i have been casting my own bullets for a 45 acp with a 200 grain simi wadcutter lyman mold. http://www.midsouthshooterssup...asp?sku=000152670630 now i want to know if i can shoot these same bullets in my 45 colt. they are sized to .452 in my lyman reloading manual it has a similar bullet (weight and shape) the only difference that i can tell is the one that i have only has one lube groove and has a beveled base. will this be ok to load in my 45 colt(ruger new vaquero)? it would save me some money on a new mold and having to cast different bullets. thanks for the help

yep it's a new vaquero built for 14k pressures the acp is more in the 20k range.
as such the taper crimp from your acp dies will suffice for the colts neck tension the same 452 size should do well also.
i use the lyman 200 in my levergun with cowboy type loads also, it does just fine.

As posted yes you can use it.

Cast are like jacketed in that you will find several brands of molds in the same weight and basic designs, only a slight difference here and there in noses or lube grooves. Use the starting data for the weight bullets your wanting to shoot and work up like normal.

I have been slowly getting into casting my own for the past six or so months, but have been studying up on it for over a year. I have probably read a set of encyclopedias worth or more of info on it, and so far have not had any issues with my bullets or loads.

My initial step into it came with a need to feed my 454 with hunting bullets, which were affordable enough to practice with on a regular basis. I had been through the barrel leading years ago with my 41mag and some 250gr loads and never want to do that again. I purchased several Lee molds figuring to get the basics down first then move up to the higher quality molds. With the results I have gotten, I see no real need to spend the extra money as these have done everything I can imagine the others doing.

So far the only leading I have gotten was from my initial 5 rounds with the 454 and a clean barrel. It was only a slight smear of about an inch or so. After cleaning that out, I ran a patch with just enough Alox on it to be damp, through the cylinders and barrel, and nothing noted since. It has had over a hundred round through it now since that cleaning with no issue to be seen.

I just purchased a Redhawk in 45 Colt recently and have been shooting assorted bullets weighing from 200 up to the 300gr GC one I shoot in the 454 with no issues what so ever and excellent accuracy from them all. Other than the Oregon Trail, they have all been tumble lubed with Alox.

Lamar,

who told you the new vaquero "was built for 14K pressures..."?

Rich