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Help on casting for .45 Springfield Compact Auto

CESCES Member Posts: 3 ✭✭
I am new to reloading for auto hand guns, and need some help and advice with several questions. I have just purchased
a Springfield .45 auto and would like to cast my own bullets. I have spent a lot of time reading about and looking at
different moulds, some have large lube grooves and some have multiple micro grooves, I am more confused now than ever.
I need to know if the LEE four or six cavity mould will do what I need. BTW I have never cast bullets before either but have
cast lots of sinkers & weights. I also want to ask about the LEE Precision lube and sizing kit and what type of lubricant to
use. I need to know what size sizer to get (.451 or .452 or what). Please, any info at all would be greatly appreciated. This
gun will only be used for plinking, punching paper, or targets in general.
Thanks in advance
CHARLES

Comments

  • PearywPearyw Member Posts: 3,699
    edited November -1
    I use the 2 cavity Lee molds for several different 45 acp bullets. I would recommend to 200 swc if you have a 1911 that will work with them. For all around use the 226 round nose will work in all of them. I use the Lee .452 sizer. It is good for standard barrels. If you are loading for match grade barrels, I would get the .451. You can have problems with the larger bullet with the tighter chambers. I lube mine with the Lee liquid Alox before I size them. I then apply another coat. This is easy to do. Just put your bullets in a plastic bowl with a lid, squirt in some lube, tumble them around for about 20 seconds, and dump them onto a sheet of wax paper to dry. I generally cast mine out of wheel weights. I never get any barrel leading from these.
  • brier-49brier-49 Member Posts: 7,090 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    lyman mould #452630 200 gr swc is a good bullet.lyman makes a 4 cavity for this,60.09 from midsouthshooterssupply.com,for lube i buy half &half from garforreloading very cheap and makes cleaning easy.
    i'm not a big fan of lee moulds,had a couple warp on me.
  • BHAVINBHAVIN Member Posts: 3,490 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I prefer RCBS or Lyman molds as I have had problems with the Lee alloy ones. I learned to cast years ago and we always use two cavity molds as it is easier to get a more consistently uniform bullet. We are pretty picky though and cull our bullets pretty hard. I would go with a 200g bullet round if you have to but I would get the semi wadcutter as suggested if your gun will shoot them.
  • leadburnerleadburner Member Posts: 81 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with Pearyw that the Lee mold is the way to go.I cast 7 diffent bullets,.308 round balls(for buckshot),and 12 ga. slugs. You don't get as much invested in molds,and the Lee molds are certainly the easiest to cast with that I have used.Also the sizing and lubing operatins are simple and inexpensive.In my mind that is what you are looking for,cheap and easy.
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