hard-cast bullets

marada · December 30, 2007, 09:37 PM

hello all,considering reloading some hard-cast bullets in 45 acp. swc. 200 gr .
planning on punching some paper.my question is ,will most 1911 's cycle this swc ammo without jamming? i have a S.A. Trophy Match i'm planning on using.
thanks, thomas

RussB · December 30, 2007, 09:53 PM

So much depends on the quality and consistency of your reloads, but I'll go on record as saying, "Yes, your S/A should feed them reliably"

ammo.crafter · December 30, 2007, 09:53 PM

no problem

Gbro · December 30, 2007, 10:01 PM

I have had problems with SWC's and only load round nose now, cast or jacket. I know many have no problems, but the 1911 was designed for a round nose bullet.

RussB · December 30, 2007, 11:16 PM

Quote:

...but the 1911 was designed for a round nose bullet.

True, but most 1911's produced today will feed SWC without a hitch. FWIW, both my Kimber's eat up the 200 gr SWC's.

kgpcr · January 2, 2008, 12:56 AM

Round nose only for me. Never a problem with them!

ShootingNut · January 2, 2008, 10:14 AM

My suggestion would be to start with a round nose, rather than the SWC, even though either may work just fine.
I'm very pleased, with my hard cast lead bullets (20 rating) from
www.mastercastbullets.com
which have gone up 11% recently in cost, but are still a real good price.
1000 .45 200 grain RNFP $62.85 (Round Nose Flat Point)
Try Mike's product, you will be very pleased with them. Any questions, email Mike he is great to work with.
Good Luck!

wcboggs · January 2, 2008, 10:26 AM

I've had no problem with my Kimber 45 ACP, in fact I just sighted in some new laser grips and found that with a 200gr lswc, 6.5 gr Unique, CCI 300 primer, after sighting in I was able to put 5 shots within a 3/4" bull at 50'. Off the bench of course but no vice.

ShootingNut · January 2, 2008, 10:31 AM

Good Shooting!

I'm told most "modern" .45's will feed the SWC with no problems.
SN

wcboggs · January 2, 2008, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Good Shooting!
I'm told most "modern" .45's will feed the SWC with no problems.
SN

Thanks, this is my first set of laser grips and it's a totally different world. When sighting them in, I knew for sure where the sights were pointed when I pulled the trigger so you know for sure which way to adjust them. So 5 shots is all it took for perfect alignment.

The next big advantage is trigger control and properly holding the gun. That beam on the target shows you exactly, in real time, what you are doing, right or wrong, when preparing to pull the trigger. It's a great training aid from that perspective.

And another big advantage is in a combat situation. Not only is the destination of your shot obvious to you but to the BG as well. That is said to sometimes stop an attack and I can understand how. No matter how BG a BG is, he is still human and very few of them really have no value to their own life. Now a BG can have some really poor values/thinking and feel there is an abstract element to someone shooting at them in their defense (why not, police statistics say they have a 50/50 chance of being uninjured); the laser eliminates that abstract and shows the BG exactly where the bullet will penetrate their body. That can even make a BG change his mind and apparently there is evidence that it does. I know I for one would rather end every gun fight alive and with no shots fired. I'm not looking to have a Dirty Harry experience, I just want to live and remain free (out of jail). No shots fired pretty much assures that.

ShootingNut · January 2, 2008, 11:01 AM

Very interesting, I have had the itch for a laser setup for some time myself.
Was looking in a magazine, of the Streamlight TLR-2 which has the light plus laser.
I agree with your other thoughts as well. Let's just say a BG breaks into your house, he is unarmed and you set a laser light on him. My guess is he will give up rather quickly, without any shots being fired. And that is everyone's hope, killing someone is not something to look forward to.
Best regards, and Happy New Year!
SN

wcboggs · January 2, 2008, 11:05 AM

This is the best price I found for the 1911 grips:

http://www.shooterssupply.com/html/1...act__and_.html

And the service was great too.

brickeyee · January 2, 2008, 11:24 AM

"...reloading some hard-cast bullets in 45 acp. swc. 200 gr ."

You are liable to have obturation problems with hard cast bullets.
The .45 ACP is a rather low pressure cartridge and soft (even swaged) bullets perform just fine.

Bullet hardness needs to be balanced against operating pressure.
Harder is NOT always better (or even needed).

jhansman · January 2, 2008, 07:20 PM

I had this exact question when I got my SA Loaded, and was assured SWCs would feed with no problem. So far, so good. I am using Bear Creek bullets, which are moly coated and really slippery, so that my be a factor. Equally important is the OAL for your particular pistol.

Sigma 40 Blaster · January 3, 2008, 02:00 AM

I am a new mastercastbullets.com fan thanks to ShootingNut. I got a shipment of .40 cal bullets in...very clean, well lubed, consistent weight, and they shoot well. I'm pushing these things near 1000 fps and I had no leading that a quick and simple patch and solvent cleaning didn't cure.

Mike is a very knowledgeable shooter/caster/reloader and gave me a lot of advice and load data to make the most of his bullets. I think I paid about 5.5 cents per bullet (180 grain TC), the prices on .45 and 9mm are pretty reasonable too (actually very cheap compared to some other vendors when taking the quality of product into consideration).

Grandpa Shooter · January 3, 2008, 02:44 AM

Both of my Colt Series 80 45's will not feed SWC at any reasonable rate. I have 3,000 moly coated 200g SWC that will not feed in my guns. I am going to try the link above to check on his prices.

marada · January 3, 2008, 06:14 PM

hello all ,just wanted to thank u all for all ur help and info. u guys are great.
thanks , thomas

ShootingNut · January 5, 2008, 08:01 AM

I believe the purpose of this Forum, is to help each other. I know that I have learned a lot.
And yes, we are ALL GREAT!

Now, I didn't say always real smart.

SN

Sevens · January 5, 2008, 03:16 PM

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned anything about throated barrels or recoil springs or any of the fun tweaking 1911 guys get to play with to make their pistols eat up different ammo.

My pistol is the AMT Hardballer Longslide. If you run forum searches for all the conversation regarding this pistol in the history of the 'net, you'll likely come to the conclusion that many or most of the pistols AMT produced were often "questionable" in finish and quality. So many folks have owned or handled bad ones, but a few folks got lucky over the years and ended up with decent, shootable pistols.

That's how my luck went! I got a darn good one. Mine eats up 200 grain hard cast SWC handloads and begs for more. I don't even bother with any jacketed or factory ammo in this pistol anymore. I just feed it what it likes and keep on shooting. (these loads cycle well in my buddy's Springfield XD also)

December 30, 2007, 09:37 PM	#1
marada Junior Member Join Date: November 18, 2007 Posts: 8	hard-cast bullets hello all,considering reloading some hard-cast bullets in 45 acp. swc. 200 gr . planning on punching some paper.my question is ,will most 1911 's cycle this swc ammo without jamming? i have a S.A. Trophy Match i'm planning on using. thanks, thomas

December 30, 2007, 09:53 PM	#3
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 2,032	no problem __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

December 30, 2007, 10:01 PM	#4
Gbro Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,084	I have had problems with SWC's and only load round nose now, cast or jacket. I know many have no problems, but the 1911 was designed for a round nose bullet. __________________ Gbro CGVS For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, But to us who are being saved, It Is The Power Of God. 1Corinthians 1-18

January 2, 2008, 12:56 AM	#6
kgpcr Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2005 Posts: 955	Round nose only for me. Never a problem with them! __________________ Colt King Cobra .357 Colt Anaconda .44mag Springfield Armory .45 Double stack Loaded XD40 service XD45 Taurus 617 .357mag Smith M&P 40

January 2, 2008, 10:14 AM	#7
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	marada My suggestion would be to start with a round nose, rather than the SWC, even though either may work just fine. I'm very pleased, with my hard cast lead bullets (20 rating) from www.mastercastbullets.com which have gone up 11% recently in cost, but are still a real good price. 1000 .45 200 grain RNFP $62.85 (Round Nose Flat Point) Try Mike's product, you will be very pleased with them. Any questions, email Mike he is great to work with. Good Luck!

December 30, 2007, 09:53 PM	#2
RussB Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2007 Location: CT Posts: 159	So much depends on the quality and consistency of your reloads, but I'll go on record as saying, "Yes, your S/A should feed them reliably"

January 2, 2008, 10:26 AM	#8
wcboggs Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 105	I've had no problem with my Kimber 45 ACP, in fact I just sighted in some new laser grips and found that with a 200gr lswc, 6.5 gr Unique, CCI 300 primer, after sighting in I was able to put 5 shots within a 3/4" bull at 50'. Off the bench of course but no vice.

January 2, 2008, 10:31 AM	#9
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	wc Good Shooting! I'm told most "modern" .45's will feed the SWC with no problems. SN

January 2, 2008, 11:01 AM	#11
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	wc Very interesting, I have had the itch for a laser setup for some time myself. Was looking in a magazine, of the Streamlight TLR-2 which has the light plus laser. I agree with your other thoughts as well. Let's just say a BG breaks into your house, he is unarmed and you set a laser light on him. My guess is he will give up rather quickly, without any shots being fired. And that is everyone's hope, killing someone is not something to look forward to. Best regards, and Happy New Year! SN

January 2, 2008, 11:05 AM	#12
wcboggs Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 105	This is the best price I found for the 1911 grips: http://www.shooterssupply.com/html/1...act__and_.html And the service was great too.

January 2, 2008, 11:24 AM	#13
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	"...reloading some hard-cast bullets in 45 acp. swc. 200 gr ." You are liable to have obturation problems with hard cast bullets. The .45 ACP is a rather low pressure cartridge and soft (even swaged) bullets perform just fine. Bullet hardness needs to be balanced against operating pressure. Harder is NOT always better (or even needed).

January 2, 2008, 07:20 PM	#14
jhansman Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2007 Posts: 680	I had this exact question when I got my SA Loaded, and was assured SWCs would feed with no problem. So far, so good. I am using Bear Creek bullets, which are moly coated and really slippery, so that my be a factor. Equally important is the OAL for your particular pistol. __________________ Blessed is the man who has nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

January 3, 2008, 02:00 AM	#15
Sigma 40 Blaster Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2007 Location: East Texas Posts: 997	I am a new mastercastbullets.com fan thanks to ShootingNut. I got a shipment of .40 cal bullets in...very clean, well lubed, consistent weight, and they shoot well. I'm pushing these things near 1000 fps and I had no leading that a quick and simple patch and solvent cleaning didn't cure. Mike is a very knowledgeable shooter/caster/reloader and gave me a lot of advice and load data to make the most of his bullets. I think I paid about 5.5 cents per bullet (180 grain TC), the prices on .45 and 9mm are pretty reasonable too (actually very cheap compared to some other vendors when taking the quality of product into consideration).

January 3, 2008, 02:44 AM	#16
Grandpa Shooter Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2007 Posts: 140	Both of my Colt Series 80 45's will not feed SWC at any reasonable rate. I have 3,000 moly coated 200g SWC that will not feed in my guns. I am going to try the link above to check on his prices. __________________ Old enough to know better and way too old to care!

January 3, 2008, 06:14 PM	#17
marada Junior Member Join Date: November 18, 2007 Posts: 8	hello all ,just wanted to thank u all for all ur help and info. u guys are great. thanks , thomas

January 5, 2008, 08:01 AM	#18
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	marada I believe the purpose of this Forum, is to help each other. I know that I have learned a lot. And yes, we are ALL GREAT! Now, I didn't say always real smart. SN

January 5, 2008, 03:16 PM	#19
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	I'm surprised nobody has mentioned anything about throated barrels or recoil springs or any of the fun tweaking 1911 guys get to play with to make their pistols eat up different ammo. My pistol is the AMT Hardballer Longslide. If you run forum searches for all the conversation regarding this pistol in the history of the 'net, you'll likely come to the conclusion that many or most of the pistols AMT produced were often "questionable" in finish and quality. So many folks have owned or handled bad ones, but a few folks got lucky over the years and ended up with decent, shootable pistols. That's how my luck went! I got a darn good one. Mine eats up 200 grain hard cast SWC handloads and begs for more. I don't even bother with any jacketed or factory ammo in this pistol anymore. I just feed it what it likes and keep on shooting. (these loads cycle well in my buddy's Springfield XD also) __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.