First load work up question...

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drband

drband

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I'm loading .45 acp on my new Lee classic cast turret press. Powder is Accurate #2, cci large pistol primers, tumble-cleaned and inspected range brass. Rocky Mountain Reloading 230gr plated bullets. Recommended (Lee) charges: 5.0 minimum- 5.6 max. Minimum OAL recommended is 1.230. I set my seating die to 1.240.

I started out with the recommended pro auto power measure disc for a 5.0 drop of #2. Wasn't even close to enough after running a dozen drops and weighing each. Finally found a disc cavity that worked for 5.0 gr. of #2, loaded 10 rounds, moved up a size for the next step. Surprised---Next disc setting dropped 5.0 consistently after a dozen drops that I weighed! Obviously I missed the setting on the first 10 rounds I loaded. The second set all came in at 5.0 (checked rounds 1, 6, 10). Then moved on to next disc setting for a 5.5 gr drop. No problems there, loaded 10 at 5.5. After all that I went back to the disc cavity for the first set, dropped a dozen charges and then 4-5 more that I measured each time. Those weighed 4.7gr each within 0.1 gr of each other. So I guess my first 10 rounds are slightly under charged at 4.7 gr of #2.

My question is: do I shoot the rounds loaded with 4.7gr of #2 OR just pull those bullets and reclaim the powder for another time?

Any insights would help me out since I'm new to reloading. Thanks!
 
Below minimum loads can be as dangerous as above max loads. Causes weird pressures. However, Lee does no load testing. That data came from Accurate. According to them, 4.7 is not below minimum for a plated 230. It's not far above the 4.6 Accurate shows for other plated bullets, but above minimum just the same. 5.0 is for a 230 cast RN. So shoot 'em or pull 'em. Makes no difference safety-wise.
http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/
I'd lose the auto power measure and work up the loads using a scale too. Far more precise. You can use the measure when you have a load.
 
Excellent. Ill shoot them making sure there are no squibs. I'll check out the accurate powder web site, too.
 
You might want to try using the adjustable powder bar instead of the disks. It can be adjusted for more precise measurements....
 
drband said:
I'm loading .45 acp on my new Lee classic cast turret press. Powder is Accurate #2, cci large pistol primers, tumble-cleaned and inspected range brass. Rocky Mountain Reloading 230gr plated bullets. Recommended (Lee) charges: 5.0 minimum- 5.6 max. Minimum OAL recommended is 1.230. I set my seating die to 1.240.
Click to expand...
The OAL listed in load manuals is not the minimum recommended OAL, it's the OAL they used to develop the load data. Hodgdon has a lot of 45 Auto data using an OAL of 1.200".

As for those slightly light loads, they don't seem light enough to cause a problem. As a matter of fact if you look at the data on the Accurate site they list the starting charge of AA#2 under either a Berry's or Rainier 230gr plated bullet as 4.6gr so according the Accurate your charge weight of 4.7gr is not too light. They tested the ammo @ an OAL of 1.237" which matches your OAL. I would shoot them without a worry since Accurate says they are safe..
 
ArchAngelCD: As for those slightly light loads, they don't seem light enough to cause a problem. As a matter of fact if you look at the data on the Accurate site they list the starting charge of AA#2 under either a Berry's or Rainier 230gr plated bullet as 4.6gr so according the Accurate your charge weight of 4.7gr is not too light. They tested the ammo @ an OAL of 1.237" which matches your OAL. I would shoot them without a worry since Accurate says they are safe..
----------------------
Thanks for the confirmation. I appreciate the feedback from everybody.
drband
 
Sunray said:
Below minimum loads can be as dangerous as above max loads. Causes weird pressures. However, Lee does no load testing. That data came from Accurate. According to them, 4.7 is not below minimum for a plated 230. It's not far above the 4.6 Accurate shows for other plated bullets, but above minimum just the same. 5.0 is for a 230 cast RN. So shoot 'em or pull 'em. Makes no difference safety-wise.

http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/

I'd lose the auto power measure and work up the loads using a scale too. Far more precise. You can use the measure when you have a load.
Click to expand...


It will be perfectly safe. The phenomena you are describing has to do with large cases and slower powder, called detonation.

Even experts do not agree that it exists as no one has ever been able to recreate it in a controlled setting. In many opinions, mine included, it's as real as a ghost.
 
The OAL listed in load manuals is not the minimum recommended OAL, it's the OAL they used to develop the load data
Click to expand...

This is very important^ to realize for a new loader. The OAL doesnt have to be set in stone, and that can confuse in the beginning. You can play with the OAL, probably anywhere from 1.10" to 1.15", even shorter, provided you start low and work up.
 
I use the Pro Auto Disk for production loading.
For development, I use a powder trickled and scale.
Once I find a charge I like, I sacrifice one of my disks,
And tap it for a set screw to make it adjustable to dial into my desired weight.
 
HardwarePro said:
I use the Pro Auto Disk for production loading.
For development, I use a powder trickled and scale.
Once I find a charge I like, I sacrifice one of my disks,
And tap it for a set screw to make it adjustable to dial into my desired weight.
Click to expand...
I do exactly what HardwarePro recommends with great results. If you don't have a trickler, use the spoons lee provides to tap out a little powder at a time into your scale pan. I use 1/4 - 28 set screws. I have had trouble getting consistent small loads with the adjustable charge bar. Using the set screws I get very consistent powder drops from the lee Pro Auto measure.
 
For a 'custom' sized disk I have taken a disk hole size I don't use and redrilled it out larger till it matched my needs. Then I mark it accordingly

Among the many positives about Lee gear is the low cost for parts and accessories. A complete new set of disks is just $11. Available from many sources, Midway is just one:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/87...-measure-double-disk-kit?cm_vc=ProductFinding

As an alternative a much too large hole an be filled with JB Weld and then sanded flat and drilled to match load need.

My caveat - I only use one powder for the calibers I reload - Win 231/HP-38, so my charge throws will be consistent for any altered disks.
 
Range trip today. Shot my first reloads! No problems. All 3 loads worked and cycled my RIA. All shot as accurately as any factory ammo I've used. I think I'm going to load up 100 of the 4.7gr load. It was noticeably softer shooting (less recoil). I think I'm going to like this!![emoji51]
 
I think AA #2 is a great choice in .45 ACP for anything but max loads, and it will do those, I just prefer other powders for it.
 
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