Spring has sprung. Get out and shoot your Henry

45 LC-- Lehigh Defense XP bullets

All things reloading here
Post Reply
Slugnut
Cowhand
Posts: 214
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 1:23 pm
Location: Long Island, NY (WELFARE STATE)
United States of America

45 LC-- Lehigh Defense XP bullets

Post by Slugnut » Thu May 05, 2022 11:57 am

I'm thinking of trying some LDXP bullets in my 45 LC Henry All Weather. They're 250gr. and 452 dia. My question is, the Lehigh load data shows 21gr.(min) 1055 fps to 21.5gr.(max) 1210 fps. While, for the same weight and dia. XTP bullet the loadings are 25.7 gr. (min) 1398 fps.to 26.5 gr. (max) 1455 fps.--- all which are pistol loadings (Hornady 8th Edition) . I'm kinda new to reloading. Do you think I could use the Hornady loadings safely for these LDXP bullets ? Thanx in advance for your time, help and or experience with these bullets.
0 x

User avatar
Rifletom
Deputy Marshal
Posts: 3898
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2018 11:26 pm
Location: California Territory
United States of America

Re: 45 LC-- Lehigh Defense XP bullets

Post by Rifletom » Thu May 05, 2022 12:34 pm

A little caution here: The Hornady XTP is copper jacketed lead while the Lehigh LDXP is solid copper. I'll wait to see if others here have input regarding use in rifle. Good luck and be safe.
1 x

User avatar
DsGrouse
Cattle Driver
Posts: 678
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2021 8:07 am
United States of America

Re: 45 LC-- Lehigh Defense XP bullets

Post by DsGrouse » Thu May 05, 2022 12:42 pm

Yeah, 40shooter has done some loading with lehigh, IIRC they are the same weight, but same OAL as a 300 grain led bullet, which means less case capacity.

yeah looking at their data the 250 grain Lehigh defense are 0.840 long

hornaday xtp 250 are 0.665

That is the difference in the case capacity that you are seeing. If you use xtp data you will likely have a compressed load, and possibly stupidly high pressure.
1 x

User avatar
fortyshooter
Ranch Foreman
Posts: 6270
Joined: Sat Dec 09, 2017 10:37 am
Location: Va.
United States of America

Re: 45 LC-- Lehigh Defense XP bullets

Post by fortyshooter » Thu May 05, 2022 4:25 pm

I tried those in the lighter weight for speed increase at near max load and the gel block did not show any massive wound channel. The 230 gr. XTP bullet did just as well and cheaper to buy. You really need some speed behind those trick bullets for them to work.
I figured in a very short barrel application like my 3 inch Bond Arms derringer the Lehigh bullet would do more damage at 1100 FPS compared to the slower 230 XTP bullet. Well as you can see not much difference at all in the gel block. I will stick with the 230 XTP bullet in this application.

Now in a rifle the 120 gr. Lehigh might show more damage at higher speed. Might try that test next time.
Attachments
45 colt lehigh 120 gr penetrator  vs 230 gr xtp  both went 16+ inch.jpg
45 colt lehigh 120 gr penetrator vs 230 gr xtp both went 16+ inch.jpg (103.82 KiB) Viewed 414 times
45 colt lehigh 120 penetrator vs 230 gr XTP.jpg
45 colt lehigh 120 penetrator vs 230 gr XTP.jpg (131.07 KiB) Viewed 414 times
1 x

User avatar
Headhog
Cowboy
Posts: 1392
Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2020 2:51 pm
Location: Central Virginia
United States of America

Re: 45 LC-- Lehigh Defense XP bullets

Post by Headhog » Thu May 05, 2022 6:59 pm

I would agree with Rifletom's caution. I would not go there without working my way up very slowly. Pressures can spike very quickly with some different bullets.

Paul
1 x

User avatar
NHshtr
Cowhand
Posts: 184
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:50 am
Location: Southern NH
United States of America

Re: 45 LC-- Lehigh Defense XP bullets

Post by NHshtr » Thu May 05, 2022 7:49 pm

DsGrouse makes a good point. the case capacities based on the COALs will be different. If you want to use LDXP bullets, use their loading recommendations and work your way up as always.
1 x

Slugnut
Cowhand
Posts: 214
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 1:23 pm
Location: Long Island, NY (WELFARE STATE)
United States of America

Re: 45 LC-- Lehigh Defense XP bullets

Post by Slugnut » Sun May 08, 2022 10:34 am

Thanx, everyone for your input and help. I think I'll pass on reloading these in my 45LC for a while. I'll stick with what I have proven to be good performers for me.
1 x

Post Reply