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I bought a bag of 230gr FMJ .451 bullets last week and was wondering if they'd be suitable for a Winchester 94 chambered in .45 Colt?

I usually shoot a light load using 230gr .452 HC lead but would like some hotter loads to use for plinking/shoulder bashing on guest days.

Would these be suitable? I'm using Lyman 49th edition reloading manual but it doesn't state what bullet diameter for FMJ .45 Colt.

.451 will be fine

Most of my lead bullets are .454

Post-war 94 bores tend to run .452 - though this could be checked by slugging yours

For hot loads, just look up an XTP or HP jacketed bullet load for the same weight.
2400 is one of the more pokey powders that Elmer Keith recommended...IF you don't have a copy of his book SIXGUNS then make plans to buy one as there's a lot of good load data in it for the rounds he designed

Thanks Saddler.

Next problem I've come across:

Going by my manual it says with a 225gr JHP (best I could match it with) to seat it to 1.557", however since there's no crimp groove I'm having trouble with the bullet sliding into the case. I got around the issue somewhat by not expanding the neck and seating it slowly. But also due to the curving profile of the bullet if I seat it to the stated length the case has a slight gap if you see what I mean. I loaded some to 1.630" which gives a good crimp on the bullet holding it in place well.

I fear that if I fire one loaded to 1.557" the ones in the tube will be set back into the case.

My usual HC lead 230gr load next to the FMJ seated to 1.630"








So would the longer round be safe to fire? I've not shot any of the FMJ yet, it does chamber correctly. Starting load is just over 12gr of Blue Dot.

I'd seat them longer, as it's the Ogive of the bullet in relation to the rifling that is the critical issue.

Try a dummy round with no primer/powder and a very lightly seated bullet in a minimally sized case.
See how far back it is is pushed on chambering...

It may also be worth looking at the Lyman M die for bullet seating, as it expands the case mouth in a more parallel fashion to traditional flared style dies

Personally, I think you have the wrong bullets. They are for .45ACP, not .45 Colt. You can load them, you can make them work, to a fashion, but, saddler is the original "Heath Robinson"... The man has little finesse, unless it's with a sewing needle.....

You're going to need good neck tension as you have no cannular to roll crimp into, as ACP uses a taper crimp. You may solve this with a Lee factory crimp die. You're sizing die is designed for .452"- 454" bullets, not the .451", so you're on a hiding to nothing. If the neck tension/crimp is not very good, you fun the risk, if tube feeding, to shorten the rounds under recoil.

TBH I`m not sure I would want to use the FMJ rounds in the magazine.
There is a risk, maybe small, of primers being set off.
Tony

I've used FMJ without any problems in my 45LC

FMJ is not the issue, but RN profile could be, theoretically, if using hot loads....