I just use straight wheel weights (BHN 12) air cooled. I use the Lee 252 gr SWC mold. I shoot these in several different loads from 900 - 1200 fps. You could go a little softer but I like simplicity and these work for my applications. Straight clip on WW are recommended for pressure up to 25,000 PSI non-magnum loads and rifles up to 1800 fps.

 

I have been using Missouri Bullets 45 colt, 255gn with a hardness of 12. Works really well. I was using some 18 hardness from Reloads N' More but was getting a little more lead in the barrel than I liked. They shot well but the Missouri Bullets are just as good if not better with less lead to clean out. Give them a try, I think you will like them.

 

My standard alloy for the Non-magnums, is WW's with 2% tin to increase castability.

I size to the cylinder throats and get NO leading in many different revolvers I have along with EXCELLENT accuracy.

FWIW
Dale53

 

BHN 10s work great for me.

 

So if I'm doing the formula correctly,a 12 BHN bullet would obturate
at around 17,000 psi? This is between standard and "Ruger Only"
loads,so would a 12 BHN bullet still be hard enough for milder Ruger Only loads without leading? This has probably been discussed before,
and I appreciate the help. Any recommendations for start loads?

 

There are 2 schools of thought on hardness.

LEE expounds one (in their hardness tester docs) in that you should stay BELOW the 1440 x BHN = PSI number.
There are a bunch of very successful shooters who hold to this idea ("The harder the bullet the better").

The other school is that you MUST exceed the 1440 x BHN = PSI number in order to obturate or you'll get leading from blowby.
I'm in this bunch. (As soft as possible without 'skidding' in the rifling)

I shoot 11 BHN lead to 33K psi in my Beowulf with great results. No leading and 1.5 MOA accuracy. I shoot 20 BHN (oven treated) lead to 65K psi in my 454 with excellent results.

<my opinion>
It's not how fast the bullet goes that determines how hard it needs to be.
Nor is it the pressure, within reason.
It's how hard you kick it in the butt to get it to that speed that matters.
A fast powder at a given pressure will need a harder bullet than a slow powder to the same pressure.
If the bullet hits max pressure after it's in the rifling it can be far softer than one that hits the rifling moving faster.
</my opinion>

 

The best thing to do is experiment with what your guns likes. All guns are different. I highly suggest that you pick up a reloading manual before you venture to far into reloading. You will get a lot of information from others that are reloading but IMHO it is always best when starting out to be familiar with a reloading guide before you do your first reload. The guides will have all kinds of loads and suggested starting points that are safe for your application.

Here are a few links to reloading data.

Reloading the .45 Colt Page

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

blackmike,
Depending on the particular gun, for revlolver velocities from 700 to 1250 fps, I've found that a BHN of 10 to 15 works. Softer is generally better. Without doubt, your gun may differ. I'm working on a .45 ACP auto-loader that may end up liking a bullet in the 20+ range.

When it comes to shooting cast bullets, you need a copy of Lyman's "Reloading Handbook".
For anything having to do with cast bullets -- from start to finish -- get Lyman's "Cast Bullet Handbook".
Lyman is the cast bullet authority.

Here is an excellent Internet source for cast bullet information: Cast bullet reference on lead alloy's, min / max pressure, lube, shrinkage,

Here is the best Internet cast bullet forum:
Cast Boolits - Dedicated To The World Of Cast Bullets!

I quit shooting jacketed bullets, and cast my own. Experience has lead me to these conclusions: Each gun is unique unto itself. What works in mine, most likely, won't work in yours, as well as the opposite. Also, at first glance, what might be seen as engraved-in-stone rules for casting bullets and shooting them, in reality, are nothing more than guides. Some of it may not even make sense, even after you've proved that it works.

Welcome to what some cast bullet shooters call "the madness".

Enjoy it!

 

Air cooled wheel weight works great for me with 9g Unique behind a 255g pill. That's about an 11 bhn +-1.

I'd say anything below 12 bhn should work fine. Reclaimed range lead should be a great choice for 45 colt (SAA type) loads. It is often in the 8 range.

 

Mike;
We should live closer as I share your question to a tee. Being new here myself and just beginning the learning curve of revolver loading, I have learned a bunch from others here about tuning my Blackhack Bisley 7.5 barrel 45C and like yours, have throated to .45225. if not opening the forcing cone too 11 degrees I suggest that as well. Both changes improved my revolvers accuracy quite a bit going from 3-4 inch targets to 2-inch and better @ 25yd tests.
As for finding the magic with cast bullets and, after trying several loads for my choosen velocity of (1000-1100 fps), and with heavier than standard bullets this may help your quest.
I just tried Mt. Balty Bullets made in Cody Wyo. and they are shooting very well at 25yds, holding inside 2 inches. The weights I bought are the Keith 260, (weight of 273) and the 270SAA (weight of 283+) on my scales. These bullets are BH-11 (as advertised) and also very close to that as measured on my Saeco tester. Weighing them out in groups I found them to be very close in weight, not enough difference to weight select any of them. IMO- these are high quality bullets and having cast rifle bullets for some 35 years, I feel very confidant in telling you this.

So far, I have loaded both bullets with 9 and 9.5-grains Unique with just a smidgen of leading with 9.5 that pushed out easily with tight patch, not a brush. Not enough lead to mention really and then after 40 rds or so fired of each weight. Once chronographed I will post here but as mi meter os broken it and needs fixing, well thats another story.

Another test envolved the 270SAA bullet with 19 grains of H-110 just to check both leading and accuracy. Results were about the same, good grouping and mimimal leading after three cylinders full fired. As I'm about out of these bullets I will order more, at least 500 270SAA this time, maybe more.

Another test I like so far is my neighbors loads using the Cast Performance 300grain LBTGC bullets with this same 19 grains of H-110. These bullets are 22-BH and when fired, gave less felt recoil than the Unique loads, more of a push IMO- Accuracy is equal to the others and something I'll try more of for sure. My goal is for hunting deer and smallish Black Bears inside 50yds so don't want the big blaster loads my Ruger can deliver, rather something controlable to shoot off-hand with accuracy, and enough power to do the job.
At first, I thought the softer bullets would be my best choice for intended velocity but more tests will be made before choosing one. Hard bullets can be brittle I'm told but as I know so little here, more tests for that are needed if planning to use hard cast.
As for leading; I read somewhere that soft bullets, if shot to fast, will lead a barrel and hard bullets, if shot to slow, will also lead a barrel. My neighbors loads, he says, never give leading issues and perhaps due to the gas checks. He says they penitrate completly through deer at 50-60 yds going end to end on one big bodied 3-point buck shot about 35 or 40 yds. To date, he has made 6, one shot kills with his Ruger BH and Cast Performance bullets, all fired at 19 grains of H-110 and 350CCI primers.

ADD on: what forzone said makes tons of sense to me; thanks for posting that!

Keep us updated on your progress please.

GC45