More Rookie colt reload ques..

[GSP7]

If my cylinder throats are .452 on my AWA Longhorn 45 colt , Are cast bullets I measured to be .454 safe to load and shoot?
These ones 230 gr. Advertised as 45acp/45colt

Im kinda worried about that thing trying to go through that smaller throat in my cylinder

I did get some test loads with hornaday 250XTPs loaded up with some unique

[Trapdoor]

If your friend gave you a bunch of these, I would size them to .452 to be safe.

[WIL TERRY]

I would shoot 'em as -is and will make a small wager they'll shoot like a million bucks !!! That is only .001" on a side and a nice tight fit with cast bullets is ALWAYS a plus.

[GSP7]

Wil Terry,

Ive been waiting for someone to post something like that, And cause i dont have a sizer ....

[smkummer]

If that bullet is measuring 454 diameter, then its probably only at the base or its out of spec. It was made specifically for the 45 ACP by Lee and made to be sized at 452 or less. I have shot it in the 45 Colt with satisfactory results. Lee states that it can be unsized if it does not buldge the case enough to cause hard chambering. It should not be an issue when loading 45 Colt. Like stated above, unsized will probably give you the best results in 45 Colt. I am loading Lyman 454190 unsized (454 diameter) and it more accurate than 452454 (452 sized) in all of my Colt SAAs chambered for 45 Colt.

[GSP7]

Thanks guys,
My speer manual shows a rcbs .454 cast bullet load data also

So,,, I loaded some up with unique to test. Crimped them just above the top rib

This friend that casted these is new to casting and some bullets, looks like he didnt fill the mold enough so i set those aside after inspecting and measureing them

[Dragon88]

This friend that casted these is new to casting and some bullets, looks like he didnt fill the mold enough so i set those aside after inspecting and measureing them

Hmm.... I would provide him feedback so he can improve his casting process. And make sure you inspect each bullet before loading, since obviously he didn't do so himself.

[GSP7]

Well I shot my 45colt test loads with Unique and Hornaday 250 xtp's and those 230 gr lee casts. My max load of 8 grs unique was a pussy cat

What is the favorite powder for the 45colt?

I hear trailboss fills the case better so double charging isnt possible....but it higher cost or smaller container

[Ken S]

I shoot SAA 3rds, and use 454 exclusively. I've tried 452 and the 454 is withouth doubt better. Mike V. in his books recommends the 454, and so do other experts.
I shoot Schofield cases and use 6.4 grains Unique with the 250/454 and they are extremely accurate in both my 3rds.
The 452's fall through the chambers and the 454's catch.
The slight oversized 454 lead bullets don't cause problems.

Check cases, etc. after firing, but this load is my CAS load and recoil is very light. I like the Schofield cases because they're historically accurate, use less powder, and very easy to size and load. You can use the 45 Colt dies, just take 1/8 inch off the bottom of the seating die. You can still use that die for the Colt 45 case if you want.
The Army in the 1870's use this case too. The ..45 ACP is designed after it. Really, just the Schofield case, with a rim.