Silver Shadow Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Question for reloaders, ballistic pards, casting nuts (yes, I think you might be nuts if you enjoy casting), etc. Since most items, gun related, have become a little scarce, including lead, I was wondering if any of you may be able to share some experience with me regarding the following: I currently load two different bullets for .45 caliber cowboy shooting. I use the Lyman #452664 250g RNFP cast bullet for my rifle loads. And the Lee #452-200-RF 200g RNFP cast bullets for my revolver loads. My question is, do any of you have any experience running the Lee 200g bullet through a 24" barrel? The Lee has a significantly smaller lube groove than the Lyman, and that's why I've been reluctant to run it in my rifles. I am wondering if it may result in excessive leading. I load with the minimum listed charge of Trail Boss (hodgdon site) for a posted speed of 705 fps and I cast them at approximately 11 bhn and lube them with Thompsons Blue Angel. I like how the Lyman bullets shoot but was thinking that I can stretch my lead reserves by theoretically getting 5- 200g bullets from the same amount of lead as 4- 250g bullets. Thanks SS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Dick, SASS #12880 Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 You should be good to go since you are shooting smokeless, it's black powder that requires copious amounts of lube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kulshan 20262 Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 I use a commercial 200 gr RNFP in a 24 inch barrel with a max load of TrailBoss. No problems. The bullet looks much like the Lee, but is from Magma moulds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Dog Jack, SASS #77862 Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 I load the same bullet with I think the same lube for my daughter with a mid range TB load and no problems. I do get bullets on the softer side, BHN 9-10 usually Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Hanger #3720LR Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Just some number to consider. As a commercial ammunition manufacturer, who reloads only for cas shooters, I offer the following info......... So far this year, 2013, I have loaded approximately Zero, 250 grain 45 caliber bullets. 2012 that number was a whopping Zero as well. Looking back to 2011, it's amazing, that number was Zero again. Oh No...2010, I loaded a total of 50 rounds with 250 gr bullets. Looks like they were for a log cutting event. So, I think you should have no problem with 200 gr bullets in any of your guns. Personally, I like the 200gr over all others for 45 Colt. -------------------- I have also loaded the 180gr 45 caliber bullets and all I have done that for have gone back to the 200gr bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twelve mile REB Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 There are those that forgo the lube entirely without excess leading . 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 For the 45Colt, I've recently dropped from a 185 grain bullet in my handguns to 160s... I've used a 200 or 225 grain in the rifle since 1987 (my 2nd year in CAS). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Shadow Posted March 11, 2013 Author Share Posted March 11, 2013 Thanks everybody for the input. It appears that I may be a little over cautious. Probably a side affect of my experiences with that "evil black" powder. It was mentioned that some forego lube altogether. Although I'm not sure I'd go that far, I wonder if tumble lubing these might be sufficient. Thanks again SS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mackenna Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 I cast the 200 gr bullet using lee moulds and lube them with lyman moly. shoot them through a 24" marlin and a 24" 73 Win with no leading and good accuracy with black or smokeless. Mackenna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Mountain Buzzard Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 I was casting the Lee 200 RNFP bullet for a bunch of the cowboys around here. (Got me a machine now) They all love it. And...it works well for the 45acp too. FWIW, With WW lead, they dropped @ 209 grains. Everything I cast gets tumble lubed with a 50/50 Johnson's Paste Wax/Bee's Wax mix. Powder fouling and leading are almost non-existent compared to conventional lubing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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