Author Topic: 200 gr .45LC mold--which one to use??? (Read 1411 times)

Cheyenne Ranger · « **on:** February 05, 2003, 08:26:56 AM »

I've been using the Lee RNFP 200 gr mold for my .45LC. This one is fine except for the small lube grove. Is there another one out there that has the same profile (pretty much) and has a large lube grove? Notice we have the custom 255 gr .45LC now available but I use the 200 gr in my RV's.
thanks,
CR

John Traveler · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2003, 10:39:11 AM »

Hi again!

I've had excellent success using .45 ACP bullet molds for the .45 Colt. Some of the favored ones include 225-230 grain RN by Lee, Lyman, RCBS, and SAECO. Many of these are the older designs with a single, deep lubricant groove. Holds plenty of lube for BP cartridges.

I've not tried the 200 grain class of bullets yet, but as I recall, about 100 years ago, when development for smokeless .45 ACP was started, the 200 grain slugs were adopted to work the recoil mechanisms better. The US Army wanted the 230 grain slug, and that is how it becamse standard for .45 ACP. I don't know if .45 Colt was ever loaded with the 200 grain vice the 250-255 grain bullets now considered standard.

Cheyenne Ranger · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2003, 02:11:05 AM »

Thanks John,
I am using the 200 gr as my mentors also do and they say, correctly, that if you lessen the mass of the bullets you lower recoil. Might have to try the 250 ones as a comparison test one day.
CR

Pigeonroost Slim · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2003, 05:23:08 AM »

Hey Ho Ranger!

A couple of years back I purchased a very similar boolit design from both Laser Cast and Miester. The Laser Cast had to be delubed and relubed with my then 50/50 and the Meister came SPG lubed and were a softer BP alloy. I didna like either of them. The felt recoil was not noticeably less to me in my Rooger SSBVs and the Roogers shot a purt wide pattern with them and shot low. When shooting on snow, even with fffg, mag primers, firm Lee crimp the snow would show tell tail unbunrt Holy black. In my Marlin, I actually set my right shirt sleeve on fire with them the danged blowback was so bad (I am a lefty). IMHO the .45Colt loves massisve boolits. But, I know a Pard that has succes in loading lighter boolits in it with success by using saturated felt wads and such. If interested, look up Doc Shapiro on the SASS Wire. He can and will help ya as best he can.

Regards;

prs

Mason Stillwell · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2003, 05:00:29 PM »

I use a 200 gr Rapine hollow base bullet that I mould and put Thompson's PS lube on. It has two huge lube groves and works great for me.
Also I have an RCBS 230 gr Cowboy bullet that has a huge lube grove and flat point . Works great for BP stuff.

Hope this helps
Pete

Brasskisser · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2003, 04:48:12 AM »

Ranger, if you ever find the bullet you are looking for post the info here as there are several of us CAS who want this bullet. I have shot the Rapine 200 gr. HB, and it does have adequate grease grooves, and best yet it is .454 dia. . The ony thing is these molds are single cavity and as much as we shoot, casting these things is a pain in the #@$. I get by with a 200 gr. Lee .452 dia. two very small grease grooves from a six cavity mold ( they shot ok in Rugers but some of the Colt Clones, especially one EMF Hardford, require .454 dia bullets). The new Lee six cavity 250 gr. mold with the new single very wide grease groove is excellent in BP rifles and carbines. I love this mold. I wish they would make a 200 gr. version of this. It would sell very well.