Another Reloading Newbie Question…

[dk-corriveau]

I have been trying to get smart about reloading. I hope to start reloading .45 ACP sometime after the new year and I have the Speer reloading manual and have read it once and plan to do so again. Searching around I have realized that there are a lot of different manufacturers of bullets, most of whom offer similar but not identical bullets. If I wanted to start reloading today and I wanted to use something other than Speer bullets (all the loads in the manual are for their own bullets), where would I go to get the correct loading? For instance, what if I wanted to use Rainier Bullets, where do I get loading information. Do I simply need to get some more loading literature with more information or is there another means of doing this?

Thanks,
Daniel

 

[Murphster]

I recommend this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=424613

It has caliber-specific load data from most of the bullet and powder manufacturers.

 

[standles]

The books (I don't care if you have the exact components listed) are for reference only. DO NOT take them at face value. You start at the lower values for laods and work up a load yourself. A chronograph is INVALUABLE in this endeavour. Considering good ones are now well priced and what you have invested in your guns it is well worth it.

Find you components and find a load that closely covers it. Then use the low end and work up. I have a 38 super somp load that is above max in any book but I worked the load up .1 grain at a time lookiing for pressure signs and looking for wild jumps in velocities across the chrono (Signs of high pressure making burn rates erratic).

Steven

 

[halvey]

Go with a "similar" bullet, start at or below the minimum, then work up.

For .45, since it's a low pressure cartridge, I wouldn't worry TOO much.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Doing It Right

Dk-Corriveau--You're Doing It Right--Good On You! Reading up BEFORE you go trying to do the loading. Wish all reloaders followed that practice.

Halvey and the others who say start at the starting load and CAREFULLY work up have it right. And I would add that accuracy is seldom found at the top of the powder and pressure limit. A moderate load usually is best.

Further, whoop-te-doo, over-the-top loads are harder on yr gun, as well as yr brass not lasting for as many reloads.

As a newbie, stick STRICTLY to within the limits given in the loading manual. When you have more experience, you can get creative--a little--but remember, there are old reloaders and bold reloaders, but there are no old, bold, reloaders.

For a single reference that covers all the powder and bullet makers for one cartridge, I reccommend the Loadbooks USA series. Each of these has all the reccommended loads for a single cartridge. The titles are all, "The Complete Reloading Manual for the (fill in cartridge here)." They do have one for the .45ACP.

Can be ordered from the publisher at www.loadbooks.com or buy @ yr local sptg gds sto, gun show, or over the I'net. I believe that Midway USA carries the series; so probably do all the other mail-order places.

 

[JDGray]

dk-corriveau, I shoot Rainier bullets in my .45 and zero problems. I use 230gr. RN , cant beat the price! Go too www.rainierballistics.com for all load data. JDGray

 

[Vern Humphrey]

In general, you can substitute like-for-like. One make of 230 grain lead bullet can be substituted for another -- but not for a jacketed 230 grain bullet.

I recommend backing off a bit on max loads -- the .45 will last virtually forever if you don't try to make a magnum of it and replace recoil springs periodically.