgeting the gun first. That still is completely your choice, but I am afraid prices on either will not remain stable. Most people I know have gone for the gun first, then decided whether they were shooting enough to really make a cost savings with reloading, or just hitting up Sprawlmart for WWB (Winchester White Box), which is running about 30 bucks per hundred around here right now. Which also brings up one more option. Stock pile a little WWB, when you get your gun shoot 'em, and you will have a start on brass for reloading which can be a major cost factor in rolling your own.

 

[Roccobro]

Stock pile a little WWB, when you get your gun shoot 'em, and you will have a start on brass for reloading which can be a major cost factor in rolling your own.

That's what I'd recommend too. But then I have my wife buy me a bulk box of WWB in varying calibers every time she has to go shopping there.

Justin

 

[jenrob]

I have went through a few 45s and Have a Les baer on it's way I have approx 5-700rnds of 200gr LSWC and 800-1000rnd Hornady XTP HP loaded ready to go when it gets in, BUT I have another 45 that I know while shoot these. If I didn't and I'm one that doesn't buy factory loads I would buy a bulk of round nose Ball ammo and go to town on reloading it. But then you fall into other problem areas with a new gun. Will the OAL that I am reloading to cycle reliably in the new gun. if you load them to light for a gun that is real tight then on run into problems. If you load them a little hot then that could be another problem. If you already had a gun in that cal. I would say load'em up but sense you don't I would say like a couple others have said and buy powder, brass, primers, or loaded ammo, but I would also buy round nose bullets to start loading as sone as I got it.

 

[Jim Watson]

If you want to stock up on components before you buy the gun, get roundnose bullets; 230 gr .452" if cast. Maybe a hundred SWC sampler to play with, but not a lot because you have no way of knowing whether the gun will handle them.