45 bullet question

Hundy · July 6, 2013, 06:47 PM

I currently reload 45 ACP. I ordered some bullets awhile ago. The Hornady I usually use have been harder to find. So I ordered from a different manufacturer, I thought I had ordered 185grain JHP .451 diameter. They had been on back order and had arrived today. I got 185grain LHP SWC, .452 diameter with match lube.
I was going to contact them, but when I checked my original order confirmation, I did in fact order the LHP's with .452 diameter.
So this was my error, not theirs.
My question is will these work in 45 ACP? If not, the world is not over, I plan on getting a 45 Colt towards the end of the year. Maybe they will work in that one.

Thanks for help

Jay

orionengnr · July 6, 2013, 07:10 PM

They will work just fine for .45acp, and could be used for .45LC... (.45 LC typically uses a heavier bullet weight--250-260 gr, although I have used 200 gr. SWCs, they shoot low). Lead bullets are typically sized .001 larger than their copper jacketed counterparts...someone will be along shortly to tell us both why

Since I started handloading, I have used only lead SWC bullets, and could not be happier. They are easy to work with and cost about 1/2 of what FMJ bullets do.

mikejonestkd · July 6, 2013, 07:11 PM

.452 lead semi wadcutters are perfect for your 45ACP.

Use cast lead data in your manual to load.

Hundy · July 6, 2013, 07:30 PM

Thank you for the replies. I was worried about the .452 diameter, that kind of threw me off. I always thought that was more for 45 colt or rifle type bullets. It would be nice if someone can chime in and let us know why, lead is .452. Just curious, would be nice to know and learn something new. I will load these, and if they work out, I will order more. I have never used Lead bullets before, well at least not un jacketed type bullets.

Thanks again

Jay

overhead · July 6, 2013, 09:28 PM

my understanding is they are larger in order to insure a good bore seal to cut down on gas checking around the softer bullet. But, that is what I have read and have been told and I am certainly not an expert on bullets

I shoot 200 lead SWC through my p220 and M&P 45 without issue.

steve4102 · July 6, 2013, 10:06 PM

Quote:

I got 185grain LHP SWC, .452 diameter

.452 is the proper diameter for lead bullets in the 45 acp, but what is a LHP.

Do you actually have 185gr Lead Hollow Points in Semi-Wadcutter design?

Where did you get these from?

WESHOOT2 · July 7, 2013, 08:53 AM

I use a ten-thou mike to measure my bullets.
I weigh them on my RCBS 505.

I confirm what I'm using (and I have successfully used '45' bullets ranging from .4505" up past .4535".....)

July 6, 2013, 06:47 PM	#1
Hundy Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2013 Posts: 111	45 bullet question I currently reload 45 ACP. I ordered some bullets awhile ago. The Hornady I usually use have been harder to find. So I ordered from a different manufacturer, I thought I had ordered 185grain JHP .451 diameter. They had been on back order and had arrived today. I got 185grain LHP SWC, .452 diameter with match lube. I was going to contact them, but when I checked my original order confirmation, I did in fact order the LHP's with .452 diameter. So this was my error, not theirs. My question is will these work in 45 ACP? If not, the world is not over, I plan on getting a 45 Colt towards the end of the year. Maybe they will work in that one. Thanks for help Jay

July 6, 2013, 07:10 PM	#2
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 5,177	They will work just fine for .45acp, and could be used for .45LC... (.45 LC typically uses a heavier bullet weight--250-260 gr, although I have used 200 gr. SWCs, they shoot low). Lead bullets are typically sized .001 larger than their copper jacketed counterparts...someone will be along shortly to tell us both why Since I started handloading, I have used only lead SWC bullets, and could not be happier. They are easy to work with and cost about 1/2 of what FMJ bullets do. Last edited by orionengnr; July 6, 2013 at 07:15 PM.

July 6, 2013, 07:11 PM	#3
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	.452 lead semi wadcutters are perfect for your 45ACP. Use cast lead data in your manual to load. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

July 6, 2013, 07:30 PM	#4
Hundy Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2013 Posts: 111	Thank you Thank you for the replies. I was worried about the .452 diameter, that kind of threw me off. I always thought that was more for 45 colt or rifle type bullets. It would be nice if someone can chime in and let us know why, lead is .452. Just curious, would be nice to know and learn something new. I will load these, and if they work out, I will order more. I have never used Lead bullets before, well at least not un jacketed type bullets. Thanks again Jay

July 7, 2013, 08:53 AM	#7
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	mistakes can be made, so I check I use a ten-thou mike to measure my bullets. I weigh them on my RCBS 505. I confirm what I'm using (and I have successfully used '45' bullets ranging from .4505" up past .4535".....) __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

July 6, 2013, 09:28 PM	#5
overhead Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2013 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 182	my understanding is they are larger in order to insure a good bore seal to cut down on gas checking around the softer bullet. But, that is what I have read and have been told and I am certainly not an expert on bullets I shoot 200 lead SWC through my p220 and M&P 45 without issue.