Best Bullets for FA 97 in 45 Colt

[HGunner]

I like my FA 44 special so much I can't help but think about a 45 colt as well.  I can see that the bullet selection is greatly reduced.  For those of you that shoot them, what are the most useful bullets available for this revolver.  I am thinking about general field use and deer hunting.


Thanks,  HGunner

[kynardsj]

Can't afford the FA's but I have several Rugers that love cast. Put a 255-260 gr Keith style SWC over about 10.0 gr of Unique and you'll have a fun and very potent load.

[Humbo]

Veral over at LBT cut me a 260 grains WFN that shoots great in my FA97. If my memory serves me right he recommended a WFN due to greater bearing surface with the shorter bullet. The RCBS 300 SWC is also a great bullet that'll fit the 97 as well, but recoil is on the snappy side with that one.

[HGunner]

I'm not ready to cast my own yet.  I really enjoy reloading but can't find the time to load all the ammo I use right now.  I still buy some inexpensive factory ammo and then use the brass.  More to the point:
I really like my FA 97 in 44 special and find it easy to load for.  I have an opportunity to buy a used 45 colt version with the same 5.5" barrel at a fair price.  I'm just wondering if the 97 in 45 colt would be a nice addition or end up sitting in the safe because its too much trouble to load for -- I'd rather not have to worry about crimping over the crimping groove and estimating charges, etc...

[Graybeard]

Read my review of the FA97 .45 Colt in the stickies at top of this forum. I believe in it I mention a variety of bullets I used in it during the test. I traded it off (STUPID wish I had it back) so can't say right now what all does and doesn't work.

I do seem to recall the bullets FA used to sell made into a round too long to fit properly and I'm pretty sure so do the Keith bullets and the RCBS 45-270-SAA. Most all other jacketed bullets fit as I recall and most all other cast will as well.

I know I used the Lyman 452651GC nominally 325 grains fit when using the upper crimp groove. All the various RNFP 250 grain bullets I've tried worked fine in it.

If a bullet you really want to use is but a wee bit too long you can always trim a few thousandths of an inch from the case to make them fit. I have to do that to make the RCBS 45-270-SAA fit one of my Ruger 45 Colt revolvers but not the other one.

The Speer 250 grain swaged bullet is an excellent one. I've pushed it to around 1000 fps with no leading and it is very accurate. It is an excellent choice.

[ole 5 hole group]

Take a look at Beartooth Bullets, they make a couple different weights that work well in the FA97. 

[HGunner]

Good cast bullets for this gun seem to be hard to home by.  Suprisingly there are more 300 gr bullets available because of dual crimp grooves on some.  I thought someone would make a 260gr WFNGC that would work but I can't find one.  Anybody just use 250 gr XTPs or similar jacketed bullets?

[Ken ONeill]

I use 250 XTP's and 17.5 gr. 2400 in my 97 and have been well satisfied.

[zac0419]

Veral over at LBT cut me a 260 grains WFN that shoots great in my FA97. If my memory serves me right he recommended a WFN due to greater bearing surface with the shorter bullet. The RCBS 300 SWC is also a great bullet that'll fit the 97 as well, but recoil is on the snappy side with that one.

Could you be more specific on the bullet? What did you size to? Aprox what velocity did you push to? BHN? Another guy on a different forum got abismal results with that bullet and I had high hopes for it. I have only shot factory bullets from mine but am interested in this thread also.

Velocities are advertised not confirmed.
Buffalo Bore 300 gr 1200fps JSP (speer I think) shot like a laser Moderate+ recoil
DT 255 SWC 1450fps good results, Moderate+ recoil
Georgia Arms 230gr 900fps Shot great, mild recoil
Georgia Arms 260gr 1200fps very accurate, fun to shoot.

I wasn't shooting off bags for 1/4 inch groups but it was putting holes on top of one another if I took my time.

[HGunner]

Thanks for the responses.  I decided to pass on the 45 colt for now.  I am enjoying the 44 special.  It really seems to be the perfect cartridge for the FA 97.  The loading options are endless and the performance is very impressive.

[Humbo]

Veral over at LBT cut me a 260 grains WFN that shoots great in my FA97. If my memory serves me right he recommended a WFN due to greater bearing surface with the shorter bullet. The RCBS 300 SWC is also a great bullet that'll fit the 97 as well, but recoil is on the snappy side with that one.

Could you be more specific on the bullet? What did you size to? Aprox what velocity did you push to? BHN? Another guy on a different forum got abismal results with that bullet and I had high hopes for it. I have only shot factory bullets from mine but am interested in this thread also.

Sorry for the late response. I size to .452, and bullets are right at 15 BHN. My alloy is 3 parts wheel weights and one part linotype. Bullet is a WFNGC, nose is .350 which is about max for the FA97 in the 45 Colt. I'm not sure about velocity, I never chrono'ed that particular load. Powder was N110, I don't remember the exact amount.

[HGunner]

I somehow overlooked Cast Performance bullets.  They make a 265 grain WFNGC that seems to be made for the FA 97.  Anybody loading this bullet?