I have sold all my 45 Long Colt revolvers and have a bunch of bullets left over. They are 250gr. .452 Cast RNFP. They measure .555 long with a cannelure. I think I can load them to a length that my 4506 will accept.

I use HP-38/W-231 powder for all my 45ACP loads but do not know where to start on this big of a bullet.

Any suggestions?

It would be a way to use up the over stock of these bullets.

I cannot find any load data on the Cast 250 gr. bullets for a 45ACP so I thought I would throw it out for discussion.

What say you? Try loading them or forget it.

djh

This message has been edited. Last edited by: djh1765,

NO! DON'T LOAD THEM! (send them to me!)


All kidding aside, there are some good loads out there for the 250gr bullet and the 45ACP.

I'm not sure about data using HP-38 but it is available.

What manuals do you have and where have you looked for data?


What firearms are you going to shoot these 45ACP loads out of?

This is what will matter most.

The OAL of the bullet is of some consequence but with the flat point you will be able to set them kind of long anyway. Think about it. The flat point versus a round nose. If you stick with the same OAL you should be able to begin with a starting load for the 230gr round nose bullet and be OK. It will matter most what kind of firearm you are going to use though, let us know!

I would use them. I have used my 250 RNFP in 45 ACP. I didn't use HP-38/231 though. Results were great with velocity running around 700 fps with Clays powder.

The only problem I ever experienced was in one gun the ogive prevented the magazine catch from latching the magazine properly. A weird problem but real none the less.

smith crazy and NKJ nut:

Thanks to both of you. I will be shooting through a Smith & Wesson 4506-1 and my Grandson uses a Ruger P-90.

I do think I will load a few to see how they do but just wish I had a starting point on the HP-38. I use all the major Loading Data books as well as http://www.reloadersnest.com/index.asp.

I just have not found anything on the 250gr. Cast bullets yet.

I am hoping some of the re-loaders here on the forum can give me a starting point on the
HP-38/W-231.

djh

OK, I know this is a dangerous thing to do but here goes.

The data for the 230gr LRN starts @ 4.3gr. If it were me, and I'm not telling you to do anything, I would start there. Another thing to keep in mind though is OAL. The recipe for the 230gr LRN says 1.200" OAL. I would load at least to 1.230" or longer if they will chamber. I am a big fan of HP-38/W231 in the 45ACP for target loads. I have some 240gr LWSC that I push pretty hard but that is in revolvers.

Load a dummy round with no primer and no noticeable crimp, just close the case onto the bullet. Start with 1.250" for an OAL. With no crimp you will not run the risk of damaging the case. Remove the barrel from the firearm and see if the base of the case is even or under the edge of the barrel/chamber. Make the sure the bullet isn't what is keeping you from getting this result. If it is take the dummy round back to the press and seat it a little deeper and repeat.

Let us know how things turn out!

My notes indicate an OAL of 1.168. If you will send me an e-mail I will be glad to share the different loads that I used with this bullet. Though I have none with your chosen powder, 231.

Ok, here is what I have loaded.

4 magazines, 2 for the Smith 4506 and 2 for the Ruger P-90.

HP-38 @ 5.0 grains @ 1.210 OAL.
CCI Large Pistol Primers.
I used a LEE Crimp Die and put a light crimp on them. They look really good.

From all indications it will work just fine in the 4506. I don't have my Grandsons Ruger here so can't check it.

This being Saturday the club will be busy so I will go out first part of next week. That's one of the beauties of being retired. Got lots of time. I will let you know how they work.

Thanks for your help.
djh

Depends on the chamber in your barrel. Have used 1.171 col for short throats, or 1.247 for some that have a greater lede or free bore before the rifling. Would strongly advise seating a dummy and see what the correct COL is for your particular pistol. May want to be careful about jamming a bullet into the rifling, with 5.0 grains hp-38 (which may be kinda high to be starting with).

Have used 4.7 grains Unique at 1.171
5.0 grains unique at 1.247

For the semi-auto pistols they work in, 255 gn lrnfp are the are the most accurate lead bullets have tried yet.

djh I just sent a response to your e-mail.

No personal experience but FWIW Hodgdon #26 has data for a 260 grain bullet in .45 ACP-HP38 4.5 grain -5.1 gr-Standard pressure 5.6 grain HP38 for +P(19,900 CUP)

Check your e-mail. I just sent it again.

quote:

They measure .555 long with a cumulus.

No one else asked, so I'll show my ignorance...

What's a cumulus?