250gr. lead in .45acp?

Softail99

Softail99

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Has anyone ever loaded 250gr. .45 long colt lead bullets in .45acp?
I've read on the net about guys down in the states doing it with 5.5 grs. of Unique powder. They have bowling pin shoots or something like that and prefer the heavier bullets.
I've loaded up a few, but with only 5.0 grs of Unique to be on the safe side.
Haven't tried shooting any yet though.
Does a heavier bullet have more "knock down" power?
 
yes, but it's a LOT TOUGHER on the frame- remember you're only talking about 20 more grains of bullet- it's not going to be all thatmuch over hardball- the top end of using unique is 6.4 for 822 fps, and the 230 is 6.9 for 851- which is hardball- 5.5 is less than my listed starting load, which is 5.8
i can tell you that it bucks pretty good, much more than the 200 grainers that i use- i had some 45 colt bullets and after 1 mag my hand was SORE
 
I've loaded up a few and they were fine but the extra wear isn't worth it to me. Buy some hollow points for having fun.
 
t-star said:
yes, but it's a LOT TOUGHER on the frame- remember you're only talking about 20 more grains of bullet- it's not going to be all thatmuch over hardball- the top end of using unique is 6.4 for 822 fps, and the 230 is 6.9 for 851- which is hardball- 5.5 is less than my listed starting load, which is 5.8
i can tell you that it bucks pretty good, much more than the 200 grainers that i use- i had some 45 colt bullets and after 1 mag my hand was SORE
Click to expand...

How is ir harder on your frame unless you try loading them to hot which makes little sense.

Take Care

Bob
 
the note in my colt handbook advises that "the use of 250 grain 45 caliber bullets produces increased wear on the frame, slide rails, lugs, and swinging link"
if colt says so, etc
 
If they're not loaded hot I can't see wear being too much of an issue either.
I haven't been reloading to long, and I just wanted some other opinions.(making sure I don't blow my gun up:D).
I guess I'll try them out at the range and decide for myself.
Thanks guys.:)
 
I shot some 255 gr SWC's (Lyman mould No. 452424) in my Colt Commander years ago with no problems, like you I just loaded them at lower velocity.
 
t-star said:
the note in my colt handbook advises that "the use of 250 grain 45 caliber bullets produces increased wear on the frame, slide rails, lugs, and swinging link"
if colt says so, etc
Click to expand...

My pistol manuals all tell me not to shoot reloaded ammo. I do. Don't believe everything you read.

It is just a gun and if it wears out buy a new one.

Take Care

Bob
 
Canuck44 said:
My pistol manuals all tell me not to shoot reloaded ammo. I do. Don't believe everything you read.

It is just a gun and if it wears out buy a new one.

Take Care

Bob
Click to expand...

I know at least one person who shoots nothing but 255, and he loads the same bullet in his .45 cowboy guns, says it saves him having to buy multiple bullets.

Me, i tend to shoot the cheapest i can find, lets me shoot more, wich generally means 200 gn swc
 
I don't see how 250 grain bullets would be any harder on a gun than the standard 230 grain factory ball ammo if you loaded it to have the same momentum. A recoil operated pistol isn't like a Garand or M14, where you have to worry about gas port pressure.

Let's use power factor (weight*velocity/1000) to calculate a convenient numerical value for momentum . For example, a 230 grain bullet at 850 fps has a power factor of 195.5. This corresponds to a 250 grain bullet at 782 fps. Either way, the same momentum is imparted upon the gun due to the principle of conservation of momentum.
 
I would think a lighter, more agressive bullet nose (that fed reliably in your 1911) would be faster on pins than a heavier bullet. Less felt recoil, faster time back on target, faster re-locating of pins from table to ground. Or, better shoots in the same time, so less need for the big boys to clean up the table of rogue pins, for which I belive RPG's are normally indicated. Hit a slowly rotating pin on the top with a big bullet vice a light bullet, and it will just spin faster!
 
ykkid said:
I would think a lighter, more agressive bullet nose (that fed reliably in your 1911) would be faster on pins than a heavier bullet. Less felt recoil, faster time back on target, faster re-locating of pins from table to ground. Or, better shoots in the same time, so less need for the big boys to clean up the table of rogue pins, for which I belive RPG's are normally indicated. Hit a slowly rotating pin on the top with a big bullet vice a light bullet, and it will just spin faster!
Click to expand...

Actually you get less felt recoil from a heavier bullet then a lighter one at the same power factor.

Take Care

Bob
 
I have done this, 5 grain of unique is not bad your probably only pushing the bullet at only 650ft/sec. For a more pleasant target round you might want to try 4.6 grain.
 
Canuck44 said:
Actually you get less felt recoil from a heavier bullet then a lighter one at the same power factor.

Take Care

Bob
Click to expand...

Recoil impulse is longer, less sharp than lighter bullets with +P type loads.
BTW, I do use RCBS Keith 250 sized .452 and they feed very well and shoot with authority..... I load with Universal powder. (similar to Unique)

They feed perfectly with SA and Kimber 1911s

BB
 
tjhaile said:
I don't see how 250 grain bullets would be any harder on a gun than the standard 230 grain factory ball ammo if you loaded it to have the same momentum. A recoil operated pistol isn't like a Garand or M14, where you have to worry about gas port pressure.

Let's use power factor (weight*velocity/1000) to calculate a convenient numerical value for momentum . For example, a 230 grain bullet at 850 fps has a power factor of 195.5. This corresponds to a 250 grain bullet at 782 fps. Either way, the same momentum is imparted upon the gun due to the principle of conservation of momentum.
Click to expand...

X2

It would be hard to duplicate the 45 LC standard velocity w/o pushing pressure limit. However the heavier bullet teamed with a more effective SWC shape is certainly giving a more effective round downrange compared to round nose hardball.
I remember reading a series of tests made in US with penetration and damage in gelatin blocks. Tests were made with std Ball ammo vs. heavy 255 SWC at 800fps. that speed was producing pressure on par with light bullet-high velocity ammo.

Result: 255 SWC were more devastating. I wish I still had that reference in my bookcase.

Another article was written by Rick Miller ( US gun writer). He's an afficionado of the 1911 and Colt SAA. He made penetration tests with both guns ( 45 LC and 45 ACP) with the SWC 255 Keith bullet.

Both guns were performing pretty well at normal pressures and are still today proven stoppers w/o boosting Magnum in their caliber name.

BB

BB
 
Boom-Boom said:
Recoil impulse is longer, less sharp than lighter bullets with +P type loads.
BTW, I do use RCBS Keith 250 sized .452 and they feed very well and shoot with authority..... I load with Universal powder. (similar to Unique)

They feed perfectly with SA and Kimber 1911s

BB
Click to expand...

I have a 255 gr lead semi-wadcutter that is similar to your Keith. Works great.

Take Care

Bob
 
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