Springfield Range Officer Reload tips

Hi everyone, 
I'm an Italian guy, I've been shooting rifles for over 10 years (50mt rifle target and 300mt prone rifle)...

 I just bought a Springfield Range Officer cal.45ACP from a friend who has practically never used it.... After reading here on the forum that it's an excellent bullseye gun I didn't let it slip away! 

I would now like to ask for advice on reloading to start testing with rests at 25 and 50mt. 
In Italy I should be able to get Vithavuori powder and as for bullets I don't know whether to use coated ones or  lead... bullet weight? primers? OAL?

 thanks everyone for the help!

This is my gun

There are several loads using VV N310 listed in the Pet Loads of the Top Shooters thread, which is located near the top of the ammunition subforum.

I'm going to see... thanks

hello use the search feature above. there are at least 100 reloading suggestions listed. its almost as many as "what oil to use in my Motorcycle" in the Harley forum. lol

I read some topics...
 I'm undecided with which bullet to start testing.

 I'll attach photos of what I could buy later.
I didn't understand if it's better (for precision shooting) to have a lead bullet or coated bullet

T68 and 337 look good. Diameter is usually 0.452 for this gun. Try some and see. Welcome!

thanks for the reply... I looked to see if they were drawn in .452 but they only make them in .451!
 I've never shot only lead... do they make much of a mess?

giocasi wrote:thanks for the reply... I looked to see if they were drawn in .452 but they only make them in .451!
 I've never shot only lead... do they make much of a mess?

You'll likely be disappointed in the accuracy of either the lead or coated bullets which are sized at .451". The chances of leading with the lead ones will be very high. If you can't get .45 ACP lead or coated bullets for reloading sized at .452", I'd consider a full metal jacketed bullet or jacketed hollow point bullet weighing 185 grains. Coated lead bullets are cleaner to handle and won't leave any lead deposits in your barrel. They also don't produce the amount of smoke of lubricated lead bullets, which might be a consideration, especially if you shoot indoors.

thanks for the advice... if .451 produces unsatisfactory groups, I will immediately look for .452 drawn bullets... there is no point in wasting money. if I were not to find them, could I think of making them? what would I need?

here's a video that shows the bullet casting process:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i1iOVB-0t4

nice work... i found these .452 drawn bullets... but they are 200 grains, i would have preferred 185. Would they be ok? are the SWC better?

i would imagine they would be fine. 

as to which model/shape would load/chamber best in your firearm..... it's often hard to know till you try them. 

the swcbb type looks a lot like the projectile that i and many use. 

some firearms seem to prefer round nose variants (rnbb) at least as it relates to ease of chambering the round. 

It might be worth giving the company that makes these projectiles a call and see if they'll sell you or perhaps just send you a few of each to try out in your firearm prior to making a large volume purchase

VV makes great powders, you are at no disadvantage. congratulations by the way on the lovely firearm

correct considerations... I wrote to ask if they can send me 100 of each type... 

as powder I would use N310... unfortunately on the Vithavuori reloading tables, they do not include the doses for lead-only bullets...
 from which dose could I start, calculating the weight of a 200 grain bullet? 

thanks, I'm in love with that gun!!!

My VV loading guide shows 3.7 grains as a starting load for a 200 LSWC with N310, and a max of 4.0.

thanks for the information... 

I don't understand why in the manual I have (year 2023) this dose for lead bullets is not present.

VV has their reloading data/information posted on line for free: https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading-data-tool-rifle-handgun-cowboy-action-shooting/#/

(many other reloading smokeless powder companies do as well)

thanks but I can't find LSWC bullets in cal.45

giocasi wrote:thanks but I can't find LSWC bullets in cal.45

LSWC = Lead Semi Wad Cutter, same as the SWCBB you had in your post.  BB= Bevel Base

giocasi wrote:thanks but I can't find LSWC bullets in cal.45

Looks like Brownells in the UK sells them, don't know where they ship to.  They are .452" diameter. .45 CALIBER LEAD HANDGUN SNS CAST BULLETS SEMI-WAD CUTTER 45 CAL (.452") 200GR SWC 500/BOX - Brownells UK

Thanks a lot!!!!
does anyone know ARES BULLETS?

That 200 grain SWCBB you found should work well.  Cecil Rhodes had a pet load of 3.85 gr N310 with a 200 gr lead bullet. I tried that load and fully agree that it is pretty good.  I started using it late this past season and it will be my load going forward. I tried a little more powder but those loads didn’t group as well for me.

Good luck.
John

Great! it will be the first test i will do... thanks a lot

What ammo lenght should I make?

Start at 23.4mm from the base of the case to the shoulder of the seated bullet.

23.4mm as in the attached picture?