.454 vs .452 bullets

olered · June 09, 2015, 06:38:35 PM

I have been loading .452 bullets in my smokeless rounds and want to load some bp. I ordered some
Big Lube 250 grain and they are .454. I measured the cylinder on my open tops and they are .452.
Can I use the .454 safely or should I size them down? Sorry if this has been brought up before. I searched could find nothing.

rickk · June 10, 2015, 12:03:27 PM

You COULD have some leading issues and you MIGHT need a different expander plug.

If it were me I would just try it and see what happens. If a problem arises a LEE bullet sizing die is about 10 bucks.

mehavey · June 10, 2015, 12:07:21 PM

If the 454s will physically fit into the cylinders, no [safety] problem.

Jefro · June 10, 2015, 12:51:12 PM

Howdy olered, not sure why you got 454 in the first place if shooting 45LC. Mark has them in both 452 and 454, I size all of mine 452. Like the others have said, if they will fit the cylinders and don't need a larger expander plug they should work. Good Luck

Jefro

Relax-Enjoy

olered · June 10, 2015, 01:05:38 PM

Quote from: Jefro on June 10, 2015, 12:51:12 PM
Howdy olered, not sure why you got 454 in the first place if shooting 45LC. Mark has them in both 452 and 454, I size all of mine 452. Like the others have said, if they will fit the cylinders and don't need a larger expander plug they should work. Good Luck

Jefro Relax-Enjoy

I spoke with Mark and he said that 90% of his 45PRS bullets that he gets orders for are .454 and if they will chamber they are fine. I am not sure what an expander plug is. This would size the case more to accomodate the .454? I have a .452 sizer already and may resize them depending how they chamber. I can resize them with out messing up the lube. Correct?

Jefro · June 11, 2015, 12:06:49 PM

Howdy olered, this case mouth expander die, if it will expand the case mouth enough to load the 454 then I would load a few to see if they will fit the cylinders. If they fit then rock and roll and start shooting. Yes you could rezise them, if it makes a mess depends on the type of sizing set up you have. I have two Stars, one for BP and one for that other powder, so I wouldn't have any problems...Good Luck

Jefro

Relax-Enjoy

olered · June 11, 2015, 02:32:49 PM

Jefro I tried to make up a couple last night and my die will not expand the case enough to seat the bullet. Not going to buy a different expander plug. I will just resize the 250 bullets to .452 and be done with it. If I order more I will make sure they are .452. My sizing die is a Lee. May be messy but I'll just have to deal with it. Another lesson learned but not too painful this time around.

mehavey · June 11, 2015, 07:25:35 PM

What make [expander] die are you
using that it won't bell the mouth?

olered · June 12, 2015, 06:35:40 AM

Quote from: mehavey on June 11, 2015, 07:25:35 PM
What make [expander] die are you
using that it won't bell the mouth?

All of my reloading components are Lee.

mehavey · June 12, 2015, 06:43:39 AM

For $15, Lee makes a universal expander that's good up through 45-70/0.459"
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/140461/lee-universal-neck-expanding-die

olered · June 12, 2015, 12:14:19 PM

Quote from: mehavey on June 12, 2015, 06:43:39 AM
For $15, Lee makes a universal expander that's good up through 45-70/0.459"
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/140461/lee-universal-neck-expanding-die

I orderd the universal expander and it will be here Saturday. I use Amazon for a lot. Checked their price which was a little cheaper than Midway with free shipping. Thanks

Trailrider · June 13, 2015, 09:34:39 AM

The first question concerning the .454" bullets is whether they will fit the case without shaving lead or seating crookedly. The expander plug should take care of that. The second question is whether the cartridges with the .454" bullets will chamber in you gun. The final question is how do they shoot? Best of luck.

rickk · June 15, 2015, 07:34:10 AM

The universal expander will bell the mouth but it wont expand the case below the bell.

With RCBS dies you can get additional expander plugs. They made them in .452 and .454 . If someone will sell you the expander that comes with the RCBS "Cowboy Dies", that one is .457. Note that this is the diameter of the part that goes deeper into the case than the part that just bells the mouth.

mehavey · June 15, 2015, 07:51:09 AM

QuoteThe universal expander will bell the mouth
but it wont expand the case below the bell.

I'll grant you that, but that may also be all the OP
needs to use the .454 bullets in a .452 barrel.

Test and see....

AWFUL CLOSE · July 22, 2015, 05:14:53 PM

I use .454 bullets in my Marlin to help quench the blowback.

Buckingham · November 08, 2015, 02:10:42 PM

I cannot see why you are worried about using .454" dia bullets, the SAAMI spec for Colt 45 calls for .454" dia,(actually I think it is .456"), any gun that is bored for .452" is to Colt 45 ACP Auto spec. and should not be sold!

AWFUL CLOSE · November 08, 2015, 05:24:35 PM

I bought a used 45lc Ruger Blackhawk that was mfg in 1976. It came from the factory with a .454 barrel. It shot way to the left and real high. You couldn't move the sights far enough to compensate. I sent the gun to Ruger, they put a new barrel on it, (free of course). The new barrel was marked .452; so if Ruger isn't concerned about the size difference, I'm not either. I loaded up some 300gr ,454 bullets with a "healthy" powder load. No problems in either of the pistols or the Marlin rifle.

Jake C · November 08, 2015, 11:19:14 PM

Quote from: Buckingham on November 08, 2015, 02:10:42 PM
I cannot see why you are worried about using .454" dia bullets, the SAAMI spec for Colt 45 calls for .454" dia,(actually I think it is .456"), any gun that is bored for .452" is to Colt 45 ACP Auto spec. and should not be sold!

As I understand it, most .45 Colt guns made after WWII were made with .452 barrels.