Loading .45ACP for the first time.

[VanGoghComplex]

Hello fellows!

A little backround: I've handloaded and fired around 2,000 revolver rounds since I first got into handloading. The bug got me pretty good. =)

Shooting at the range with my father-in-law today, he asked about loading .45ACP. I told him that I'd need dies, bullets, primers, powder, etc... to which he replied "I'll buy whatever you need."

While I feel pretty confident with straight-walled pistol cartridges, I'm to understand that semi-auto is a different game in terms of complexity and precision, because a semi-auto has to chamber and cycle the round correctly.

So, I'm posting to ask what I should instruct him to buy for a nice "middle of the road" .45ACP round. Something with a comparable amount of recoil and weight of bullet that you'd find when buying range ammo.

He's asking me to load for him because he's considering a range membership, and he's expressed appreciation for the nice clean holes that my .357 punches using semiwadcutters. It looks like MBC has plenty to offer.

So, the questions:

1.) Do semiwadcutters create feeding problems in semi-auto handguns?

2.) What's a good powder for me to get load data on?

3.) What's a "middle of the road" bullet weight for 45ACP?

4.) Is there anything I need to know about case prep for a .45, having loaded only rimmed revolver cartridges thus far?

Thanks in advance. I'm excited to start. =)

 

[wlkjr]

1. My Glocks do not like semi wadcutters. They shoot great when they feed but they are prone to jamming.
2. Bullseye, Titegroup, and W231
3. I like Bayou 230g RN coated or Xtreme 200g plated
4. Piece of cake. Just watch out for small primer brass cause it comes in both. My Dillon 650 hates AMerc brass

These are my observations.

 

[Chuck357]

1. Springfield 1911s are very happy with SWC
2. Bullseye
3. 200 grain hardcast works well for me
4. The 45 ACP headspaces on the front of the case, not the rim, so 4 die sets are common, with the 4th die being a taper crimp to just remove the bell in the case.

 

[highlander 5]

Loading the 45 auto is no different than any other round. Most if not all semi autos made today in 45 acp will handle semi wad cutter bullets.
The only real difference is the 45 acp uses a taper crimp rather than a roll crimp. I've used bullseye, unique,231,Universal Clays for my reloads and quite frankly there are more powders that can be used for the 45 than you can shake a stick at. The only thing that I'll add is IMHO is to crimp as a separate operation. Also carbide dies are your friend.Be aware that 45 auto cases come in both small and large primers.

 

[BigBore45]

I have 4 .45 acp auto guns. Only one will feed SWC style bullets flawlessly. I would be inclined to get 200 or 230 grain round nose bullets.

As for powder, anything from red dot/ promo, titegroup, auto comp, AA#5. Lots to choose from. Best to take a look at the reloading book.

The .45 acp is easy to load for. The primer comment is good.

 

[X-Ring]

1.) Do semiwadcutters create feeding problems in semi-auto handguns?

Some do some don’t, You will have to do some testing

2.) What's a good powder for me to get load data on?

Bullseye, W231, Red dot, Power pistol for some what hotter loads

3.) What's a "middle of the road" bullet weight for 45ACP?

200g

4.) Is there anything I need to know about case prep for a .45, having loaded only rimmed revolver cartridges thus far?

NOPE

 

[wingman]

After many years of shooting loading 45acp I've settled on 230gr hard ball,
AA5, accuracy and mild recoil is possible with these components.

 

[usfan]

..one of the easiest calibers to load, with lots of options. but for start up, i'd recommend this:
1. get 200 gr plated round nose.. cheap, available, can shoot anywhere, cycles in anything. I've got 3 revolvers, & 6 autos in 45, so i can move a projectile that is fussy in one auto to the revolvers. But for simplicity, go with round nose.
2. get a cheap shotgun powder, like promo.. works great in 45acp, but whatever you can find that works. There should be a lot of options.
3. sort your brass, & keep them separate. Or make your FIL shoot only one primer size.
4. get the 4 die set, & put a modest crimp on them. ..prevents problems in autos, & is easy to do. The lee sets are inexpensive & functional.
5. Get your own 45acp, let your FIL spring for the reloading supplies, & you get plenty of ammo to shoot! You can find a cheap 1911 for ~ $400.

I haven't bought boolits for a couple of years, & am running low, so will be shopping for some, soon. The 200g is a very good balance, & a great range bullet. Berry's has a hollow back 185g that is nice, too. I can't see any accuracy difference between rn & swc, so if they cycle better, & are about the same price, why not just go with plated round nose?

 

[rcmodel]

200 grain SWC modeled after the old H&G #68 or Lyman # 452630 will feed in most guns as they are designed to hit the feed ramp and barrel hood in the same place as GI 230 grain FMJ.

Shorter nosed 185, or a different design 200 won't feed in some guns.



http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Bullet-45-ACP-452-Caliber-200-gr-HG-68-L-SWC-1000_Box/productinfo/NW271/

rc

 

[VanGoghComplex]

Wow, lots of quick replies.

I've got three Lee Loader presses on my bench, I call it my $60 "progressive." That said, I was hoping a three die set would be okay. My RCBS seat/crimp die for .357 can do both in the same stroke; is this not the case for .45acp? Is a fourth die mandatory?

 

[usfan]

Wow, lots of quick replies.

I've got three Lee Loader presses on my bench, I call it my $60 "progressive." That said, I was hoping a three die set would be okay. My RCBS seat/crimp die for .357 can do both in the same stroke; is this not the case for .45acp? Is a fourth die mandatory?

That'll work fine. The bullet seating die puts a bit of taper crimp on it.

 

[Rule3]

To simplify you life and to begin loading 45 ACP I suggest a straightforward standard ball round.

230 Grain bullet either FMJ or Lead (plated if you want.) RN bullet After you get the hang of it, you can mess with SWC and other weight bullets. They all make a hole and are accurate.

The standard GI load for 100 years is the 230-gr ball bullet and 4.8-5.0 gr Bullseye

Powder, Bullseye, HP 38 or Unique although I prefer the first 2.

Very easy to load, no problems adjusting COL lots of powder options and lots of charge weights.

Easy.

 

[forestswin]

You FIL is expecting nice clean holes, so SWC....
round nose are easier for feeding, but he's financing the setup.. SWC'S aren't that difficult to get right..

What 45acp does he have?

Do a search for the plunk test here for determining the COL....you'll need his barrel while you're setting up the dies

Make sure the die set you get has a taper crimp die... some come with a roll crimp die

WST is another great powder for 45acp

 

[Toprudder]

Best luck feeding will be 200 or 230 RN. I like the Xtreme plated in 200 and 230, and really like the RMR Hardcore Match 230. I've also had good luck with Bayou 225gn Hitek coated. My 45 (Witness) has a little trouble sometimes feeding 200 SWC. I'm still working on that.

Powders - lots of good powders, but pick one that works well in low pressure rounds. If you know of a powder that works well in 38spl, it will work very well in 45acp. Some that I like: AA#5, BE86, CFE Pistol, HP38/W231, Nitro 100NF, Titegroup, WST. Some of the shotgun powders work really well, but don't always meter as well: Red Dot/Promo, 700x. I also found that 800x is very accurate, but meters like corn flakes. One powder that works really well for soft recoil loads is Trailboss.

As far as case prep, I think the 45acp will be less trouble than revolver rounds, which typically require consistent roll crimps to get consistent results. That requires trimming all to the same length. Semi-auto will be taper crimped, and is not as critical on case length, especially if all you do is remove the flare from the expander die. The only time I trimmed any semi-auto brass was when I bought new never-fired brass and some were slightly over the max spec. I usually run my completed rounds through a case gauge for a quick check just to make sure they are in spec.

 

[wingman]

Wow, lots of quick replies.

I've got three Lee Loader presses on my bench, I call it my $60 "progressive." That said, I was hoping a three die set would be okay. My RCBS seat/crimp die for .357 can do both in the same stroke; is this not the case for .45acp? Is a fourth die mandatory?

Sure the 3 die works fine but I use the 4 die set up, seat and crimp in separate operations simply put (without starting a fire storm) for me it turns out a better round, more consistent.

 

[tcj]

What I found works best for me are 230gr RN coated bullets. Great price and loads like lead without the lube smoke/mess. I use the blue bullets.

Lots of powders to choose from. I've used Bullseye, AA#5 and VV N340.

Easy to reload - I too prefer a 4 dies set-up especially with lead bullets.

I've loaded and run SWC's fine in my 1911 but don't do it as for me to have them run reliably (ie like RN) requires the OAL to be right on and varies depending upon which handgun it's for...if I don't mind an occasional feed problem then I can load them to run in all of my firearms...but for me it just wasn't worth it.

 

[Walkalong]

1.) Do semiwadcutters create feeding problems in semi-auto handguns?

Some, yes, but for the most I have had good luck with them. No problems with them in a couple of 1911's, although and an occasional misfeed in my CZ97. The XD I had didn't like them much.

2.) What's a good powder for me to get load data on?

There are a multitude of suitable powders. Which do you have? What type and style bullet? What power range?

3.) What's a "middle of the road" bullet weight for 45ACP?

200 Gr.

4.) Is there anything I need to know about case prep for a .45, having loaded only rimmed revolver cartridges thus far?

Size them, bell them just enough to load the bullet without scrapping lead or lube or coatings, apply just enough taper crimp to remove all the bell on the shortest cases, and no more.

My RCBS seat/crimp die for .357 can do both in the same stroke; is this not the case for .45acp? Is a fourth die mandatory?

No, there is such a small amount of "crimping" going on seating and crimping in one step is fine. If you still choose to apply a taper crimp in a second step, buy a taper crimp die, (Or a seater and leave out the stem)from your maker of choice, but I would not recommend the FCD for a fourth step.

Loading .45 ACP is so easy a cave man could do it. Seriously.

 

[warhwkbb]

In my Les Baer, the Berry 185gr HBRN are extraordinarily accurate over W231 at Bullseye distances. The 185gr bullets are marginally less expensive and load to the same COAL as hardball. Any round nose will not give you the clean holes of a wad-cutter, unfortunately.

 

[Walkalong]

I load those for my 25-2 and it really likes them. I am using WST though.

They are great for finicky autos. The Berrys 200 Gr "HP" also feeds in just about anything.

 

[ljnowell]

Lots of people will recommend bullseye. It's a great powder, but in the last 100 years we have gotten much better choices available.

My recommendation is WST. You would be hard presses to find a cleaner burning better powder. I use it in the 50 yard line for NRA bullseye loads with 200 grain SWC.

If you aren't competing and scoring targets the Missouri 200 grain RNFP is a favorite of mine. I also like the 230 grain LRN.

 

[nettlle]

I use 4 dies:

Size/Deprime
Lyman M die
Seat
Taper crimp

Missouri 200 grn Bullseye #1 is an excellent bullet
I like Bullseye powder

 

[entropy]

1.) Do semiwadcutters create feeding problems in semi-auto handguns?

2.) What's a good powder for me to get load data on?

3.) What's a "middle of the road" bullet weight for 45ACP?

4.) Is there anything I need to know about case prep for a .45, having loaded only rimmed revolver cartridges thus far?

1.)Yes. Avoid them.

2.) AA#5. Bullseye is excellent also.

3.) 200, But I recommend 230 gr. FMJ.

4.) The aforementioned vigilance for small primer pocket cases, and COL is more important for semi-autos than revolvers. (It's rare to make a revolver round too long.)

 

[Sunray]

"...understand that semi-auto is a different..." Only in that you cannot use a roll crimp. Taper crimp only. No big deal.
1) As mentioned, maybe. Also as mentioned, most new pistols are made to feed SWC's. What hasn't been mentioned is that if it's required, 'fixing' a pistol that isn't already set up for SWC's is not difficult. You just extend the feed ramp half way up the sides of the end of the chamber with a jeweller's file.
2) Mostly depends on the bullet you plan on using. Jacketed or cast/plated. Plated bullets use cast data.
3) Partial to Bullseye with a cast 230 grain RN or FP(Flat Point. Rounded cut off RN. Feeds like hot dam.) myself. Never bothered with anything else.
4) Clean 'em. They don't have to shine though. Like any handgun cases you'll rarely, if ever, need to trim a .45 case.
"...Is a fourth die mandatory?..." Set up my taper crimp die(just enough to take out the wee flare) as the seater die 35 years or so ago and never looked back. Don't crimp the .357 cases I load WC's as .38 target loads, but would do that if I did.

 

[Hangingrock]

I have Colt and Springfield examples of the 1911 series pistol. Neither feed/chamber 200Gr SWC with consistency but yet a S&W4506 and Glock G21 absolutely trouble free feed/ chamber. Go figure.

Personally I load 230Gr-FMJ with 5.6Grs W231 and avoid the SWC 185Gr and 200Gr like the plague.

 

[edfardos]

Crimp to .4685 to .4710. And yes semi auto dimensions are critical compared to wheel gun ammo. All other advice here is spot on too.