Handloaded my first ammo today... 45 Auto

[Sven]

...THRer 'larryw' was kind enough to take me under his wing for some loading on the Dillon 550 today - my first ever experience handloading.

I'm now 110% sold on hand loading... it was so easy to load, once I saw how it worked. I can't believe it didn't do it sooner. Now I just need a strong bench and a press. Larry showed me pretty much everything for pistol reloading. Even let me screw up so we could learn how to unload the press and check for unprimed cases.

Now I can't wait to learn to load for rifle. I'm sold on a 550 for my first press - I can use it in single stage or progressive modes, depending on MY mode and needs.

-

Larry showed me his favorite 45 ACP load - recipe one:

4.3 gr. Winchester WST powder
200 gr. SWC plate (from West Coast Bullet)

Winchester Virgin Brass
WLP Primer

We then also worked up some loads for the Winchester 231 powder that Jardine recommended I try - Larry says this powder will be a bit dirtier than the WST. Jardine recommended 5.2 gr. of the 231 for 200 gr. Lead SWCs , but I picked up some 230 grain plated bullets (Speer .451) so - after consulting with the Speer manual I picked up today - Larry helped me work up a few loads to test in the Valtro:

5.6, 5.8, 6.0, & 6.2 gr. Winchester 231 Powder
230 gr. TMJ
Winchester Virgin Brass
WLP Primer

Can't wait to bench rest / ransom and begin tuning my own 'pet loads'!

I'm hooked!

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Cool!

I hope I have as much fun this week when my stuff gets here!

 

[Zero]

I'm very proud of ya!

Liver Lips!

 

[Steve Smith]

Congratulations, man! Glad to hear it. That 6.2 with a 230 will be a stiff load, but fun.

 

[Zak Smith]

For IPSC shooting, I've been using this one for many thousands of rounds:

200gr West Coast plated round-nose,
5.0-5.1gr Titegroup (will make "major" at 5.0 when it's hot out, otherwise 5.1),
1.255" nominal,
"any" case,
CCI or Winchester primers.

About 5.3gr VV-N320 is equivalent - and maybe cleaner - but much more expensive. A big attraction of Titegroup is that it's about $12.50/lb.

-z

 

[Cherokee]

For the 45 ACP, I have found 5.6 gr WW231 /230 gr bullet to be the top for everyday use in my guns. 6.2 is stiff. I also have switched to WST for most of my "fast" powder loads due to its higher bulk (fills more space) and cleaner burning than 231.

 

[Sven]

I also have switched to WST for most of my "fast" powder loads due to its higher bulk (fills more space) and cleaner burning than 231.

I'm guessing this makes it slightly less possible to double-charge... just based on the fact that you'd notice it visually more readily?

 

[Zak Smith]

One thing I like about high-bulk pistol powders is that they're generally easier to calibrate the powder measure for, and the deviation in thrown charges will be less.

For example, calibrating for Titegroup and keeping it calibrated is harder than for N320.

-z

 

[larryw]

More bulk/less airspace also helps keep ignition consistent.

 

[Gary H]

Sven:

Congrats..

John Jardine taught me a lesson regarding 45 ACP. Case length and OAL are critical. He took some of my ammo and put it in a GO-NO-GO gauge and found that mine barely didn't go, even though OAL was correct. Get yourself Go-No-Go Max Cartridge Guages. Midway has them for a song.

 

[Art Eatman]

Cases without primers are much less of a problem that cartridges without powder. BTDT. They create serious a problem during high-speed shooting, if a complete round follows a no-powder round. Makes for a really pregnant-looking barrel

, Art