I inadvertently ordered some Hunters Supply 255gr LSWC when I should have ordered 200gr. I'm new to reloading and want to reload 45 ACP for a 6" 25-2. I can't find load data for these cannon ball sized bullets.
Is it worth trying to find data for this bullet or should I count my losses and move on? I'm not sure how this heavy bullet would perform even if I did find load data.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks

Can you not return or exchange them? The bullet weight sounds as though they were intended for .45 Colt.

If not, and they are of proper diameter for your model 25, it shouldn't be a problem to use them. Someone will be along with a proper powder charge for the reduced case capacity.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I believe Lee's 2nd Edition might have some data--what powders are you using?

I would also suggest checking your purchase receipt just to be sure it was you that goofed (and maybe checking the return policy, too). Once you've done that, grab 15 or 20 of them and weigh them. It's a very heavy-for-caliber bullet, sometimes it pays to exercise a little extra caution (I weigh bullets when I get them anyway). Sometimes, you can get a batch that weigh a good bit more than they're supposed to.

Anyways, the 25 is pretty strong. It's not like you're going to hurl them out of a plastic fantastic. The 255-grain was actually a really popular bullet back when pinshooting was more popular.

And since you're going to use them in a revolver, you don't have to worry about them failing to cycle.

I've been fooling off and on with some 250 gr.lrnfp in a government model.There isn't any data that I could find so I used data for a 260 jacketed bullet as a starting point.
5 gr of Unique was sluggish and I didn't pursue it according to my notes
6.3-6.4 gr of Herco was where I ended up. 6.6 gr really flattened the primers
The bullet was set deeper in the case (cannelure below the rim) in order to chamber without engaging the rifling,but in a revolver wouldn't be needed.
Start low and work up

I have loaded 225 and 255 gr swc's in 45acp/ar for years. Google "255 grain loads in 45 acp", that will give you input from several forums ( including past posts from this forum).... I also looked at .455 Webley data years ago for a starting point. I normally use bullseye or unique for propellants. It can be done. My everyday load in my carry 1917 uses a 255 SWC, and it is a thumper.

Since you are going to use them in a revolver, there should be no problem. You may find loading data for the .45 Auto Rim that you can use.

Failing that, maybe Hunters Supply will exchange them for you, or you could trade with another reloader.

Good luck!

You will want to check and make sure they are sized .452 and not bigger.


Unless you are running the brink of max with your 200gr load you can use that as a starting point and adjust from there.

Honey, I don't have anything to wear with these bullets. I need a new gun

Already have a lot of good suggestions below.

EDIT - I just googled your question and it looks like some discussion over at another website is for you. Wasn't sure on cross posting but google "255 grain 45 acp bullets" and scroll down a bit.

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Really? U saw it in Wikipedia?

The 255gr SWC is certainly a round intended for 45 Colt. I would just reorder the 200gr SWC's you intended to get since you would not ever reorder these 255's again for your 45acp.
You may find some load offerings in the Lyman Cast Bullet reloading guide or see if a local store has one to reference for you.
I may not live too far from you, I have some Dardas lead SWC's in 200gr that I would give you to try out if are interested, these come from Dardas Bullets in Michigan, PM me if interested.
I shoot a lot of plated and coated 200gr 45acp SWC's in my revolver and 1911 and they are great!
Karl

Just loaded some Xtreme 255gr FP for a 45acp revolver: S/B no problem for you as those are .452 as shown on the Hunter's Supply website.

4.7-5.0 of WIN231 would be a pretty good place to start. Since it is for a revolver you can load longer and work the velocity up two ways: adding more powder or loading shorter. Compare these bullets (side by side?) to how much of a "standard for caliber" 230gr SWC you normally load is in the case and then just start longer.

Quite a bit out there about using 255gr for hunting with 1911's and modern 45acp revolvers. Some claim what I would consider to be at the upper range of +P pressures and much higher velocities than what one would think be needed to be effective?

Happily we have all that extra space in the cylinder and no magazine restrictions or feeding issues to deal with!

Please let us know what your results are?

Cheers!

p.s. Check out the Buffalo Bore ammo in this caliber vis-a-vis factory velocities: pretty HOT! IMHO...

Might those be the 200gr plated Xtreme SWC's? I love 'em!

Which coated ones do you use, please?

Cheers!

Elmer shot 7.5 grains of Unique with 454424 in the Auto Rim case . Should work the same in acp cases . He also used the same load with his AR bullet at 235-238 gr .

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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun

Sorry. That's a 45 Long Colt bullet. You need to sell or swap them.

The only problem is finding the load you want. You may actually enjoy using a heavier bullet in a semi as they have a slower recoil. I make reduced loads with heavy bullets that are both super comfortable and super accurate.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Check out the latest edition of Handloader Magazine, #306.

Brian Pearce has a great article on +P .45 Auto Rim loads developed on a S&W 1955. He uses .454 bullets without issue including loads for 250, 255, 260, and 280 grain cast bullets.

One of my next projects will be to load up some .45 ACP for my 1955 using the Montana Bullet Works 250gr LBT WFN and 250 gr LBT Ogive Wadcutters. Powders will be CFE Pistol, True Blue and Universal Clays.

7.5 Unique is very hot even for a 230gr bullet.I'd start wayyyy lower than that.Mr Keith was renown to load hot.
Qc

Back in the day when I was shooting USPSA, I ran the LazerCast 250gr RNFP at a 180PF using Clays. Load was soft enough to run an 11 lb recoil spring. Worked well out of both my Colt 1991A1 and my double stack custom 45Auto. Load was used to shoot 2 NorCal sectionals, and chrono'ed at a 180.5 PF. So those who say the 45 LC bullets aren't usable in the 45ACP should do more research.

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Peace was my Profession

I was looking for some data to help you out, and I found a couple of Auto Rim loads with heavy bullets in an old (60's vintage) reloading manual. If you haven't found anything, shoot me a PM and I'll get them for you.

Also, I wouldn't worry a lot about whether the bullets are .452 or .454, either. Long story short, I had a revolver rebarreled one time. The barrel was marked .45 Colt, all was well, until I shot it. Turns out the barrel was actually a mismarked .44 mag barrel. Sooooo, take it from me, a .454 bullet in a .429 barrel kicks like a demented mule. Other than that, no ill effects, but I got rid of that barrel in a hurry!

They will work fine in his 6" Model 25 . Why would he need to swap or sell them ?

Eddie

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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun

Might want to start with 6 gr . Elmer was shooting them in 1917 Smiths in AR cases , the Model 25 should be stronger and no real difference in ACP and AR cases except the rim thickness . I only use the AR case because I do not like to mess with the clips .
Eddie

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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun

Elmer may have been shooting balloon head cases, too, which have a greater interior volume than modern solid head cases.

Could be . My UMC's are from the early 40's and they are solid head .

Eddie

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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun

Handloader #254 had load data for several 250gr lead bullets using Unique (if that's what the OP prefers?). 6.2gr/Unique was ~890fps, standard pressure.

I agree 7.5gr/Unique would be a hot load, especially if you didn't watch the OAL" with a 255gr bullet. Some bullets seat deeper than others which makes a difference. No idea on Hunters Supply's bullets dimensions/seating depth.

Starline 45 Auto Rim case are the strongest. They are "built with the same integrity as our 45 Colt case." and "Our .45 Colt brass has been tested to .44 Magnum pressures...". They easily handle 45 Super loads.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

I bought 500 of the Starline cases as back up to the UMC's . I agree they are a great case . Was not really suggesting that the op start with Keiths 7.5 load but was trying to point out that what he got could be made to work in his stronger more modern revolver . I have used Elmers loads for years in the old guns and have had no problems but I did like Elmer suggested and started low and worked up watching for signs of ANY pressure problem.

Eddie

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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Looks like I will have a go at loading these heavy weights once l decide how much powder to start with. My current powder in Unique.
I may even start shooting pins at my local range in which case this bullet would give me all the hitting power I need.
Cheers.

Another issue came up yesterday regards my Hunter Supply 255gr bullets. If I did choose to load them into 45 ACP cases how deep should I set them?
Using the crimp line on the bullet would set them fairly deep, almost half the case. I could set them to the same depth as my 200gr SWCs that I load. Doing this would make for a longer OAL but would still work in my revolver chamber.
What say you?
Thanks

Figure out how deep the bullet is seated in a factory round or a known handload, amd seat the new bullets to that depth. Not overall length, but seating depth.

if it were me, id start looking at loading them up around 1.240"col. thats what i load my 250gr LFN 45 auto rim bullets to, since your shooting the 45acp outta a revolver, you shouldnt have any problems at all. (BTW, 45 auto rim is the exact same thing as 45acp except it has a rim on it.)

thanks. will give it a try.

More loads than you can shake a stick at, use acp cases if you don't have auto rim cases, the auto rim is just an acp case with a rim.
Many bullet weights , many powders , it is worth getting this issue (#306) just for all the new data. Loading manuals usually ignore the auto rim. Brand new Starline cases are available !
Gary

I'll suggest seating them .335" deep. That'll use 50.2% of the empty case volume. Then using the 6.2gr/Unique I mentioned above, that'll use about 38% more for 88% used and should still be just a standard pressure load.

Make a test round & check that it's functional in your chambers. It may be close to the max. COAL" for the 45ACP but since they'll be used in a revolver that's not a issue.

(I've loaded cast 250gr LSWC bullets, with slightly more Unique, to 1.215" COAL that seated .366" deep in 45AR cases for use in my 325.)

.

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Waiting for the break of day