45 ACP reloading question

[pauldy]

A while back I acquired a quantity of 45 ACP brass from an estate sale. I have done a very small amount of reloading a number of years ago for a hunting rifle I have. I have a Colt 1911 45 that was my fathers service weapon in the Korean war which is why I bought the brass. After purchasing the brass I bought some bullets online to use for loading the brass I got. Well it turns out that the bullets are apparently for a 45 Colt. They are 250 grain, .451 plated HPs. They are Nosler brand and the box does say revolver. The site I bought them from did not specify their exact usage. Is it possible to use these for my 1911 or am I just SOL? I have seen a couple of references to bullets being as heavy as 260 grains for the ACP but don't know if what I have is the same as an ACP bullet. Any help greatly appreciated.

[Misssissippi Dave]

.45 colt comes in several diameters. Since you said they are Nosler bullets I am guessing they are jacketed. If they are and are .451 preferred diameter or possibly .452" diameter you could use them in .45 acp. Larger diameters used in .45 colt I would not use. If you have found load data for this bullet you are on your way.

[pauldy]

In my question I did say plated in reference to the bullets but jacketed would be correct. I saw a loading chart that said 5.0-5.1 grains of powder for a 260 grain bullet but don't remember what brand the powder was. They are .451 diameter. I have looked at several online loading charts and don't see anything for a 250 grain bullet under 45 ACP but everything seems to be in the 5 grain range on powder amount in the closest weights I can find data on. The powder I have is Winchester 231.

[schmellba99]

You can use them without any problems, provided you find the proper load data. I've shot 260's out of my 1911's without any problems - the .451" diameter is the correct diameter for your pistol.

[Misssissippi Dave]

My guess would be 3.5 to 4.5 grains of W231 powder with that bullet. It is only a guess. I fairly certain using 5.0 grains is going to be way too hot. It also depends on the OAL you are using. I would load them as long as your pistol will allow in the chamber and in the magazines. The max OAL is 1.275 if I'm not mistaken.

Finding published data is a lot better than a guess would be. The diameter of the bullet will be fine. That bullet should have an area made for a crimp. You don't need to crimp at that point for the caliber you are going to load them in.

[pauldy]

This is from handloads.com

230gr JHP 5.1 gr Win 231 785 fps Winchester
Suggested starting load: 4.6 gr
Pressure: 20,000 PSI

This is from Hodgdon's website

230 GR. HDY FMJ FP Winchester 231 .451" 1.200" 4.2 751 13,800 CUP 5.3 832 16,800 CUP

And I have a little Winchester data manual which shows a 230gr JHP with 4.8 to 5.1 grain charge with W231

These are all 230gr bullets and I don't know exactly how much the extra weight of the bullets I have will effect the equation. 230gr appears to be the largest weight with widespread published data.

[Sport45]

I don't know what bullet was tested, but the 2004 Alliant manual shows the following max loads (reduce accordingly for start) for a 260gr JHP in .45acp.

Bullseye 4.5gr, 725 fps, 19.4k psi
Unique 5.4gr 760 fps, 19.4k psi
Herco 5.9gr, 750fps, 18.6k psi
Blue Dot 8.3gr 780 fps, 19.0k psi

Of those, I'd probably try Unique first. I've taken every effort to type correctly and proofread, but please verify the data before use.

[WESHOOT2]

And maybe Nosler offers data for those in their 45 ACP section?

[Misssissippi Dave]

A heavier bullet will normally use less powder. Most times the heavier bullet base is deeper in the case with the same OAL because it has greater length. If you are using 230 grain data you will need to use use a lower max level to keep pressures in a safe range. You can check this by comparing the same type bullet in different weights with the same powder in published data.

[Rimfire5]

Nosler loading manual, 6 edition, shows only a 185 grain jacketed hollow point for the 45 ACP.

The 250 grain jacketed hollow point is listed three places - for the 45 Colt SAA & replicas, the Thompson Center Encore/Contender and the Ruger.

It appears that Nosler doesn't consider it a 45 ACP bullet.

[pauldy]

Since I am basically a novice to reloading I think I just need to find the correct weight bullets to load for my 45 and since my wife's son has a .45 Colt revolver get some brass for it and just use the bullets I have for that gun. Of course that will mean buying a new set of dies for that gun.

[Misssissippi Dave]

Once you start you seem to keep adding things like die sets and other nice to have things. It would be best to use them in a colt load and get some other bullets normally used in the .45 acp.

[pauldy]

I solved the problem by just buying proper bullets for my ACP. I will either sell the LC bullets or get the equipment to load them for my wife's son's revolver. I would rather be safe than chance damaging my gun OR me. I want to thank everyone for your input and help!

[WESHOOT2]

Perhaps Nosler doesn't consider it a 45 ACP bullet in their #6?

[steve4102]

I solved the problem by just buying proper bullets for my ACP. I will either sell the LC bullets or get the equipment to load them for my wife's son's revolver. I would rather be safe than chance damaging my gun OR me.

Good Call!

What bullets did you purchase?

[Slamfire]

Since I am basically a novice to reloading I think I just need to find the correct weight bullets to load for my 45 and since my wife's son has a .45 Colt revolver get some brass for it and just use the bullets I have for that gun. Of course that will mean buying a new set of dies for that gun.

Another to say "Good Call".

Using heavy bullets in a M1911 is a poor idea. I have had standard weight, 200-230 grain bullets peen out the frame on a Colt Combat Elite, and while I am of the opinion that the Colt left the factory improperly fitted, the fact that these auto pistols will peen the frame when slide speeds are too high have made me leery of heavy bullets and high pressure loads in an autopistol.

You did not offer the serial number of the pistol in question but all M1911 production ended somewhere around WW2. There are many pre war Colts floating around and the very early ones were not heat treated. Shooting high pressure or hard recoiling rounds in a pistol you cannot replace is a bad idea and shooting them in a pistol that is made of dead soft steels is a worse idea.

[pauldy]

In response to steve4102's question, I bought Hornaday .451 230gr HP XTP bullets.
To Slamfire, the serial # is 479xxx. A quick search looks to put manufacture as late 1913