Shot my first reloads - sizing new brass.

[Cableman]

I got a Rock Chucker kit for Christmas and went out this weekend and shot my first reloads. I bought 500 rounds of brass for Starline for my 45 Colt. I loaded 300 grain Speer SWC's with 21 grains of H110 in the Starline brass. Those made my Ruger Vaquero 45lc birdhead grip really bark! On my first batch of 20, the bullets didn't seat properly because I hadn't sized the brass - I didn't think you had to size new brass - but I guess you do.

I am now hooked, and I just wanted to say thanks to all of you for the good info on this site.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Man - - -

You do go right to the pointy end, don't you!

Cableman, while I like to have some real rhino-roller loads on tap, I get a lot of enjoyment out of the slightly more moderate loads in .45 Colt, too. I can spend all afternoon plinking or shooting a match with, say, a 250 LSWC over an 800 fps load of 231 or H. Universal. Less wear and tear on my nerves AND on the revolver. But, you have a nice, strong piece there, and if you like the sound and fury, enjoy!

Please be aware - - -With properly sized brass and a healthy crimp, your pressures will be higher still . . . .

Best,
Johnny

 

[Mal H]

I must admit, my eyes got a little wider reading the description of your first loads. I was going to say something similar to what Johnny did.

I guess there's nothing wrong with going for the big boomers on your first loads.

Welcome to the frarority of reloaders!

 

[1badmagnum]

reloading is an art

I gotta say reloading and shooting is the best hobby I ever picked up.it's a thinking mans hobby,and all the different componants give you unlimited possibilities.I'm using surplus powder now for my handloads and have very good results from jeff at gibrass,now if I could only find bullets cheaper than $10 per hundred,I would really be happy.the darn bullets are more than 50% of the cost of the completed round.
(I dont shoot lead)

 

[Shoney]

Welcome to the boisterous bickering brotherhood of the brass and bullet buffers.

 

[stans]

I loaded 300 grain Speer SWC's with 21 grains of H110 in the Starline brass.

Talk about starting at the top! I'll bet that Ruger was barking, and how!!! Unless you are shooting bear, you might want to try a faster burning powder and a lot less of it. Your wrists will thank you later.

 

[RugerSAFan]

I don't have your courage!

I purchased 500 200grswc for $33.50; I'm going to purchase titegroup this afternoon for my first reloads. I'll save the W231 powder for my next batch of bullets (250/255gr.). I'm starting at the low-end, and slowly work-up.

I love the look of the birdshead. btw; it will be my next purchase if I don't get my ccw.

 

[coonan357]

welcome and be safe !

 

[bpisler]

I just reloaded my first 45 colts using new starline brass that i had to resize first.I loaded 180gr LSWC's with 6.5gr's titegroup using WLP,fun to shoot but not real accurate,seems like every target would have 1 or 2 flyers.My 2nd load was 8.4gr's unique with a 255gr LSWC using WLP,recoil was a lttle brisk but very accurate,i got one group of 3/4" offhand at 50ft for 5 shots,the rest was 1.5 to 2".All from my 625-6 mountain gun.

 

[WESHOOT2]

HANDGUN ADVICE

Size all brass always. Use the deprime rod to ensure a punched flash-hole.
And some other stuff.

So simple yet so utterly complex................

 

[SASS#23149]

WOW!! I"m surprised you were able to hang onto that birdshead.
My first stout loads in .45lc were shot in a 7.5" ruger with large rubber grips,and it still went almost stragiht up under recoil! I did not repeat that load at the next session!
According to my chrono,Titegroup IS position sensative in large cases.I've had better luck with American Select,from Alliant.The worst powder I tried was Green Dot.There is more flexability with some pwders than others.I believe h110 is a "this load only" type of powder is some applications.

ps if you don't flinch yet,that load will give ya one!!

Load safe,be safe.

 

[Cableman]

Thanks for the info, while this load is stout, it is also listed in the Speer book which came with my Rockchucker kit...I figure if it is in the book, it should be a safe load. I will try some lighter grain bullets and a little less powder next time for a comparison.

 

[Mal H]

It's a safe load alright, we were just admiring your courage with your first loads.

As SASS#23149 implied, you don't want to load down with H110 (or WW 296). Those two powders don't take kindly to less than full power loads, they have a history of squibb loads when using less than around 3% under a listed minimum. Keep to the manual's max/min with them as you have already done or you might want to try a different powder. 2400 works well and isn't quite as finicky.