Good lead round for .45 Auto?

Tony C · January 21, 2009, 08:27 PM

Folks,

What is a good lead round for .45 Auto in the 230 grain or 200 Grain rounds. I am just starting to shoot USPSA and have been using Berry's Plated. They are going to be too expensive to shoot as much as I am going to need to but have never sent lead rounds out of an semi-automatic pistol, only revolvers.

Thanks for sharing your experience,
Tony C
Willamette Valley, Oregon

Yoosta B. Blue · January 21, 2009, 08:34 PM

Hi Tony,

Good to hear from the Willamette Valley. (We lived in Eugene 1996 to 2004 and loved it there. But I digress...)

My favorite lead bullet for the .45 ACP is the 200 grain LRNFP. I've loaded and shot right at 1,500 of them in my Ruger P345. The gun loves 'em, and so do I.

Yoosta B. Blue

AlaskaMike · January 22, 2009, 01:12 PM

I mostly shoot Lasercast or Mastercast 200 grain SWC out of my 1911 and Sig P220. The general style is typically referred to as the H&G #68. The nose profile is pretty close to 230 grain FMJ, and so sometimes feeds better in guns that don't usually like anything but ball ammo. That's what I've read anyhow--my guns seem to feed anything I throw at them.

Mike

floydster · January 22, 2009, 03:05 PM

230 gr. cast RN (Dardas cast) and (Missouri cast).
Best loads in my .45's.
5.4 grs. Unique
4.5 grs. Red Dot

darkgael · January 22, 2009, 04:00 PM

The classic Bullseye target load is 4.0 grains of Bullseye powder and a 200 grain SWC. I have been casting my own from a Lee mould. When I bought them, I used National Bullet Co., but they have been on the skids for the last couple of years. I have used Laser Cast and Magtech also.
Pete

maggys drawers · January 22, 2009, 04:38 PM

The best load for my .45 is a 200 LRNFP (either Bushwhacker or MidStates from Powder Valley) over Titegroup. It's a great shooting combination in my MilSpec.

LHB1 · January 22, 2009, 04:50 PM

The following load works well in all my .45 ACP 1911's:
5.1 gr Win 231 behind 200 gr H&G #68 style LSWC bullet, seated to 1.240"-1.250" and taper crimped to .469"-.471".
If you need more power factor, the powder load can be increased but CONFIRM WHATEVER LOAD YOU CHOOSE TO USE AS BEING SAFE PER A COMMERCIALLY PUBLISHED RELOADING MANUAL.

rn22723 · January 22, 2009, 08:36 PM

Cannot beat a version of the H&G 68 200gr LSWC. Cuts clean holes in targets. Win 231 is a good choice.

**Unclenick** · January 22, 2009, 09:25 PM

Agree. That old Hensley & Gibbs bullet design is more accurate than most other designs. It fits the standard feed ramp profile, and 200 grains, being the bullet weight John Browning originally intended the 1911 to shoot, functions the gun more reliably than a 185 grain and lighter bullets.

To get really cost effective, you may want to learn to cast your own bullets? The Lee 452-200-SWC mold is a typical H&G #68 clone. However, they only make the more blunt 200 grain TL452-200-SWC, in their micro-band Tumble Lube design. Those Tumble Lube bullets are fired as-cast and I've found them, per Lee's claim, to be more accurate than other cast lead bullets. The .38 wadcutters cut my groups in half over swaged bullets or commercial match loads. Both the Lee 200 grain designs are available in their 6-cavity molds which save a lot of casting time.

Sport45 · January 22, 2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Cannot beat a version of the H&G 68 200gr LSWC.

The SWC is good if your pistol functions well with them. You didn't mention what you shoot. If it's an XD save yourself some trouble and start with 230gr LRN or 200gr RNFP bullets. XD's working with SWC bullets is hit and miss with many more misses than hits. The 230gr LRN shoudl work in just about anything with a conventionally rifled barrel. Be careful with any lead bullets with polygonal barrels.

In any case, get a minimum order of whatever you choose to try for function before ordering in mass quantity.

Gazzmann · January 23, 2009, 12:14 AM

Dardas cast makes a fine round. shot 500 rounds last Sunday.
Very clean lead.
John

ljnowell · January 23, 2009, 03:03 AM

Has anyone here have any experience with LSWC in a glock. Not being a jerk, but I know all about the lead in a glock thing, and how to watch for it being a problem. I havent had leading issues with RNFP, and I am wanting to switch to a LSWC for cost reasons. Anyone?

Hawg · January 23, 2009, 03:30 AM

I know it's not what you asked but I like a 255 gr. Keith.

Sport45 · January 23, 2009, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Has anyone here have any experience with LSWC in a glock. Not being a jerk, but I know all about the lead in a glock thing, and how to watch for it being a problem. I havent had leading issues with RNFP, and I am wanting to switch to a LSWC for cost reasons. Anyone?

I don't have a Glock, but my experience with SWC is they don't lead any more or less than RN or RNFP in my guns if the diameter, harndness, and lube are correct. It doesn't make any difference what the profile is. That part doesn't touch the barrel anyway.

Yoosta B. Blue · February 3, 2009, 12:47 PM

Tony C, thanks for posting this query. I just now returned from the range, having fired my first 230 gr LRN reloads. I learned some helpful info on here that contributed to my success. The following recipe appears to be a winner in my P345.

230 gr LRN
5.2 gr Unique
OAL 1.265

Thanks again to all who replied to this thread. What a great place to benefit and learn!

YBB

Don P · February 3, 2009, 03:28 PM

230 gr lead cast round nose over 4 grains of Titegroup. Nice and mild and CLEAN

January 21, 2009, 08:27 PM	#1
Tony C Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 293	Good lead round for .45 Auto? Folks, What is a good lead round for .45 Auto in the 230 grain or 200 Grain rounds. I am just starting to shoot USPSA and have been using Berry's Plated. They are going to be too expensive to shoot as much as I am going to need to but have never sent lead rounds out of an semi-automatic pistol, only revolvers. Thanks for sharing your experience, Tony C Willamette Valley, Oregon

January 22, 2009, 04:00 PM	#5
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	.45 The classic Bullseye target load is 4.0 grains of Bullseye powder and a 200 grain SWC. I have been casting my own from a Lee mould. When I bought them, I used National Bullet Co., but they have been on the skids for the last couple of years. I have used Laser Cast and Magtech also. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

January 22, 2009, 04:50 PM	#7
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	The following load works well in all my .45 ACP 1911's: 5.1 gr Win 231 behind 200 gr H&G #68 style LSWC bullet, seated to 1.240"-1.250" and taper crimped to .469"-.471". If you need more power factor, the powder load can be increased but CONFIRM WHATEVER LOAD YOU CHOOSE TO USE AS BEING SAFE PER A COMMERCIALLY PUBLISHED RELOADING MANUAL. __________________ Good shooting and be safe. LB

January 22, 2009, 09:25 PM	#9
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Agree. That old Hensley & Gibbs bullet design is more accurate than most other designs. It fits the standard feed ramp profile, and 200 grains, being the bullet weight John Browning originally intended the 1911 to shoot, functions the gun more reliably than a 185 grain and lighter bullets. To get really cost effective, you may want to learn to cast your own bullets? The Lee 452-200-SWC mold is a typical H&G #68 clone. However, they only make the more blunt 200 grain TL452-200-SWC, in their micro-band Tumble Lube design. Those Tumble Lube bullets are fired as-cast and I've found them, per Lee's claim, to be more accurate than other cast lead bullets. The .38 wadcutters cut my groups in half over swaged bullets or commercial match loads. Both the Lee 200 grain designs are available in their 6-cavity molds which save a lot of casting time. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 3, 2009, 03:28 PM	#16
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	230 gr lead cast round nose over 4 grains of Titegroup. Nice and mild and CLEAN __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

January 21, 2009, 08:34 PM	#2
Yoosta B. Blue Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2008 Location: Just a tad NE of the Alamo... Posts: 252	Hi Tony, Good to hear from the Willamette Valley. (We lived in Eugene 1996 to 2004 and loved it there. But I digress...) My favorite lead bullet for the .45 ACP is the 200 grain LRNFP. I've loaded and shot right at 1,500 of them in my Ruger P345. The gun loves 'em, and so do I. Yoosta B. Blue

January 22, 2009, 01:12 PM	#3
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 943	I mostly shoot Lasercast or Mastercast 200 grain SWC out of my 1911 and Sig P220. The general style is typically referred to as the H&G #68. The nose profile is pretty close to 230 grain FMJ, and so sometimes feeds better in guns that don't usually like anything but ball ammo. That's what I've read anyhow--my guns seem to feed anything I throw at them. Mike

January 22, 2009, 03:05 PM	#4
floydster Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2008 Posts: 472	230 gr. cast RN (Dardas cast) and (Missouri cast). Best loads in my .45's. 5.4 grs. Unique 4.5 grs. Red Dot

January 22, 2009, 04:38 PM	#6
maggys drawers Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2006 Posts: 178	The best load for my .45 is a 200 LRNFP (either Bushwhacker or MidStates from Powder Valley) over Titegroup. It's a great shooting combination in my MilSpec.

January 22, 2009, 08:36 PM	#8
rn22723 Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2001 Location: Burbs of Minneapolis Posts: 676	Cannot beat a version of the H&G 68 200gr LSWC. Cuts clean holes in targets. Win 231 is a good choice.

January 23, 2009, 12:14 AM	#11
Gazzmann Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 133	Dardas cast makes a fine round. shot 500 rounds last Sunday. Very clean lead. John

January 23, 2009, 03:03 AM	#12
ljnowell Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Posts: 274	Has anyone here have any experience with LSWC in a glock. Not being a jerk, but I know all about the lead in a glock thing, and how to watch for it being a problem. I havent had leading issues with RNFP, and I am wanting to switch to a LSWC for cost reasons. Anyone?

January 23, 2009, 03:30 AM	#13
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	I know it's not what you asked but I like a 255 gr. Keith.

February 3, 2009, 12:47 PM	#15
Yoosta B. Blue Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2008 Location: Just a tad NE of the Alamo... Posts: 252	Tony C, thanks for posting this query. I just now returned from the range, having fired my first 230 gr LRN reloads. I learned some helpful info on here that contributed to my success. The following recipe appears to be a winner in my P345. 230 gr LRN 5.2 gr Unique OAL 1.265 Thanks again to all who replied to this thread. What a great place to benefit and learn! YBB