[Billinthedesert]

I have fooled some with the Lee 255 RFN. Worked OK, but wondering what else out there is as good or a better choice for a max hunting load.

 

[Old Grumpy]

I shoot and have shot a lot of cast out of my .45acp 1911s. 225/230gr is the heaviest I've cared to go. I don't hunt with it, I don't shoot pings or steel, I just punch paper. So, the 225/230gr bullets work for me.

Grumpy

 

[longarm]

I prefer 200gr, but I've also got a pile of "gifted" 230gr - all FN, all coated. I'm not fond of 230's.

 

[Michael W Cuber]

I’ve been looking at the 250 gr Hard Cast from Rim Rock for the same purpose, but that weight really seems like a No Man’s Land of load data. I finally chose a 225 gr Flat Nose because I had a reliable base line of data for 230 gr bullets with which I was familiar. I’ve got 17, 18.5, and 20 lb springs, and Star—Line +P brass, but I now find myself hesitant to risk cracking the frame of a pistol that’s been with me for 15 years. Got out all my springs today, and the 20 lb Wilson Flat Wire spring and guide rod seems to require way less effort to cock than the 18.5 Wolfe spring I was already running. Think I’m going to run the 225’s with 6.8 grs of CFE Pistol (max standard pressure book load), or 7 grs 800X ( also book) and call it good until I can get out this spring and actually get these over the Chronograph.

 

[Newen]

I prefer the 200 grs for my 1911

 

[Billinthedesert]

Years ago I had a couple of the Speer manuals and they used to show data for their 260-grain JSP in .45 ACP.

 

[oldrockfan]

I almost always use 200gr hard cast swc in mine. Until recently with the shortages, I always used bullseye in the 4 to 5gr range depending on whether I was punching holes paper or knocking over steel. Lately, I haven't round bullseye so have been using titegroup. Similar but I still prefer bullseye. Will be stocking up on it once it comes back in stock.

 

[jtq]

I've never used these, I've never used anything heavier than 230gr, but there is this from Lost River Ammunition

250gr hard cast at just over 900fps https://www.lostriverammocompany.com/product/45-ACP-P-250-Grn-Hard-Cast-Flat-Point

 

[Michael W Cuber]

Years ago I had a couple of the Speer manuals and they used to show data for their 260-grain JSP in .45 ACP.

Here’s the page out of my old RCBS manual.

 

[4barrel]

That's a Long Colt bullet.^^^^^^I Have a 200 grain 452460 Lyman mold with an ugly nose and had it reamed to 245 grain. It groups good but prints about 5" high at 25 yards . Not sure what I will use it for but it doesn't require much powder.

 

[Michael W Cuber]

That's a Long Colt bullet.

In 1978, RCBS thought it was an ACP bullet😏!

 

[4barrel]

In 1978 RCBS thought it was an ACP bullet😏!

I have the same book #10 & bought it new. I still have my Budweiser beach towel from the 60's Looks like 5.9 of 231 and a 260 would kick a lot.

 

[Michael W Cuber]

I have the same book #10 & bought it new. I still have my Budwieser beach towel from the 60's View attachment 668033

Your’s is in a lot better shape than mine. Up until I realized there were more updated editions and other manuals when I got my first job in a Gunshop, it was the only manual I used. Still have it.

 

[anachronism]

I shot a lot of Ideal 452490 255 gr RFN in 45 ACP, but stopped when I couldn't find an overwhelming reason to use that design, it's probably similar to OPs LEE bullet. Next came Ideal 452423 (Keith), originally designed for 45 AR. It wasn't the most reliable design for feeding for me and I ended up with LBT 45 230 gr. LFN (below). I told Veral that I wanted the best cast bullet for soft tissue in 45 ACP and this is what I ended up with. It feeds like a dream. I believe Montana Bullet Works offers ready to load bullets for those of you who don't cast your own.

 

[Che]

In 1978, RCBS thought it was an ACP bullet😏!

I got my RCBS #10 Manual too. I did eventually get #12 and now #15. My favorite reloads for 45 ACP and 38 Special have not changed in 40+ years. Still a Bullseye and Unique guy, no pun intended.

 

[mkk41]

225/230gr RN, or TC if I come across them for plinking.

200gr SWC for target loads.

 

[Billinthedesert]

Anachronism, that's a lovely mold Veral made for you. Great to hear that it feeds. What load do you run it with? That boolit at 950 ought to do a full day's work.

 

[kopcicle]

I used the Keith 240 and 255 SWC usually meant for the LC. For reduced loads the 200.

..do the name Webly .455 strike a familiar note?

And this subverted big bore air gun slug* or some such turned on a lathe for 340gr+ (with lube grooves) loaded into cut down rifle cases. This resulted in a few non intuitive but easily reversable modifications to a 1911 GI. ** A little over 750 FPS on a good day, downhill, with a tail wind.
Terminal performance on a melon or Paul Herrell meat target was impressive.

I have the mechanical and loading recipe around somewhere, but I don't recommend it for general defensive use. Recoil is "unique". I don't recommend using .45 acp brass under any circumstances.
I had a curious need and this loading satisfied it. I absolutely could not risk a round penetrating a zombie and continuing on. Several of the melon targets detonated but deposited the slug within feet if not on the stump the melon was on. None of the slugs made it out of the meat target and into the high-tech fleece blanket ballistic backstop.

This disclaimer does not cover misuse, accident, lightning, flood, tornado, tsunami, volcanic eruption, earthquake, hurricanes and other Acts of God, neglect, damage from improper reading, incorrect line voltage, improper or unauthorized use, broken antenna or marred cabinet, missing or altered serial numbers, removal of tag, electromagnetic radiation from nuclear blasts, sonic boom, crash, ship sinking or taking on water, motor vehicle crashing, dropping the item, falling rocks, leaky roof, broken glass, mud slides, forest fire, or projectile (which can include, but not be limited to, arrows, bullets, shot, BB’s, paintball, shrapnel, lasers, napalm, torpedoes, or emissions of X-rays, Alpha, Beta and Gamma rays, knives, stones, etc.).
No license, express or implied, by estoppel or otherwise, to any Intellectual property rights are granted herein.
In short YMMV

*Benjamin Rogue epcp big bore air rifle wadcutter bullet

**yes, there was a significant chamfer on the end with the beg hole in it. I just stole a similar pic from the interwebz.


.

 

[Chance-dg]

I run 200g cast H&G 68s over 5.4g w231, It does everything I could want in a 45acp. these bullets are 18 Brn.

 

[Frank Vaccaro]

Here’s the page out of my old RCBS manual. View attachment 668006

This is why I NEVER throw away an old loading manual. Just too useful for research!