First time .45acp Reloading

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Jimster

Jimster

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Hello, Folks. I have a Lee turret turret press and I already reload 45-70, .45 colt, 44WCF, and .30 carbine. I've ordered the .45 acp Lee die set along with a turret disc and 250 .45 230 grain fmj bullets from Midway. Today I picked up Bullseye powder from my LGS. My question is: I'm getting a compact sized 1911 tonight or tomorrow (depends on UPS) and I was wondering if the 5.0 grain starting load (Lee manual) is good for the shorter, 3 1/2" barrel?
I've been shooting a 5" 1911 but only with factory ammo. This my first time reloading this cartridge. Thanks in advance for any tips.
 
In general, the load that delivers the highest velocity in a 5" barrel will also deliver the highest velocity in a 3.5" barrel too.

I'm not sure what you mean by "a good load" for that gun. Bullseye is a classic target powder for the 45 ACP so I'm sure if will work well for you. I use W231/HP-38 in the 45 ACP so I can't tell you what that load will feel like. Treat the 45 Auto as you do all your other loads. Start where you said you are going to and work up to the most accurate load you can find without going over the published max charge.

Don't forget the pictures of your gun when it comes home.
 
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Just a note, I looked at the load data in my Lyman manual because the 5.0 charge looked a little high for a starting charge. With a 230gr FMJ bullet over Bullseye Lyman 50 has a charge range of 3.8gr to 5.3gr with an OAL of 1.275" which is max. If you shorten the OAL at all that 5.0gr charts will be up near the top of the charge range so you might want to drop your starting charge back to 4.5gr to be safe.
Like I said, I don't use Bullseye so if I'm wrong I'm sure those who do use it will be a long shortly to correct me.
 
Okay, cool. I'll double check all measurements and wghts. To be honest, I hope the Lee die set comes with a 0.50 dipper because that's what my Lee manual calls for with Bullseye as a starting load at 749 fps. I have scales but I like to use a dipper to pour powder.
 
If I recall correctly 5.0gn of Bullseye was the original military load back in the day. I use Bullseye from time to time, but I prefer other powders for the .45acp. When I do use Bullseye, I go with 4.8gn out of 4" & 4.2" barrels and it is very accurate. As others have said, you should probably start with 4.0gn and work your way up to what works best for you. OAL is very important!
 
I'll put my Lyman calipers to good use and set my seating die to the perfect length. I always get a little giddy when loading a new caliber. This forum lets me share my joy because non of my friends are reloaders.
 
The Lee dipper .50 lists 4.7 Bullseye. I would not use a dipper, unless each charge was checked on a scale.

A fast burn rate powder like Bullseye , makes It to easy to get a little extra in a dipper, resulting in high pressure.
 
Speer #12 starts at 5.2 grains and maximum is 5.7 grains of Bullseye for a 230 grain FMJ .451" diameter, COAL 1.260". The Sierra 50th Handgun is more conservative with a start of 4.0 grains and a maximum of 5.2 grains of Bullseye and a 1.270" COAL.

My own observation is when I load .45 ACP I load for any number of guns. I do not load any differently for my little 3.0" barreled Kimber Ultra CDP than my 5.0" Colt guns. The only difference I see is a 230 grain FMJ bullet has a lower velocity out of the 3.0" barrel which is to be expected. Anyway, I do not load .45 ACP any differently for the short barrel verse the long barrel. :)

Ron
 
Great info. Both my 1911s are RIA. I tend to over-think things so I'll try to keep it simple. I will probably shelf my full sized 1911 once I'm confident in my compact version. I recently bought an LCP2 but I feel funny with a .380 and want to stick to a .45. I know, same old song and dance.
 
Jimster said:
Great info. Both my 1911s are RIA. I tend to over-think things so I'll try to keep it simple. I will probably shelf my full sized 1911 once I'm confident in my compact version. I recently bought an LCP2 but I feel funny with a .380 and want to stick to a .45. I know, same old song and dance.
Click to expand...
There is nothing wrong with sticking with a platform you're used to and comfortable with. Trusting your equipment is important IMO. I carry an "old fashioned" revolver but I like it and I shoot it very well.
 
Jimster,
Just another thought...
I use 4.6-4.7 gr of Titegroup under a 230 gr Hornady XTP.
That should work pretty well for FMJs too.

But start low & work up.
Since all guns are different you may find a sweet spot that no one else mentions here.

Fine lookin' piece there!
 
Here is a tip for you. Seat and crimp in two separate steps. It stops the bulge for reliable feeding. I used to use Bullseye at 5.2 for XTP HP, but went with Win 231 and never looked back. 231 is the most accurate powder in a lot of load books for 45 ACP. I load for several 45acp, same load for all. Good shooting.
 
Yes, the Lee die set came with the factory crimp die. I'll keep my eyes out for Win. 231 as well. These first few rounds I made may be a little hot.
 
This has been bugging me for some time now, so I'm gonna throw it out there.

I read references to the powder/bullet creating "This many FPS". If you are not using the exact weapon stated in the Test Data, your Velocity (As Stated in the book) will differ.

If you use different primers, the data will be different. Rather that rely on Book Load Data, or On-Line Data, remember... It is Start Up Load Data, work up (Or Down) from there. The accurate way I know of to determine your Bullet Speed, is with a Chronograph. At that point you will know what speed your Firearm and Your Gun and of course your are collectiey accomplishing. From there workup slowly, watching for any signs of Brass Stress, Split cases, Primer Pocket issues. For me, If I see any issues, that Brass goes into the Brass Recycle Bucket.

Good Luck
dg
 
Thanks for that info! I'm gonna get me some so I'll have a variety to try.
 
5.0 grains of Bullseye is the classic load for the 45acp/230gr. I have used it for about 30 years and it shot well from every 45acp, I have tried. I am sure there are equally, as good loads using other powders, but this is the one I settled on. Accurate, safe and economical. Best wishes.
 
Got to shoot today and I love this pistol. I learned that 5.5 gr of Bullseye is too much for my taste but 5.0 is perfect and very accurate. I also learned how big a difference there is in small changes with smokeless powder(I mostly reload with black powder)! I also shot factory Winchester white box and Hornady Critical Defense. The only failure to feed happened once during the one mag of my 5.5gr handloads. I'll be sticking to 5.0 in the future for my plinking. Thanks for all the good advice.
 
I will throw in that the cleanest propellant I use as well as the most accurate for 45 ACP I find is 700X. I must have used 15 LBS of it for the 45 ACP with 230 grain ball over the years. If you use lead bullets the FCD may size the bullets down enough that you get poor accuracy and leading so be aware of this fact. I have a second regular Lee seating die with the bullet seating pin removed I use to do the final crimp.;)
 
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