I've loaded a fair amount of 9mm, .38spl, .357, and 10mm (along with .223 and .308 rifle cartridges), and I'm just about to start loading .45 ACP. Other than following the published data (of course), any particular quirks of this cartridge to be aware of? Seems very straightforward and fairly forgiving from what I've read (other than huge case capacity making double charges easy with many powders).
New to loading .45 ACP
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Blue68f100
Member
Just be aware that there are 2 primer sizes now. This requires sorting in most all cases of range brass.
LiveLife
Member
At first I didn't like the small primer pocket 45ACP cases but when my lot of Tula SP primers experienced FTF, I found they worked OK in 45ACP brass. So instead of trading them off, now I keep all the small primer pocket cases and use with Tula SP primers.
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7840156#post7840156
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7840156#post7840156
hueyville
Member
Not only do you have the mixed primer size issue, if you acquire some of the brass with large primer pocket and super large flash hole that is used with the "non toxic" ammo it can be reloaded but will act a bit squirrely if mixed in with a batch that has standard primer holes. I only see a few odd examples of it in brass from a local indoor range. I segregate it out into the bucket of trade brass. I also put all the 45 brass with small primer pockets that I get into the trade bucket. Have enough 45 large pistol primer brass to last two lifetimes even at my high volume. It is easier for me to use just one type and trade the rest with someone who doesn't mind using it.
Nothing magical about loading 45 ACP. My favorite 50 ft-25 yard bullseye pistol load was 3.8 gr. HS-700X, Rem LP behind a 185 gr. LSWC seated 0.937" base to shoulder at ca 720 fps - very mild and accurate load. If you pick up range brass segregate the small primer from large primer variety. Lots of data on the powdder manufactuers webstes for many bullet weights.
LiveLife
Member
You can use higher charges of W231/HP-38 but 4.8 - 5.0 will work. I have used lead load data with Berry's regular plated bullets with good results (jacketed for TP bullets).
Personally I like 5.4 gr of 231/Lead or plated 200 gr SWC for IPSC shooting. ALWAYS check ANY load you see on the net against a manual! Also, HODGDON P-38 and Win 231 are the EXACT SAME POWDER! Again, check with Win/Hodgdon before taking anyone's word for this stuff! There are a LOT of liars and fools on the net who want you to get hurt or fail to make up for their being fools and scum, so don't trust anyone, check it out for yourself. Possibly no one here would steer you wrong, but if you doubt it happens, I'll be happy to point out a few sites and posters on them who gladly screw over beginners for "the fun of it".
I use Hodgdon's site for W231 data (that's the only powder I currently use.)
For W231 with 230-gr. bullets, data.hodgdon.com shows 4.2 - 5.3 gr for FMJ, 4.3 - 5.3 for LRN. 4.7 - 5.0 is midrange, so I thought I'd start there and add a couple of tenths if need be.
For W231 with 230-gr. bullets, data.hodgdon.com shows 4.2 - 5.3 gr for FMJ, 4.3 - 5.3 for LRN. 4.7 - 5.0 is midrange, so I thought I'd start there and add a couple of tenths if need be.
Furncliff
Member
When I started loading .45acp I was having crimp problems. A separate crimp die was the fix for me.
Legion489 said:
One major thing I like about this site is that everyone checks everyone else - "liars and fools" get called out pretty quickly. I depend on THR for good advice and honest opinion.
I don't doubt that happens elsewhere. What sites do you avoid?
One major thing I like about this site is that everyone checks everyone else - "liars and fools" get called out pretty quickly. I depend on THR for good advice and honest opinion.
I don't doubt that happens elsewhere. What sites do you avoid?
LiveLife
Member
That's what I suspected initially (Tula repackaging known lot of Wolf SP primers that had harder cups and selling them under Tula brand). But when I test fired some Tula SR primers in the same Glock 17 I used for the Tula SP primer thread, the primer cups were different color and whey all fired. (use of SR primers in 9mm Major match loads)jibjab said:
Tula SP primer that failed to fire
CCI/Tula SR/.223 primers all fired in the same test pistol
chris in va
Member
45 has been the least problematic cartridge I've loaded. The only thing I do is use a FCD to put a mild taper crimp on the finished round, and seldom does it ever iron out any imperfections...unlike my 9mm. Very easy.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I load for the 45 Auto and I charge 5.5gr W231 under any 230gr bullet and it's my favorite 45 load. It's a fairly low pressure round and like said above, it's easy to load for...
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