They (kind of) worked

[TomJ]

I shot my first reloads today. As most newbies are, I was a little cautious pulling the trigger for the first time but fortunately nothing exploded. I loaded 100 .45's. The first half were 200 gr RN. The second were 185 gr HP. I intentionally started light, as if I made a mistake I'd rather have feed or cycling issues than damage to my gun or worse, injuring myself or someone else. I used HP38 for both, and used 5.2gr for the 200 gr and 5 gr for the 185 gr. The 185 gr worked well. The 200 gr were too light, and I had issues with them cycling approximately every 3 or 4 rounds. I wasn't focused on accuracy yet, as I'm trying to get them working reliably first and will up the load a little at a time for the 200gr until it works.

On another note, I'm enjoying reloading as much as shooting. I do much of it at the end of the day, and it's a great way to unwind as well as spend time with my sons.

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Sounds great for the first reloads. There appears to be some room to increase your loads in both rounds if you so desire. Were the 200's plated RN's? The max for Speer jacketed HP's is 5.9, so you should be able to work the load up a bit. I would add .1 grain at a time until the gun cycles properly. Let us know what you end up with.

 

[TomJ]

Sounds great for the first reloads. There appears to be some room to increase your loads in both rounds if you so desire. Were the 200's plated RN's? The max for Speer jacketed HP's is 5.9, so you should be able to work the load up a bit. I would go a grain at a time until the gun cycles properly. Let us know what you end up with.

They were plated RN from RMR. I'll do 20 or so at a time increased the load a grain at a time as suggested until they work. Thanks.

 

[oldpapps]

I've standardized on 5.6 grains of 231 (now the same as HP38) with 200 grain SWC and 225 grain rn cast bullets. Ben using that loading mix for fourth years now.
Run from three 5 inch barrels between 845 and 895 FPS and is very easy on brass.

God luck with you quest.

 

[BigBore45]

Sounds great for the first reloads. There appears to be some room to increase your loads in both rounds if you so desire. Were the 200's plated RN's? The max for Speer jacketed HP's is 5.9, so you should be able to work the load up a bit. I would go a grain at a time until the gun cycles properly. Let us know what you end up with.

i think he meant .1 grains at a time.

 

[PCCUSNRET]

i think he meant .1 grains at a time.

Good catch! That is exactly what I was thinking but sometimes these old fingers just don"t type what I want them to say.

I edited my original post. THANKS!

 

[stubbicatt]

5.2 grains of HP38 was too light with a 200 grain bullet? Hm. I load at 5 grains and find I get complete combustion and good performance. I guess every gun is a law unto itself.

 

[Walkalong]

I used to load either 5.0 or 5.5 Grs W231 with a lead, plated, or jacketed 200, 225, or 230 Gr bullets. Mostly 5.0 for plinking and practice. 5.5 was more like full power. That was before W231 data was scaled back. Many people still use those loads though.

I would have thought you would have had those charges the opposite for the 200 and 185 Gr bullets.

 

[TomJ]

I know the ammo will work differently depending on the gun, and I was shooting a XD Tactical. It may work in other guns I own, but my goal is to use the lowest charge that works with all my guns. I don't shoot competitively and use factory ammo for SD, so what I reload is for range use. I'll increase the charge a little at a time until I come up with that number.

 

[Drop45]

I was under the assumption that heavier bullets required less powder, so how did they feel light? I've only been reloading for about three or so years so I'm not trying to be a smarta$$ just asking in case I've missed something. I was "scared" shooting my first reloads too--44 mag.

 

[poboy6]

I shot my first reloads today. As most newbies are, I was a little cautious pulling the trigger for the first time but fortunately nothing exploded.

I remember shooting my first reload (.303 British). I was thinking to myself "I hope I did not make any mistakes and I hope this 60+ year old rifle holds together". After that I was hooked.

On another note, I'm enjoying reloading as much as shooting. I do much of it at the end of the day, and it's a great way to unwind as well as spend time with my sons.

AGREED. Reloading is rewarding and can be done from home. I plan on getting the oldest boy involved in the process soon. Looking forward to that.