Lead Projectiles for a 1911

[Burnston]

I've yet to attempt reloading for .45ACP, with the one small exception of my Redhawk .45 Colt/ACP. What limited acp experience I do have was isolated to this firearm using jacketed bullets. I would like to explore the world of lead bullets with application to my SR1911, hopefully with a round-nosed general plinking bullet, and then something with a bit heavier impact. However, I am out of my depth and have little comprehension and experience in reloading for a semi-auto pistol. I've considered the following two bullets from Missouri bullet company:

missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=59&category=5&secondary=13&keywords=

missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=160&category=5&secondary=13&keywords=

My basic question is, where do I start with lead bullets out of a 1911 as far as bullet type, weight, and size? 

[sheriff]

Both those bullets ought to work fine in your SR1911. I cast similar style and run 'em thru my SR1911, Remington R1, Springfield Armory RO, and my old cobbled together Ithica mil surp. I run mine powder coated and sized .452. Lyman has a lot of .45acp cast data in their manual.

[sixshot]

Russ is correct about the old 45 ACP, there is a lot of load data out there. I size mine a little bigger than his, I got .452" & I'm sure he does do! I mostly use a Miha HP that drops at 205 grs & is a clone to the 230 gr hard ball load you get at the store. The standard lead bullet cast load is the Lyman 452374 RN.

Many powders will work, Unique, Bullseye, 231, Universal just to name a few. Remember the 45 headspaces on the case mouth so you need a taper crimp die & you'll want a finished diameter of about 470" at the case mouth with a seated bullet when finished. If you don't have a case gauge just disassemble your gun & use your barrel as a gauge. Do what we call the "plunk" test so that the loaded rounded drops flush with the barrel, if so you are good to go as long as the load is the correct pressure to cycle the slide with the spring you have in your gun. Hope this helps & good luck.
If you're bear hunting take the safety off before you see a bear, you'll be glad you did. The grip safety is safety enough if you're worried!!

Dick

[2 Dogs]

The most important thing to remember here is that your barrel is your case gauge. So, when loading for your auto pistol, pull the barrel out of it. Size a case and be sure it fits in the chamber. If it does, go ahead and load it up. Once it's loaded, again, drop it in the chamber. If it is a slip fit in and out go ahead with your loadin. Check a loaded round with your "case gauge" every so often until you are sure everything is right.

I will go dig out a reload and measure the taper crimp for you and let you know what dimension should be to start. HOWEVER, keep an eye on this and keep your calipers handy. As you shoot your 1911, your loaded ammo will make the trip from the magazine to the chamber. To do so, they will be driven by the face of the slide up the ramp. Every so often, carefully pull the mag out of your 1911 and eject one of your chambered rounds. If it is shorter than it was when you loaded it, you might need to snug or increase your taper crimp die a thousandth or 2 more.

Last, overall length is very important with a 45 ACP to avoid what we used to call "untimely leverage". Just measure a factory ball round and start there. And to answer your last question, and round nose style from 220 to 230 grains should work great. Try a few for accuracy before you buy a pickup truck load full tho....


EDITED TO ADD: Ok, good ole Sixshot to the rescue. You start with your taper crimp at .470" but again, you can increase that as you need to up to a point. As Dick says, you need to remember your case does headspace on the chamber mouth so maximum taper crimp would be about .467-468" or so depending on the thickness of your brass.

[sheriff]

Thanks for correcting my 'misprint', Dick. Yes, it should have read '.452' and has been corrected. After setting the OAL for the rounds, I run 'em through a Lee Factory Crimp die and have not noticed a problem with magazine set back.

[Burnston]

Jan 11, 2018 13:57:13 GMT -5 sixshot said:

Remember the 45 headspaces on the case mouth so you need a taper crimp die & you'll want a finished diameter of about 470" at the case mouth with a seated bullet when finished.

Mr. Thompson, I have an old set of RCBS dies that I use for my .45 Colts labelled .45Colt/.45ACP. Since this is the first I've heard of it, I am going to assume It is not equipped with a taper crimp. Is this an item sold separately, or should I buy an updated set of dies? 

Fermin, I do not own a set of calipers, which may lend itself to my amateur reloader status. Are the above mentioned tools items that need acquiring before I attempt ACP loading? 

[redcanoe]

I've loaded these in my 1911's and been very pleased with the accuracy and reliability:

missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=56&category=5&secondary=13&keywords=

The shoulder of the bullet should sit about 1/32" proud of the case mouth. I use my barrel as a case gauge to confirm acceptable fit, note the overall length with my calipers, and use the calipers for occasional checks as I work through a batch of ammo. You can find a decent dial caliper for $30, and it's almost indispensable around your reloading bench.

[Burnston]

Jan 11, 2018 15:11:18 GMT -5 redcanoe said:

I've loaded these in my 1911's and been very pleased with the accuracy and reliability:

missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=56&category=5&secondary=13&keywords=

The shoulder of the bullet should sit about 1/32" proud of the case mouth. I use my barrel as a case gauge to confirm acceptable fit, note the overall length with my calipers, and use the calipers for occasional checks as I work through a batch of ammo. You can find a decent dial caliper for $30, and it's almost indispensable around your reloading bench.

You have no chambering/feeding issues with the conical bullets? 

[redcanoe]

Just make sure they're not seated too deep or too long and you're fine. I'll admit, the SWC bullets look a little strange in a 45 ACP case at first, but they cut a nice hole in targets and are generally accurate.

[Squatch]

You might also consider looking at Bayou Bullets. Though I haven't shot any of the ACP bullets, I have shot thousands in the 45 colt. They are a coated bullet so no mess from lube or lead, which is a nice thing in my book.
www.bayoubullets.net/categories/hi-tek-supercoat-bullets/45-acp.html

[nicholst55]

You can purchase a separate taper crimp die from most any of the major manufacturers. I personally do not recommend the Lee Factory Crimp Die, as it's easy to swage the seated bullet down to a too-small diameter when using one, which will cause leading and poor accuracy.

[Markbo]

FWIW 5.0 gr of Titegroup and a 200gr bullet are my go to 1911 target loads. Only around 850fps and very accurate in every 1911 I have shot them in.

[sixshot]

Sorry for the late reply, I've been to a ball game all night. You're getting good advice & will probably need a a dial caliper. Handloads in a semi auto need to be reliable & to do that you need to use a good taper crimp die & follow up on what Fermin said, he's been there & back many times.

Dick

[Ken O'Neill]

I have found the 225-230 gr. truncated cone flat nose bullets (such as those you've shown from Missouri bullets) to be superior to the roundnose 230's in impact on both bowling pins and small game, so would recommend them. They also feed perfectly in my 6 1911's. The 200 gr. swc's may be very very slightly more accurate in some guns off a bench, but lack the impact effect in my experience.
Otherwise, the info you are getting here on taper crimp and barrel guaging is spot on. Several powders will work well, but Win. 231 has been my go-to for about 30 years or so.

[bradshaw]

Burnston.... look up David Bradshaw Photos - Vol. XLIII (Vol. 43) in the Gallery section. Includes some target data out to 100 yards with cast bullets in .45 ACP. Loads include cast 225 Truncated Cone, Speer swaged 230 RN, cast 197-204 grain short SWC. Also, a few jacketed loads, handled and factory.

The secret to longevity in the .45 ACP is to stay away from high pressure. The .45 ACP is a low pressure round of great worth.
David Bradshaw