Some in laws are better than others, much much better

[Rafterman191]

I just got handed to me by my brother in law a complete reloading set including dies for .45 ACP. The reloading set is the same as here from Lyman http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/presses-and-kits/LyC_RPK_Exp_Del_Crusher.php and the dies are Lee. There are 4 dies. I have all the brass, bullets, have some powder (shotgun powder I was told maybe Green Dot). I have a couple questions for reloading the .45 ACP. First, do I need to do anything to the brass besides run it through the tumbler after popping the primers (or before)? I know it comes with some casing lube, is that necessary for the .45? What about reaming the neck? As far as I can tell, reloading for these pistol rounds these steps are not necessary, please correct me if I am wrong. Lastly, can I load with this shotgun powder? If so, what are some good starting recipes? I am super pumped to get this going!!

 

[Funshooter45]

Aiyayaiy!

You need to slow down a bit. I can understand the desire to go out and get er dun, but you need to do some reading first. Start with reading the sticky posts at the top of the forum. They will direct you to some good manuals that will explain the whole process in detail. The actual mechanics of operating a reloading press are simple, but a lot of the decisions you make are kind of complicated.

Put the tools down and just read stuff for at least a week or two. I like your enthusiasm and I don't wish to sound like I'm talking down to you bud. But this really IS rocket science and if you mess up it can kill you or someone else. It won't take too awful long and you will understand how to make some good safe ammo.

Yep, that is a great brother in law and no doubt you'll have most of this stuff figured out pretty quick. At this point, I'm not going to try to answer your questions in detail. You're not even asking the right questions at this point.

I look forward to hearing more about your experiences. It's definitely an interesting hobby.

 

[Shadow 7D]

^^^^^^^^^^
what he said and this is why
you will kill yourself or somebody else,
it's kinda like cooking with dynamite
do-albe
but, you need to learn how. There are lots of powders, and lots of variety of bullets, and how the mix, and match and what pressure gets you what velocity, these are what you need to learn

BUY
a reloading manual, or two, look at the manufactures website, they post tested recipes,

Finally if I recall, green dot is better in smaller caliber bullets, I think you need a different powered, because while there is some crossover between shotgun and pistol, you have to be careful, as many are not necessarily ideal loads.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/green_dot.aspx
Click the link in the lower right corner

 

[GLOOB]

Sounds like you're well on your way.

No, reaming isn't necessary. It's usually done after trimming, which you will probably never do on straight-walled pistol brass. Even when I trimmed luger brass to make makarov, I stopped reaming after the first dozen. I found it just wasn't necessary.

Lube isn't necessary for straight-walled brass IF your dies are carbide or nitride-coated.

Yes, you can load .45 ACP with many shotgun powders, including Clays, Universal Clays, and Unique, just to name a few. Alliant lists a recipe for a .45 ACP load with Green Dot, so you can try that for starters. They don't list a starting load, so you should back of 10% of their recipe to begin with.

You'll need a scale and calipers before you start reloading any ammo.

A manual is probably a good idea. But if you already understand the concept of pressure and volume as it relates to seating depth and setback, and you know there's a difference between cast, plated, and jacketed bullets, you're 90% there.

 

[Rafterman191]

Well, I have to say first, anyone who requires 2 weeks of reading before they understand reloading may want to find a hobby that does not involve exploding compounds (technically not exploding, propelling). I have had this reloading equip for over a month now and so far all I have done is set up my bench. I have read the manuals from Lyman and been scouring over the forums reading all the new reloader sticky posts. The set came with a scale, caliper, everything needed to reload pistol and rifle.

A manual is probably a good idea. But if you already understand the concept of pressure and volume as it relates to seating depth and setback, and you know there's a difference between cast, plated, and jacketed bullets, you're 90% there.

Thanks GLOOB that is good food for thought especially later when I get into experimenting with loads. Right now, I have enough round nosed copper jacketed to last me a while (230 gn). My brother in law did do some reloads with this equipment to his uncle's specs using the shotgun powder, but he could not get them to consistently cycle his SA XD .45. Uncle said the recipe worked well in 1911s.

 

[GP100man]

Read , Read ,Read , I taught myself to reload from the Lyman manual , then got into casting !!!!

I see alot of noobs askin the same ?? & get the same answers !

But puttin in the reading & gettin the basics down is a must !!!

Be patient , be careful & you`ll have a hobby that will let yu enjoy shooting for a lifetime !!!!

 

[Rafterman191]

Loaded 5 shot 5 today no hiccups. 5.4 grains of green dot, winchester primers, shot through a well broke in SA XD .45. Now the plot thickens!!! Need to go out and obviously test the accuracy of these load specs.

 

[ljnowell]

What bullet are you loading?

 

[Rafterman191]

it's a 230 gr FMJ, I think the box said it was armscor.

 

[ljnowell]

What did you find as a published max with those?

 

[Rafterman191]

230gr FMJ 5.4 gr Green Dot 920 fps 1.19" Fed 150 Alliant
Suggested starting load: 4.9 gr

Pressure: 15,800

This is from handloads.com
ammosmith.com agreed, Alliant did not have any specs for FMJs. I did not go 1.19", closer to 1.23". What do you think, too hot?

 

[ljnowell]

I dont normally trust handloads.com unless I can find another source. I looked on Alliants website and they list 5.3gr for a 230gr LRN. The jacketed data should be slightly higher, in most cases. Alliant doesnt list green dot with the 230 jacketed on thier website. I think you are safe, but you are treading in uncharted waters, so be careful. A chronograph would be good here, but I dont see you in danger level pressure by any means.

 

[Shadow 7D]

if you post a pic of a shot case, profile and end (primer) I'm sure many here would be happy to explain some of the signs of over pressure.

 

[Hondo 60]

AS GP100man said: Read, Read, Read

I STRONGLY suggest at least 2 reloading manuals
yes, they most likely will differ, but it'll give you a GREAT starting point.

My favorite manual is Lyman's 49th.
It has lotsa data for cast & jacketed bullets in more calibers than you can imagine.

My 2nd fav is the series of caliber specific books from Loadbooks USA
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=424613

and $4.99 is a great price for these, usually they're about $6

Stay safe!

oh, and welcome to the high road!

 

[ljnowell]

if you post a pic of a shot case, profile and end (primer) I'm sure many here would be happy to explain some of the signs of over pressure.

The problem with that in 45 acp is that by the time you make it to flattening primers you are way too far overpressure. In most cases you will have a catatrophic failure before that.

 

[orrwdd]

So Rafterman, reading your post I understand that you loaded 5.4gr of green dot and the data you found listed 5.4gr of green dot as a maximum load?

You need to go back and re-read those manuals a couple of more times. All responsible manuals clearly state that you either use a starting load if one is available OR if not take the published maximum load and reduce by 10%. Then increase the load by .1 -.2 gr at a time checking for excessive pressure at each level. You should have started at 4.9gr.

Going straight to a maximum load as you did is dangerous. Thankfully you must have a quality pistol. The load data are NOT recipes that you can just take from a book and use in any gun. Each one my react to the pressure differently due to changes in chamber length and a number of other factors.

I know you probably did not do this knowingly but do not take shortcuts, you or someone else may be hurt or even worse. This reloading thing is serious business.

Go back and work up your load to make sure it is safe before shooting any more of them.

Bill

 

[billybob44]

AS GP100man said: Read, Read, Read

I STRONGLY suggest at least 2 reloading manuals
yes, they most likely will differ, but it'll give you a GREAT starting point.

My favorite manual is Lyman's 49th.
It has lotsa data for cast & jacketed bullets in more calibers than you can imagine.

My 2nd fav is the series of caliber specific books from Loadbooks USA
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=424613

and $4.99 is a great price for these, usually they're about $6

Stay safe!

oh, and welcome to the high road!

^^^+1 Hondo is right on. I like the Lyman (48+49th) for a lot of the "How To", and the Load Books for the specs. on powder/primers/OAL, etc. The Load Books offer the first section from bullet Mfgs., and the second section from the powder Mfgs. This, to me gives a better overall read on the proper charge amount for the purpose at hand.
Just my 2c worth..Bill.

 

[Rafterman191]

Ordered a Lyman 49th off ebay $23 free shipping.

 

[CSA 357]

you better watch that bl of yours, like others have said slow down, you need to be reading now more than loading, good luck

 

[lturford]

Ordered a Lyman 49th off ebay $23 free shipping.

Thanks, I've been meaning to pick-up this manual - I jumped on e-bay and made the purchase - Stopped for a bite to eat and when I got back to the computer there was an e-mail stating that it is shipping - can't complain about that at all -
Thanks again -

 

[Rafterman191]

So Rafterman, reading your post I understand that you loaded 5.4gr of green dot and the data you found listed 5.4gr of green dot as a maximum load?

You need to go back and re-read those manuals a couple of more times. All responsible manuals clearly state that you either use a starting load if one is available OR if not take the published maximum load and reduce by 10%. Then increase the load by .1 -.2 gr at a time checking for excessive pressure at each level. You should have started at 4.9gr.

Going straight to a maximum load as you did is dangerous. Thankfully you must have a quality pistol. The load data are NOT recipes that you can just take from a book and use in any gun. Each one my react to the pressure differently due to changes in chamber length and a number of other factors.

I know you probably did not do this knowingly but do not take shortcuts, you or someone else may be hurt or even worse. This reloading thing is serious business.

Go back and work up your load to make sure it is safe before shooting any more of them.

Bill

Agreed, and the concern is sincerely appreciated. The data I used to load these came from the Alliant manual found here on page 44, http://glarp.atk.com/2004/2004Catalogs/2004AlliantPowderSM.pdf. I just did not even think about the rule of backing off 10%, thanks for the reminder. Take a look at the data, 5.4 grains 920fps and 15,800psi, tell me what you think. The pistol is an SA XD .45.

Thanks, I've been meaning to pick-up this manual - I jumped on e-bay and made the purchase - Stopped for a bite to eat and when I got back to the computer there was an e-mail stating that it is shipping - can't complain about that at all -
Thanks again -

You are quite welcome. Enjoy