What's you favorite lead bullet for 45ACP?

[DWS1117]

I am going to start loading some lead. Whats your favorite lead bullet. What do you feel is the best for the price? And last, which leads should I watch out for?

Oh yeah, What are some of the do's and don't with lead.

No I will not be casting my own.

Thank for your opinions.

 

[Dave T]

H&G #68 200g SWC. Note that not all 200g SWCs are created equal. The nose length and profile of the H&G #68 is probably the more reliable feeding of any SWC design available in 45 caliber.
I have gotten them from a variety of sources, custom casters, my own lead pot and moulds, and currently from Meister Bullets through a local dealer.

 

[JoeHatley]

I've been shooting the 200 grain SWC's from www.powdervalleyinc.com for a few years now. Couldn't be more pleased. Nice uniform quality, minimal leading when I hot rod them, none when I keep the speed sane, and the price is right. Accuracy is good enough for Bullseye competition, and they are on the 200# weight program with UPS, so if you order them 7K at a time, the shipping charges are very low.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[stans]

I also prefer the 200 grain H&G #68 LSWC bullet in 45 ACP. It works well for bullseye type target ammo or IPSC major power factor stuff. Accuracy is generally very good and it seems reliable in most 1911's.

 

[308win]

I shoot National Bullet's 200gr SWC in my 1991. Feeds reliably, no leading if keep velocity reasonable. $22/500 plus shipping from their site. I paid $25 plus tax at Fin Fur Feather.National Bullet

 

[DWS1117]

Where is a good source for the H&G #68 LSWC?

 

[Quantrill]

The (2) most used bullets listed in the "old" NRA handloader's guide of favorite loads of the champions is H&G#68 and H&G#130. Lyman #452460 is also listed. Quantrill

 

[Johnny Guest]

Easy enough - - -

The 225 to 230 gr. roundnose. Makes it easy to duplicate factory ball; trajectory very similar to my carry load (230 Speer GDHP) is easily achieved.

I also like the H&G #68 200 gr. SWC.

Best,
Johnny

 

[LewG]

There are alternatives to the H&G 68 and 130.
For BE shooting at 25 and 50 yards, the Star swaged 185 grain LSWCFBHP is turning in a lot of sub- 2 inch 10 shot 50 yard groups.
For a bought bullet, instead of home cast, this bullet is hard to beat. - Lew

http://www.411web.com/S/STARAMUNITION/Default.htm

 

[HSMITH]

Meister 200 grain SWC. It is more accurate than all but a handful or two of folks in each state, and is sub $48 per thousand at the common retail outlets. If I did not cast my own I would try to buy some stock in Meister and shoot them exclusively. Still not sure I beat the price of the Meisters casting my own either.........

 

[Selfdfenz]

http://www.precisionbullets.com/

Their 230s.

S-

 

[B Sigmon]

Another vote for 200gr SWC. I find them to be very accurate and easy to load.

I buy my from a local caster (about $21.00 - 500) and they are nice and hard, so they don't tend to lead up the barrels too bad.

Bob Sigmon

 

[Edward429451]

My favorite most used 45 bullet would be the 'Colorado Cast Bullet' 225 gr lead flatpoint. Been using them for years. I have the Lyman 225 gr round nose mould but only occasionally shoot them.

I've heard for years how the H&G 68 was sposed to be so good, but just have never ran across any to try.

 

[LAH]

We make the H&G 68. It's a very good bullet but as strange as it sounds our 230 gr. RNL will out shoot the 200 SWC in lots of guns. You can see them here: www.creeker.net

 

[Edward429451]

Kewl.

20 bucks per 500 aint bad, but the shipping probably negates the good price.

 

[Gary H]

LAH:

Why hard lead for shallow .45 ACP rifling?

 

[jsalcedo]

My local gun show usually has 230 grain round nose for 14 bucks for 500.

I recently reloaded a box of 230's from:

Hucker Bullet Co
P.O. Box 479
Terrell TX 75160

These were the highest quality lead bullets I have ever seen.
all Clean, The lube is pefect and no deformations out of an entire 500.

 

[LAH]

Gary H. the reason for the hard bullets is to help hold the shallow rifling. Does it work? I have no idea. Mr. Keith stated all bullets cast for the 1917 S&W and Colt 1911's in 45 ACP should be cast hard to keep from slipping or skidding when the shallow rifling for hardball takes affect on them. I've never owned a 45 ACP revolver and I'm not much of an auto shooter so I can't say this is true.

 

[grenadier]

I'll be the oddball here, and suggest Oregon Trail's Lasercast 230 grain RN bullet.

They aren't kidding when they say "no leading guarantee." I even shoot these out of the polygonally rifled barrel of my Glock 21, and do not see any leading.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

Homecast 200 SWC from a lee mold. Very accurate.

 

[Cherokee]

230 gr TC from my NEI mould, started casting & shooting them after Hornady came out with that basic shape for their FMJ years ago. 200 gr SWC are good. I also have used the Rucker cast bullets (texas) of that type and found them good.

 

[larryw]

As you won't be casting your own, why lead? Plated acts like lead in loading and performance and doens't leave you with the mess or smoke.

http://www.westcoastbullet.com/#products

 

[DWS1117]

As you won't be casting your own, why lead?

1. Simply cost. Most lead cost per 1000 is either less than or equal to what I have been paying for 500 in the plated variety. I have been using both Berry's and Rainier in 230gr. RN and have been very happy with both. I will also be experimenting with both of those brands in different weights and shapes in the near future.

2. Experimentation. I want to try all kinds of things. My reloading "career" is still in its infancy and there is still so much more to try and to learn.

3. Because I just want to.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Those sound like the same reasons I will have once I order my .45 ACP dies...

Too bad the press still hasn't arrived.

Isn't Handloading all about experimentation! But experimenting with a lead pot doesn't sound like my cup of tea either...

 

[Poodleshooter]

I've been shooting NBC or Star Bullet's 230gr roundnose, as well as valiant bullet's 225gr truncated cone which matches the profile of most hollowpoints that I use as defensive ammo. It cuts holes almost like SWC's but without the feed failures that SWCs cause in my Glock 30.