Handload 9mm or .45 Auto?

[Monster Zero]

Hi guys,

Just curious... I only have experience handloading centerfire rifle cartridges and revolver cartridges. I've never handloaded for any automatic handgun cartridge. It's an important consideration to me in planning certain purchases in the next year. Right now I'm set up to load .30-'06 and .38 special.

What's the difference in handloading for these two semiauto handgun cartridges? I assume there are more out there reloading for .45 than for 9mm, but even if I should acquire a 9mm (I do, finally, have one in mind) I'd like to be able to handload for it, even if factory ammo is less costly than .45.

Which of the two is easier to handload for?

(Bonus question: What about .380 auto? From a handloading standpoint, is it like a smaller .45, or a 9mm short?)

TIA

 

[Walkalong]

The .45 ACP is easier to start with for a couple of reasons. It is stupid easy to find a good load compared to 9MM, and it operates at low pressure with a big case where seating depth isn't as critical as 9MM.

.380 is somewhere in between, but closer to 9MM. None of them are tough to reload, but the .45 is easier.

 

[cfullgraf]

I load all four mentioned handgun cartridges and several more. I don't really see much difference in loading any of them as long as published data is followed.

The small size of 380 ACP causes some handling difficulties for some, but nothing like 32 ACP or 25 ACP.

Since semi-auto cartridges generally headspace on the case mouth, a taper crimp is used instead of a roll crimp.

Get the correct dies, shell holder/plate, and components and go for it.

 

[JEB]

45 is generally easier for me. my only real hangups with 9mm was getting the crimp set just right and finding a load I liked. the larger case of the 45 does make it easier to visually verify the powder charge, but once the dies are all set up there is very little difference between them (at least for me, YMMV).

 

[dirtman]

Well yes 380 is a 9mm short... start with single stage, and buy the carbide set.... then enjoy... all the best dirt

 

[1KPerDay]

Both have been equally easy for me. Only difficulty with .45 is some small primer cases out there now (CURSE THEM!) and in 9mm you have crimped military primer pockets that may or may not cause some minor grief.

 

[rdtompki]

I've only loaded 9mm, well over 100K, on both an LNL and 1050. As far as running the press I'd consider it easy to load although I had my share of mistakes as a new reloader. Biggest consideration, probably the same as 45 ACP, is the need to customize OAL for different bullet/handgun combinations. 115gr bullets differ dramatically in shape and the 4-5 different 9mm handguns I load for might require different OAL for the same bullet if I'm trying to load to the maximum OAL. It's very quick to figure this out with a micrometer seater of course.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I load both.

For me 45 ACP is easier to load.

I don't have the manual dexterity I used to have and my eyesight isn't the greatest either. Smaller cases, primers and bullets tend to slow me down.

 

[kcofohio]

I agree, 45 Auto. About every shotgun and pistol powder has load data, lead, jacketed, RN, SWC, etc. And easier to visually verify the powder charge than the 38.

Not saying that the 9 doesn't enjoy a wide variety of load data.

 

[drband]

Neither is a problem! I can load 9mm at a faster rate on my Lee Classic Turret but I would not say easier. It's probably because the force required to size the case is less.
Both cartridges work quite well for reloading.

 

[hdwhit]

Monster Zero wrote:
Which of the two is easier to handload for?

As far as actually loading them, I find the two to be about the same. I load on a single stage press so I can't speak to any differences that people might be experiencing with progressive presses.

I found the 45 ACP easier to develop a load for, but that's a one-time thing.

With 45 ACP be aware that cases are available using Small or Large primers so when you start loading 45 you will need to segregate your brass between primer size.

(Bonus question: What about .380 auto? From a handloading standpoint, is it like a smaller .45, or a 9mm short?)

Everything to do with the 380 is tiny and that makes handling everything more intricate. I would regard 380 as a cartridge that a handloader "graduates to" as they become more experienced rather than "starting out with".

 

[dgod]

I agree with all the above. 45ACP is east to load, Very Cost Effective, just have to watch for the derned small primers. 9mm is also easy, I personnaly have not seen the Military Crimp on 9mm cases, but if it is a $$ decision, cost to reload vs buying cheap off the shelf ammo, there is not much difference. If you are the "Look What I Made" type, then 9,mm is a fun and fast loaded cartridge.

Either one, better yet, Do Both..

Good Luck
Dan

 

[Sam1911]

In the grand scheme it's a bit like asking whether it's easier to lace up sneakers or tennis shoes.

Both quite easy. Once you've got the starting details worked out, it's just a matter of cranking the handle and keeping the primers tubes, and powder reservior loaded.

I can't imagine loading either one on a single-stage press (though I did load .45 that way when I was young). That would drive me batty.

 

[tcj]

45 is easier as the cases are larger (easier to handle) and has a larger load range with most powders. The downside is that you'll run into some small primer cases and you need to sort these out (or the other way around) before loading.

That being said, I find it pretty easy to load most handgun cartridges.

What I HATE are 380's - I don't load them but every so often one finds its way into some 9 cases and I have to pull a loaded round to continue. I do sort all of my cases before loading but on occasion one gets through...all of my 9 & 45 cases are once fired range pickups.

 

[Nature Boy]

What I HATE are 380's - I don't load them but every so often one finds its way into some 9 cases and I have to pull a loaded round to continue..

What would happen if a .380 accidently got loaded along with your 9mm and was fired through your pistol?

 

[Lafitte]

If it fired basically nothing unusual would happen. If it didn't fire it could be anything from a simple no fire to a minor jam. These cartridges headspace on the case mouth so the shorter cartridges might not fire due to being too deep in the chamber. I have known of 9mm pistols being set up to fire any of the following 9'a, 9mm Luger, 9mm Kurtz (.380) and 9mm Largo.

Lafitte

 

[Laphroaig]

What I HATE are 380's - I don't load them but every so often one finds its way into some 9 cases and I have to pull a loaded round to continue

.380's pop out of the shell holder on my Dillon when I try to seat a primer, so its a fail safe condition. One advantage to 9mm that I find is the availability of once fired brass vs .45. At least that's how it is on the ranges that I frequent.

 

[ATLDave]

I haven't encountered problems with either, except that my .45 is just a bit more tempermental than my 9mm. But the reloading itself is easy.

 

[sbwaters]

After loading 9MM, a .45 ACP case seems like a 55 gallon drum. .45 is definitely easier.

Do settle on large or small primers. I prefer large and put the small primer cases aside for future giveaway.

 

[VThillman]

I use a Rockchucker (single stage press), which may be why I can't choose an 'easier' for any reason except visibility of the powder in the case. The other-side quibble is caused mostly by the presence on the market of 1911 clones that don't like any bullets that ain't round-nosed; but that ain't a reloading issue.

 

[Blue68f100]

Like everyone said, 45 is easier than the 9mm. You just need to separate the the brass by SP or LP primers. A must if your using a AP.
Most 1911 will shoot most any thing and is easier to shoot lead bullets with since it's a low pressure round. Down loads well for shooting mouse fart loads for BE shooting. Shooting lead bullets puts you in the same cost range or near that of the 9mm.

A 380 round will shoot in most 9mm. If not you just need to get the little 380 pocket gun out to fire it. But normally the 380 requires a lighter bullet than the 9mm.

 

[1KPerDay]

What would happen if a .380 accidently got loaded along with your 9mm and was fired through your pistol?

If you mean accidentally loading a .380 case along with your 9mm loads, I don't think you'd miss that one. First there's no pressure when sizing, and on my presses you can tell the difference. Second it probably won't stay centered in the shell holder or will simply fall out as noted above. Third, the powder, if it even activates the drop (like on the pro auto disc, for example), will likely be close or overflowing the case. Next, seating will probably crush the brass rather than seat, since the case likely didn't receive any flare.

I sort my brass but the occasional .380 makes it through. I notice it immediately upon sizing and pull that one out.

 

[rfwobbly]

I'm with Mr. Walkalong.

• The 45ACP is a straight-walled, low pressure cartridge. It will be much more forgiving of reloading errors and beginner variations. The ammo has been understood and really almost "standardized" for over 100 years. They'll be no surprises. The only gotcha is going to be the primer size issue. Within the last 10 years, many manufacturers have stared using small primers, so of course, you can't mix the brass during a session.

• 9x19 Luger is a tapered-wall, high pressure cartridge. The obvious advantage is that the bullets are about half the cost of 45, because they are about half the weight. But the higher pressure carries a higher level of care and precision. Also, the 9mm is not nearly as standardized, since exact chamber dimensions vary from maker to maker. The reloading information therefore tends to be more of a guide, than an exact recipe like you'd get with 45ACP.


► Unless you have the need for an auto pistol, I might even chuck it all and simply start with 38 Special using a 357 Magnum revolver. You'd get the simplicity of the 45ACP with the lower expense of the 9mm. The 357 Mag will withstand much higher loads, giving you a huge safety margin. And revolvers are very cheap to purchase; typically about $150 less than a pistol. But best of all... you'll NEVER, ever have to bend over and hunt for your brass !!!

Hope this helps !

 

[Schwing]

+1 for the .45. I reload for most handgun cartridges and have found .45 one of the easiest to obtain good accuracy/reliability. 9mm isn't too difficult if you are using jacketed bullets but I have found it much more challenging to get good accuracy from either cast or plated. It is a much higher pressure round so you are really limited with anything but jacketed. Cast bullets tend to lead easier in 9mm as well.

If you ARE going to be using cast, coated or plated bullets, .45 is IMHO, hands down, the simpler option. One thing a lot of reloaders run into is oversized 9mm barrels. It can be a problem with any gun but, in my experience, 9mm seems to be worse than other calibers. I own 5 9mm handguns and the barrels are larger than .355 on 3 of them. My 92FS actually has a barrel that slugs at .3585! That means you have to have bullets sized to .3595 at a minimum to achieve anything resembling accuracy. Trying to stuff bullets that large into a 9mm case without swaging them back down is pretty challenging.

.380 has many of the same challenges as 9mm plus the added issue of achieving good neck tension. I don't know if .380 brass just tends to be thinner or what but I have always found that the biggest issue with .380. I think a lot of realoders don't really pay attention to neck tension enough but it can become a real issue in semi-autos if you are getting a lot of setback.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The .45 ACP is easier to start with for a couple of reasons. It is stupid easy to find a good load compared to 9MM, and it operates at low pressure with a big case where seating depth isn't as critical as 9MM.

.380 is somewhere in between, but closer to 9MM. None of them are tough to reload, but the .45 is easier.

Not much to add to this good post. I agree the 45 ACP is physically easier to load because size of the case and the ease of finding a good load with many powders.