What do you like for 45ACP practice bullets?

[Army GI]

So I've been reloading Hornady 230gr TMJs for a year now. I just finished my box of 1000 I bought from MidwayUSA last year. While I like the Hornadys a lot, I'm thinking about switching to a cheaper bullet that I can ding against a steel target.

What do you guys like?

[Blue]

I bought a couple thousand cast lead projectiles from Bear Creek a year or two back. Lead is way cheaper to blast with than FMJ/TMJ.

[Army GI]

Holy crap, you're right. Only ~$60 for 1000 compared to $180 for TMJs. It sucks they are all out of stock though.

I'm looking at those pictures and it looks like it has a lube groove in there. Do I have to lube these myself? Or is the groove for expansion/accuracy purposes?

[screaming pete]

i thought you had to use lead shooting plates because it breaks where copper jacketed does not.

has anyone used the blazer bronze 45 acp ammo vs brass any difference?

[Blue]

Holy crap, you're right. Only ~$60 for 1000 compared to $180 for TMJs. It sucks they are all out of stock though.

I'm looking at those pictures and it looks like it has a lube groove in there. Do I have to lube these myself? Or is the groove for expansion/accuracy purposes?

No idear, the ones I have/had don't even have the lube groove. They were moly coated or something like that. I'll have to dig around and see if I have any left and see what the box says.

[Army GI]

i thought you had to use lead shooting plates because it breaks where copper jacketed does not.

I guess it depends on the range you go to. Lemoore Sportsman's Club won't let you use steel plates. But I've been to ranges where I've shot steel plates and I can see why. Pretty much what happens is the jacket gets shredded off and shot back towards you. When shooting steel plates I stand AT LEAST 25 yards away.

In the case of the blunt and round 45, however, you can angle the plate downwards at a steep angle so it just deflects the bullets into the dirt without breaking it apart..

[Army GI]

Does anyone know a local caster in CA? I'd like to give a CA resident my business first before I mail order stuff from states that hate us.

[Blue]

Does anyone know a local caster in CA? I'd like to give a CA resident my business first before I mail order stuff from states that hate us.

Bear Creek WAS a CA caster, I dunno if they're still in business though.

[What Just Happened?]

Holy crap, you're right. Only ~$60 for 1000 compared to $180 for TMJs. It sucks they are all out of stock though.

I'm looking at those pictures and it looks like it has a lube groove in there. Do I have to lube these myself? Or is the groove for expansion/accuracy purposes?

Typically, casters take photos of the bullets without lube in the lube groove or lube on the bullet. Make them look cleaner that way. Then they add on lube in the groove, and it'll still look okay. But if they add Lee Alox lube on the outside (applied via a tumbler), they tend to not look so pretty.

Also, I'm told there's a local caster who sells bullets near cost at the West End Gun Club Action Pistol matches.

[Blue]

The only hiccup I had loading lead was figuring out the crimp. I had too much at first, and the case lip was cutting into the projectile.

[CSACANNONEER]

Army GI, Where are you located? If you are close enough to me and have lead, you can use my casting equipment. If you're too far, maybe we could work something out.

[Army GI]

I'm in Fresno. What's your plan?

[sorensen440]

If you reload look into berrys plated bullets

[rayra]

yep, lead / copper washed / plated / TMC rounds are the best of both worlds. Cheaper pricing and no leading.
I've been using a 200gr SWC bullet loaded to IPSC Major power factor, which puts them fairly close to the muzzle energy of a standard 230gr RN, IIRC.
Seems like all the mailorder houses are out of the staple calibers due to all the concerned mass-buying still going on.

[smokingloon]

I just used 200gr .452 LSWC from http://www.mastercastbullets.com and had good success through my 1911. My xd didn't like the SWC at all.

I received some 200gr LSWC & RN from http://www.twoalphabullets.com/Products.htm yesterday and loaded some up. Will be going to the range to test them out hopefully today.

[hylander]

I load Mastercast (http://www.mastercast.net/index.html) 200 SWC and just got some 230 LRN from them.
These are the best Cast Bullets I have seen and close to Zero Leading.
I just placed another order with them 2 days ago and got my order today :D
They are prelubed, just load'em up.
Did I mention Almost Zero leading, and the Price can't be beat
$69 per 1000 :cool:


http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/hylander7/Firearms/Modern/Handguns/IMG_0891.jpg

[mike100]

I like the moly-coated speer 230 gr lead bullets because they don't smoke nearly as much as wax-lubed lead bullets and the shape feeds better than other cheaper lead 230 grainers. They did get a tad expensive though and now I order 2500 jacketed bullets at a time from Montana Gold for about the same price.

[QuickOnTheDraw]

Bear Creek WAS a CA caster, I dunno if they're still in business though.

Bear Creek closed down....

[Bug Splat]

I shoot Bear Creek myself. Very cheap and accurate with no leading. Local shop carries them for like $33/500.

[Bug Splat]

Bear Creek closed down....

NO WAY?!?:eek:

I'm really bummed now:(

[Blwnbwtie]

i have been using missouri bullets for around a year, i am really happy with them.

http://missouribullet.com/

[Army GI]

NO WAY?!?:eek:

I'm really bummed now:(

Well, scratch that off the list:(

Thanks guys for all the other suggestions!

[Revoman]

Bear Creek did move from CA, but I don't think that they have closed. I could be wrong.
They are moly-coated and there is no need to lube them. Very little, if any, leading. Excellent bullets!
There is a place in San Diego called AM Precision that sells 'Redline' bullets.
619.280.9763 (msg) or 619.425.5648 (msg/fax)
Their 45's are at $78 per 1K for 200gr SWC or RNSWC, dunno if that includes shipping, probably not. They are not moly-coated and do have blue lube in the grooves.
Hope this helps!

[Turbinator]

If you reload look into berrys plated bullets

Second vote for Berry's. I've been using them for over 10 years and I think they're great.

Turby

[rue]

I've been using "Silver State Bullets" which I get locally at Sportsman's Warehouse. I paid $47.99 for the last 500. They are lead 200gr. SWC with that blue thing in the center which I think is lube or wax and they work great for plinking rounds. I'm thinking about making some for IDPA next month.
For jacketed I get copper plated from X-treme bullets in NV. I called them to inquire about their bullets working with Glocks and they sent me several different gr. bullets in .40 cal. and 9mm cal. for free to "test" out. Great customer service and I loaded their .40 cal. copper jacketed stuff and it shot great through my Glock.
I want to smelt wheel weights from my work and make my own bullets, anyone try that? Do you need to moly lube them? How do you do it?

[topgun7]

I just shoot factory loads in my pistols, Winchester FMJ and SXT, Remington, Federal, primarily SXT. I always want to shoot my defense load, practice with the same ammo that I am goin to use for real situation. I only use 200 grSWC reloads for my bullseye target pistols.

[anothergunnut]

Bear Creek Supply is still in business in Waterford CA. They no longer have a website but you can call them at (209) 874-4322. It is close to me so I stop by and purchase in person and save shipping. I was there a few weeks ago. I like to use their 200 gr RNHB; it looks just like a 230 gr RN but has a hollow base so it is lighter. Their retail price on those is $38.50/500 with free shipping on order of $95 or more.

[rue]

I just shoot factory loads in my pistols, Winchester FMJ and SXT, Remington, Federal, primarily SXT. I always want to shoot my defense load, practice with the same ammo that I am goin to use for real situation. I only use 200 grSWC reloads for my bullseye target pistols.

I agree with this, I like IDPA because the power factor is high so you have to reload them hot. It's just like you're shooting defensive loads so no worries there.

[Californio]

Rainier plated 230gr RN for target.