Our First Reloads

[Kramer Krazy]

With some research and help from THR members, my wife (Missashot) and I loaded our first 100 rounds of 45ACP and shot them this evening. We used once-fired Winchester brass, Winchester primers, Rainer 230 gr copper-plated bullets, and Winchester #231 powder. We loaded the ammo with 5.4 gr of powder and set them at 1.268". We had no problems with any of the rounds and with me using my Rock Island Armory 1911A1 (5" barrel) as the test mule for the first 20 rounds, here is my target from 30 feet, two-handed, free-standing (no rest nor bench):



A center-to-center measurement makes this a 3" group from the 20 rounds. I got similar results with my Colt LW Commander (with 4.25" barrel). I don't have a way to chrono these, so I have no idea what velocity they were running. Just wanted to say "Thanks" to those of you have have assisted us with this first batch.

 

[Freddie]

What do you have for reloading equipment?

Nice group!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[Standing Wolf]

You folks did real well.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

What do you have for reloading equipment?

We picked up an RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Reloading kit from Natchez at $219 and an RCBS case tumbler and case/media seperator that was on sale, too. We're also using the 3-die, RCBS carbide die-set. We didn't use the hand-held priming tool, but used the priming arm that is on the Rockchucker.

At one time, I had a Rockchucker with a Piggyback II, but I never learned to use it and sold the set-up five years ago. I think the thought of starting with a progressive unit was a bit too overwhelming for me at the time. I never even attepted to use that set-up. We've been quite pleased with this single-stage arrangement and the results we got, and are already talking about picking the the dies for 44Spl/44Mag and 38 Spl/357 Mag.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Nice shooting. My Kimber 4" puts 5.5gr of W231 and Rainer 230gr bullets thru a chrono at 810fps.

 

[Dave P]

Well, not bad, but you have a long way to go.

Tell you what: I'll show you some reloading secrets of the Masters if you will show me how to shoot that good!

Dave

 

[timn]

Nice shooting!
I get my best results with 5.6 grains of 221 pushing sierra 200 grain TMJs.
But, I'm sure gonna try your recipe.

 

[facedown]

That's some pretty fancy shootin' there, pardner. Are you sure you didn't use your Gold Cup?

 

[Uncle Don]

That is nice shooting and welcome to a very satisfying hobby. I think it's a safe bet to say that since you have those results from your first reloads - you're in for life now !

 

[Kramer Krazy]

That's some pretty fancy shootin' there, pardner. Are you sure you didn't use your Gold Cup?

I haven't had the Gold Cup out in a year. For 45ACP, I've mainly shot my Colt Officers ACP until I bought the RIA in October. I've mainly been shooting that....until I picked up my new XSE LW Commander. Because of the hammer bite on the RIA, I changed out the beavertail safety with a Wilson Combat drop-in and installed a Wilson Combat hammer. Because I like the grip, I slapped a Hogue rubber wrap-around grip on it. Here's the RIA that I did the above target with....



I'm absolutely amazed as to how well this RIA shoots. It has definitely impressed some people with high-dollar 1911s. I think I am more accurate with the RIA than I am with my Colts.

 

[happy old sailor]

good shooting, for you. now its show and tell for the missus. if she helped with the loading, she deserves to help with the shooting.

 

[Wilburs Horse]

Good handgun work. Who is the better shot? (God is listening)

 

[Kramer Krazy]

Good handgun work. Who is the better shot? (God is listening)

Well.......she's only been shooting handguns for a year and a half, and I shoot a bit better (20+ years). She has the potential to do quite well, and I love it when she puts some guy at the range to shame with her shooting. Her biggest issue with handguns is shooting low and to the left, but she does it will all her guns....22LR on up to 44 Mag. She tends to shoot better groups with a B-27 than a smaller target, also. We have two of her targets on the fridge that are first-shot bullseyes from 10-12 yards with targets like the one above. I think the largest thing that is really a disadvantage for her, right now, is jumping back-and-forth between handguns, but she's familiar with all types (plus she field-strips and cleans them). She likes to shoot everything and isn't afraid to try anything handed to her, which is evident in her owning a S&W 629 and Colt Anaconda.

I think she's going to be the better reloader than me, as she keeps messing with it while I'm at work. I've only done about 50, she's done 50, but she has another 400 cases prepped just waiting for powder and bullets.

You can see her "little" gun collection here (minus a S&W 4566)....

http://members.aol.com/TBoling125/vicks_firearms.html