[themayor]

Not new to reloading but new to loading pistol loads. Please help me get setup for loading 45acp. I have a dillon 550b so tell me what are the good dies, brass, powder and bullets to start out with. I would like to start with good stuff so go from there thanks

[Vern Humphrey]

I like Bullseye for loading the .45 ACP -- others will disagree.

If you have a Dillon 550B, you will probably best be served with Dillon dies.

For brass, I use range pickup, mixed brass. I have accumulated about 10,000 pieces over the years. You can look in the ammo section of Shotgun News and find once-fired brass advertised. If you want new brass, I like Starline.

I shoot mostly cast bullets in .45 ACP, and like the Lee 230 grain tumble lube cast out of straight wheel weights and lubed with liquid Alox. this is a bit smoky in an indoor range, and requires cleaning both pistol and dies every so often, but it shoots well.

[ArchAngelCD]

I use W231 for the .45 Auto and a 230gr LRN bullet. I'm using Laser Cast and Roger's Better Bullets right now. I charge 5.5gr W231 under a 230gr LRN bullet.

[neal7250]

I use 6.1 grns of wsf powder under a winchester JHP 230 grns. I get the bullets from Cabelas, at 500pcs. Makes a great bullet.

[neal7250]

I use 6.1 grns of wsf powder under a winchester JHP 230 grns. I get the bullets from Cabelas, at 500pcs. Makes a great bullet.

[neal7250]

I use 6.1 grns of WSF, under a winchester 263 jhp. I buy bullets from cabelas 500 at a time, abd the braass comes fromhttp://edsbrassandreloaders.com/main.sc

[jfh]

Good advice so far--to which I will only add the following:

1. If you like accuracy, consider using a 200-gr. LSWC and about 5.0 gr. of 231--my current version uses 5.2 gr. You might have to experiment a bit and even put in a light spring, but it is a good route to "barely Major" loads that allow fast recovery.

2. WSF is another fine powder for the .45ACP, and yet a third is AA#5 for MAX loads and velocity.

Even though Vern is an old fart who likes Bullseye, I consider it uncivil and dirty. I also found that keeping brass sorted by headstamp improves accuracy at no cost--but range pickup brass should be fine. I too use a lot of Starline Brass, and I personally like to have some new brass on hand as well as the pickup brass.

Jim H.

[Vern Humphrey]

Why you whipper-snapper, come 'round here where I can get a swipe at you with my cane.:p

[Walkalong]

2. WSF is another fine powder for the .45ACP, and yet a third is AA#5 for MAX loads and velocity.

Agreed, although I also like AA #2 as well for less than max loads.

Welcome to THR themayor, although I'm not sure if I voted for you. :rolleyes:

[themayor]

THanks guys so dillon are the best dies to get? also who has the best price on starline brass best i found was 74 for 500 is that good?

[neal7250]

I feel, just my opinion, that Dillon pistol dies, should be used on a dillon machiine. They have a deep taper on the mouth of the die, that can facilitate high speed relaoding.

[pinkymingeo]

Buy Starline brass from Starline. Their price includes shipping, and is the best deal I've found.

[themayor]

what is the deal with starlines brass on their site i dont see 45acp?

[jfh]

TheMayor: At the Starline site, it's listed as 45 auto--$78.75/500, 137.80 / 1000.

I found it on both the price list and the order form.

Walkalong: Compare and contrast #2 and 231, if you would, please....It need not be a three page essay, but grading will be done for grammar and punctuation.

Jim H.

[Walkalong]

Compared to W-231, AA #2 is cleaner, flows through a measure like water, (very consistent) gives great ES & SD numbers, and is very accurate with the plated and jacketed bullets I am using.

I shot nothing but W-231 for years and it is a fine powder for .45. It meters well, burns fairly clean, & is very accurate with lead bullets at any reasonable charge weight. Great .45 powder for a new reloader.

If you want to stick with Winchester powders, WST is great for target loads in the .45.


How did I do on grammer & punctuation? My mom is an English Major, she would be upset if I was using improper English. :D

[jfh]

Thanks, Walkalong--looks like I should try some #2.

As for the grading--excellent, simply excellent. I'll give you a 78, or C+. (I learned to grade before "grade inflation" came in during the Seventies.)

Jim H.

[Walkalong]

C+ :eek:

Man, mom's going to be disappointed. :D

[rero360]

I've been using 5 grains of titegroup under a 230 grain FMJ from winchester in remington cases. its towards the upper end of the range but it burns really clean.

[GaryL]

I have RCBS, Lee, Hornady, and Dillon dies for my 550B. The 45acp is setup with Lee dies. They all seem to work equally well to me.

[CBS220]

Walkalong-

It's "grammar", not "grammer".

:p

[ulflyer]

RCBS are in both my 550's. I had a primer punch? break and they sent me a couple free. I also like Bullseye and 231 with 200 and 220 lead bullets. More recently have been using plain Clays as its a bit more bulky and easier to see when dumped in the case. Seems a tad cleaner, although I've never thought Bullseye to be dirty like a lot of guys say. All three meter well in the Dillon.

[Walkalong]

Walkalong-

It's "grammar", not "grammer".

Dang it, sure is. :o

[Vern Humphrey]

It's "grammar", not "grammer".
I hope you're not talking about my grammer -- 'cause if you are and she catches you, she'll put something on you that Lava soap won't take off.:p

[Walkalong]

Well now, we sure cain't have that, can we. :D

[jfh]

Egad--and I was the fifth grade spelling champ.

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Another old fart for bullseye!!

[1911NM]

ok, ok, if the old farts are voting, I gotta be in here. Either W231 or Clays (not universal clays) work just dandy, meter well and bulk enough to see easily in a .45acp brass. They both shoot fairly clean for outdoors, and I happen to be using Berrys 200g. plated SWC, and the freebie Hornady 230g jacketed HP I got with the press and dies. Winchester LP primers.