[MaterDei]

I'm ready to start making my first reloading supplies purchases and need some sage advise.

I'll be reloading .45ACP. I've collected a few hundred cases that I bought and fired, mostly Winchester White Box. I need advice primarily on bullets and powder. Which .45 acp bullets are decent for accuracy but at the same time cheap. I don't want to buy something real cheap and regret it. Are there certain brands and/or bullet styles to avoid?

Same with the powder. Does cheap = not good and vice versa?

Thanks in advance,

MaterDei

[444]

If I was you, especially for your first handloads, I would use a standard 230 grain hardball bullet. In fact, this is what I use all the time. They are usually one of your more inexpensive bullets, they are accurate, and they feed well. There is also tons of loading data for that bullet since it is pretty much the standard .45 ACP bullet. I buy mine from Midway USA, usually the bulk Winchester or Remington.

Powders don't vary a whole lot in price. Maybe a buck or two a pound. Take a look at Hodgedon's Clays. It is a nice clean burning powder that meters well. It doesn't give you top velocity, but is a very good powder for general use. You can also try Bullseye, Unique, or Power Pistol by Alliant. All are very good powders.


Over the years I have shot a lot of cast bullets. They are also very good in the .45 ACP. Even without a lot of fanfare, you dont' have enough velocity to have problems with barrel leading. They are usually significantly cheaper than jacketed bullets and shoot just as good.

[Zak Smith]

Powder can vary in price from about $12 per pound (Hodgdon), to about about $25 per pound (Vihta Vuori).

For .45ACP, I strongly recommend Hodgdon Titegroup. It's a little slower than Clays, and a little faster than N320 or Green Dot. It leaves you more pressure safety margin with 230gr Bullets than Clays.

My standard .45ACP load (for IPSC "Major") is a 200gr West-Coast plated round-nose bullet with 5.1gr Titegroup at about 1.260", with basically "any" case and pistol primer.

-z

[444]

"Powder can vary in price from about $12 per pound (Hodgdon), to about about $25 per pound (Vihta Vuori)."

I guess my response was clouded by the fact that we don't get exposed to "exotic" powders around here. Hodgedon, Alliant, IMR. I do have 65 pounds of VV powder, but I bought it all at once from a former dealer that had it sitting in this garage. I had no idea what it cost.

Titegroup is a very good choice also.

[KC]

"Powder can vary in price from about $12 per pound (Hodgdon), to about about $25 per pound (Vihta Vuori)."

Holy ****! Here in SoCal, I'm stuck paying $22-27/lb for whatever powder I want, regardless of manufacturer or variety. (Plus, the law states that the purchaser must provide picture ID and a valid address before being permitted to buy any, and most places also tack on a special hazmat fee on top of normal taxes.)

Guess I'm going to have to start going out of state to get powder. It'll almost be cost effective to drive out to AZ or NV on a buying trip with orders for a couple three other people.

[saands]

KC ... If you can get a couple of people to go in with you on an order, you might consider placing an order with MidSouth Shooters' supply ... you can find them online and they only tag you once for the Haz-mat per order ... you can get primers and powder in the same box (go figure!) ... I haven't bought powder in CA for 4 or 5 years now. Also, if you happen to be able to use what he has, Jeff Bartlett at gibrass.com has GREAT deals on surplus and mil-surp pulldown powder and bullets.

When it comes to paying $27 a pound for powder ... JUST SAY NO!

Be safe,
Saands

[Cal4D4]

KC

I'm in SoCal, never showed picture ID and pay about $17/lb for Alliant powders. Never heard of a hazmat charge from a store. Where you buyin' your goods?

[KC]

Excuse me; the supurflous fees may only be applicable in San Diego country, not state wide. Someone had told me this was a state law, but evidently I/they are mistaken.

I've only purchased 3 pounds of powder so far, and those from the local Turner's. This may be part of my problem :rolleyes: , but there aren't any other places here in San Diego that I can get to easily and also sell powder.

[ACP230]

If you check the surplus dealers in Shotgun News you can find .45 230 grain FMJs for around $50 per thousand. Golden West Brass Industries has new FMJs for $55 per thousand. I have been using surplus FMJs recently. They work in all my guns, including subguns, and are cleaner to load and shoot than lead bullets.

I've made a lot of .45 loads with Unique. Everything from pin loads, to target loads has worked fine with that powder. I've used some Bullseye too, but Unique is my favorite. It is an old powder but a good one.

[WESHOOT2]

Powder = W231

Bullet(s) = 230g Rainier TCJ-RN, Penn Bullets 230g LRN, Meister 230g LRN, Montana Gold 230g FMJ-RN, Precision Bullets 230g LRN (coated), etc...

If you don't find the accuracy you desire switch bullet BRAND first. Suggest CCI300 or Federal 150 primers. Finish using LEE Carbide Factory Crimp die. If constantly reloading used cases invest (about $20) in a LEE (or EGW) undersized sizing die to aid in avoiding bullet setback.

Safe formula = case (I prefer IMI), CCI300 (can substitue Fed 150 or WLP), 5.0g W231, 230g bullet (I prefer Rainier 230g TCJ-RN), OAL 1.245-1.265" based on reliability in YOUR gun.