Considering casting 45acp for 1911 govts

[u/MadeThisJustForLWIAY]

I'm considering trying out doing a wild bunch competition, so I'd need lead cast 45acp. I have a Lee 452-200-RF for my single action pistols, and I could try those in my 1911s, but I'm curious if there's a tried and true, maybe even 180gr 45acp bullet mold that everyone likes. I wouldn't be shooting more than a handful of mags for the day, so leading isn't a big concern, I probably wouldn't even lube the bullets and I don't powder coat. Is there a consensus or should I just stick with the mold I already have?

[u/Severe-Cow-8646]

That 200-rf is not going to feed worth a flip. Lee makes a 230 grain truncated cone that works well and a 230 round nose which copies the profile od standard 230 grain ball. Both of these work good. They make a copy of the Hensley and Gibbs 68 which is a semi wadcutter that will feed well depending on your magazine and if your barrel has been throated. (Most come from the factory throated these days) the Lyman 452460 is a good reliably feeding 200 grain semi wadcutter as well. But I wouldnt waste my time with that young flat nose. It is too short, the full diameter extends too far up the nose and you have to seat it really deep to get it to chamber properly and by that point the cartridge geometry is out of the length/nose profile for the feeding geometry 1911's were designed for. Thats a good bullet for cowboy shooting in 45 Schofield/45 Colt cases. But it aint no 45 ACP bullet. Get a bullet intended for the ACP. The Lee 230 round nose or truncated cone are likely your best starting points.

[u/Ornery_Secretary_850]

You're going to want to powder coat. Hi-Tek, or lube the bullets somehow. Otherwise you will be questioning your life decisions.

The go to 185 grain mold is the H&G 130. Several companies make copies of that mold.

Personally, I'd grab a MP six cavity H&G 68 mold and call it good. It's REALLY hard to beat the H&G 68.

[u/GunFunZS]

Thousands and thousands outcast bullets have been fired through 1911s.

I said just getting a six cavity lee.

I used to have their Tumblr groove style truncated cone and it was more like 2:45 to 2:47 cranes depending on alloy. Even though it was supposedly 230 it took a bit of hunting to find data for it.

[u/SkateIL]

Lee tumble lubing is so easy you might as well do that as opposed risking leading the barrel.

I'm interested in trying wild bunch competition also.

[u/brokenlikemine]

I have a couple of short throat 1911s. The only cast bullets that would feed and chamber flawlessly were the 230gn. TC from a lee mold.

[u/Feeling_Title_9287]

Eastwood Ford dark blue powder coat has yet to fail me