.451 or .452?

[1976B.L.Johns.]

I bought a Lee 6 cavity mold a while back.
A 452-255RF with a .452 diameter and 255 grain weight.

Also purchased a Lyman sizing die @ .452 for my older than me Lubri-sizer.

My thought was I would have bullets for my 45 Colt, 460 S&W for plinking and 45 ACP.

Currently loading 45 ACP and I read on page 380 of the 49th edition of the Lyman Reloading Handbook that cast bullets should not be larger than .451.
because of groove diameters varying from .450 to .453.

I have only loaded and shot commercial jacketed bullets up to this point.

I have mic'ed both commercial and my sized cast.
Both are at .452.

What's the difference?

Can I safely shoot my cast through a 1911?

Or should i get another sizing die and/or mold?

Thanks in advance!


Hey, use care out there!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I bought a Lee 6 cavity mold a while back.
A 452-255RF with a .452 diameter and 255 grain weight.

Also purchased a Lyman sizing die @ .452 for my older than me Lubri-sizer.

My thought was I would have bullets for my 45 Colt, 460 S&W for plinking and 45 ACP.

Currently loading 45 ACP and I read on page 380 of the 49th edition of the Lyman Reloading Handbook that cast bullets should not be larger than .451.
because of groove diameters varying from .450 to .453.

I have only loaded and shot commercial jacketed bullets up to this point.

I have mic'ed both commercial and my sized cast.
Both are at .452.

What's the difference?

Can I safely shoot my cast through a 1911?

Or should i get another sizing die and/or mold?

Thanks in advance!


Hey, use care out there!

With my guns…
And I’m stopping there for now because bore sizes vary from gun to gun. The best way to know the right size for your gun is to slug the bore. But, for most .45 auto the best fit is going to be 0.451” for jacketed and 0.452” for coated, plated and lubed lead. Some makers size their “thick plated” lead bullets to 0.451” for an added safety measure but even then 0.452” is safe at starting loads.

Unless you have a really strange barrel, you will be fine the 0.452” size and may even want to go up 0.453” for better fit.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

The best way to know the right size for your gun is to slug the bore

I knew this was coming up.
Something I have never done.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I knew this was coming up.
Something I have never done.

You probably won’t need to.

I have only loaded and shot commercial jacketed bullets up to this point.

Commercial jacketed bullets are sized 0.451-0.4515” and are considerably harder than even very hard lead (typeset). The only problem you might have is the cast being slightly under sized for your bore.

 

[243winxb]

Can I safely shoot my cast through a 1911?

Yes, if rounds chamber without issue. A minimum SAAMI chamber diameter, may need .451"

Measure a loaded round, 45acp, outside diameter just below the mouth/Taper crimp. The maximum allowed is .4732"
Most guns will have lots of clearance in this area. As much as .004" larger.

The Springfield XDM in 45acp were known to need .451"

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Measure a loaded round, 45acp, outside diameter just below the mouth/Taper crimp. The maximum allowed is .4732"

I made a dummy round and it "plunk tested" just fine.

I have read those dimensions in reloading manuals and will double check.

Thanks for your response!

 

[Walkalong]

You'll be just fine, almost all commercial cast .45 ACP bullets are .452.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

You'll be just fine, almost all commercial cast .45 ACP bullets are .452.

Thanks for the comment!

I just wanted to double check with what the smarter members had to say.

My confidence is coming back.

I am loading for my only 1911, a Kimber Rapide.
Only 945 rounds through it and I did not want a stupid mistake to harm one of my toys.
I mean tools!

 

[Charlie98]

You'll be just fine, almost all commercial cast .45 ACP bullets are .452.

Walk beat me to it.

As a happenstance, I've got a friend casting some .45 bullets for me just today... for use in both .45ACP and .45 Colt. He is sizing them at .452" All 3 of my 1911's are Kimbers... none of them have very tight chambers.

What kind of load are you planning on running?

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

What kind of load are you planning on running?

Have not decided yet.........

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Have not decided yet.........

I think you might run into two issues with that Lee 452-255RF bullet and .45ACP. First, it has a deep crimp groove you will need to avoid. Second, it’s a little long for a .45auto. You’re going to be seating well into the case so start with a light load and watch for signs of pressure spikes. On the other hand, it’s a great revolver bullet so if you buy a revolver that chambers .45ACP….

 

[AJC1]

Your limit is if the round will chamber. Fat cases will be your enemy.

 

[N555]

Slug the bore and you will probably want your hard cast to run .452''.
If they're too small you will get bad leading.

 

[BBarn]

Your limit is if the round will chamber. Fat cases will be your enemy.

This^^
I've had issues with chambering .452" bullets in certain barrels with tight chambers. Since yours plunked OK, you may have no problems.

 

[lightman]

Lots of good advice above! ^^^^^^^^^

.452 works in all of mine! This is with clip-on wheelweights.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Fat cases will be your enemy.

The size of the bullet is what it is.
Fat cases? Because of wall thickness?

I don't follow..........

 

[PapaG]

Can rarely go wrong with cast at .452. If all I have is really hard metal and no pure lead to soften it I might go to 454 in the 45 Colt just to be sure of a seal.
I've had really bad leading in the 44 mag with some extremely hard bullets I bought. The would not slug up.

 

[AJC1]

The size of the bullet is what it is.
Fat cases? Because of wall thickness?

I don't follow..........

Total diameter at the neck is what matters. With fat bullets you can squeak by with thin cases. For example I find Remington thinner than a lot of others. It's likely that LiveLife has a chart for any and all cases in question.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Pretty much what was said in post # 5 by
243winxb.

 

[AJC1]

Pretty much what was said in post # 5 by
243winxb.

Basically except using different brands of brass to control total thickness wasn't mentioned.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Total diameter at the neck is what matters

Pretty much what
243winxb said in post #5.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Gotcha!

I see my computer has been drinking again.

 

[Bcwitt]

Lee had always suggested +.001 for cast bullets. I found that sizing to nominal size (451) made more functional ammo (45acp)

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

On the other hand, it’s a great revolver bullet so if you buy a revolver that chambers .45ACP….

Enabler!

What do you mean by avoiding the crimp groove?

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Enabler!

What do you mean by avoiding the crimp groove?

.45ACP headspaces on the rim. That bullet has a significant crimp groove.