45 colt lead round nose VS flat nose???

[StrawHat]

… In a revolver, SWC all day every day. But not in speedloaders.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

PRACTICE!

For decades we shot PPC with full wadcutters and used speedloaders, on the clock. I still use full wadcutters in my edc and moon clips. Switching to SWC is like greased lightning.

Kevin

 

[T. McIntyre]

I would opt for a 270 grain Keith wide nose SWC (semi wadcutter) shown here on the left.

 

[StrawHat]

I would opt for a 270 grain Keith wide nose SWC (semi wadcutter) shown here on the left.

The wadcutter on the right would be my choice. Especially, if around 260 grains for the long Colt or 240 for the ACP. A full wadcutter needs no expansion, penetrates well and if you need more than six, PRACTICE!

Practice reloading and shooting!

Kevin

 

[T. McIntyre]

The wadcutter on the right would be my choice. Especially, if around 260 grains for the long Colt or 240 for the ACP. A full wadcutter needs no expansion, penetrates well and if you need more than six, PRACTICE!

Practice reloading and shooting!

Kevin

The projectile on the right is actually a Wide Flat Nose, 325 grain hardcast. It will absolutely do the job on any hog with ease, but so will the Elmer Keith designed wide nose SWC shown on the left.

The 325 grain WFN load is one that is designed for large game like elk, moose, large bear, etc.

Both of those projectiles are loaded in ammo I make. The 270 Keith SWC is loaded to 900 FPS from a 4&5/8ths" barrel, and the 325 grain is loaded to 1155 FPS.
Some have reported back on using the 270 SWC on hogs quite effectively, but I don't recall anyone actually catching one in an animal yet.

You could be on the safe side and use both!

 

[Neumann]

Flat-nosed is safer in a lever gun than round-nosed, especially with hot loads. Personally, I load everything safe for an S&W revolver, but you get a lot more velocity from a carbine. Hard-cast lead (e.g., Oregon Trails) don't lead the barrel if 0.001" oversized.

 

[T. McIntyre]

Both were developed with accuracy in mind, over just trying to have the fastest load.

The 270 Keith is very easy to shoot well and in my Flattop shoots nice tight groups.

The heavy 325 grain also is a super accurate load. I actually pushed the bullet a fair bit faster, but the accuracy was not there. The top accuracy node was right at 1155 out of a 4& 5/8ths" barrel. Plus at that speed with that heavy of a bullet, there is not much on the continent that a person is not going to shoot clean through, so any faster is kind of pointless, and only makes the load harder to control.

Here was 4 shots at 25 yards:

I had walked down to the target, because I was not sure about where they were hitting. I was surprised to say the least.

The fifth shot was not bad either:

I was aiming for the green dot BTW.

My red dot was not regulated for the load, but it definitely showed the load's accuracy. It is a "Ruger large frame only/Freedom Arms Model 83" type load, not meant for Model 25s, Taurus revolvers, S&W Judge type .45 Colts.

 

[StrawHat]

The projectile on the right is actually a Wide Flat Nose, 325 grain hardcast. It will absolutely do the job on any hog with ease, but so will the Elmer Keith designed wide nose SWC shown on the left.

The 325 grain WFN load is one that is designed for large game like elk, moose, large bear, etc.

Both of those projectiles are loaded in ammo I make. The 270 Keith SWC is loaded to 900 FPS from a 4&5/8ths" barrel, and the 325 grain is loaded to 1155 FPS.
Some have reported back on using the 270 SWC on hogs quite effectively, but I don't recall anyone actually catching one in an animal yet.

You could be on the safe side and use both!

Thank you for the additional information. I am familiar with both bullets but do not use either in the 45 ACP. Not enough powder space for the heavy stuff. The heaviest I use in the ACP revolver is the 454424 or similar. My preference is something right around 240 grains, either WC or SWC. Chugging along at 850-950 fps, they both hit like trains.

Kevin

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

In 45 Colt I prefer LSWC over LRN.

 

[sceva]

I liked a good 250 gr Lead semi wadcutter

 

[AC Man]

Wadcutters seem to be a popular theme on this forum. Since I am going to be using it in lever action and hand gun for now I bought 500 rounds of 250 gr LFN figured I can't go wrong with that, whatever I shoot it out of should work.

I bought 500 rounds of Sellier & Bellot for $360.00 including shipping. That seemed to be a good price, anyone have any input on the brand? Never heard of them.



At least I have 500 rounds of brass.

 

[StrawHat]

I have used S&B with no issues in 45 ACP. I happened on a vey good deal.

If you do not have reloading equipment, start looking now.

Kevin

 

[AC Man]

I have used S&B with no issues in 45 ACP. I happened on a vey good deal.

If you do not have reloading equipment, start looking now.

Kevin

No, but I have quite a few 357, 41, 44, magnum, and 45 Colt. I'll look into it. Thanks!

 

[Greyman50]

Kieth type in 250 and above loaded and tested in your revolver for accuracy. BTW read Mr. Kieths books, lot and lots of good information.

 

[T. McIntyre]

Kieth type in 250 and above loaded and tested in your revolver for accuracy. BTW read Mr. Kieths books, lot and lots of good information.

Most fans of Elmer Keith are quite familiar with his book "Hell I was there!".

However, he wrote an autobiography prior to this, simply entitled, "Keith, an Autobiography.".

 
Friend and fellow Forum Member "SuperMan" aka Bob, gave me the book as a gift. I kept it at my cabin which is in the very heart of Elmer Keith country in central Idaho.


This is book was signed by Elmer Keith to Bob in 1977, which makes it even more special of a gift to me.
It will always be a prized possession in my small collection of important books.

Bob has visited and spent a good bit of time at the cabin. He and I drove around and did some exploring in the same areas the Elmer Keith did, as well as did some long range handgunning.

We were however shooting .41 Magnums (Bob) and .44 Magnums (me) as well as some other cartridges for the most part.



BTW,

The Keith designed 270 grain wide meplat semi wadcutter is a very accurate bullet and the fact that it is still very popular today should be a solid indiciator as to its effectiveness.

I find that when driven at a moderate speed, such as 900 FPS out of a 4 & 5/8ths" barrel (as tested in a Ruger Flattop) it makes for an ideal all round load. Easy to shoot well, tolerable recoil, and excellent terminal ballistics.

 

[Dio]

Way back , 1990ish I dropped a wild boar with a Winchester 94 Trapper in 45 Colt. Used my reloads, 255 gr SWC and a moderate load of Unique

 

[Doug M.]

I can't think of any scenario in which a WC/SWC is not superior to a Round(ed) nose projectile.

 

[Chubbs103]

I can't think of any scenario in which a WC/SWC is not superior to a Round(ed) nose projectile.

Sometimes you need a RNFP for smooth feeding in a lever action.