Not new to reloading but new to loading pistol loads. Please help me get setup for loading 45acp. I have a dillon 550b so tell me what are the good dies, brass, powder and bullets to start out with. I would like to start with good stuff so go from there thanks
Set me up for reloading 45acp
- Thread starter themayor
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Vern Humphrey
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I like Bullseye for loading the .45 ACP -- others will disagree.
If you have a Dillon 550B, you will probably best be served with Dillon dies.
For brass, I use range pickup, mixed brass. I have accumulated about 10,000 pieces over the years. You can look in the ammo section of Shotgun News and find once-fired brass advertised. If you want new brass, I like Starline.
I shoot mostly cast bullets in .45 ACP, and like the Lee 230 grain tumble lube cast out of straight wheel weights and lubed with liquid Alox. this is a bit smoky in an indoor range, and requires cleaning both pistol and dies every so often, but it shoots well.
If you have a Dillon 550B, you will probably best be served with Dillon dies.
For brass, I use range pickup, mixed brass. I have accumulated about 10,000 pieces over the years. You can look in the ammo section of Shotgun News and find once-fired brass advertised. If you want new brass, I like Starline.
I shoot mostly cast bullets in .45 ACP, and like the Lee 230 grain tumble lube cast out of straight wheel weights and lubed with liquid Alox. this is a bit smoky in an indoor range, and requires cleaning both pistol and dies every so often, but it shoots well.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I use W231 for the .45 Auto and a 230gr LRN bullet. I'm using Laser Cast and Roger's Better Bullets right now. I charge 5.5gr W231 under a 230gr LRN bullet.
neal7250
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I use 6.1 grns of wsf powder under a winchester JHP 230 grns. I get the bullets from Cabelas, at 500pcs. Makes a great bullet.
neal7250
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I use 6.1 grns of wsf powder under a winchester JHP 230 grns. I get the bullets from Cabelas, at 500pcs. Makes a great bullet.
neal7250
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I use 6.1 grns of WSF, under a winchester 263 jhp. I buy bullets from cabelas 500 at a time, abd the braass comes fromhttp://edsbrassandreloaders.com/main.sc
jfh
Member.
Good advice so far--to which I will only add the following:
1. If you like accuracy, consider using a 200-gr. LSWC and about 5.0 gr. of 231--my current version uses 5.2 gr. You might have to experiment a bit and even put in a light spring, but it is a good route to "barely Major" loads that allow fast recovery.
2. WSF is another fine powder for the .45ACP, and yet a third is AA#5 for MAX loads and velocity.
Even though Vern is an old fart who likes Bullseye, I consider it uncivil and dirty. I also found that keeping brass sorted by headstamp improves accuracy at no cost--but range pickup brass should be fine. I too use a lot of Starline Brass, and I personally like to have some new brass on hand as well as the pickup brass.
Jim H.
1. If you like accuracy, consider using a 200-gr. LSWC and about 5.0 gr. of 231--my current version uses 5.2 gr. You might have to experiment a bit and even put in a light spring, but it is a good route to "barely Major" loads that allow fast recovery.
2. WSF is another fine powder for the .45ACP, and yet a third is AA#5 for MAX loads and velocity.
Even though Vern is an old fart who likes Bullseye, I consider it uncivil and dirty. I also found that keeping brass sorted by headstamp improves accuracy at no cost--but range pickup brass should be fine. I too use a lot of Starline Brass, and I personally like to have some new brass on hand as well as the pickup brass.
Jim H.
Vern Humphrey
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Why you whipper-snapper, come 'round here where I can get a swipe at you with my cane.
neal7250
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I feel, just my opinion, that Dillon pistol dies, should be used on a dillon machiine. They have a deep taper on the mouth of the die, that can facilitate high speed relaoding.
pinkymingeo
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Buy Starline brass from Starline. Their price includes shipping, and is the best deal I've found.
jfh
Member.
TheMayor: At the Starline site, it's listed as 45 auto--$78.75/500, 137.80 / 1000.
I found it on both the price list and the order form.
Walkalong: Compare and contrast #2 and 231, if you would, please....It need not be a three page essay, but grading will be done for grammar and punctuation.
Jim H.
I found it on both the price list and the order form.
Walkalong: Compare and contrast #2 and 231, if you would, please....It need not be a three page essay, but grading will be done for grammar and punctuation.
Jim H.
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Compared to W-231, AA #2 is cleaner, flows through a measure like water, (very consistent) gives great ES & SD numbers, and is very accurate with the plated and jacketed bullets I am using.
I shot nothing but W-231 for years and it is a fine powder for .45. It meters well, burns fairly clean, & is very accurate with lead bullets at any reasonable charge weight. Great .45 powder for a new reloader.
If you want to stick with Winchester powders, WST is great for target loads in the .45.
How did I do on grammer & punctuation? My mom is an English Major, she would be upset if I was using improper English.
I shot nothing but W-231 for years and it is a fine powder for .45. It meters well, burns fairly clean, & is very accurate with lead bullets at any reasonable charge weight. Great .45 powder for a new reloader.
If you want to stick with Winchester powders, WST is great for target loads in the .45.
How did I do on grammer & punctuation? My mom is an English Major, she would be upset if I was using improper English.
jfh
Member.
Thanks, Walkalong--looks like I should try some #2.
As for the grading--excellent, simply excellent. I'll give you a 78, or C+. (I learned to grade before "grade inflation" came in during the Seventies.)
Jim H.
As for the grading--excellent, simply excellent. I'll give you a 78, or C+. (I learned to grade before "grade inflation" came in during the Seventies.)
Jim H.
rero360
Member
I've been using 5 grains of titegroup under a 230 grain FMJ from winchester in remington cases. its towards the upper end of the range but it burns really clean.
ulflyer
Member
RCBS are in both my 550's. I had a primer punch? break and they sent me a couple free. I also like Bullseye and 231 with 200 and 220 lead bullets. More recently have been using plain Clays as its a bit more bulky and easier to see when dumped in the case. Seems a tad cleaner, although I've never thought Bullseye to be dirty like a lot of guys say. All three meter well in the Dillon.
Vern Humphrey
Member
I hope you're not talking about my grammer -- 'cause if you are and she catches you, she'll put something on you that Lava soap won't take off.
jfh
Member.
Egad--and I was the fifth grade spelling champ.
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