Wild Willy
Silver $$ Contributor
I've been using a similar load of bullseye for many years, lots of rounds out of 1lb of powderMy favorite 230gr FMJ/plated is 4.4gr Bullseye.
I'm not a fan of Titegroup.
I've been using a similar load of bullseye for many years, lots of rounds out of 1lb of powderMy favorite 230gr FMJ/plated is 4.4gr Bullseye.
I'm not a fan of Titegroup.
I am going to make a batch of 50 each first, then might try something else. I usually start the second lowest charge and probably not exceed the second to the last charge.Any of the powders in your list except 296 will work, OP. The .45 ACP is easy to load for. I suggest you don’t make all 500 round at once, though. Your pistol will probably like some loads better than others. Functioning could depend on the load, especially if a lighter charge. The bullets you mention should give feed/function problems, but it’s still not worth committing to all 500 at once.
Thanks, I use a single stage Rock Chucker IV press. I read about the horrors experienced, and their now scrap 1911s from over charging not to mention the hand trauma. I usually do not go on the high end of powders, throw a charge from my Hornady powder throw, put it in the tray, repeat, when I have fifty charged I inspect to make sure they are filled or look overfilled, then seat, I love Lee factory crimp dies and then finally crimp. Checking all the measures on the path.I've had good luck with unique in 9mm, 40, and 45; also bullseye. You'll find that a light load is quite dirty; but so's bullseye. All I can really say is load within your margins and make sure the firearm works as intended, it's not rifle accuracy is more relative and slightly subjective for pistols.
You're on the right path to find one powder, cleaning the powder measure and not double charging is very important. A powder check die, and/or progressive lock-out die is recommended.
-Mac
Use your pistol barrel as a gauge as well. We used to call it.the Plunk test. It'll make sense if the rounds are sized right. They fall in with a satisfying plunk. Some cases will grow a bulge for various reasons. +1 to your lee factory crimp die, that usually solves it anyway.Thanks, I use a single stage Rock Chucker IV press. I read about the horrors experienced, and their now scrap 1911s from over charging not to mention the hand trauma. I usually do not go on the high end of powders, throw a charge from my Hornady powder throw, put it in the tray, repeat, when I have fifty charged I inspect to make sure they are filled or look overfilled, then seat, I love Lee factory crimp dies and then finally crimp. Checking all the measures on the path.
If you do not have a 1911 you might think about getting one if you reload and some different springs so you can take advantage of shooting all the different bullets and different types of loads. From light target loads with Bulleye to heavy self defense loads with slower powders. The 1911 will do it all. For me, that's why I got into reloading in the first place.Thanks, I use a single stage Rock Chucker IV press. I read about the horrors experienced, and their now scrap 1911s from over charging not to mention the hand trauma. I usually do not go on the high end of powders, throw a charge from my Hornady powder throw, put it in the tray, repeat, when I have fifty charged I inspect to make sure they are filled or look overfilled, then seat, I love Lee factory crimp dies and then finally crimp. Checking all the measures on the path.
You are an experienced loader, so you probably already know this:I am going to make a batch of 50 each first,
I use HS6 it gives the performance in a charge weight that's impossible to double charge.I would like to get some thoughts on making .45 ACP for the first time. No worries I am an experienced reloader and made numerous other loads for High Power, NRA ARC with 9mm, .357 mag, 5.56, 7.62 and 6.5mm Grendel. All loads work fine and I work up the rifle loads using the Audette Ladder testing with different powders.
In which, not sure what the best powder is for .45 ACP, from snooping around Youtube, it seems red dot is the most popular, which I have but reluctant to use as it is for my 1.75" 12g buck and slug loads and it very expensive and difficult to get.
Hence from the powders I have on hand I and bullets I have, I plan to make 230g LRNs and 230g Berry's RN plated bullets. My thoughts were going with Acc No.2 for the lead bullets and Titegroup for the plated bullets. I try to stick to NATO spec so I want to achieve around 825 fps.
The powders I have on hand to chose from are:
Longshot
Unique
Bullseye
HS6
CFE Pistol
Acc. No.2
Titegroup
W231
W296 - I save this for my .357 loads
Red Dot - as I said save this for my 12g loads
I would like to get some opinions on powder preferences if you can kindly advise.
As for primers I have an assortment of CCI Remington Winchester as Large Pistol was none existence in this parts for several years. Cases are range brass as we have too many slobs at our club who actually do NOT police their brass and vultures like me snatch it up. I recently hoarded whatever came available in the last 18 months, but never got around to making any .45 ACP until now. For the curious it is for my never fired Colt Govt Mod 70.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
I was trying to find a powder that would be good for .40S&W and .45ACP so I got a 4 pounder of that one. At my rate of shooting pistol that will last me a LONG time.
Lastly, I never measure case length or trim 45s. Never had one too long to chamber or one too short for the firing pin to set it off.