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Author Topic: 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?  (Read 941 times)

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Offline bulletstuffer

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200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?
« on: December 10, 2012, 12:35:34 PM »
Hi guys!  Do you have a preference on 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45 acp?  Any specific advantages or disadvantages to these weights for target shooting?  The 200 grain bullets seem to all be flat and the 230 grain round nose.


Thanks for the advice!


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Offline kynardsj

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Re: 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2012, 02:11:40 PM »
One of my friends shoots a 200 gr SWC in his Springfield over a load of Unique. Cycles with zero problems and is very accurate. His gun is stock with no alterations to the loading ramp.
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Offline Mikey

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Re: 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2012, 02:04:57 AM »
For practical shooting it is almost six of one and a half dozen of the other.  Some folk swear by the 200 gn swc, some by the 230 gn rn or 225gn flatter nosed slug.  I believe many target shooters use the 200 gn as it maybe more of a 'target' slug in that it is lighter and may be easier to shoot and it leaves a nice square hole in the target whereas the rn slug leaves a more ragged hole.
 
I have used both but prefer the 225/230 gn cast, depending on who makes it and what it looks like, for general overall 45 shooting.  For field use I prefer the older heavier Keith swc (or modified Keith design as some might opine) in 238/240 gn originally designed for the 45 Auto Rim cartridge but either way, you can't go wrong with any of the two slugs you asked about. 
 
Go buy a box of 500 of either of your choice, a pound of Unique and have at it.  When you have shot up the first box, buy another box of different slugs, another lb or Unique and have at it.  When you have finished with both boxes of bullets you will have had a lot of fun and may have figured out what your preference is, although you may have to buy more bullets and more powder to really refine your choices........ just tryin' to help.....
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Offline Old Syko

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Re: 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?
« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2012, 03:39:28 AM »
I know this is of little help but I've shot a truckload of 200 SWCs over the years simply because they seem to be easier to come by.  I can't cast enough to keep myself supplied so must depend on buying a lot from commercial distributors.  I see good consistency no matter if the bullets are mine or someone elses.  I've never had feed or accuracy issues.  Like I say, they seem to be readily available and work so that's what I use.  May not be a good reason but it's all I got.   ???   
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Offline SharonAnne

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Re: 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?
« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2012, 09:30:24 AM »
in the early days of practical shooting, when the 1911 .45ACP was king, the almost universal load was a 200gr H&G #68 hard cast SWC over 5.7gr of W231.  In actual shooting most find little difference. However when you buy the bullets you will find the lighter bullets cost less simply because they use less material.

For a standard .45 I recommend the aforementioned bullet. The last several years I shot USPSA with a .45 I used a 155gr SWC but it was through a 3 chamber comp. The lighter bullet worked the comp better. When I use my Para 14-45 I will use the 200 gr H&G#68 when my hardball ammo runs out.
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SharonAnne
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Offline Savage

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Re: 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?
« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2012, 02:33:28 PM »
My choice is the 200gr LSWC bullet from Missouri Bullet Company.  It's a couple bucks a thousand less than the 230gr, and cuts a nice clean full caliber hole.
Savage
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Offline Swampman

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Re: 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2012, 04:05:36 PM »
The 230 grain round nosed bullets feed better in my gun.  Since I carry the 230 grain FMJ for defense, I chose a similar lead bullet mold.
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Offline bulletstuffer

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Re: 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?
« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2012, 04:32:24 PM »
It's always great to get information here before investing in a new piece of equipment.  Has anyone used the lyman 225 grain round nose mold?


Thanks everyone! 


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Offline SharonAnne

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Re: 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2012, 04:51:56 PM »
not I.
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SharonAnne
Luke 22:36-38

Honor the American Soldier and Sailor, the source of Our Freedom

Really, it only hurts when I breath - SharonAnne

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Offline Savage

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Re: 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?
« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2012, 01:27:01 AM »
Missouri Bullet Company is currently offering a LSWC 125gr 9mm bullet. Just received 3000 to try. I'm a fan of the SWC profile in cast bullets. I also use the 170 or 155gr LSWC bullets in .40.
Savage
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Offline SlimPigguns

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Re: 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?
« Reply #10 on: December 16, 2012, 02:10:53 PM »
I use a 200gn RN with Trailboss, works well in my Norinco.
Pete
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Offline 1911crazy

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Re: 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?
« Reply #11 on: December 19, 2012, 01:07:30 PM »
Since all my 1911's are now running flawlessly i'm sticking with the 230rn  leadcast.  I get them from  www.snscasting.com
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Offline SharonAnne

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Re: 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?
« Reply #12 on: December 19, 2012, 04:29:50 PM »
The H&G #68 mold was made by removing all of the round nose bullet that never touched the barrel. The part that touched the barrel during feeding was left behind. If your pistol feeds RN ball ammo it should feed the 200 gr. H&G#68 just as well.
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SharonAnne
Luke 22:36-38

Honor the American Soldier and Sailor, the source of Our Freedom

Really, it only hurts when I breath - SharonAnne

An armed society is a polite society - Robert Heinlein

THE TREE OF LIBERTY MUST BE REFRESHED FROM TIME TO TIME WITH THE BLOOD OF PATRIOTS AND TYRANTS - Thomas Jefferson

Offline Cheesehead

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Re: 200 grain cast or 230 grain cast for the 45?
« Reply #13 on: December 19, 2012, 05:38:30 PM »
I shoot 230 grain round nose bullets cast from my Lee 6 cavity mold . I shoot these in my 1911 and my Marlin camp carbine without a problem.

Cheese
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