200 gr 45 RNJ bullets (no cannelure) in a lever gun??

[jval]

I have a few hundred 200 gr 45 cal round nose jacketed bullets (used in my 45 ACP) from years ago. No cannelure. Can I safely use them to load 45 LC (for my lever gun) as long as I use a tight crimp?

 

[Jbird45]

I just purchased a Lee factory crimp die for my .45 Colt and the instructions say when using that specific die a crimp groove is not needed but will require more force to form a crimp. Be sure to check your COL and make sure you are not over max as well. The factory crimp die also sizes the case one last time to insure it will feed properly in your gun. It is worth the small investment.

 

[Walkalong]

With enough neck tension you should be OK, so, it depends.

 

[Jbird45]

With enough neck tension you should be OK, so, it depends.

Good point, but assuming the OP's lever gun has a tube magazine, you should apply a crimp and not rely on neck tension alone as you want to prevent the bullets from being forced deeper in the casing than originally seated. Under recoil the force can push the bullet farther into the casing and when that happens pressure levels can rise and may cause a dangerous situation. A crimp will help the bullet from shifting from it's original seating placement. This is not as much of a concern in revolvers as the rounds aren't stacked like a tube magazine

 

[troy fairweather]

if you have a lee crimp die, you can put the round thru the top, use some warshers as a spacer and crimp just under where the bullet base is. sound weird but works.

 

[Walkalong]

if you have a lee crimp die, you can put the round thru the top, use some warshers as a spacer and crimp just under where the bullet base is. sound weird but works.

Yep.

But I would just load a few as is and see if they handle the ride in the tube, function, and shoot reasonably well before I load up a bunch.

Some folks have done this with success, while others have reported less than stellar results. Try a handful and see.

Or stash them away for .45 CAP down the road and buy some .45 Colt bullets.