45 ACP Cast bullets
- Thread starter cw308
- Start date
Here is Stateline's H&G #68 clone:https://statelinebullets.com/shop/cast-pistol-bullets/45-200-gr-swc/. I cast my own.
Don
Don
Or look at these the NLG models do not have a lube groove and are Hi-Tek coated so no lube is used.
http://www.acmebullet.com/bullets-reloading-brass/45-ACP-Lead-Bullets
http://www.acmebullet.com/bullets-reloading-brass/45-ACP-Lead-Bullets
No. At casting temperatures lead remains in a liquid state and does not vaporize. The only way you can get lead poisoning is by ingesting it, so you never eat or drink while casting. I have had my lead level checked on several occasions, and no problems. Lube on lead bullets serves a couple of purposes. First it aids in providing a seal so that the hot, pressurized gas behind the bullet can't escape around the side of the bullet. And secondly, it leaves behind a little lube to aid the next bullet coming down the barrel. I use BAC lube made by White Label Lube. Good stuff and very affordable.
Don
I've shot a bunch of Dardas' 200 RN cast bullets, in revolver and 1911. They work great. I also shot 1000 Rucker 225 TC, they were very accurate but at least one of my 1911 guns didn't feed them well. You may find the cast bullets to be more accurate than plated bullets. For bullseye I used a 200 SWC by Rucker or KEAD. The cast bullet is a lot dirtier than plated but I clean my guns every 200 or 300 rounds so it isn't a problem.
cw308 I have yet to load cast or coated lead in any of my Autoloaders and for a couple of reasons. The first being that I follow the subject over at Cast Boolits.com and see and read the number of difficulties people run into to get them to shoot reliably in the 9mm and all the extra steps many need to take in order to shoot them w/o leading their barrels or accuracy suffering. If you would like to see what I mean then go spend some time at that site reading.
Next reason would be that I have one 45acp pistol that also has a very tight chamber and I experience problems with that one and standard sized bullets so if I had to go to oversized bullets I would be fighting the same issue again. SO then I have to ask the question, is it worth having to load 2 separate rounds of 45acp? One for each gun?
Lastly I seem to be able to find plated bullets on sale enough that if I wait for the sales I can buy plated for less than buying cast bullets. Then I eliminate all the issues associated with loading cast in the semi-autos.
This is still not to say that I will not at some time give cast a try for the 380acp and maybe also the 45acp.
Next reason would be that I have one 45acp pistol that also has a very tight chamber and I experience problems with that one and standard sized bullets so if I had to go to oversized bullets I would be fighting the same issue again. SO then I have to ask the question, is it worth having to load 2 separate rounds of 45acp? One for each gun?
Lastly I seem to be able to find plated bullets on sale enough that if I wait for the sales I can buy plated for less than buying cast bullets. Then I eliminate all the issues associated with loading cast in the semi-autos.
This is still not to say that I will not at some time give cast a try for the 380acp and maybe also the 45acp.
.45acp is an excellent cast bullet caliber. I personally have found you can use jacketed data just about interchangeably (work your way from starting loads, obviously). I don't cast personally... I just order 230 gn LRN from Dardas cast. Reloads are about .15 cents per round. Bullet lube is a PITA... a 1911 needs a wipe down after about 200 rounds to keep running.
200gr H&G #68 clone backed by a charge weight of 231 or WST that gives ~800 fps...accurate in any .45 1911 I've ever shot. The H&G 68 was originally designed to feed as well as 230 FMJ in standard chambered 1911's. In that regard, it's as reliable as my loads with the FMJ load, and probably a better defensive round if you care to use it as such. YMMV, Rod