Back into reloading

[Devon]

I have been away from reloading for awhile, need some refreshing. I used to load the .45 acp for a combat elite with 5.8 gr. Unique powder under a 230 gr. round nose or hollowpoint(both jacketed). I dont have the notes for the oal anymore. I recently dug out all of my old components and tools and started to try to refresh myself before starting loading heavily again. I loaded a hundred 155 gr. lubed lead wadcutters over 5.1 gr. unique to an oal of 1.245". Then I loaded a hundred 230 gr. jhp over 5.5 gr unique to an oal of 1.255. By the way, I think I read somewhere that unique powder is somehow different than it used to be, the powder I have now is what I had left over from 10 years ago. I've also found that the charge weights are different than they used to be, is there any accuracy to that?
I function tested both of the loads with unprimed cases from loading magazines to feeding to extraction and ejection, both seemed to work fine. These loads are to used in my combat commander.
I would like to know if there are any other concerns I should address prior to firing these rounds. As I said, it has been awhile, 10+ years since I've reloaded. I'm using a single stage press and each case has the powder put in it then the bullet seated so I can rule out any double charges. I'm also using a lee factroy crimp die, this is new to me, I've never used one these before yesterday. I used to load .38/.357, .40 s&w, and .45 acp with no problems but it's been awhile and am a little nervous about starting up again.

Thanks,
Devon

 

[bender]

Last weekend I started up reloading again after a break of around 15 years. I also have all my old powders & primers from back then. It took me a couple of sit-down sessions but I got back into the rhythm after one afternoon.

I found I did forget a lot of little things, but they came back to me quickly. I had forgotten how relaxing it is to be somewhere, by yourself, reloading ammo.

I haven't used any of the Lee factory crimp dies yet either, although I own one.

I have picked up a few of these new "Loadbooks". What they are is small books on only one caliber. They include xerox pages from most of the reloading books on that caliber. For example, the .45acp Loadbook might have pages copied from the Hornady, Nosler, Sierra, Speer and other manuals. They cost around $7.

 

[SteveinAK]

Welcome back to the wonderful world of handloading! Your 5.8gr of Unique is a great load. Comes pretty close to the same standards as GI Ball .45. 5.8 gr should give you around 800 fps or so, every gun varies. Book max for Unique w/ 230's is 6.1grs, according to my Hornady load book. I've had really good success with 5.6gr of Unique w/230's in all of my 1911's. Min OAL is 1.23" for this combination, again, out of the Hornady book. Good luck, and if you are looking for super accurate loads for your Commander, try 5gr of Bullseye w/ a 200gr SWC. One of my personal favorites.

 

[Hazzard]

For some info on the new unique vs old, you may want to read this thread..

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=224823

They are talking about 38 spl, but at least it's some insight. My hornady manual (circa 1991) list your 5.5 gr load as about middle of the road. And welcome back to reloading, prodigal son!

 

[benedict1]

Unique, old or new?

Whatever you use, new or old powder, weigh the charge you are throwing and always go by weight. If you used fixed disks like the Lee Auto Disk each cavity will throw a varying charge depending on the cavity volume. Powder lot/or age will affect what's being thrown so measure it--don't assume anything.

I am currently loading 5.8 gr Unique with 230 gr. plated RN bullet, Win LP primers and loaded to OAL=1.266-70" They shoot just great in a Kimber Custom II.