Soon to start reloader with some questions

[Trashy]

So I've been gearing up to start reloading now for about two years, but have been to chicken to actually pull the lever. I've acquired many manuals, watched extensive youtube how to videos and I've been diligent in my research, and I take load data starting points very seriously.

With that out of the way, I have a few questions.

I've recently discovered a local shop that seems to have EVERYTHING in stock for reloading except for a few diameter bullets and primers (go figure) and I scored 2 pounds of Vihtavuori N310.

I plan on weighing every charge, because my goal with this is absolute accuracy.

Can someone give me a quick rundown on N310 pros and cons (besides its expensive, cost isnt an issue when the end goal is perfection)

I know that guns are individual entities and it may not like n310 or specific bullets, I've learned this from extensive .22lr precision shooting.

Also, this is a load for a custom 1911 that is basically irreplaceable cost wise. Would it be stupid to buy a cheap colt 1911 to use as a "piece of mind test mule"?

I also have a 223 contender I'm 100% geared up to load for, but havnt yet. Should I cut my teeth on that first to get comfortable first, or grab a 1911 in 45 to put me at ease? Or both, haha.

Sorry about the rambling.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Handgun loading is easy. I develop loads on sandbags. Then you need to practice, practice, practice shooting offhand. Form is everything with a handgun. From your feet, knees, shoulders, head, elbows, posture, grip and pressure points on the handle. Learn to shoot both eyes open. Find the target with your eyes, aim your body and the gun will follow. You can have the most accurate handgun in the world but it won’t shoot well if you don’t know how to handle it properly.

Don’t buy another gun. Just follow the manuals and you’ll be fine.

If you think you’re gonna shoot a quarter at 50 yards offhand, it’s gonna take a lot of attempts and there will be a lot of disappointment. But if you are realistic with yourself and realize that anything inside the diameter of a softball at any range offhand (maybe even a pie plate for some) with a handgun is perfectly acceptable then you’ll have a lot more fun

 

[Gabe22BR]

welcome aboard.. be safe

the search function is great on here... there might be a starting load on here..

 

[RegionRat]

https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading-data/handgun-reloading/?cartridge=52
Here is the source data for a few different 45 ACP bullets.

If at all possible, find a mentor and sit with them for one or two sessions. It would be good if you started with a straight wall pistol caliber like 38 Special but your 45 ACP example will be fine. Then once you have a little time under your belt, try your hand at the bottleneck designs.

 

[std7mag]

Either pistol or rifle cartridges is ok to start with. I started on 7mm Rem Mag.
Take your time, don't get distracted.
Start low on the powder charge weight, and adjust from there.

Take your pistol apart, and use your barrel to do a "plunk" test. Cartridge should just drop right in, and be flush with the end of the barrel chamber.

 

[Trashy]

Handgun loading is easy. I develop loads on sandbags. Then you need to practice, practice, practice shooting offhand. Form is everything with a handgun. From your feet, knees, shoulders, head, elbows, posture, grip and pressure points on the handle. Learn to shoot both eyes open. Find the target with your eyes, aim your body and the gun will follow. You can have the most accurate handgun in the world but it won’t shoot well if you don’t know how to handle it properly.

Don’t buy another gun. Just follow the manuals and you’ll be fine.

If you think you’re gonna shoot a quarter at 50 yards offhand, it’s gonna take a lot of attempts and there will be a lot of disappointment. But if you are realistic with yourself and realize that anything inside the diameter of a softball at any range offhand (maybe even a pie plate for some) with a handgun is perfectly acceptable then you’ll have a lot more fun

Load development will be done on a trusty pistol rest I own, that I have used with many a .22s to find what that particular gun liked. I know I cant shoot a quarter at 50, but with a colt police positive in 38 special that was built for either bullseye or early ppc matches I could drop 50 shots into 4 inches at 25 yards.

I ordered this 1911 to be able to do full 2700 bullseye matches.

I've just been too chicken to load my own. And now that I have an extremely accurate 1911 on the way I need to learn.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

You’ll like the feel of a 1911. They are heavy compared to other autos, but have a great natural fit and feel in the hand and usually shoot really good. I have a Kimber Custom Eclipse II in 10mm Auto that is scary accurate.

New 1911s take some time to break in if they are quality built nice and tight for accuracy. Need to keep them good and clean for them to run reliably so make sure you have a takedown tool as well.

 

[Trashy]

I looove 1911s, this is my first big money one though.

 

[Jager]

Since your expensive, custom 1911 is "on the way," I assume you have yet to shoot it. I'd recommend first running a couple hundred rounds of quality factory ammo through it. Else you're not going to know if that failure to feed is caused by the gun, or something you did (or didn't do) with your handloads.

Reloading pistol rounds is no more difficult than rifle (and, indeed, carbide dies actually make the sizing operation a bit simpler). But testing those handloads can certainly be, given the much coarser sighting systems typically found on pistols, and the ability of shooters to effectively target those small sidearms. Just something to be mindful of.

Mostly, handloading revolves around constantly thinking, assessing, and evaluating. A round that headspaces on the mouth, like your .45ACP, has very different needs than does a rimless rifle round that headspaces on the shoulder. The amount of powder you use in a "load" is often front and center. But that question is usually pretty straightforward. It's all the other subtle, far more nuanced factors slinking around in the shadows that often dictate how well those rounds you just cranked out on your press will work.

"Keep your head in the game" is the best advice I could give.

Good luck (and maybe post a pic of that 1911, when it arrives).

 

[PigButtons]

Trashy, I have a Rock Island Armory 1911 that I use as a test mule in stead of my unique Detonics. It may not be necessary but it sure feels a lot better that first round of a new powder/bullet combination. There are a ton of good threads on reloading dos and don'ts here. Be patient, don't expect that it will be perfect the first time, be observant, have fun.

 

[max1120]

Reloading is something that most enjoy and you have come to the right place with any questions that
you will have.

 

[mongo chicago]

Remember, a load that may be super accurate in one gun may not be so great in another. Load and test for the gun that you intend to use.

 

[ronsroom1]

Putting accuracy loads in a loose 1911, is like putting Racing gasoline in a stock Volkswagon.

Start low and work up.

When all posts fail to answer your questions, Refer to the post above mine from mongo chicago.

 

[BigJohnson2]

I started reloading when I bought a 12 gauge Lee load-all with the money I got for my 12th birthday. I think they were $20 or $25 and were carried at the local grocery store chain (owned by a horrible new US congressman’s family).
I think they sold wads and shot but I don’t recall them carrying powder, I used 700x I bought out of a closet at a radiator shop. I seem to recall the guy scooping it out of a big container and putting it in a paper bag. It didn’t take long to learn it was cheaper to just buy shells and I sold the loader to a neighbor buddy.

 

[dgeesaman]

My only advice, beyond the good sense that’s already been said, is to have very good direct overhead lighting and keep organized. The big reason is the risk of not putting powder in, or in the case of handgun, putting in too much. Look down into each case before seating a bullet, or if you’re using a progressive, set up one of those lock outs that prevent seating a bullet if the powder fill is wrong.

 

[Trashy]

My only advice, beyond the good sense that’s already been said, is to have very good direct overhead lighting and keep organized. The big reason is the risk of not putting powder in, or in the case of handgun, putting in too much. Look down into each case before seating a bullet, or if you’re using a progressive, set up one of those lock outs that prevent seating a bullet if the powder fill is wrong.

Single stage. Plan on trickling every round. I'm pretty into accuracy out of pistols, and enjoy resting them.

 

[robert8904]

I use a lot of N310 in 45 acp. It's a very fast powder, great for lower to medium velocity loads in all bullet weights. It's fairly clean and not position sensitive . No real need to but another 45 for testing loads. Barring double charges or really bad brass theres no real risk to a quality gun. One thing about loading for any automatic pistol is having good case tension on the bullet. Auto pistols will try to force the bullet deeper into the case on cycling. A fast powder like N 310 is unforgiving if a bullet is set back too far in the case.

 

[TIMO]

Some good advice above, don't forget to properly lube your new 1911.
Tim

 

[Twicepop]

If you're going to start the learning curve on a pistol round, let me make a suggestion. When applying a crimp in this case a taper crimp, do this as a separate step from the bullet seating. The .45 ACP is a fairly easy round to load for. Be careful, ask a lot of questions here and enjoy.

 

[dgeesaman]

Single stage. Plan on trickling every round. I'm pretty into accuracy out of pistols, and enjoy resting them.

I only load single stage also but these mistakes can happen. Having good consistent procedures, excellent lighting, and reasonable batch sizes will avoid and catch human errors.

David