Can lead bullets be fired from a .45 auto?
- Thread starter bob1981
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
pps
Member
Just make sure the overall lengths are right, that it's headspaced correctly and then see if it feeds.
Dale53
Member
During a five year period when I was shooting IPSC, I shot exclusively my home cast bullets (and was competitive).
Whether or not they'll feed depends on your .45. My Kimber CDP Ultra II feeds my cast bullet reloads reliably and it has not been altered from factory.
I have two "built up" 1911's that will feed empty cases and have NO problems with lead.
Just order out a few and see if they work for you.
I would strongly encourage you to get involved in casting your own bullets. You'll be completely independent of bullet suppliers (if you keep a stock of primers and powders, of course).
Good luck!
Dale53
Whether or not they'll feed depends on your .45. My Kimber CDP Ultra II feeds my cast bullet reloads reliably and it has not been altered from factory.
I have two "built up" 1911's that will feed empty cases and have NO problems with lead.
Just order out a few and see if they work for you.
I would strongly encourage you to get involved in casting your own bullets. You'll be completely independent of bullet suppliers (if you keep a stock of primers and powders, of course).
Good luck!
Dale53
Spotteddog
Member
One kind, shape, weight or another has been run in all of mine for 40+ years. I'm not saying that a particularly finicky one won't have issues? But that's easily determined by doing as suggested above. And usually remedied easily and inexpensively. I've never cast my own. But were I a younger man, faced with the possible political climate, I'd be sure I knew how!
john traveler
Member
The best chance of having as-cast .45 ACP bullets feed in your semiauto is to go with a bullet that duplicates the factory 230 grain ball. That would mean a 220-230 grain cast lead RN design. Most of the competition target shooters go with a 200 grain long-nosed semiwadcutter design such as the H&G #68 and have no feeding issues.
TSQUARED
Member
You did not mention the bullet shape. Some semi autos will have difficulty feeding SWC's wiothout altering the back end of the barrel. Round nose bullets should feed fine in all semi auto's. MY S&W 945, S&W 645 and Colt Gold Cup NM feed all bullet shapes without any difficulty.
Calaveras Slim
US Veteran
I have 2 45acps, both 1911s. I load the 230gr cast RN for both and never have a problem. I now am casting the 255gr SWC and the Kimber never hesitates. I have not tried the High Standard with this one yet.
arkypete
Member
I have two 45 autos, one is a 1911 (as in 1911, not 1911 a1) and the other is a Colt Gold Cup (Yes, I know!). I have three different bullet molds, one is a NEI H&G 68 clone, one is a Saeco 200 grain swc and the third is a 235 grain Lyman swc.
All three bullets feed in both guns.
Jim
All three bullets feed in both guns.
Jim
I have 7 different 1911's and they all get feed cast. I found that a OAL of 1.250 will feed all cast no matter what it is or what weight it is. I use 5.1 grs. W231 with every thing.
The 1.250 will also feed my other 45's as well.
The 1.250 will also feed my other 45's as well.
Calaveras Slim
US Veteran
+1 with Bugs. However, I like about 5.6 of Win 231 with my 45 AR as well as the 255gr SWC acp
scattershot
Member
I have a 60's vintage commercial 1911 Colt, and that's about all I shoot in it. 230 grain lead roundnose or truncated cone design over 5.0 Bullseye.
I have tried 250 SWC bullets with no problems, but it was an experiment.
My Colt is bone stock, and I've never had a failure to feed with it.
I have tried 250 SWC bullets with no problems, but it was an experiment.
My Colt is bone stock, and I've never had a failure to feed with it.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
What auto? That is the question that needs to be asked first.
If it is one that has polygonal rifling, then you are up for a challenge. That is why most folks just say it can't be done.
I have heard reports that it can be but haven't done it myself so..............
There are a few things that you need to consider when looking for a lead load for the 45ACP. One being bullet shape, the other hardness.
I have had terrible "luck" with Lee round nose molds. They are hard to get filled out and are so big that when they are sized and lubed I have a hard time getting them chambered with a normal OAL. I haven't had those problems with their SWC designs though.
My suggestion is to get one with a "bore riding" nose. It will be slightly smaller than the diameter of the bullet. Like an H&G #34.
As for hardness, they need to be hard enough so they don't get damaged when feeding into the chamber. Wheel weights will fill that bill just fine. If you throw in a "taste" of tin so much the better.
This advice has been from experience.
FWIW
If it is one that has polygonal rifling, then you are up for a challenge. That is why most folks just say it can't be done.
I have heard reports that it can be but haven't done it myself so..............
There are a few things that you need to consider when looking for a lead load for the 45ACP. One being bullet shape, the other hardness.
I have had terrible "luck" with Lee round nose molds. They are hard to get filled out and are so big that when they are sized and lubed I have a hard time getting them chambered with a normal OAL. I haven't had those problems with their SWC designs though.
My suggestion is to get one with a "bore riding" nose. It will be slightly smaller than the diameter of the bullet. Like an H&G #34.
As for hardness, they need to be hard enough so they don't get damaged when feeding into the chamber. Wheel weights will fill that bill just fine. If you throw in a "taste" of tin so much the better.
This advice has been from experience.
FWIW
Dale53
Member
smith crazy;
<span class="ev_code_RED">Wheel weights will fill that bill just fine. If you throw in a "taste" of tin so much the better.</span>
I am glad to hear you say that. "Conventional Wisdom" states that you need VERY hard lead and some recommend linotype. That is counter to my experience. WW's+2%tin works just fine in my 1911's AND my 625's (fine meaning under 1" at 25 yards and less than 2½" at fifty yards) with complete reliability.
Dale53
<span class="ev_code_RED">Wheel weights will fill that bill just fine. If you throw in a "taste" of tin so much the better.</span>
I am glad to hear you say that. "Conventional Wisdom" states that you need VERY hard lead and some recommend linotype. That is counter to my experience. WW's+2%tin works just fine in my 1911's AND my 625's (fine meaning under 1" at 25 yards and less than 2½" at fifty yards) with complete reliability.
Dale53
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
I like flying in the face of "Conventional Wisdom"!
I am a proponent of the "Lee theory" when it comes to BHN and pressure. Hard enough yet soft enough to obdurate.
My measure of "fine" is measured quite differently than yours. (Mainly because I can't shoot as well as you!
) "Fine" to me means not having to scrub lead out of the barrel for hours and hours!
I am a proponent of the "Lee theory" when it comes to BHN and pressure. Hard enough yet soft enough to obdurate.
My measure of "fine" is measured quite differently than yours. (Mainly because I can't shoot as well as you!
Paul5388
US Veteran
I just got a Lee 6 cavity that is very similar to the 200 gr H&G #68. I use 50/50 pure lead to WWs. I only use extra tin if they aren't casting good, but haven't run into that situation yet.
5.0 gr of Bullseye works for me with those bullets sized at .452". They shoot very good out of a Taurus PT1911, Detonics Combat Master, a Colt series 70 CLW and a 625.
5.0 gr of Bullseye works for me with those bullets sized at .452". They shoot very good out of a Taurus PT1911, Detonics Combat Master, a Colt series 70 CLW and a 625.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Hopefully the 4506 has neither of the problems associated with some other automatics. Unsupported chambers and polygonal rifling.
You will have to use your chamber as a cartridge gage. OAL will depend on how they fit in your specific barrel.
Any of the loads that are listed here are a good place to start.
I use a 230gr LRN that I cast from a two hole tumble lube Lee mold. From 4.0gr to 5.0gr Bullseye or 5.0gr of AA#2.
Very accurate and feed easily and they are accurate.
What powders do you use for loading now?
You will have to use your chamber as a cartridge gage. OAL will depend on how they fit in your specific barrel.
Any of the loads that are listed here are a good place to start.
I use a 230gr LRN that I cast from a two hole tumble lube Lee mold. From 4.0gr to 5.0gr Bullseye or 5.0gr of AA#2.
Very accurate and feed easily and they are accurate.
What powders do you use for loading now?
My Springfield Armory 1911 has had 25 years worth of 200 Gr. cast lead (H&G 68) SWC's put through it and it is vary accurate.
MakeMyNight
Member
FYI: Stonewall Bullet Company
290 Russell Road
Stonewall, LA 71078
Attn: Robert Green
Telephone number: 318-925-1836
For those interested:
Robert Green sells very good quality cast bullets at reasonable prices.
Call first, and check on pricing and availability of the bullets needed.
290 Russell Road
Stonewall, LA 71078
Attn: Robert Green
Telephone number: 318-925-1836
For those interested:
Robert Green sells very good quality cast bullets at reasonable prices.
Call first, and check on pricing and availability of the bullets needed.
