One More Question On 45 Colt Ammo?

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AC Man

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Ok, thanks to all of you helping me order my colt brass 250 grain lead round flat nose ammo purchase. After 10 days waiting on 500 rounds, they refunded my money and said they were out of stock.

The ammo that comes up the most at a good price same ammo but is TOTAL POLYMER COATING on the lead bullet. Claimed to shoot clean. It has the best price. Is there any reason I should pass?
 
I am interested in reloading, thought I would buy my first rounds and see what I think. It is 63cents a round. How much is hand loading? Like I have said before it seems to me to be a labor of love which is me as well. I just want to get started first before reloading 45 Colt
 
Well you can use new brass every time and it will be less than 35 cents a round. Use your brass a hundred times (possible and probable) and it will be a lot cheaper. It saves a lot of money to reload 45 Colt.
 
Polymer coated lead bullets are usually as good as cast lead, but without any lead fouling. When they are done correctly, I don't see any negatives about them.
 
I cast much of my own bullets or buy from other casters. I use traditional lubes but now they are coating bullets with stuff in place of lubes. I hear it works as well as lube so why not?

Be aware, reloading does not save you any money. It allows you to shoot more for the same amount.

Casting can be a very dark rabbit hole into which you can plummet. I have nearly two dozen molds, just for the 45 caliber revolvers. I have ten or so 44 caliber molds but only have one cartridge that uses that caliber. I no longer count my molds, it is useless!

Kevin
 
Poly coated is actually preferred.
Not only does it shoot cleaner, it's easier to clean.
It also mitigates any of the issues you may have encountered shooting straight lead, (ie. bullet fit and lead fowling).
 
AC Man said:
I am interested in reloading, thought I would buy my first rounds and see what I think. It is 63cents a round. How much is hand loading? Like I have said before it seems to me to be a labor of love which is me as well. I just want to get started first before reloading 45 Colt
Click to expand...

Cost .... it really depends on the cartridge.
in 45 colt .... Go press shopping.
if we were talking about 9MM ... just buy factory ... mostly.
Reloading always shines when loading the "special collection" ammo one might find off the shelf, sold as self defense ammo.
At prices over $2 a round for such loads, it's just a few pennies more out of the press.
 
AC Man said:
I am interested in reloading, thought I would buy my first rounds and see what I think. It is 63cents a round. How much is hand loading? Like I have said before it seems to me to be a labor of love which is me as well. I just want to get started first before reloading 45 Colt
Click to expand...
If its 63 cents a round you should be able to duplicate it at 21 cents to 31 cents.
 
Well when it was all said and done for 500 rounds I ended up with delivery of 250 grain flat nose copper coated. New ammo by Defender. Also the cheapest I could find for target ammo. I have no idea why copper covered is cheaper than lead flat nose. It is another process, how can it be cheaper. It is clean and got all 5 star reviews. Gonna check it out tomorrow.
 
AC Man said:
Well when it was all said and done for 500 rounds I ended up with delivery of 250 grain flat nose copper coated. New ammo by Defender. Also the cheapest I could find for target ammo. I have no idea why copper covered is cheaper than lead flat nose. It is another process, how can it be cheaper. It is clean and got all 5 star reviews. Gonna check it out tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Likely it is because Berry's 45 Colt bullets are so cheap.

250 Grain 45 Colt Bullet | Reloading Bullets
 
Well, you have your brass... 45 Colt cases are nice and big, making it easier for a newbie to handle. Maybe even EASIER than 38 S&W Special ,which is a very good caliber on which to learn!

Really, the ONLY serious thing for a new reloader to watch out for is the inadvertent double load of powder: the case is so big a 2nd helping can usually "fit" in there.:eek:

If the Defender ammo is indeed made with Berrys your replacement cost should be under 20¢ per bullet: figure large pistol primers at a dime. It will take some powder: Hodgdons has 7 or 8 in stock (WIN 231 or CFE-Pistol would be my favorites) that would be appropriate, and I would splurge on a LEE Hand Press Kit (over the LEE Loader), a set of their dies, calipers and a scale and you're on your way.

Cheers!

P.S. Other bullet option$ are just up to you. The LEE Classic Cast Iron single stage press with the Hornady Lock-n-Load Press Conversion Kit has served me well for over 8 years and many different calibers. Reloading and Lays chips have a lot in common...:rolleyes:
 
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Well I fired the 250 grain Defender flat nose copper coated out of my Smith & Wesson 25 - 5 and my Henry carbine riffle. Could not be happier and 63 cents a round ain't bad either. Very happy. Thanks for all the info.
 
AC Man said:
Well I fired the 250 grain Defender flat nose copper coated out of my Smith & Wesson 25 - 5 and my Henry carbine riffle. Could not be happier and 63 cents a round ain't bad either. Very happy. Thanks for all the info.
Click to expand...

I took my Smith 25-3 to the range earlier this week. It loves my reloads with Berry's 250 grain flat points over 7.1 grains of W231. This is what 50 of them looked like:
 

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