which .45 ACP bullets to reload?

[xmanpike]

I was looking into Zero b/c I heard wonderful things about them, but have not been able to find any FMJ RN 230gr. I ran across a place called PowerBond Bullets, that seems to have very decent prices. I think I want a full metal jacket. Anyone heard of this company or have any suggestions?

 

[loadedround]

Never heard of this company and would guess it's a local manufacturer. The 230 gr JRN bullet is the standard military hardball round and should function in any 1911. If you want a lighter practice/plinking round, go for a 200 gr LSWC bullet. It's about 1/2 the price of a jacketed bullet and will be easier on you and your pistol.

 

[xmanpike]

what are the disadvantages of shooting non jacketed ammo? seems like it would lead the barrel terribly

 

[Sunray]

Shooting jacketed bullets regularly gets expensive quickly. Cast bullets aren't driven as fast as jacketed. Leading is caused by trying to drive a cast bullet too fast. Cast bullets are a great deal less expensive to shoot regularly.
"...a 200 gr LSWC bullet..." The pistol has to be set up to shoot SWC's reliably. Not a big deal really. The feed ramp is extended half way up the sides of the chamber.
PowerBond Bullets are made by a new company out of Idaho. Their warrantee is pretty good though. Don't like their bullets and they'll buy the unused ones back. $129 per 1,000 isn't terrible.
Something about the pictures says plated. Might just be the high polish. Contact 'em and ask. Plated bullets are loaded with cast bullet data.
http://www.powerbondbullets.com/index.html

 

[Steve H]

for what it's worth..........I have been using Berrys 230 gr. plated with VERY GOOD results. http://www.berrysmfg.com/product.aspx?i=14521&c=17&pp=8&sb=0&p=0

The reloading guru for Berrys has been telling me that the 185 GR HBRN-DS bullet is showing some great results also http://www.berrysmfg.com/product.aspx?i=14514&c=17&pp=8&sb=0&p=0

 

[Walkalong]

Another recommendation for Berrys. The Berrys 230 Gr bullet is a great bullet, but my favorite for general plinking/target shooting is the 200 Gr HP.

That said, the .45 ACP and lead bullets are a perfect match. Lead is the cheapest way to go. You will not have leading with any reasonable load.

 

[tactikel]

Swaged lead SWC are softer lead (to allow forming) than cast bullets. FMJ bullets will not expand to any extent, offer good accuracy and reliability, but are expensive (and while are mandated for military applications, may not really be the most cost effective bullet for your purposes). Ranier plated bullets feed like FMJ, dont lead the barrel, and cost 2/3 to 1/2 of FMJ. 230 gr RN feed perfectly in my XD-45 (3000 rnds - no FTFs). Cast bullets cost only what you pay for scrap lead (free to $1.50/lb) 100s of millions have been shot and are ideal for the .45 acp. I cast now, only because the Ranier TMJ have gone up in price so much.

 

[xmanpike]

hmmmm now i have so much to think about. when you say the gun needs to be set up to shoot lead swc, what do you mean. I have a lighter spring that I would put in that game with my gold cup, but is there anything else?

 

[45ACPUSER]

Best deals
Jacketed Precision Delta, Montana Gold, Zero's.
Moly/Poly Coate Black Bullets Int. or Precison Bullets
Lead.....Missouri Bullets.....hands down....

 

[floydster]

45ACPUSER,
You have pegged it, you know your bullets, stay away from plated, they cost more then FMJ., and Missouri can't be beat for Cast bullets.
Floydster

 

[xmanpike]

is there any difference i reloading lead bullets and jacketed bullets? I want to say that I saw .451 dia on jacketed and .452 on lead. is this due to it being a softer metal that is more malleable?

 

[xmanpike]

If I decide to go FMJ, Precision Delta, Montana Gold, or Zero?

 

[Shoney]

I just checked
http://powerbondbullets.com/
They are a plated, double struck bullet, which they currently only offer in .45 200 &320 gr. at prices comperable to the Montana Gold FMJ's. They plan to add .38, 9mm, .40 and .45 in the near future.

I personally prefer the Montana Gold, for price and accuracy. I have been to their factory and found the people to be very likable and knowledgable

 

[zxcvbob]

Cast bullets aren't driven as fast as jacketed. Leading is caused by trying to drive a cast bullet too fast. Cast bullets are a great deal less expensive to shoot regularly.

I shoot .45 cast bullets in a .45 Colt far faster than you ever will (or can) with a .45 ACP, and have very little problem with leading. I really like 230 grain truncated cone bullets (which is really supposed to be an ACP bullet.) If you're casting your own bullets, look for Lee "TL452-230-TC".

If you use Rooster Jacket instead of Lee Liquid Alox (bullet lubes), it almost seems to clean and polish the bore, and it's less messy. The LLA probably works better at magnum and rifle velocities.

 

[Walkalong]

stay away from plated, they cost more then FMJ

If you can show me jacketed that are cheaper than Berry's, besides the afore mentioned Montana Gold bullets that I am aware of, I'm all ears.

 

[xmanpike]

would you go with say Montana Gold FMJ RN over Winchester FMJ RN?

 

[Quoheleth]

I shoot Missouri Bullet's 185gr SWC out of my 100% stock 1911s with zero problems. Make sure you leave just a fingernail's worth of shoulder sticking out of the case so the brass doesn't hang up on the ramp area and it should feed.

Missouri Bullet is giving a 5% discount right now to THR members...on $100 order, that's about 1/2 the cost of shipping!

edit to add: I've not had problems leading out of my 1911s. I use Mo Bullet's BHN of 12, and at target/plinking velocity, it's clean. My problem is powder residue. I get lots of soot and unconsumed powder grains, but no lead in the barrel. I need to try bumping my load a little warmer (I'm at "start" powder charges) to see if it clears up. If you want major power factor, he also makes the 200 SWC in a harder bullet, so you can drive it at more of a +P velocity.

Q

 

[jaybr]

I'm using Precision Delta with no complaints

 

[lgbloader]

There are alot of options for 45 ACP bullets out there.

Berry's is a good one.

LGB

 

[floydster]

Walkalong,
Here you go.
Precision Delta .45 ACP 230 gr RN FMJ $114 per k
Roze Dist, (Zero) .45 ACP 230 gr. RN FMJ $117 per k
Berry's .45 ACP 230 gr. RN Plated $ $130.29 per k

Hope this helps
Floydster

 

[Walkalong]

Hmmm. Berrys has gone up....a lot... Drat.

Roze Distribution is in Al., so I have to pay tax....

I have and shoot Zeros. I like them. Ghost Holster is where I got them.

Haven't tried any Precision Delta.

When Montana Gold catches up production some, I am going to get some 9MM, maybe some .38, & probably some .45 from them. No rush, .38's are the only thing I am low on. (Less than 1K)

 

[longdayjake]

I know this thread is old, but I wanted to put in a word for powerbond bullets. These bullets will beat anything berrys sells hands down. They are a much better bullet with a thicker and stronger plating. They can be crimped normally and shot at the same velocities as any jacketed bullet. I am surprised at how good they are, but my customers seem to love them and many have said that they will never go back. If anyone is interested, I sell them cheaper than you can get them from their website. Go to www.rmrbullets.com All those plated bullets on the website are theirs just cheaper.

 

[COSteve]

Nobody's mentioned it, so I thought I'd throw this out there...

http://www.sanjuanrange.com/ccb_prices.htm

Colorado Cast bullets - very good quality, and Paul Miller is a great guy to deal with. There are cheaper cast bullets out there, but I really like these.

 

[xmanpike]

I have reloaded about 500 of the 1000 powerbondbullets i bought and they have been great so far.

 

[Walkalong]

longdayjake

These bullets will beat anything berrys sells

The 200 Grain .45 bullets are the same price as the Berrys 200 Gr HP I like, so no savings, and I can't tell if shipping is added to yours. Maybe it is a better bullet, but for plinking Berrys, and X-Treme have proven very good.

Your 158 Gr bullets are higher than the 158 X-Treme bullet I like. I have checked before and found no great savings.

I can only assume you mean the bullets are better, not cheaper.

I guess they are competitive for what you get if they are indeed so much better, just not cheaper.