.45 colt reloading data

[Apmurray]

I have a Speer manual and it doesn't really have the info I'm looking for. I'm trying to load a 255 gr LSWC Keith style with Universal. The Speer manual I have has a 255 gr LSWC, but the overall cartridge length is 1.65 or something and when I seat the bullets I have to the crimp groove I'm closer to 1.595. Is there a manual that has more cast bullet data in it? also could I just go with the data in my Speer manual even though my overall case length is different?

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, and yes.

Hodgdon provides data for a 250 LRNFP with Universal & OAL of 1.600"

Start = 6.5.
Max = 7.8.

Even the max load only produces 13,000 CUP pressure.
And thats very low pressure.

You will be perfectly fine with your 250 LSWC bullet seated to the crimp groove & crimped.
Even with the Max load.

rc

 

[Apmurray]

Thanks for the info. I've seen that Data from Hodgdon, but wasn't sure if my 255 gr bullets were ok to use. I've only been reloading for a couple of years so I'm not really sure how much I can mess with the loads yet. I'll start at the starting load and work my way up. Could you recommend a manual that has more cast bullet data? I was thinking maybe a Lyman one, or one of those caliber specific books.

 

[rcmodel]

The Lyman #49 manual covers some cast bullet data for almost any caliber.
More then any other standard reloading manual.
http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-Reloading-Handbook-49th-Edition/dp/B001FBFW6U

Except the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook.
It covers about anything you need.
http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-Cast-Bu...13&sr=8-1&keywords=lyman+cast+bullet+handbook

All other bullet manufacture manuals cover only the jacketed bullets they make.
Except Speer & Hornady, which also cover the Soft-Swaged Lead bullets they make.

Neither cover cast bullets of any caliber because they don't sell cast bullets.

As for 250 vs 255 in low pressure cast bullet data?
The bullet lube, or lack of can make more difference then 5 grains depending on number & depth of grease grooves, and how well they are filled with lube.

or one of those caliber specific books

Don't waste your money.
You need the full scale bullet pictures in the Lyman Manuals to make any meaningful comparisons between different mold designs and the bullets you have.

rc

 

[Apmurray]

Thanks again. I'll have to check out one of those lyman books.

 

[zxcvbob]

Let the bullet crimp grooves tell you what the length should be. .45 Colt is such a long (and cavernous) low pressure cartridge that the overall length doesn't matter much. Differences in the actual bullets used is also one reason there is about a 10% range on the load data, and you start low.

RC's 6.5 to 7.8 looks surprisingly low to me. I thought the upper end would be about 9.5 grains of Universal. But I haven't looked it up.

 

[rcmodel]

It probably is low, but thats what the book says.

I don't adhere to closely to what the book says about Unique in .45 Colt either!

rc

 

[Apmurray]

Yeah I've seen other data that's higher. I've noticed there are higher max loads for jacketed bullets than lead bullets of the same weight as well. Is that due to leading concerns, or do lead bullets build more pressure for some reason.

 

[rcmodel]

Generally speaking lead bullets require less pressure to reach the same velocity as lead bullets.

Grease lubed lead bullets have way less bore friction then jacketed bullets.

rc

 

[Apmurray]

So if the lead bullets have less friction, shouldn't it be possible to use more powder?

 

[rcmodel]

If you are looking at your Speer manual & Speer lead bullets, no.

Speer only sells soft-swaged lead dry-lubed bullets in a few calibers.
(.357/.38, .44, & .45 I think.)

Soft-swaged bullets cannot take as much pressure or velocity as grease lubed cast bullets of harder alloy.

The data in the Speer manual is held to pressure & velocity limits below the threshold where the soft-swaged bullets they sell will strip out of the rifling and lead the barrel terribly.



Get a Lyman manual and it will become more clear what cast lead bullets are capable of.
Not the same bullets at all as the soft-swaged lead target bullets Speer & Hornady sell.

rc

 

[Apmurray]

Ok thanks again for the info. I'll order one right now.

 

[rcmodel]

Heck, order them both.
They aren't that expensive in the grand scheme of things guns, shooting, and reloading anymore.

The Cast Bullet Handbook alone is an education in lead bullets you can't get anywhere else.
The #49 manual covers some of it, but not all.
It covers everything else you need to know though!


rc