Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading 45 acp and auto rim

Thanks for that link Ed. Brian must have done another write up on .45 auto rim which showed H Universal getting 900 fps with the 280 grain RCBS bullet. Unique is almost there with this data. I have not shot my 625 in awhile now. I remember that the fast 255 and 280 loads were stupid accurate though.

I have yet to shoot any game with those loads but the way they hit steel targets was impressive. very little blast or recoil.

I've experimented with 255 Keiths in .45ACP. While they do add impressiveness to the .45's performance I gave up on them, preferring the old 200 SWC instead. I reckon when casting all my pistol bullets by avoiding the super heavyweights I'm giving myself a free bullet with every five I make. Not to mention I don't walk around with a .45 for either hunting or self defense.

https://www.handloadermagazine.com/45-auto-rim-p[/quote]

the historical information is much appreciated as is the link

https://www.starlinebrass.com/45-auto-rim-brass

When Starline say "available for back order..." it usually ships in a few weeks. Great brass

I shoot mostly standard weight bullets but the heavy .45 Auto Rim loads turn the 625 into something next level for sure.

I have some 300gr. WFN loads for the 1917 Colt and 25-2's.

Powder space intrusion is LESS than the 452483, the 454424 and 230gr. ball.

Count me in on cast bullet masochism.

IIRC the RCBS SAA 270 was designed to put mass forward into the cylinder. Brian Pearce writing about it is the reason I own a 625 a .45 Colt Mountain Gun and a Ruger single action in .45 Colt.



I got to 900 fps in the 4" 625 1050 using 2400 from the Mountain Gun and stopped Way before I got into the "Ruger only" loads with the single action. Mine is the Bisley grip model and my hand does not like it.....

45 AutoRim and 45 AR Keith 452423 far right.

45 ACP and 300 WFN, third from right.

What is a 45 AR? Have you chronographed your 300 grain load?

It's an AutoRim bullet (AR). Lyman #452423; Elmer made a hollow point version too. Mine is cataloged by NOE and nominal weight is 240 grains. Its featured in 1955's Sixguns.

The 300 LBT clocks between 850 and 900 from a 25-2 with a decent charge of Longshot. That's as much as I've pushed it. It's also accurate due to overall bearing length and being seated and fitted into the throats.

It would do anything the 270 SAA will with slower powders like 2400, since it protrudes less in the case and provides more room for fuel (if one was inclined to do so).
It's sized .454 for the 25-2 and 1917 throats. A 625 would like a .452 bullet.

AA#7 would be another decent powder for next level 45 ACP/AR loads that still stay within modern pressure limits.

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?347916-MiHec-45-270-SAA-First-Year-Results

I ended up ordering a MiHec version of the SAA 270 that allows HP bullets of different sizes to be cast as well. This was the first results thread about this mold that came up. There is a longer one where probably a hundred different cast bullet forum members have raved about their results with this bullet.

Thanks again for more info about your efforts with the heavy bullets. I need to shoot something other than just paper and steel with this bullet.

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sh...-or-45-AR&highlight=MiHec+45-270+SAA

More posts re heavy bullet loads

From Brian Pearce in Handloader #306-

There are no “weak” .45 ACP revolvers, as even vintage U.S. Model 1917 Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers have proven completely adequate to handle these pressure levels, while all modern guns are rated for +P pressures.

I've loaded 255 gr. cast SWC's right up to 900 fps in my 1917.

Can you use .45 ACP dies for Auto Rim?

Yes

Yes, but you run into issues with crimping.

45 ACP dies apply a taper crimp and will apply a roll crimp if you screw them down far enough. Unfortunately, that applies a very strong taper crimp before it gets to the roll crimp, which crushes the driving band on the bullet and ruins accuracy.

To get a strong roll crimp without the taper, I had a buddy cut the bottom off of an extra 45 Colt crimping die. Groups shrank immediately. Someone probably makes a roll crimper for the 45 Auto Rim by now.


Okie John

My 45 ACP seating die (RCBS) applies a roll crimp if it's screwed down far enough. It does not apply a taper crimp. I had to buy a separate RCBS taper crimping die.

The die that taper crimps and roll crimps both, depending on the set, is a Profile crimp die.

Redding makes a 45 Auto Rim crimp die that allows a profile crimp which is an ambidextrous crimp; it will roll crimp in a cannelure or taper crimp a bullet without one.

It also allows a cast bullet with a crimp groove to still headspace off the case mouth if using ACP cases like the 300 grain bulleted load posted above.

The 45ACP, at inception, used a roll crimp. Tapered ACP crimp dies appeared after WWII.
The profile crimp die is pretty similar to how ACP dies were cut before the 1911 became a target platform.

I had a 1917 Colt and used the full moon clips. Lot cheaper than messing with auto rim cases. I still have a bunch of them and 2 of the removal tools.

You’ll only need a different shell holder.