W231 is very very close in burn rate to Unique. Few simple rules about leading.Leading at the forcing cone usually means you are pushing the velocity is too slow for a hard bullet.If leading is at the muzzle the bullet is too soft for the high velocity.
So push the bullet a little faster if it is hard and a little slower if it is soft.
For hard cast bullets, check out Dardas Cast Bullets
It would also help if you slug your bore and then order a cast bullet .001 -.002 bigger. Dardas is one company that you can do that with.
Working out the problems with leading is easy to do with a little experimenting.Shooting cast bullets, if you shoot a lot, is a big $$$ saving.
Hornady Manual , Third Edition,shows for a TC or Ruger BH and 250 gr XTP loads from 9.1 gr (1050 fps) of Unique up to 11.3 gr of Unique for a velocity of 1250 fps, but those would be too hot for your gun
My older 45 Edith Lyman shows for that bullet a Max load of Unique to be 9 gr, at 90 1FPS, 8 grs is listed as 813 fps. Two other powders listed are SR4756 , and IMR 4227. 4227 being 19 gr for 823 fps and max load at 22 gr at 1017fps. The IMR 4227 would give you better case densities,but no good if you get a lot of unburned powder. A heavy crimp and hotter primer might fix that
An even older Lyman manual from1964 does not list the semi jacket,but a 250 gr cast bullet shows 8 gr of Unique again but a higher max load that I won't post.
So you might be better sticking with softer bullets from Missouri Bullet or Bonus bullets if they are still in business if you would like to go cast
Last edited by saddlesore; 03/12/18.
