.45 Colt plated.

[Rifletom]

Getting closer to a .45Colt[Henry BBS] and I read here that BigAl mentioned using plated bullets for the .45C. Is .452" enough to seal the bullet against "gas cutting"? For plated, I'm looking at X-treme or Berry's. Any preference? Thanks.

[clovishound]

You should not get any gas cutting with plated,regardless of diameter. Both Berrys and Xtreme make very nice bullets. I would choose by price, including shipping. Be advised that Xtreme has gone through some financial problems this year. They usually have percentage off sales around holidays.

Be careful with load data and plated. There isn't much out there for plated. The companies usually recommend using max lead or mid jacketed. I have found that I need to be careful choosing powders for plated. I typically use Universal for .38 and .357 with plated. The main reason is that the two data overlap. I have noticed that I get better accuracy with it than others. Be careful not to underpower plated. It is easy to stick a plated bullet when using lower end cast data. Also watch your MV. Some cast is rated for 1200 fps, and others for 1500 fps. It's easy to exceed 1200 fps in a rifle.

I've switched to coated or cast for most of my loads. Cheaper, easier to find data, more forgiving. Not as pretty a round, but I can live with that.

[.45Steel]

I cast and size to .452. I've never had any leading in my Steel. I tl all my lube groove bullets with 2 coats of 60/40 and shoot em'.

[BigAl52]

There both good Rifletom. But no two guns are alike. Get some of each and try them out. 45steel people who cast there own have an advantage over people who dont cast. Trying to find good cast bullets from commercial suppliers is not easy. I have nothing against cast bullets coated or otherwise. I just choose not to shoot them anymore because its just my preference. I agree they are cheaper especially if you cast your own. I have done plenty of casting in the past I just choose not to do it anymore. Clovishound I will agree with you on the plated and the velocity. But most people I would think arent hot rodding the 45 Colt with plated bullets. I know when I shoot them I have just used them as plinking rounds. Its all just a personal thing. Each one of us has our own preference.

[clovishound]

I found that with .357, I had to be very careful not to exceed 1200 fps with the plated. I then switched to the heavy plated and found it much easier to load what I wanted without having to interpolate an MV under the speed limit. The heavy plated are more expensive. They do shoot well in magnum cartridges.

I really like coated, but quickly found that everyone's coated aren't the same. Some have much more fragile coatings that others. My two revolvers are prone to leading in the forcing cone, and I had to try several manufacturers to find one that worked well for me.

[Ratchet]

I shoot HSM plated bullets in my .45 Colt. They are on the shelf and reasonably priced at the local Sportsman’s Warehouse. I like that they have a light cannelure for crimping. 255 grain flat point over 9.5 gr of Unique shoots good for me.

[Rifletom]

Thanks guys, you've given me some good loads to work with. Keep 'em coming.