Cast bullets for .45 acp

stefanveres · Oct 15, 2012

Hi,

I would like to cast bullets for my 625-8 5" revolver.
I shoot IPSC so I need to be fast.
Which mold would you recomend ( I think about 230 grain bullets).

I was thinking about Lee molds.
I would allso like to know more about how are you lubing the bullets ( I have the Lee mold for .357mag RN bullets, that I can lube with LEE LIQUID ALOX).

Regards,
Stefan

Bertsbane · Oct 15, 2012

I used Lyman molds, which then require you to size and lube them with more equipment. I have since gone to Lee molds, selecting the once which can be used unsized with Liquid Alox. This have many small grooves compared to a heavier groove which require the sizing die/luber. I have cast several 1000 of bullets in 45 and 9mm using two cavity molds which are extremely inexpensive. I also have used a six cavity .40 mold for increased production. The two cavity molds heat up fast and give a good bullet fast. The six cavity take a lot longer to heat up and produce good bullets. Lubing is easy, heat up your alox, put bullet in two equal containers, say the bottom of a qt. soda bottle, then pour them repeatedly back and forth until all are coated. Spread on wax paper and stand them up if you feel like it. Wait overnight and load.

From Lee your choice of .45 molds is either a two mold or six, I use the 230 two cavity, there is only one choice in this style.

The cost of these molds allows one to toss them out after several 1000 casts if they give you trouble and no rust! For $20 for a two cavity mold, $50 for a lead furnace, some free wheel weights give it a shot.

Of course, there is a lot of safety concerns when casting.

Skip Sackett · Oct 15, 2012

DO NOT GET THE LEE 452-228 MOULD FOR YOUR M625 -8.............DO NOT!

Going to take some pictures and will show you what to get........

Reddog · Oct 15, 2012

I use an RCBS semi-wad mold that casts a 203 gr. bullet with wheel weights and 2 % tin for the same gun. I've never cared for the Lee molds or the bullets they cast. Granted, Lyman and RCBS iron molds are expensive but they last forever with some care. You get what you pay for. This bullet with 5.3 grains of W-231 works well in the 625-8 and my autos as well! It's all I load for .45 ACP.
Dick

Skip Sackett · Oct 15, 2012

Culls need to be pulled yet but, here is a bunch, probably 250 or more, cast in an hour and a half or so with a mp-molds.com, Mihec: 452 200gr 4 cavity mould.

Here is one with the mould:

Any one of the reduced radius round nose bullet profiles will be very rewarding too. Like these:

If you notice the "step" from the last driving band to the ogive of the bullet, that is what the Lee does not have and, if they are cast a bit big, sized to .451" or a tad bigger, it will cause you chambering issues.

The TC style may work but I have no experience with them.

Hope this helps.........

2hawk · Oct 15, 2012

And, fortuitously, it looks like the OP might be in the same neighborhood as Mr. Prevec:
Mp-molds
Might cut down on the wait time-

Cerberus62 · Oct 15, 2012

Skip, you are torturing me with those m-p bullets.

I have a Lyman mold that makes a similar bullet ONE at a time.

For me to make a pile of lead like yours would take more time than I want to invest.

I'm gonna have to reach out to Mihec.

jimkim · Oct 15, 2012

I'd get one of these Lee 452-200-SWC, RCBS 45-201-SWC, Lyman 452460, SAECO #069, or a Mihec or NOE clone. They should cut a nice clean hole in the target.

Skip Sackett · Oct 15, 2012

Cerb,
These moulds are the absolute best for making hp version bullets, or, boolits as that forum calls them.

I made all of those, and now have lubed them all through a Star sizer, a full 1lb coffee can full, in an hour and a half or so.

Send him an email or go to castboolits, join, and them PM him. Great guy and has always been up and up with all that had complaints.

The first thing to do with these moulds is to scrub them in Dawn dishwashing soap, hot water as hot as your hands can stand, rinse and do that two or three times. Nylon scrub brush and clean them good. THEN, take some graphite, I use aerosol and spray it into the cap and apply with a QTip to the pin shafts and the points. I use a little 99% pure industrial alcohol with it too to aid in drying. Put the mould together, heat it up, let it cool, heat it up, let it cool. You can work the plate and pins in and out when you are doing this.

Now, to the OP, the H&G #68 is a great bullet for the 45ACP, Miha even makes a HP version of that mould! hahaha All kidding aside, the shoulder on that bullet will have to be almost flush with the mouth of the case in order to chamber consistently. The cylinder throats are close to .4515" and a .451" bullet if seated too long can cause you some problems. I know, I have been there and done that!

At any rate, Cerb, quit fooling around and get a mould!

jimkim · Oct 15, 2012

Does the 625-8 headspace with the casemouth or does it need moonclips or 45 auto-rim brass?

GypsmJim · Oct 15, 2012

Skip Sackett said:
DO NOT GET THE LEE 452-228 MOULD FOR YOUR M625 -8.............DO NOT!

Going to take some pictures and will show you what to get........

That was the mold that got me started casting - about 40 years ago - when Lee first started making molds. I have cast literally tens of thousands of rounds with this mold and simply love it. I use it in several revolvers and semi-autos alike. I couldn't be happier with the results, plus the longevity of the equipment.

A few years ago I bought a Lee 230 TL mold. I tend to use this one a bit more, but only because it is a TL and requires no sizing, and also because its a multi cavity and I cast faster. The bullets are no better or worse.

Cerberus62 · Oct 15, 2012

Skip Sackett said:
Cerb,
These moulds are the absolute best for making hp version bullets, or, boolits as that forum calls them.

As I can see!

I made all of those, and now have lubed them all through a Star sizer, a full 1lb coffee can full, in an hour and a half or so.

Torture again. You do a tour of duty at Gitmo?

Send him an email or go to castboolits, join, and them PM him. Great guy and has always been up and up with all that had complaints.

Yep, I just rejoined at castboolits after a long break. Same handle as here. I missed a lot of the group buys to my detriment.

At any rate, Cerb, quit fooling around and get a mould!

The 200 .45 is nice, but I really need one at 230-250grs for the Rugers, and the 358640 at 160grs for the 38/357 stable.

After that I will fill in the blanks with other calibers.

Cerberus62 · Oct 15, 2012

GypsmJim said:
That was the mold that got me started casting - about 40 years ago - when Lee first started making molds. I have cast literally tens of thousands of rounds with this mold and simply love it. I use it in several revolvers and semi-autos alike. I couldn't be happier with the results, plus the longevity of the equipment.

A few years ago I bought a Lee 230 TL mold. I tend to use this one a bit more, but only because it is a TL and requires no sizing, and also because its a multi cavity and I cast faster. The bullets are no better or worse.

I use the Lee 230-TC tumble lube in my 45 ACP and 45 Colt. For the Ruger .45's I crimp in the top lube groove.

Mine are dropping at .453" from range scrap with a little tin, or WW. I lube with Rooster Jacket or a new liquid drench material I am trying.

They shoot great unsized from the two Rugers and fit the Gov't Model's chamber with no trouble and very reliable feeding.

Reddog · Oct 15, 2012

I shoot mine all the time without clips.
I'd like to add that I size them to .452.
This is one of my favorite handguns!
Dick

jimkim said:
Does the 625-8 headspace with the casemouth or does it need moonclips or 45 auto-rim brass?

Skip Sackett · Oct 15, 2012

I honcho'd the one you need. 454640. It casts a 250gr large HP and to be honest, I am not sure how heavy the solid is. 270gr or so. Never cast one of them yet.

Here, some more torture:

And the newest addition: (Which I bought direct without a group buy going on.) 359640

Skip Sackett · Oct 15, 2012

Oh, and don't let me forget the one in the middle:
432640!

venomballistics · Oct 15, 2012

Skip Sackett said:
If you notice the "step" from the last driving band to the ogive of the bullet, that is what the Lee does not have and, if they are cast a bit big, sized to .451" or a tad bigger, it will cause you chambering issues.

The TC style may work but I have no experience with them.

Hope this helps.........

I have the LEE 230 grain TC mold ... its my go to hardball equivalency projectile and has no trouble chambering, even in some of the super short leads often found in some so called match grade chambers.

stefanveres · Oct 16, 2012

After reading all posts, I am thinking about two molds, that are " to get " in EU:

1. Lee TL452-230-2R and
2. Lee TL452-230-TC.

Any expiriences with them?
I need the bullets that alow me quick reloading with moon clips (I shoot IPSC).
Do I have to size the bullets?
About lubing I know, that I can lube them with Liquid wax.

310Pilot · Oct 16, 2012

I use the Lee TL230-2R for most of my RNL .45ACP loads with excellent results. I also use Lee 200 grain SWC, both the traditional and tumble lube versions, with a preference for the traditional bullet. I highly recommend the six-cavity molds over Lee 2-cavity molds, they are of much better quality, and really speed up production, overall, a far better mould offering at least three times the productivity at less than twice the price.

stefanveres · Oct 16, 2012

310Pilot said:
I highly recommend the six-cavity molds over Lee 2-cavity molds, they are of much better quality, and really speed up production, overall, a far better mould offering at least three times the productivity at less than twice the price.

I know that from casting .357 bullits.

Cast bullets for .45 acp

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