New 230 TC mold

[CZ93X62]

I may "Get lucky" with the 40/10 dies, gotta do the Tale of the Tape with those critters in the current dies. My 38/357 carbide sizer (RCBS '79) produces brass at .379", so it's a daisy. 9mm puts out a .390" dia. just at the extractor groove and tapers just like SAAMI says--or close enough to factory ammo to make the pistols run well. It is a steel sizer die from c. 1982. A few years later I added an RCBS T/C sizer, and immediately started having stoppages in my S&W M459. Message absorbed.

 

[Walks]

Hi Guys,

I'm New here at read this thread with great interest. I have to agree about taper sizing dies these days being made with too fast and too small. Same problem with T/C sizers.

My Dad shot Bullseye in the 1950's thru the mid 1960's. No taper crimp dies back then. He used an old Lachmiller steel sizer adjusted to just kiss the case mouth for a crimp die. Never had bullet set back and could put 5 rds under 2" and better at 50yrds with a Pachmyar Worked Colt.

Wish I had the "touch" that He and a lot of you guys have with your hands. Apparently Skill and Ability with tools is not passed down Genetically.

I too cast the Lee 230gr TC. Use it in .45ACP over 4.7grs of Bullseye when out of the #452374, sized .452dia. It's a lot better to cast with a 6cav mold then 3 2cav. Just love those.
And It's my go to Cowboy Bullet for Cowboy Shooting, 5.0grs of Clays in.45Colt for both 1894CB (24" bbl) and old Vaquero 7 1/2" bbl's. Sized .452 and Lubed with WLL BAC. Just haven't got around to shooting any PC'cd bullets yet.

And Yep, My .45Colt die set is from 1981. Steel sizer die too. And since I size & prime before I load on the Progressive first, a bit of Lube isn't a problem.

 

[Cherokee]

Welcome Walks !!

 

[CZ93X62]

Yes indeed, Walks--welcome aboard!

I am very fond of the Lee truncated-cone-form autopistol moulds and castings. I use them in 9mm, 40 S&W, 10mm, and 45 ACP. To this day, I have yet to measure cartridge overall length with these bullets--and I really should. In place of that, I have always seated these bullets in all calibers with .020" of front drive band exposed above the case mouth--set a light taper crimp--and stored the ammo. This regimen has worked well in all self-loaders, and I hope it holds true in the soon-to-arrive S&W PC 625.

My old shop's carry load in 45 ACP is a GREAT ONE--the Winchester 230 grain "WWB" JHP. These are not "+P" loads per se, but are full-value for the caliber--giving 875-890 FPS in 5" barrels. They average 905 FPS in my tight Gold Cup. I duplicate them with the Lee 230 TC atop 5.5 grains of WW-231 and seated as above.

 

[Ian]

If your PC 625 won't shoot the 230TC, all I can say is it ain't the bullet.

 

[CZ93X62]

Roger that, Ian. They shoot wonderfully in all of my bottom-feeders and in the Series 70 GC owned by my SIL's hubby. Reliable and ACCURATE.

 

[Cherokee]

The 230 TC design has been my favorite 45 ACP cast bullet since I got my NEI 451233 in 1986. I later bought the Lee version in 6 cv for volume production. I can also recommend the Accurate 45-200E which is a lighter version of the design. 231, WST and lots of other powders work great.