Lee 452-230-TC

[BBerguson]

I made an interesting discovery with this bullet today. It has a slight bevel on its base, like a really short boat tail and I discovered that it will accept a gas check. I’m loading it in 450 Bushmaster. I’m going to start doing my testing in 3 shot groups and I’m using Unique for this test. I will load 12 rounds in 10,11 and 12 grains. Six with gas checks and six without. If I get a break in the rain tomorrow I will shoot them.

First time I’ve loaded Unique in the 450BM. I’ve tried Herco with little success but haven’t tried it with this powder. Bullseye loads works ok but groups start getting big with increased charges. I’m looking for an accurate load in the 12-1500 range. Hopefully Unique works as it’s the only mid range burning pistol powder I have.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Herco wouldnt work for me either!! Unique was a winner!!

I borrowed a RCBS 45-230 quite similar to the LEE 452-230tc.

I have been watching for the RCBS but it goes for too many $$ for my budget. I recently thought to look at the LEE bullet.

I have loaded worked up for the Lyman Gould Express 330g hp Bullet using 5744.



Using Jacketed #9 is my go to over all others.

 

[BBerguson]

Finally, success!!!! 50 yard groups but this is great compared to what I was gettting…
10gr No gc, No gc, Gc, Gc Small pistol primers.
1.18, 1.78, .75, .63 Avg vel - 1036, low - 977, high - 1176
11gr 1.35, 1.53, 2.13 (called hangfire opened it up), .5 Avg vel - 1171 , low - 984, high 1246
12gr 1.35, 1.48, 1.11, .51 Avg vel - 1263 low - 1191, high - 1305
I didn’t calculate standard deviations but I had some wild numbers, I think I’ll take the advice of Tomme Boy and try a dacron filler and play in the 11-12gr range and may go up a little to see if I’m in the sweet velocity range for this bullet.

lilgun Small rifle magnum primer
35gr cast Gc - 3.18 avg vel 2087 Won’t be trying these again. Couldn’t measure the first group because the first one hit paper and the next two were high. I was squinting really hard trying to put all the shots in the same hole but no, wasn’t the case! And you can see the next group was bad.

35gr lilgun Hornady 225 gr jacketed - 1.2 and .2 Avg vel - 2149 Yeah, I think this bullet it going to shoot. I have 200 of them, might try to get another box of 100.
This load was below min by 2 gr. I’m going to bump it up to 37-39. I wouldn’t call them hangfires but I could hear the click of the firing pin so there was ever so slight hesitation. I’m also going to try IMR 4227 as I think it’s easier to ignite than lilgun and remember, this is a small primer

Wish I had Universal. I’ve heard lots of good things about it but I haven’t been able to find any.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Not a fan AT ALL of Lil gun. Much better choices.


But it does shoot well..

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

more 450 Targets. Top two are using AA#9.
CW

 

[BBerguson]

Yeah, the little experience I have with it so far I have had accurate loads. I’m going to push it a little more and see if the ignition is more consistent, which I think it will be, and then have a one gun powder. It’s not a plinking load and I really don’t need another deer load but my boy may want to use it someday…

 

[CZ93X62]

OK--this is kinda cool, gas-checking a bevel-based pistol bullet for rifle usage. Outside-the-box thinking is a hallmark of this site.

 

[BBerguson]

 

[BBerguson]

Top left is the lilgun target, rest are unique. Left groups are no gas check, right groups are gas checked.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

THATS gettin there!!

 

[CZ93X62]

I can only imagine the UPROAR if any state rep in Kalifornistan had his or her name stamped on a range target.

 

[Mainiac]

Love the targets!!!
To many flaming liberals in maine,to have that here....

 

[BBerguson]

Yep, he’s a great guy and representative. I love his targets too!

 

[BBerguson]

I forgot to mention that on the back of the targets are safety tips about how to wear orange while hunting.

I loaded up some of these bullets, all with gas checks but added some poly fill to hold the powder against the primer. I didn’t chronograph anything but had 100% consistent ”feeling” shots. Now I think I’ll try a different bullet and see if I can get similar or better results with Unique and the poly fill.