Can I use 45 ACP bullets to reload 45LC ?

Thanks

Can't see any reason why not. If these are jacketed slugs you'll be doing fine. If these slugs are plain lead, cast or swaged, you'll most likely get some leading.
The reason for the leading is most 45ACP are set up for bullets being .451 to .452 in diameter and the 45 Colts are, mostly set up with cylinders being .454. That 2/1000's, with plain lead, will allow gas to blow by and cause leading, by cutting the lead off, like a cutting torch cuts steel.
Jim

Keith,

The best thing to do is check the diameter of your bore and the size of the cylinder throats. This size will give an indication of what size bullets you should be using. That information and using a taper crimp die on bullets without a crimp grove should get you going.

In addition, the diameter of the expander plug will play an important role in how well the case grips the bullet. If its to large, bullets sized at .451 won't be held tightly enough and could be pulled from the seating depth by the recoil of the gun. Its best not to depend on crimp to hold any bullet in place.

Good luck

I do it all the time ! <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo--> I am using the combo in my 3rd gen Colt SAAs, and it works great. The bore diameter is the key though. Early colts were .454, while newer models are .452. If you are going to use the ACP bullets, I suggest you use a Lee Factory Crimp Die. ACP bullets don't have a crimp groove like 45 Colt bullets. Drop me a line if you have any questions.

Best of luck
Juan

Same here. I even use .45ACP bullets in my .454 Casull, but that's a bit tricky because with some types, like the Winchester JHP, the jacket breaks off under the substantially higher pressure / speed of the Casull. No such problems with .45LC, but roll crimp die highly recommended, Lee Factory Crimp Die even better.

The use of ACP bullets in the .45 Colt is just fine, but it was mentioned the use of the ACP bullets in the .454, which is a definate NO NO. &nbsp;Her is a paste of what Freedom Arms has to say about the use of non-454 designed bullets if you are planning on loading them to higher than intended velocities:

TIP #4: AFTER REFERRING TO YOUR FAVORITE RELOADING MANUAL.
An important fact to remember &nbsp;while loading above 1400 F.P.S..
The &nbsp;construction &nbsp;of &nbsp;the bullet is very important. The intent &nbsp;of the &nbsp;final loaded
round is also important, and needs to be considered also. Most commercially made pistol
bullets available today are designed for expansion &nbsp;at &nbsp;velocities &nbsp;below 1400 F.P.S.
Using &nbsp;bullets above &nbsp;this velocity &nbsp;results in poor accuracy, because the bullets can not &nbsp;
withstand &nbsp;the higher &nbsp;pressures &nbsp;generated at these higher velocities. The deformation &nbsp;
of &nbsp;the &nbsp;bullets &nbsp;base &nbsp;when &nbsp;fired &nbsp;results in &nbsp;poor accuracy. The higher velocities also &nbsp;
cause bullet jacket separation and bullet weight loss, during uncontrolled expansion.
When the pressure is &nbsp;high enough the jacket could separate from the bullet in the
cylinder, or in flight.

Keith,

Yes it isn't a problem at all. Some of the better self defense-type ammo for the LC use the same slugs
used in similar ACP loads. I have done this myself many times. The Remington Golden Saber can be very impressive at around 1000 fps. :smile: I'm always on the verge of getting an ammo manufacturer's FFL to market good ammo in cartridges sadly neglected by the Big Three.

The reverse can also be done, using LC bullets in the ACP. The most common would be 250-255 LSWC's for bowling pin shoots.

Anyone happen upon ACP bullets that can withstand Casull speeds and pressures, by the way? Casull bullets are usually more expensive.

I use 45acp bullets in my 454casull all the time. I use them for reduced loads. &nbsp;doug