newbie lead bullet question

[MEGSDAD]

Hi all,
Im thinking of picking up a .45lc rifle and eventually a matching pistol. Looks like most common .45 lc bullets are lead. I have never loaded lead before. I was thinking of using 250 grain lrn. Could I use the same bullet for both rifle and pistol even though the velocity will be greater in the rifle? or will I have to do separate loads?
Thanks

[3006]

Depends? If your pistol a old colt or similar it will not handle hot loads like a Black Hawk or Red Hawlk .
I reload pretty hot loads for my 1894 Marlin that would not be safe in a old colt 45. The bullets will be fine in a rilfe or pistol I like the 250 grain Keith bullets for all around plinking.

[MongooseV8]

Above is good info. Also wanted to add that not all bullets cycle well in all rifles. Pick one that will feed.

[sofbak]

Use copper plated or hi-tek coated bullets for peace of mind.

Missouri Bullet Co has a good 255 gr Elmer Keith swc-coated or plain lead.

[bohoki]

its easier to clean a pistol than a rifle powdercoated bullets seem to leave less leading

[sghart]

I shoot nothing but lead in all of my guns. You can get a very good load that works in both your revolver and your rifle.

I shoot Ruger Blackhawks and Vaqueros. I also shoot marlin 1894's and Rossi 1892's. I load bullets sized to .454". Some guys have luck with .452" bullets but I never have.

You can buy .454" bullets if you don't want to cast them yourself. 200 gr or 255 gr works for me.

Load them over 8.5-9.0 gr of Unique to get started. You can chase the velocity dragon later. I have some very good top end loads for you but for now stay with this. This load will give you 900 fps out of your revolver and 1200 fps from your rifle.

And they are very accurate, especially from my 2109 built "Remlin" Marlin 1894 Cowboy. The attached target s are 50, 75 and 100 yards with my Marlin. These targets are with the stock buckhorn sights. The 75 yard target is actually 3 shots. 2 are in the same hole.

Best of luck,


Steve in N CA

[Bastard]

yes you can run the same loads - the only thing that you have to watch out for is Ruger only loads

when choosing the bullet it really doesn't matter which one you choose as long as it is the 255gr Hi-Tek coated SWC Elmer Keith bullets from Missouri...

you will also need the Lyman cast reloading book & either the Redding Premium expander or the Lyman M die

[pennstater]

My load for the .45 Colt is 8.0gr Unique, 250gr rnfp bullet from Missouri(coated or uncoated), Starline brass. These work in my Henry rifle and Pietta single action. You'll have a load of shooting those two.

MLC