Cast bullet recommendations for a 1911

PerversPépère

PerversPépère

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Hi!
I just got hold of a tuned Norinco 1911 .45Auto pistol and I'm looking for a good cast bullet mould for it.
If you also have some recipes for a good plinking/target load for it, I'm all ears.
PP.:)
 
200 grainers.

Most 45 types use a cast 200 grain bullet. I've seen 205, 195 and even some 175 grainers, but they all work.
I recently made up a batch of 200 cast lead DRG bullets using 4.5 grains of Aliant's new ClayDot powder. Works very nicely.
My other standard load for the same bullet is Aliant's bulk powder, PROMO. Promo burns just like RedDot. 4.2 or 4.3 grains of Promo is a very pleasant load too.
IMR's 700X is also a good powder for 45. 4.1 or 4.2 does a good target job.
 
Lyman's 452460 is a 2-groove 200gr. swc, somewhat similar to H&G 68, it is accurate in every 1911 I've seen, with proper amounts of Win. 231. I would also be inclined to try Titegroup as it seems to shoot so well in other cals.
 
I would suggest a lyman 452374 230gr, RN single lube groove or a Lee 90346 230 RN tumble lube if you don't want to size and lube, Use Liquid alox instead.

Both will feed very well in any 1911 made, some people have feed trouble with SWC designs.

Both bullets will work great with a charge of 4.5 grains of tightgroup.

brnolvr
 
If you're not shooting 230 grain RN in your 1911, I have to think you're a communist. At _least_ a sympathizer.

I use the Lee 230 RN 'standard' (not with tumble-lube grooves), liquid alox lube on 'em, standard 10:1 mix and they shoot beautifully with 6.5 Unique.
 
brnolvr said:
I would suggest a lyman 452374 230gr, RN single lube groove or a Lee 90346 230 RN tumble lube if you don't want to size and lube, Use Liquid alox instead.

Both will feed very well in any 1911 made, some people have feed trouble with SWC designs.

Both bullets will work great with a charge of 4.5 grains of tightgroup.

brnolvr
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Another vote of the 452374 230gr LRN! Works like a charm in every 1911 I've ever tried 'em in. I usually opt for Bullseye though, instead of Titegroup.
 
I use a Lee 6 cavity mold - 230gr TC (Truncated Cone) with 4.7gr Titegroup. Lubed with Lee Liquid Alox.
The "TC" resembles a SWC design and they feed flawlessly in my 1911. Very accurate as well.
 
Have you guys played around with alloy hardness at all? I'm wondering how soft I can go and still get good performance at around 850fps with these 230 grainers....
 
Hardness

I guess those slow-moving 230 grainers don't need too much hardness given the pressures. Too hard can give you leading if the bullet's base doesn't upset enough to give good obturation.
In another view, maybe they need some hardness to take the rifling without skipping, I don't know. So the recipe would be to use a fast powder to get the kick needed for upset and use plain wheelweights for sufficient hardness.
And there's always the final sizing diameter that can play a lot, too...
 
Bishopus said:
If you're not shooting 230 grain RN in your 1911, I have to think you're a communist. At _least_ a sympathizer.

I use the Lee 230 RN 'standard' (not with tumble-lube grooves), liquid alox lube on 'em, standard 10:1 mix and they shoot beautifully with 6.5 Unique.
Click to expand...

If your shooting a Commie Gun , Might as well shoot Commie Lead:)
 
I use straight wheel weights dropped into cold water to harden. I let harden one week before reloading them. I was told the lead "cures" over a week, true or urban legend? All I know is that they as accurate as any factory load I have shot.
 
Bishopus said:
If you're not shooting 230 grain RN in your 1911, I have to think you're a communist. At _least_ a sympathizer.

I use the Lee 230 RN 'standard' (not with tumble-lube grooves), liquid alox lube on 'em, standard 10:1 mix and they shoot beautifully with 6.5 Unique.
Click to expand...

Not absolutely sure about your choice. I say this because many many 45 ACP shooters use the previously mentioned Hensley & Gibbs #68.
In all three of my 45s it works/feeds great. Leaves nice clean "cookie cutter"
holes in target paper, making scoring easier.

This bullet design was always known for its accuracy potential in any 45.
 
For shooting sports and target work the 200 gr LSWC is a great bullet. I use straight WW, water quenched and a SOFT lube. I also occassionally cast the Lyman 220 gr RN as well. Your Norinco will feed the 200 gr LSWC like poop thru a goose. Great defensive bullet as well, should the need arise.

Take care

Bob
 
brnolvr said:
I would suggest a lyman 452374 230gr, RN single lube groove or a Lee 90346 230 RN tumble lube if you don't want to size and lube, Use Liquid alox instead.

Both will feed very well in any 1911 made, some people have feed trouble with SWC designs.

Both bullets will work great with a charge of 4.5 grains of tightgroup.

brnolvr
Click to expand...

+1, this bullet weight is why you shoot 45 ACP. - dan
 
The Lyman 452374 casts out at 220 gr using WW for me. My personal preference is the 452460 bullet. Never had a feeding issue with it and the bullet is very accurate in all my .45acp pistols.

Take Care

Bob
 
Another vote for the Lee 6 cavity mold. I used the 200gr SWC tumble lube version. Wheel weights but didn't need to water quench (alloys vary so YMMV). Lee liq alox with no sizing.

Make sure the mold is well lubed per instructions. Otherwise, the halves don't close properly and you have out of whack bullets.

Shot really well in several guns.

Jerry
 
4.5 grains of Bullseye works well with 230 grain cast bullets. RN's or FP's.
"...or urban legend?..." No legend. It's nonsense. Solid lead doesn't get harder by keeping it cool. Mind you, keeping lubed, cast bullets in the fridge will keep the lube from getting soft and coming off on your fingers. Makes for a great conversation starter too. "Why do you have bullets in your fridge?" "Keeps 'em fresh.", says me. Trying not to laugh.
 
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200 gr swc lee tl bullet with 5.7 grs 231 is my target -plinking load, 230 gr tc tl lee bullet with 5.7 231 is my serious load. these loads also work great in my S+W 3rd model hand ejector.

If you want to use Lee bullets, get the 6 cavity, not the 2. Make sure you lube the sprue plate and alignment pins sparingly with copper or nickel based anti-sieze.
 
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mysticplayer said:
Another vote for the Lee 6 cavity mold. I used the 200gr SWC tumble lube version. Wheel weights but didn't need to water quench (alloys vary so YMMV). Lee liq alox with no sizing.

Make sure the mold is well lubed per instructions. Otherwise, the halves don't close properly and you have out of whack bullets.

Shot really well in several guns.

Jerry
Click to expand...

:agree: These work great in my GoldCup & CZ97B.

I use automotive anti seize to lubricate the locator pins & pivot points of my moulds.
 
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