Need some help fellas. I want to reload for my .45 Colt. However im confused on which bullet diameter to purchase. I shoot a Taurus Judge and want to load some target rounds and defensive rounds. Problem is there are 3 different diameters to get. .451, .452 and .454..any help?? thanks

In a lot of the reloading data you will find 2 different sections for the 45Colt. For your Judge stay with the standard data not that for Ruger and TC Contenders it is higher pressure loadings.

Correct Bullet diameter for the 45LC is .452 at least for jacketed bullets like Hornady XTP. The .451 bullets are usually for 45ACP and will not have a crimping groove since they use a taper crimp instead of the roll crimp used for the LC

Often you will see cast bullets sized .001 larger than standard size for a bore.

Thanks Kmon, makes since, so the .454 is toatally out of the picture? strictly for Casull I assume?

Well there are some 45LC that have a large bore. If you look at the SAAMI spec sheet for the 45 Colt the groove diameter is .450 for the barrel. Bullets will form Obiturate to the bore diameter but the less they have to the more consistant the pressures will be. http://www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/publications/download/205.pdf

Thanks for the info kmon

If cast bullets are used they should be sized to match the chamber mouths of the revolver.

Buy you some Trail Boss powder!Good stuff for the LC and safe to load in other calibers.The thing I like about the 45 LC is so many powders and bullets seems like anything will load in it!

For plinking ammo I load 250 grain oregon trail lazercast bullets from cabelas over 9 grains of HS-6.

For my full power loads I shoot 240 grain sierra HC over a stiff charge of H-4227, cant remember off hand, but think it is near 20 grains or so. They are pretty devastating.

I use 230 grain Rainier leadsafe bullets for both my 45 acp and 45LC reloading. Never had a problem. I did my first ones for the LC with lead and hated the mess, I prefer jacketed rounds. And I use Titegroup powder.

My reloads are all for the range. I only use factory defense ammo for a carry gun. Even though I know each round I make is done with plenty of love and care. LOL.

Question:
since .45LC Win Cowboy ammo is $69.00 / 50 rounds at Gander I have considered reloading. At those prices I just can't see going out and shooting tin cans anymore.

About how much can you reload 50 rounds of .45LC for, assuming you recycle the brass?
thanks

primer: .03
powder charge: .05
cast bullet: .10

I figure you can reload cowboy-type ammo for less than twenty cents per round, or less than $10 per box of 50 easily. That doesn't account for any of the initial investment in equipment, though...all kinds of options are there.

A word of warning: reloading is addictive. You may well find yourself sucked into a whole nuther hobby world! A rewarding one, though, to be sure.

Another option: do not darken the doorway at Gander or Bass Pro unless you're after a specific item that's on sale. Their prices are ridiculous. Graf & Sons beats those kinds of prices easily---and shipping is included in the price.

Agree that Gander is way overpriced on alot of things , esp ammo
Also agree that all I need is another hobby and if I start reloading my wife will think Im losing it for sure.

On the other hand I really want either a .264 win mag or .257 Weatherby (left handed) but haven't done it bc of potential probs finding ammo. If I got into reloading I would also have to clean out the garage

thanks

My uncle once found himself living with extremely limited storage and living space in general. He got himself a Black & Decker Workmate and made a loading bench out of that. It stowed away nicely in a closet. There are even hand presses that do not require a bench for mounting. Don't let such an undesirable task like cleaning out the garage stop you. I've needed to clean out my garage for two years, and in all that time it has not stopped me from reloading!

I have used a Workmate many times even though I have a nice bench in the house. Have the presses mounted on 12X12 pieces of 3/4 oak plywood. Set it up in the family room and watch TV while doing shell prep when I have a lot of that to do. for clamping to the workmate I just use 3 C-clamps. Works great, for most realoscing chores. Would not try that setup for the 50BMG but that thing takes a lot of pressure

Ya don't save money reloading, just shoot more!

That all depends, on the person. Most people do not, and spend the "savings" by shooting more. I save on some claibers but not others because of shooting that much more.