Ruger Forum

QuarterHorse · August 21st, 2012, 07:36 PM

Just to keep things simple until I start to taylor my hand loads I had thought about using my same 230 grain jacketed bullets to load in 45 colt brass. Anybody doing this with success?

FWIW I'm using a Lee Turret Press and using the Factory Crimp Die on my ACP stuff.

The tool being used is a Ruger New Vaquero convertible. I've ran 45 acp through it's cylinder and my handloads with great results, just curious on the colt side of things.

Thanks all

rsc · August 21st, 2012, 09:12 PM

It depends on the pistol. The nice part of handloading is that you can tailor a load to your particular pistol. I have put 230 gr .451 LRN bullets in my New Vaquero and it shot a little larger than normal groups. Same load in a Blackhawk is a tackdriver. Experiment and see what you come up with.

CJS1945 · August 21st, 2012, 11:08 PM

.45 ACP bullets are intended for a taper crimp and .45 Colt bullets have a cannelure for a roll crimp. If you keep the crimp light you should be ok, the only problem would be if you load them heavy enough so there is a lot of recoil the recoil could start pulling bullets and locking up the cylinder and depending on the powder used you might have a problem with the bullet not being crimped tight enough to build the pressure needed for the powder to burn correctly.

Tellico · August 22nd, 2012, 08:39 AM

Use any 451-452 bullet you want to. If no cannelure then taper crimp with your .45 ACP die. I use 200 gr SWC taper crimped to .469-.470 with Traiboss powder for some very acc. plinkers in the .45 Colt case.

Nick0410 · August 22nd, 2012, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJS1945

.45 ACP bullets are intended for a taper crimp and .45 Colt bullets have a cannelure for a roll crimp. If you keep the crimp light you should be ok, the only problem would be if you load them heavy enough so there is a lot of recoil the recoil could start pulling bullets and locking up the cylinder and depending on the powder used you might have a problem with the bullet not being crimped tight enough to build the pressure needed for the powder to burn correctly.

I would not roll crimp and use your ACP dies to add a taper crimp. With FMJ, you can taper crimp and firm as you like. I do similar with my .357/.38 since I use plated. Roll crimp with plated is a bad idea, so I use my 9mm die to do a light taper on my .38/.357. Only ever had 1 bullet back out out of a few thousand and as I said, mine are light taper crimp. Use your ACP taper and crimp them firm and it shouldnt be a problem

Dale53 · August 22nd, 2012, 08:53 AM

To the O.P.
The only problem you might have is the revolver might not shoot to the sights with a lighter bullet. Just load a few and try it.

The suggestion to use a .45 ACP taper crimp die is good advice.

I have a Ruger SS Bisley .45 Colt/.45 ACP convertible and I can use bullets as light as 200 grs in the .45 Colt cylinder but have adjustable sights to adjust point of aim - not a problem.

Chances are pretty good the lighter bullets will work for you.

Dale53

rockmcl · August 22nd, 2012, 09:11 AM

I have used the same gun with 200 & 230 gn bullets with no issues. Not to state the obvious but the same powder/load cannot be used. Gotta use the right powder/load for the appropriate case.

Accuracy in my experience was about the same between the two if you take time to work up the most accurate loads

Sr40ken · August 22nd, 2012, 09:43 AM

Been a few decades since I had a Blackhawk LC. But back in the day I loaded 185gr .451 in LC and had much success w them.

Temmi · August 22nd, 2012, 09:59 AM

While I would not do that...

Many have

If I did....

I would keep the recoil on the lite side, just so the bullet will not slip and use a heaver taper crimp than I would for the ACP 'cause the headspace is off the rim

Snake

daytona_knight · August 22nd, 2012, 10:33 AM

I've loaded 230 Grain ACP round nose bullets into Colt cases for my Blackhawk. I followed a suggestion that I found on one of the gun forums. Seat the bullet until the start of the curve of the ogive is inside the case mouth and there is a slight gap between the case mouth and the ogive. Then use just enough roll crimp to eliminate that gap. It took a little experimenting to get the seating depth and crimp just right but once I got my dies set up the first time, it was easy. Turns out, the same die settings work with a 255 grain cannellured bullet.

However, reading around the net, that may be overkill and as long as you don't use hot loads or heavy bullets, a light taper crimp, just like what you put on the ACP loads, should be sufficient.

QuarterHorse · August 22nd, 2012, 10:37 AM

Okay for those that missed it. My New Vaquero has TWO cylinders. One for 45 Colt, one for 45 ACP. Using my ACP cylinder I have shot my 230gr JRN bullets using 5.0 grains of Bullseye with an OAL of 1.20 Shot flawless through my Vaquero.

I'm wanting to keep things simple for now, and use the SAME 230gr JRN bullets with different load data using 45 Colt brass. I may buy different powder, but may still look for a load using Bullseye. Probably looking for something around 900 fps, basically just to punch paper on the cheap. I'll buy Buffalo Bore if/when I take it hunting for now. Basically, trigger time trigger time trigger time but want a little more snap than my ACP cylinder will give me.

So my other question is about the Factory Crimp die vs a roll crimp die. I've heard that the factory crimp die does a better job than a roll crimp and that could be used in place of the roll crimp?

bwinters · August 22nd, 2012, 11:17 AM

I use a taper crimp on 900 fps loads and have had no problem with bullet creep. I do not use bullseye powder in large cases like 45 colt especially as a double charger is too easy to do. I know we need to be careful but a 45 colt case will hold a triple maximum charge of bullseye even a ruger might choke on that.