Coated cast lead bullets sizing in 45acp 1911

[Tall John]

I plan to make double duty of my  home cast/pwdr coated .453 MP NLG LRNFP 200grn bullets for both 45 Colt and 45acp. 
 

should I size them down to .451 or .452 for the 1911/45acp.  They are BHN 10-12

 

no I haven’t slugged my bbls yet.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

.45 Colt and acp to .452.

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

I size my .45 Colt, .45 auto and C 45 Spl all to 0.452.   good luck, GJ

[El Chapo]

.452

 

I also would just get a mold for the 200 grain LSWC.  A flat point isn't going to be the best feeding in a 1911.  It may feed, but it's going to be clunky.

[Tall John]

Thanks guys!

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Without slugging your bore, the question is moot.  First Slug your bore.  Then Mic your bullets "As Cast, then after luber/sizer, then after sizing and coating.  You will probably need to size them first a thou or so undersize the coat to get final size.  You may also want to remember, Powder Coat is actually plastic.  Plan accordingly.

[Smokin Gator SASS #29736]

As far as bullet profile I've used round nose, rnfp, and the classic swc in both my 1911s. They all cycled great. I use the swc exclusively now. You may have to experiment with oal. I bought a S&W M&P 45acp for my son in law and loaded some rn 200gr anticipating that the swc bullets might not feed well in the gun. The swc ammo cycled fine in it too along with rn.

[Tall John]

Any advice when using Cerrosafe to slug my pistols?

[WymoreWrangler SASS 46187L]

15 hours ago, El Chapo said:

.452

 

I also would just get a mold for the 200 grain LSWC.  A flat point isn't going to be the best feeding in a 1911.  It may feed, but it's going to be clunky.

I load a 200 grain RNFP for my 1911's and have no problems with it feeding....

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

17 minutes ago, Smokin Gator SASS #29736 said:

As far as bullet profile I've used round nose, rnfp, and the classic swc in both my 1911s. They all cycled great. I use the swc exclusively now. You may have to experiment with oal. I bought a S&W M&P 45acp for my son in law and loaded some rn 200gr anticipating that the swc bullets might not feed well in the gun. The swc ammo cycled fine in it too along with rn.

This ^^^^ has been my experience as well.
Started with 230 grain jacketed, for general shooting not CAS. Moved to lead 230 RN because I bought about 4,000 at an estate sale. Easily make power factor in IDPA at about 170. Tried lead 200 grain RNFP (my current load), easy to load, feed great in several guns and make power factor for WB at about 158-160 with Bullseye. Tried SWC until my inexpensive local source dried up, but I wouldn’t hesitate to use them in the future. 1911 isn’t super complicated to keep happy just spend a little time to figure out what they like. Also all lead bullets are sized to .452 and I use same 200 grain RNFP bullet in 45 Colt and ACP. 

YMMV

Regards

    

Gateway Kid

[Show Me]

Why does Lyman cast bullet 

Says. 451 for cast bullets????

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

Think you would have to ask them.   The usual recommendation for accuracy and minimal leading is 0.001" over groove diameter.    As you can see, lots of us are using 0.452.  

 

good luck, GJ

[Smokin Gator SASS #29736]

Isn't  the norm .451 for copper jacketed  and .452 for lead?

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

 

1 hour ago, Smokin Gator SASS #29736 said:

Isn't  the norm .451 for copper jacketed  and .452 for lead?

"Norm" for 45 caliber cast bullet is exactly what the OP was wanting to know.  As has been answered - 0.452".  Unless you have a barrel that is FAR from current specifications - like an original SAA revolver (groove diameter on those is often 0.454").

 

good luck, GJ

[El Chapo]

8 hours ago, WymoreWrangler SASS 46187L said:

I load a 200 grain RNFP for my 1911's and have no problems with it feeding....

 

Every gun is unique.  One of my 9mm 1911s really hates flat point anything but it'll feed if it's not the first round in the mag.  Round bullets definitely feed much more smoothly in everything though, so they're my go to, especially for guns with the ramp in the frame.

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

In my experience, each gun may be unique, but with proper tuning and appropriate ammo overall length, every 1911 can feed flat point and hollow point ammo.  good luck, GJ

[Tall John]

Well,  my new SR1911 slugs really tight to spec.

 

Grooves 0.4434”

Lands 0.4505”

F.C. 0.4515” 

 

so now what?  Size down to 0.451” or stick with 0.452”

 

 

[Tall John]

.45 Colt NMV SLUGS

Forcing cones are 0.465-0.467" (rotating slug w multiple measurements.

Lands are 0.449-0.4518" 

 

Grooves are 0.444 - 0.4460"

 

Depending where the readings are taken down the length of the slug.

shouldn’t I size my bullets at 0.452” after powder coating? 
 

cylinder chambers fully accept a

+0.451” pin gauge but not a +0.452” gauge from my +0.0002” to -0.0000”gauge kit

 

Edited March 7 by Tall John

[Griff]

Over thinking most anything will lead to ulcers, heart burn and stress you don't need.  Basic rule of thumb for decades has been:  .451" for jacketed, .452" for cast.  Powder coated cast bullets are just that, cast.  If your groove diameters are .4515", then anything up to .002" over that .4515" will be just fine. I run a 200 RFN in my 1911s @ around 825fps just so I don't have to cast or buy two different bullets for WB & cowboy.  These run thru 7 different 1911s, 3 Colts, a Rock Island, 2 Taylor's & a Remington Rand slide on an Interarms frame with Wilson internals &  Bar-Sto barrel.

18 hours ago, El Chapo said:

... 9mm...

'Nuff said.  Does not translate to anything .45 auto related.   

[Tall John]

Thanks Griff et al!

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

4 hours ago, Tall John said:

Lands are 0.449-0.4518" 

 

Grooves are 0.444 - 0.4460"

 

The names on the barrel features are backwards.   Lands are the small diameter - what the barrel was bored to.   Grooves are cut into the barrel with a cutting tool that goes deeper than the bore (lands), thus the groove diameters are a larger number!  

 

good luck, GJ