45 colt and 230 gr bullet

bossman · December 24, 2010, 10:27 AM

Since I have the 230 gr. for my 45acp will it work for my 45 colt? I know the 255 gr. have a crimp line and the 230 gr. don't. So how would it be done? I'm new at this so be easy.

hodaka · December 24, 2010, 11:08 AM

Works fine. You will probably have a considerable difference in point of impact from the 255's, but they work fine. Don't worry about the lack of crimp line. I doubt you will tell any difference.

zippy13 · December 24, 2010, 12:26 PM

If you check the numbers, you'll find the SAAMI specs allow the .45-ACP a 1/16-inch longer bullet exposure than the .45-Colt.

Overall length - case length = max bullet projection
.45-Colt 1.600 - 1.286 = 0.314
.45-ACP 1.275 - 0.898 = 0.377

Typically the .45-Colt is loaded with flat nosed bullets, and the auto's 230-gr's are round nosed. When seating the RN in the .45-Colt case, you MAY find the tangent point is below the case neck, to be within the allowable length (see schematic). This MAY result in an unusual crimp at the RN's arc. YMMV. Ballistic issues aside, case mouth fatigue may be dramatically increased when crimping the RN bullets.

.45-ACP with greater bullet exposure than the longer .45-Colt.
Note location of tangent with respect to case mouth.

kraigwy · December 24, 2010, 12:54 PM

I use cast bullets in both, ACP & LC, 225 RCBS for ACPs and 250 Lyman for LC.

I've tried the RN 225s in my Long Colt, it dosn't shoot as well as the 250 SWCs but it does work. I found the RNs bullets work best in the LCs if I use a taper crimp (as in the ACPs) as opposed to a roll crimp.

But each gun is different, you should try as many combinations as possible to find what works best for you.

zippy13 · December 24, 2010, 01:35 PM

Bossman,
Since you're a self-confessed newcomer to reloading, we should mention that not all .45-Colts are the same: Early models used a larger diameter bullet than the modern guns. Traditional .45 Colt ammo is loaded with soft lead bullets that will accommodate the various diameter barrels.

At one time, reloaders were routinely cautioned against using the old style balloon headed .45 Colt cases. If you're unsure of the difference, don't be loading any old .45 Colt brass you find in your grandfather's attic.

salvadore · December 24, 2010, 04:40 PM

The traditional .45 Colt cast bullet doesn't have a crimp groove either does the swaged remington 255gr.

GeauxTide · December 25, 2010, 02:24 AM

ACP bullets mike .451 and LC bullets come in at .452-454. Use the bullets designed for the cartridge.

jimbob86 · December 25, 2010, 02:38 AM

Quote:

ACP bullets mike .451

Not the lead ones ...... Lead 230 RN measure .452 .

**44 AMP** · December 25, 2010, 03:26 AM

Prior to WWII, the standard groove diameter for the .45 Colt was .454".
After the war, the makers settled on .451/.452 for groove diameter.

You can roll crimp bullets without a crimp groove, you just have to be careful not to bulge the case. And you can't get as strong a crimp without a groove to crimp into, but with the light(er) loads you ought to be shooting 230gr at, a light crimp should be enough to prevent bullet jump from recoil.

A taper crimp works better for ungrooved bullets, and doesn't risk bulging the case. Just use the .45acp taper crimp die, suitably adjusted, of course.

Ozzieman · December 26, 2010, 09:39 AM

I came up with a fix for the same problem several years ago. I shoot a lot of ACP and LC and I wanted a nice target/plinking bullet that I could use for both.
I purchased several hundred of Penn Bullets 200 GR RNGPBB and was so impressed with the quality/price/accuracy it’s now the only bullet I use for both. This year I purchased 5000.
The advantage is that it can be loaded above the crimp grove for the ACP and load it a little long for the LC. He offers it in 4 different diameters and my Smith 25 and Ruger likes the same as my Gold Cup for diameter of .452.
Good bullet, good company to work with.

http://www.pennbullets.com/45/45-caliber.html

December 24, 2010, 10:27 AM	#1
bossman Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 996	45 colt and 230 gr bullet Since I have the 230 gr. for my 45acp will it work for my 45 colt? I know the 255 gr. have a crimp line and the 230 gr. don't. So how would it be done? I'm new at this so be easy. __________________ NRA life member When the going gets tough, I just open another beer.

December 24, 2010, 12:26 PM	#3
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	If you check the numbers, you'll find the SAAMI specs allow the .45-ACP a 1/16-inch longer bullet exposure than the .45-Colt. Overall length - case length = max bullet projection .45-Colt 1.600 - 1.286 = 0.314 .45-ACP 1.275 - 0.898 = 0.377 Typically the .45-Colt is loaded with flat nosed bullets, and the auto's 230-gr's are round nosed. When seating the RN in the .45-Colt case, you MAY find the tangent point is below the case neck, to be within the allowable length (see schematic). This MAY result in an unusual crimp at the RN's arc. YMMV. Ballistic issues aside, case mouth fatigue may be dramatically increased when crimping the RN bullets. .45-ACP with greater bullet exposure than the longer .45-Colt. Note location of tangent with respect to case mouth. Last edited by zippy13; December 24, 2010 at 12:53 PM. Reason: typo

December 24, 2010, 12:54 PM	#4
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I use cast bullets in both, ACP & LC, 225 RCBS for ACPs and 250 Lyman for LC. I've tried the RN 225s in my Long Colt, it dosn't shoot as well as the 250 SWCs but it does work. I found the RNs bullets work best in the LCs if I use a taper crimp (as in the ACPs) as opposed to a roll crimp. But each gun is different, you should try as many combinations as possible to find what works best for you. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

December 25, 2010, 03:26 AM	#9
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,820	Prior to WWII, the standard groove diameter for the .45 Colt was .454". After the war, the makers settled on .451/.452 for groove diameter. You can roll crimp bullets without a crimp groove, you just have to be careful not to bulge the case. And you can't get as strong a crimp without a groove to crimp into, but with the light(er) loads you ought to be shooting 230gr at, a light crimp should be enough to prevent bullet jump from recoil. A taper crimp works better for ungrooved bullets, and doesn't risk bulging the case. Just use the .45acp taper crimp die, suitably adjusted, of course. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

December 24, 2010, 11:08 AM	#2
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	Works fine. You will probably have a considerable difference in point of impact from the 255's, but they work fine. Don't worry about the lack of crimp line. I doubt you will tell any difference.

December 24, 2010, 01:35 PM	#5
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Bossman, Since you're a self-confessed newcomer to reloading, we should mention that not all .45-Colts are the same: Early models used a larger diameter bullet than the modern guns. Traditional .45 Colt ammo is loaded with soft lead bullets that will accommodate the various diameter barrels. At one time, reloaders were routinely cautioned against using the old style balloon headed .45 Colt cases. If you're unsure of the difference, don't be loading any old .45 Colt brass you find in your grandfather's attic.

December 24, 2010, 04:40 PM	#6
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	The traditional .45 Colt cast bullet doesn't have a crimp groove either does the swaged remington 255gr.

December 25, 2010, 02:24 AM	#7
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	ACP bullets mike .451 and LC bullets come in at .452-454. Use the bullets designed for the cartridge.

December 26, 2010, 09:39 AM	#10
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	I came up with a fix for the same problem several years ago. I shoot a lot of ACP and LC and I wanted a nice target/plinking bullet that I could use for both. I purchased several hundred of Penn Bullets 200 GR RNGPBB and was so impressed with the quality/price/accuracy it’s now the only bullet I use for both. This year I purchased 5000. The advantage is that it can be loaded above the crimp grove for the ACP and load it a little long for the LC. He offers it in 4 different diameters and my Smith 25 and Ruger likes the same as my Gold Cup for diameter of .452. Good bullet, good company to work with. http://www.pennbullets.com/45/45-caliber.html