Use .45ACP bullets on .45LC?

[Dudemeister]

Is there any reason why I couldn't use some Berry's Preferred Plated bullets I'd been using for my .45 Cal. (ACP) on my .45LC?

I have both 200gr. SWC, and 230gr. RN, that I'm considering loading on my .45LC cases. The diameter is the same, and other than them being plated, the only other difference is the lack of a crimp groove.

DO you seen any reason why I shouldn't do it? AS far as the load, I plan on using 5.0gr. Clays, the same recipe I use for the 200gr. cast bullets.

What do you guys think?

 

[rcmodel]

Choot'm Lizabet! Choot'm!

rc

 

[ReloaderFred]

I use the same bullet for both .45 acp and .45 Colt for most of my plinking, the 200 gr. RNFP. They function great in my 1911's, Witnesses and Ruger Blackhawk in .45 acp. and in my Ruger Blackhawks in .45 Colt and my Marlin 1894CB rifles. It sure simplifies things when casting.

You choices in plated bullets will work equally well in both calibers.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Jesse Heywood]

The only issue I know of is the lack of a crimp groove. So either taper crimp or use a mild roll crimp

 

[Dudemeister]

Do I crimp the the lip into the bullet or no crimp. If I do crimp, would that affect the (compromise) the plating where the lip digs into the edge of the bullet?

 

[ReloaderFred]

Use good neck tension and enough crimp to remove the case mouth flare. That should be all you need with lighter loads.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Dudemeister]

Well I seated one of the 200gr SWC, but to achieve the max. OAL I had to seat that sucker pretty deep. The OAL is 1.59", the hard cast OAL is 1.577"

Notice the light roll on the lip, it actually goes over the bullet shoulder ever so slightly, so it doesn't dig into the plating.

 

[40-82]

I assume that your talking about using a 45ACP bullet in a 45 Colt of modern manufacture. That would work. Most of those bullets are of .452 diameter, sometimes .451. If you have your hands on a pre-war 45 Colt diameter is likely to be .454 or larger. The .452 bullets in such a gun wouldn't be unsafe but they wouldn't be very accurate either.

 

[Dudemeister]

I assume that your talking about using a 45ACP bullet in a 45 Colt of modern manufacture. That would work. Most of those bullets are of .452 diameter, sometimes .451. If you have your hands on a pre-war 45 Colt diameter is likely to be .454 or larger. The .452 bullets in such a gun wouldn't be unsafe but they wouldn't be very accurate either.

Modern guns. I'm currently shooting .45LC out of a couple of Uberti Cattleman, a Pietta Thunderball and a NM Vaquero

 

[USSR]

With revolvers (modern or otherwise), it's not the barrel dimensions that determine what diameter bullet you should use, but the cylinder throats. My S&W 25-5 was made in 1980, and while it has a modern .451" - .452" barrel, the throats measure .4545". So, I size my bullets to .455" and all is well.

Don

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Your crimp looks spot on. Just over the shoulder so it doesn't dig in and tear the jacket.

 

[greenmtnguy]

Or, you can get a Lee Factory Crimp Die and basically put a taper crimp on the bullet as it was originally intended in the 45 ACP cartridge.