My first .45LC load

[TexAg]

I just got a Lee Loader for .45Colt and am thinking of using W-231 and a 255 grain cast bullet from either Laser Cast or Bear Tooth. The .7cc dipper I got with the kit will hold 7.5 grains of W-231 and Winchester lists a standard load at 7.1 grains of w-231 with a 255 at 875 fps. Think this will be a good load? Its in a Ruger "old" Vaquero and a Marlin 1984 so I don't think there will be any over pressure dangers there. How much more fps do you think that .4 grains will add? I do want it to be a fairly hard hitter and a 255 grain SWC at around 875+ fps would be right on I think.

PS.
I will be getting scales and such later, but I want to see what I can do with just the Lee Loader for now.

 

[Wil Terry]

YOU SHOULD NOT HAND LOAD AMMUNITION WITHOUT A SCALE, PERIOD !!!

Those dippers are only approximate and you must check their throw weight with a scale. Go buy a scale and do it right the first time.

 

[Fumbler]

A little bit of powder can be the difference between a mild load and a load that will break your gun (or worse you).

You can load without a scale, but you have to load well under max powder charges.
Follow LEE's published data using their dippers, but don't even think about trying to get close to max loads until you can verify the charge on a scale.
You probably won't have a problem with that load because it's under max published data for a Ruger (but you're getting close to max for other 45LC guns).

I know you're excited, we were all excited when we started out, but you need to take it slow.
Get a good reloading manual, read it, and follow the published data.

 

[Fumbler]

whoops, double post

 

[countertop]

How about the Lee Auto Disk system? Is that relatively accurate?

I am loading .45 ACP with one and randomly testing the powder in 10 out of 100 shells I loaded I found the amount of powder varied about 1 full grain (from 5.4 to 6.3) but never approached the 6.5 that the Lee Charts showed for that specific disk (I initially loaded for a lighter charge, but those loads were coming out well below the minimum pressure of 5.5)

Is this normal? If I tap the powder hopper between rounds (or load harder) I get more consisten loads (and closer to what the Lee Chart shows). I am also loading Unique powder, of which Lee states:

Lastly some powders do not meter well, Unique powder is one example that meters with "casual uniformity". You may find the same symptom with small flake powder in small quantities.

 

[bakert]

TexasAg, with the Lee Loader using the reccomended powders in the instuctions list is pretty safe but still best to get a scale just to be sure. If you use a powder that has a heavier charge weight than the load data, problems could possibly occur. Never take anything for granted in reloading period!! Surprises can flat ruin your day!!
countertop, the Lee Auto disk will almost always throw lighter charges than listed but again it's best to use a scale to be sure.