"Mexican Match" .45 ACP?

[professrh]

So, I've upgraded to a .45 ACP for my backup sidearm for hunting in wild-hog country. However, I'm having a hard time finding 230-grain RN/FP ammo to carry in it. Any thoughts on the possibility of pulling the original RN FMJs and replacing them with flat point bullets?

For the record, the weapon is a Springfield XD-S.

Thanks!

[Rapidrob]

As long as the bullet is the same weight or lighter there will be no problem. Seat to the same length if possiable.

[Hippycrowe]

Your so lucky to live some place that you can hunt them.

[professrh]

As long as the bullet is the same weight or lighter there will be no problem. Seat to the same length if possiable.

Excellent. Thanks!

Any special considerations relative to crimp?

[Rapidrob]

A slight taper crimp is OK. Never roll crimp the .45 ACP. It head spaces on the case mouth.

[professrh]

Thanks!

Would you recommend using one of these, or just applying crimp with the bullet seater die?

FOR HANDGUN AMMUNITION THAT MUST WORK
carbide factory crimp die
[ OPTIONAL ]
A carbide sizer sizes the cartridge while it is being crimped so every round
will positively chamber freely with factory-like dependability. The adjusting
screw quickly and easily sets the desired amount of crimp. It is
impossible to buckle the case as with a conventional bullet seating
die. Trim length is not critical so this extra operation takes less time
than it would if cases were trimmed and chamfered. Revolver dies roll
crimp with no limit as to the amount. A perfect taper crimp is applied
to auto-loader rounds. The crimper cannot be misadjusted to make a
case mouth too small to properly head-space. A firm crimp is essen-
tial for dependable and accurate ammunition. It will eliminate the
problems of poor ignition of slow burning magnum powders
https://leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/Pistol3.pdf

[Rapidrob]

It should work just fine.

[professrh]

Perfect.

And thanks, as always, for sharing your expertise.

[professrh]

As a follow-up . . .

Now I'm having a hard time finding 230-grain RNFP jacketed bullets to replace the RN FMJs. Any problems with substituting a 225-grain Coated Cast bullet (FP) in place of the original 230-grain FMJ?

Here's a link to the bullet: https://www.grafs.com/dealer/product/569227

For the record, the loaded ammo is Sellier & Bellot 230-grain FMJ. MV is said to be 853 fps.

Thanks for your help. I'm new to pistol loading and want to make sure I'm not doing anything dangerous or stupid.

--Prof

[Rapidrob]

Being coated is not a problem. Pressures will be lower and still safe. POA will change of course due a diff bullet,velocity,etc.

[professrh]

Thanks, Rapidrob.

[ammolab]

What is a "RN/FP bullet"? Round nose flat point? Not possible. You mean FMJ/FP? Full metal jacket flat point?

Might search for Truncated cone .452" bullet.

Try this bullet. It is NOT designed to expand.

https://www.hornady.com/bullets/handgun ... gr-hap-500#!/

[professrh]

What is a "RN/FP bullet"? Round nose flat point? Not possible. You mean FMJ/FP?

In answer to your question about bullet profile....
http://www.acmebullet.com/Lead-Cast-Bul ... Grain-RNFP

Of course, for this project I didn't use this exact bullet; I used 225-grain coated bullets of the same profile over charged cases from pulled S&B 230-grain RN FMJs. Worked like a charm. The finished product shoots straight and cycles great . . . but it rather resembles a lipstick.

A word of caution: the .45 collet for the Hornady collet puller is fragile. It helps to loosen the bullets with an impact puller before finishing the job on the press. (Yes, I learned this the hard way).

[RWS]

There is no problem whatsoever with using 225 grain cast FP bullets with the same powder charge as factory 230 grain ammo so long as there is no feeding issue (in semi-autos). I've reloaded cast lead 230 grain bullets in .45 acp cases for over 50 years this way. Pressures will be lower and velocities a tad higher. What I question is why are you pulling bullets instead of loading empty cases? It sounds from your discussion above that you have a reloading press. Just curious.

By the way, in my experience 6.0 grains of Unique is an excellent load for your purposes with 225 cast lead bullets in a 1911 pistol.

For hog hunting though I use much hotter handloads in my S&W model 625 revolver because hogs can be mean and I figure I'll need fewer bullets if they're beefed up a bit. These would be way too hot for use in a 1911 though. Just my 2 cents worth...

-Bob

[professrh]

There is no problem whatsoever with using 225 grain cast FP bullets with the same powder charge as factory 230 grain ammo so long as there is no feeding issue (in semi-autos). I've reloaded cast lead 230 grain bullets in .45 acp cases for over 50 years this way. Pressures will be lower and velocities a tad higher. What I question is why are you pulling bullets instead of loading empty cases? It sounds from your discussion above that you have a reloading press. Just curious.

By the way, in my experience 6.0 grains of Unique is an excellent load for your purposes with 225 cast lead bullets in a 1911 pistol.

For hog hunting though I use much hotter handloads in my S&W model 625 revolver because hogs can be mean and I figure I'll need fewer bullets if they're beefed up a bit. These would be way too hot for use in a 1911 though. Just my 2 cents worth...

-Bob

Good question. I'm pulling bullets and loading Mexican match because I just got the pistol, didn't have any components. I bought a thousand rounds of S&B and 500 powder coated flat points. That should keep me busy for a little while. And it gets me out in the woods right away without having to work up loads.

Not actually hunting with the pistol, but carrying it for backup