advice for first 45auto reloads?

[edfardos]

I've been really happy with my 3006, 40s&w, 44mag, and 223 reloads. Having said that are there any gotchas with 45auto I shoild be aware of?

possibly misguided plan:

x-treme plated bullet, 230 grain, round nose, .452"
AA#5 up to 7.8grains (also used with 40s&w)
cci larg pistol *magnum* primer (also used in 44mag)

Any other plated bullet shooters bulding 45autos?

in 10 day waiting period for my RIA 1911, rcbs dies ordered for rcbs pro2000.

thanks!

edfardos

 

[Otto]

There's no need for magnum primers in 45auto. You could risk breech face erosion in doing so.
http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1399747&highlight=Breech+Pitting

 

[Archie]

Sounds reasonable so far...

I have some Winchester Large Pistol primers with the claim on the packaging they are suitable for either standard or magnum loads. I load both .45 ACP and .44 Magnum and have no problem with either in terms of ignition.

 

[rcmodel]

Yep!
Scratch the Mag primers idea.

Not needed in .45 ACP, and not called for with AA #5 data.

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, not good reason to use a magnum primer in the .45 Auto and with AA#5.

As for using AA#5, that's a good .45 Auto powder considering it was specifically designed for use in the .45 Auto... lol I'm a W231/HP-38 guy but there's noting wrong with AA#5 in the 45 Auto.

 

[4895]

I wouldn't use mag primers unless that was all I could find. I've never used AA#5 but heard good things about it. I prefer Bullseye (with lead bullets), 231 (with plated bullets), or Unique (with any bullets) over most others. A friend likes to use Herco but I have never tried it either.

I have found that the crimp on a .45 auto cartridge can be a bit tricky as well as OAL. You can adjust crimp based upon your barrel by dropping a cartridge in the barrel and watching for a clear, clean headspace of the cartridge. Or you could just buy a Dillon case gauge for .45 auto (about $12) on ebay or other places. With a case gauge, you can set your crimp at the lightest amount and try the gauge, then adjust a little more crimp and try the gauge, etc. When it drops in easily and freely, I add just a hair more crimp and recheck it. I had a lot of jams until I figured out the crimp with the gauge.

Only other advice I can offer, don't try to turn the .45 auto into a .45 auto supermag. This cartridge isn't designed to shoot 1000 fps 230 grain bullets...without premature failure. It is a great round, a classic round, but has its limitations. It will serve you well if you don't test the limits.

 

[hentown]

Whiile I wouldn't recommend magnum primers for .45acp, I also wouldn't think they'd cause breechface erosion. I've loaded up a bunch of Xtreme 230gr. plated bullets, using 8gr. of AA#5; probably a bunch @ 8.3-or-so grains. There's nothing tricky about the case length or crimp on a .45acp...it's one of the easiest, most forgiving rounds to load. Just crimp enough to remove the bell, making sure that the rounds will chamber in the barrel(s) for which they're loaded.

 

[MikeOBWan]

I"m loading the X-Treme 230gr. Plated over 5.2gr of W231/HP-38 OAL is 1.26 Using CCI300, Winchester and Wolf Large Pistol primers. This is an outstanding practice/paper punching round.. Love it. Very little recoil and all the brass falls in a nice neat pile..

 

[Kyle M.]

I"m loading the X-Treme 230gr. Plated over 5.2gr of W231/HP-38 OAL is 1.26 Using CCI300, Winchester and Wolf Large Pistol primers. This is an outstanding practice/paper punching round.. Love it. Very little recoil and all the brass falls in a nice neat pile..

What a coincidence I was using the exact same load for my .45's except my oal was 1.250. Either way .010 is not very much. They shot excellant in my sig 1911 TacOps, RIA GI, Gen 3 G21, and Kimber Gold Match II.

 

[Flt Simulation]

Here is what I have been using with .45 ACP 230gr RN (lead or FMJ) cartridges.

I don't know about other cartridges, but Winchester 231 is very consistent, and works well in the .45 ACP


Cartridge Overall Length:
1.24" (works well in the Colt 1911 w/ 5" barrel)

Crimp:
.470"

Primer:
Winchester

Powder:
Winchester 231

Powder Load:
5.1 - 5.2 gr

 

[Old Shooter]

Magnum primers in a 45 auto is like hi-test gasoline in your lawnmower. It works, but it just isn't needed.

 

[mdi]

Excuse me if this sounds like a slam, it isn't meant to be. I always recommend to new reloaders when they start on a new to them cartridge, go with a tried and true bullet/load combo (in 45 ACP that would be a FMJ or LRN of 230 gr. to 800 fps or so). Wait till you get used to reloading the cartridge, working out the problems, and you can find answers to all those problems here. Then go with "exotic" loads; light weight SWC or plated or coated bullets. You are just gonna shoot them anyway (fun no matter how you look at it) so practice with a few "plain old, boring, standard loads". Also, find a load (bullet. powder, primer combo) before you buy components! Much, much less headaches that way.

 

[Hondo 60]

I agree, no good reason to use a magnum primer in the .45 Auto and with AA#5.

My standard load is 8.0 gr of AA#5 Lg or Sm pistol primer - Not a Magnum primer - under a Missouri Bullet Co's Cowboy # 4 (200 gr LRNFP) .
Powder's just over minimum, but it cycles fine, I get about 825 fps & it accurate.

From Accurate's most recent data File
---------------------------------------------
No.5 200 LC SWC 7.8 902 8.7 1,025 19,400 1.190

 

[ZXD9]

Berry's 230g FMJ 8.1-8.3g #5 1.24" OAL

 

[edfardos]

thanks zxd9 - that's more than I was going for, so I should have a safety margin. Ever chrony that load?

thanks again,

edfardos

 

[joshf128]

Others have already covered most of the bases but figured I could chime in about OAL.

I have a RIA Tactical 2011 and I load mine between 1.265"-1.267". Mine doesn't have a problem feeding these even if some more finicky 1911's will. I've used that length with both 230gr plated/FMJ and 200gr LSWC with zero feeding problems. Of course, ymmv but don't think that you have to shorten them up too much. The plunk test is your friend.