Reloading .45LC

[Maplicito]

I've run into a bit of a conundrum, so I'm looking for advice.

I picked up Lee Carbide dies for my .45LC, and asked the salesman for relatively cheap plinking bullets, and to recommend a powder.  He got me Hornady 200 grain XTP's, and went to his Hornady reloading manual to pick out a powder for me - he picked Unique.  I assumed that since he used the Hornady manual, I could get all the info out of my Hornady manual - the same edition I believe - however, I'm finding my manual has no loads listed for the 200 grain XTP's.

I went to my Lee manual, he lists loads for both 200 grain XTP and 200 grain jacketed - my Unique powder is listed in a load for the 200 grain jacketed, but not for the 200 grain XTP.  Probably a silly question - but can I just use the jacketed load for my XTP bullets?

I'm probably missing something, but I'm still trying to figure out how the guy recommended me a powder from a Hornady recipe that doesn't seem to exist... unless he pulled it from Hornady's listed loads for lead bullets?  I'm assuming you can't use a lead bullet recipe for jacketed bullets, can you?

So, to recap, I guess the overriding question is, can I use the 200 grain jacketed recipe for my XTP bullets?  I'm assuming the answer is yes, but better safe and silly than blown up 

[Lone Star]

You are wise to ask.  While is it generally true that you can substitute bullets of different make but of the same weight, you should never do so with near-max loads.  Some bullets load shorter than others (the cannelure is located closer to the nose) which increases load density and can increase pressures, some bullets are harder than others which usually decreases pressure, etc.  Ditto lead bullets, they usually decrease pressure, but not always.  If you substitute the bullets, lower the charge weight first if near max.

The 200 Hornady is a poor choice for the .45LC IMO, it has no cannelure so bullets can slip in the cylinder.   For light loads you may get by if your die set sizes the case mouth tight on the bullet - but if not.....


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[stimpylu32]

I have been shooting xtp's with Unique for a couple years now and still have all my fingers and toes , 

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Index.htm

Alliant lists the 200gr JHPs with 9 grains of Unique as a load on their web site , give it a try , I think you will like it , should make for a nice plunking round .

stimpy

[Maplicito]

Thanks guys... glad to hear I can give it a try without losing some digits    You're all a great resource, as always!

[Cheesehead]

If you are interested in cheap plinking loads, try the 250 grain round nose flat point cowboy action type bullets and the recommended powder charges from the Alliant site. These bullets are very economical when bought in 500 count packs. I use them for plinking with my 45LC in a Ruger Black hawk. I have even taken deer with this bullet with increased powder charges.

Cheese

[stimpylu32]

I'm with Cheese on this one , I shoot a ton of 250 cast in my 45LC's , the last i got at the gun show were around $23 for 500 , I also like the 300gr GC as a hunting bullet .

stimpy

[warrior1]

that was definitely a buy on those 250s.dan

[bigjeepman]

If you are interested in cheap plinking loads, try the 250 grain round nose flat point cowboy action type bullets and the recommended powder charges from the Alliant site. These bullets are very economical when bought in 500 count packs. I use them for plinking with my 45LC in a Ruger Black hawk. I have even taken deer with this bullet with increased powder charges.

Cheese

And I do the exact same thing. The 45lc is a great round.

bjm

[Maplicito]

Thanks for the advice guys.  I've actually been thinking for awhile now that I need to start stocking up on some things... maybe the .45 is a good place to start.

[stimpylu32]

Maplicito

I tend to buy cast by the 1000 or more at a time , I ( with the kids help ) can go through anywere from 500 to 1000 rounds a month between just 38spl , 357 mag and 45 LC so it pays for me to buy in bulk . 

stimpy

[Racer X]

Did you say the XPTs are 200 grains? Hornady does not make a 200 grain bullet for the 45 Colt. They have the 240 MAG, 250, 300 and 300 MAG in the XPT line. The MAGs have thicker jackets and were designed to hold together at 454 Casull velocities. If you have 200 grain bullets, then they must be for the 45 ACP.

[Racer X]

Hornady does not make a 200 grain bullet for the 45 Colt. 

Let me clarify this quote. Hornady does not make a 200 grain XTP for the 45 Colt. Check the diameter on the box. If they are 200 grain XTPs and are for the 45 ACP, the bullets will be .451" diameter versus the .452" diameter for 45 Colts.

[Maplicito]

I'll have to check them when I'm home again.  They are 200 grain, and do say XTP on the box - I don't remember the stated diameter.  So, given my experience, is this guy I dealt with one for whom I should take all advice with a grain of salt?  He has an air of knowing what he's talking about, but he's left me scratching my head a couple of times, wondering if I'm just not experienced enough to get where his mind is going.

[Maplicito]

So, it turns out that the bullets ARE .451" diameter - I've already loaded cartridges with them - I'm assuming that they ARE safe for me to fire?  I want to make sure first of course.

[stimpylu32]

Maplicito

Your good to go , the only down side is they may not fit the bore real well and thus the groups will show it .  I've shot some in my Tracker and they do ok @ 25 yards , around 5" , IT WILL BE NO TACK DRIVER THATS FOR SURE . 

stimpy

[corbanzo]

Yes, they are perfectly safe to fire.  You just have to watch for them slipping in the casings on recoil, but, with a plinking load like that, you should have no problems.  I shoot jacketed bullets in .451 or .452, and lead .452 or .453.  The make lead up to .454 that I have seen, though never tried.  

You should be able to tell if they are safe upon loading them.  If they slip down into the casing really easily, then your casing is not sized correctly, or your bullet is too small.  If you have to use "normal" pressure (different bullets take different pressures to seat) you should be just fine - as long as the bullet is displacing the mouth just a little to give a good hold

[stimpylu32]

Another thing , in the furture when looking for bullets for the 45 colt , look for a jacketed with a .452 dia. and cast at .454 dia. both will so a much better job .

stimpy

[Maplicito]

Great, thanks for the info guys.  I'm just plinking, so I'm not too worried about the accuracy at the moment, but it's good to know what to look for in the future.  I'm also firing them out of a single shot, so I don't have to worry about recoil causing a problem for subsequent rounds.  Now I just have to wait for some weather worth leaving the house in, so I can try the reloads out.