Re-creating original .45 Schofield load

[Hargrave]

Hello all,

I am  looking to re-create the original .45 Schofield load.

I understand that is 30 grains of powder on top of a 230 grain soft lead round nose bullet.

Now .... I have been looking for a source for the bullet and can't find one. Does anyone know of a source for 230 grain round nose soft lead bullets?

I  know I can cast my own, but I was hoping to get something already cast. I am not quite sure I am ready to start casting myself just yet.

Any advise, resources, opinions or thoughts would be welcome.

[Dakota Ike]

I don't know of anyone that sells a 230 grain Schofield bullet...not to say that someone dosen't.  Springfield Slim sells the big lube bullets, but I don't see a 230 grain on his web site.

Later, if you decide to cast or maybe have someone cast for you, Accurate Molds has a 230 S mould that would be my choice if i was to get a new mould.  I have a 454190 Accurate brass mould and the quality is excellent.

http://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=45-230S-D.png

[Pappy Myles]

I am recommending Accurate molds too for the 230 grainer.  I have a 300 grain mold I had made for the 45 colt for longer ranges.  The mold is very clean and works well.

FYI, I load a schofield for my Vaquero for reduced BP loads.  I use a big lube mold for ROA.  It's a about 210 grainer, RNFP with 1.3 cc 2F.      Works very well.

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[Coal Creek Griff]

The Accurate Molds 45-230S was designed to mimic the original .45 S&W bullet with two major differences: the lube capacity was increased and there is no hollow base.  There is also a crimp groove.  I have one of these an highly recommend it.  See http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,42226.msg533863.html#msg533863.

I know you're not casting at this point, but getting just the basic equipment is not difficult or really expensive and it is actually pretty easy to get started.  Like other aspects of handloading, it can get quite expensive and complicated, but it doesn't have to be to get going.  I found that it was well worth adding a new aspect to the hobby.

CC Griff

[Galloway]

I use regular hardcast 45 acp 230gr bullets I pan lube with spg and they work well out of a 7.5'' barrel. Maybe the lack of a crimp groove helps with fowling but I can shoot several cylinders before accuracy suffers. Good luck

[Tascosa Joe]

I use a Mastercrafters 230 grain RNFP, they work well in pistols, but run out of lube pretty quick in my Henry.  The Henry will run about 2 stages before it has to be cleaned.  Stormy Reinz sends me the bullets as cast and I lube them with SPG.  Mileaqge may vary.

[J.D. Yellowhammer]

Has anyone used the Accurate 45-230S in .45 Colt SAA's?  I have a couple of .45's on order and I'm looking for a good design. I really like this one with the large lube groove and crimp groove, plus the weight means I can save a little bit of lead and recoil.

[Coal Creek Griff]

I haven't gotten around to loading any in 45 Colt cases, but I've shot 45 S&W ammo through a Ruger NV with good results using that bullet.  On the other hand, I've only used smokeless loads at this point...

CC Griff

[J.D. Yellowhammer]

Thanks Griff.  What's your load with the Schofields, if you don't mind my asking?  I've been toying with the idea of trying the .45 Cowboy Special brass with the 230 and smokeless for shoots. I don't want powder puff loads (I usually shoot full load .44-40) but I want to check out a little less recoil in the .45s I ordered.

[Grapeshot]

Some years back I decided to re-create the Schofield load the US Army used.  I took standard 230 grain LRN's and ran them thru my Corbin Swage die to create a 230 grain, hollow based, pointed 1.0 Secant ogive, lead bullet.  I was using a 1.9cc Lee dipper of APP at the time and did not have to worry about changing to a BP compatable lube.

I also re-created the later .45 Colt load as issued by Frankfurt Arsenal of 30 grains of 2Fg, a one-fourth inch cork wad and a 250 grain .LRN similar to the Lyman 454190.  Both rounds shot well and were relatively mild and quite accurate

[Coal Creek Griff]

JD:

I'm reluctant to post my load, so I sent you a PM.

CC Griff

[Hargrave]

Thank you everyone !!!

This is all good stuff and I am eager to give it a try. I will start looking for some molds. I found about 10 bars of lead in the basement today so as soon as I get the equipment, I will be off to the races.

jacob

[Virginia Gentleman]

Did you ever get around to loading and shooting this load?  Hornady makes a soft 230 grain LRN bullet that might work BTW.

[Hargrave]

Thank you !!! I have not yet because I could not find a soft round nose .... I will look into the hornady