"Handguns" Section Needs CPR

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
A stumbled onto 500 Nosler 185 grain JHPs a few months ago for a decent price, and snagged them on sight. I have those loaded to about 1000 FPS to duplicate the Winchester Silvertip rounds we carried from 1987-1994. All were seated into R-P brass that a member here sold me about that same time.

Most of my 45 ACP and Auto Rim ammo gets loaded with cast 230 grain bullets--Lee 230 TC, Lyman #452374, or some BD45 bullets I still have laying around from my days in Ridgecrest. These get seated atop 5.5 grains of WW-231 to duplicate my current carry loads, the WWB 230 grain JHP (formerly W-W's Ranger SXT, before that Black Talons). These step out at 890-910 FPS from the 5" Gold Cup, and about 25-30 FPS slower from the P-220's 4.4" barrel.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
During my first phase of my 45 ACP expereince, I shot mostly 230 grain bullets with a few side trips into the world of 200 grain bullets.

Then I took big break before returning to the 45 ACP.
In that second phase I almost exclusively shoot 200 grain bullets.
 

Ole_270

Well-Known Member
My son got a Springfield Range Officer 45 a while back, then a friend of his gifted him with a 2 lb coffee can full of once fired mixed brass. He's so busy with work and family that I do all the loading for both of us. Just got started on all that brass yesterday, got it all ready to reload and somewhat sorted. The Rem, Fed, and WW stuff weighed within a grain of each other so I put it in one pile, the Aguila, S-streame, and PMC stuff weighed 8-10 gr heavier so it went into another. Getting ready to load some Lee 452-230TC at 1.17 oal since he hasn't gotten around to having it throated yet. Probably use a dose of HP-38/W231 since I'm about out of the Universal I've been loading for my Sig Stainless Target and Flattop Blackhawk. I've had an 8 lb'er of Universal ordered through the local skeet club since last July, still nothing coming in.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
The 45 ACP is about the user-friendliest autopistol cartridge there is to reload for, and unlike some others is also very lead-friendly.
I agree, the 45 ACP is very cast bullet friendly. Perhaps because it's a low pressure cartridge ? Maybe it's because after 100+ years there are no secrets left. Good reliability and decent accuracy are not difficult to obtain.
 

JustJim

Well-Known Member
My cartridge of choice for 30 years was the 45 acp, mostly in a 1911. Cumulative damage means I can't handle one to my satisfaction, so I'm back to revolvers. My 1911s are all gone, but I keep finding cans of brass. i think that means I'm in denial.

On the revolver front, with no practice since maybe 2015, I did an El Pres in just under 11 seconds with my Model 65. This week the 44 special flattop crossed the 1k rounds mark. Still miss my 1911.
 

JonB

Halcyon member
that 200gr. bullet is kind of a copy of the 225 I use,, which was intended for the 45 colt.
it's objective is to use a little less lead of course, but it is oh so close to what you'd expect from the 45 schofield round from a revolver in a semi-auto platform because of the little bit of extra speed.

just to put it in perspective, it's basically the big brother to the HM-2 9mm mold, where the rear part of the nose is actually a bore ride to engagement transition section to help center the bullet in the barrel.

I tend to seat my auto loader ammo shorter than others do, and that little transition helps center the bullet, plus the newer non throat having guns tend to accept that type bullet better when feeding if the roll over to the front drive band isn't too large.

I had a long debate with mooseman about the nose design for the 9mm version when we were working it out.
he insisted on a full round nose design to try and market the bullet to the full auto guy's, I insisted on the flat point for other various reasons [one of which is they feed just as good as the round nose designs due to there being a feed ramp and that nose being able to ride right up it]

also the nose shape allows a guy to taper crimp and feed it in their 45/357 lever rifle, something a straight RN type can't do as easily with it's longer profile, and shape.
thanks, that is all great info.
 

smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
I just committed to a DW Guardian in 45 ACP. It's used, but pics look like a near new gun and seller has a very long A+ history. Been shopping for a 1911 design carry pistol for 18 months. Was not, am not interested in 9MM. 38 Super or 45 ACP only. Already stocked for reloading 45 ACP. Youngest son will carry this around the homestead until he's of legal age for EDC.

Just received a belly band holster yesterday, ordered for Mrs. smokeywolf. She loves it. Very versatile; IWB, OWB, hips, midriff, front, side, back.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
What mold you using for the 45 Smokey?

I have a rather unique SAECO 6 cavity #068 200 gr SWC BB that may interest you. Nope, not a typo, a 6 cavity Redding SAECO. :)

DSCN1500-3.jpg

Casts my alloy at .4546", right at 200 gr. Bullet length is .630", meplat is .250"/55%
 

smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
Rick, I don't even remember which mold I was using for 45 ACP. Didn't start casting for it until about 4 years ago. Before that was using plated commercial; Berry's I think. Haven't dug out the casting supplies yet. Know where everything is, just don't have a bench yet to put it all on.
Don't dare try and handle a 6 cav mould. Been back to shaking my hands again to unlock my knuckles. When I was 50 the hand surgeon said, based on my xrays, the arthritis in my left hand put me at 70.
Think I'll be limiting myself to 3 cav moulds.
I do like that it drops a .4546 bullet. Could almost use that in the SAA.

Am planning on Future Radiology Tech doing his own casting and reloading, but a 6 cav mould would be quite a ways into the future for him.
 

Ole_270

Well-Known Member
I use the Lee version of the 68 for my Sig Stainless Target 1911 with fairly light loads. In my new model Blackhawk Flattop with the acp cylinder installed, I use the Lee 230TC at hefty velocity. Both are 6 cavity molds, but no doubt of lesser quality than that Saeco
 

BudHyett

Active Member
1911's in 45 ACP are interesting enough but S&W 696's in 44 special are special.
At the Elmer Keith Memorial Match 0ver a decade ago, I shot my S&W 25-7 in .45 Colt in practice. The man next to me tried to buy it on the spot. We walked back from the line to my box where I secured it. He was looking for another one since his girlfriend has usurped his; Then I walked up to the line with my 696 and he tried again to buy my S&W 696. S&W had dropped them from the line the year before. I let him shoot it at 140 yards and told him where to hold. It shot well at the 140 yard targets with 7.0 grains Unique and a 200 grain cast bullet.