Mid weight bullet for FA 97

[mnimrod45]

Hey guys,

I am looking for my ideal all around bullet for my FA 97 in .45 Colt. It will be for plinking, backup when big game hunting with a rifle, carrying on hikes and even as a primary for hunting mule deer and elk from time to time when I leave a rifle at home. I want something mid-weight, around 265-280 grains and plan to push it around 1000-1100 fps, probably with HS-6 but not sure yet. I bought some 270 SAA bullets from a guy on Ruger Forum that actually weigh a bit over 280 grains. I loaded them up with some HS-6 because of recommendations off this site but they didn't fit in the 97 because of nose length. They shot awesome in my 5 shot .45 Colt though and love the powder now. I know I can crimp them over the crimp groove but would like to keep them in the groove if I can.

I don't cast my own so have been looking at bullets from Montana Bullets and Beartooth as I have had good luck from them but would also look at others. I notice many variations of most bullets and some 270 SAA molds throw a bullet with a different nose length than others. I know ideally a nose length of .335" is ideal to work in the 97. Same things with the different LBT models, obviously they are not all original LBT designs as they vary quite a bit. I like the WFN models a lot but known the LFN shoots better futher out, but they won't fit in the chamber and I don't need a real long range bullet. The 265 WFN and 280 WFN from Beartooth with both fit and are good options, the same 280 bullet from Montana has a nose to crimp length .020" longer than the Beartooth from some reason and will probably be a bit long.

Any suggestions on your guys favorite commercial cast bullets in these weights for this gun? I would like a 270 SAA or WFN design for all around use. What do you guys use?

Also, I am curious about these coated bullets. Do you know of anyone making good quality coated heavy bullets like these for sale?

Thanks,

Mark

[Encore64]

I'd start with Matts Bullets for a great selection.

I use only Matts 250 grn Full Wadcutters in mine. Order them hardened and never look back.

[matts]

Hello,

I love my 97 in 45 Colt. Unfortunately I haven't had enough time to work with it but I have been looking at bullets.

Beartooth makes a 280 grain they say fits the 97. I've not shot it, but everything I've ever tried from them has been perfect.

CEB Bullets makes a 300 grain solid brass bullet specifically for the 97. It's pricey but would be a nice option. I've tried their solid for 10mm and it worked great. Haven't tried the 45 yet though.

Montana bullet works has a couple that will fit.

Just a word of caution on cast in the FA, they have such tight chambers if the cast is not sized perfectly it will not chamber. I've fought this with cast bullets from one manufacturer. Just make sure when you get new ones and check them. I never would have thought commercial cast wouldn't be sized correctly.

Good luck with a fantastic gun.

[Fowler]

Don't be afraid to deep seat a bullet. Kieth's over the front driving band and LFN bullets over the front ogive work great. Often times gaining velocity and in some cases accuracy as well while making the issues of slightly oversized bullets a non factor if you cant size them yourself and the commercial caster didn't get it exactly right (often is the case). Somewhere here on Single Actions David Bradshaw did an excellent test with 335gr LFNGC bullets seated deep in his FA 83 and showed that at 100 and 200 yards accuracy was noticeably better deep seated than crimped in either of the two crimp grooves on that bullet. I didn't used to like the look of deep seated bullets, but especially for single actions they work just fine for all around shooting.

I'm sure in a little 97 the 335gr bullet will be a bit much for everyday use but the weights you ask for should be just right for an all around load and HS6 and Power Pistol would be excellent powders to use for you project as well. Good luck and let us know how it goes for you.

[paul105]

Plus 1 on what Fowler said above.

I have two M97 .45 Colts. A 4 ¼” and a 3 ½” round butt. I’ve used the “deep seat” technique on both SWCs and LFNs since I bought 4 ¼” inch gun 11 years ago. The 4 ¼” has over 25,000 rnds down the pipe a goodly number of those were 270 SAAs crimped over the front drive band.

Depending on velocity, 335gr bullets can get a bit rambunctious in the M97s.

These threads aren’t much fun without pictures.





Paul

[Markbo]

Hmmmmm.... that would solve my problem in my .41 M97 with anything over 210gr wouldn't it?

[mnimrod45]

Thanks guys, maybe I will try the 270 SAA over the crimp groove. I think I'll just order some of the 265 and 280 grain WFN's too from Beartooth too to try out unless anyone else has a favorite for this gun. I'm getting older and lazier and don't experiment as much as I used to, I would like to just get a good all around load for this gun and load a ton of them and stick with it.

Mark

[paul105]

Beartooth makes great bullets, but their turnaround time can be lengthy (months in some cases). If you can contact them, ask about availability, otherwise you'd be best served to have a backup plan in mind.

Paul

[dougader]

Yeah, I like the Beartooth 265 WFNGC and the same bullet from CP.

[rjm52]

Aug 14, 2017 17:49:36 GMT -5 Markbo said:

Hmmmmm.... that would solve my problem in my .41 M97 with anything over 210gr wouldn't it?

There good bullets out there for the .41 over 210 and more if you cast.

Federal and CorBon use the Cast Performance or Leadhead 250 grain LBT. They will fit in a 97. 20 grains of H110 will run just over 1300 from a 4.25" barrel...

If you cast look at the Accurate Molds 41-250F and 250L. Neither have to be deep seated...

[Markbo]

Wow thanks for those leads!