Suggestions to Start Loading .45 ACP

[wanderinwalker]

Pretty much what the title says: I'm going to start reloading .45 ACP shortly and I'm looking for suggestions for bullets and powders to work with.

I already have HP-38 on hand and was going to start with that and some 230gr Berry's plated RN bullets. Once I get those running, I think I want to try some 200gr LSWC loads. I'll be loading these for my new Colt 1911 and am slightly concerned about feed reliability.

So I'm open to any other input and feedback from others on loading .45 ACP. Tips and tricks also welcome!

 

[Jimster]

It's a fun caliber to reload. Using carbide dies eliminates the need for lube. I only use the large primer pocket cases and fmj bullets. I load 5.0 gr of Bullseye. Just check the OAL and such in your reloading manual. Good luck.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I've never loaded lead, but the berrys RN plated should run just fine. I'm partial to FMJs and JHPs .
For powder, I like Bullseye For target, and Unique for when I want to drive the velocity up a bit

 

[dgod]

HP-38 is a great powder, for both 230gr Berry's as well as 200gr LSWC. Lots of data available. I load 230, 240, 200, and 180 grain bullets, all with either HP-30 or H-700X. I would suggest you start with Large Pistol Primers, stay away from Magnum Primers as they add very little. Good Luck.

 

[Doublehelix]

I am also new to .45 loading and have worked out some loads with Bullseye and HP-38/W231. I also plan on trying some TiteGroup which I love in 9mm, and some BE-86 that I just picked up.

I have been using the RMR 230gr. FMJs and some SNS and Bayou 200 gr. coated SWC with good results in my Dan Wesson 1911.

 

[GBExpat]

For .45acp I have (mostly) settled into the old standby; 230gr FMJ over 5.0gr Bullseye.

It is the .45acp load that I enjoy the most both to load and to shoot.

 

[glc24]

I've had much success with 230gr RN (Xtreme) set to 1.275 OAL, with a 5.6 and 5.7gr charge of HP38 in new Starline LPP cases. So far, this is all that has been shot (1,200 rounds) out of my FNXT45 with zero issues. Fairly consistent 25yd. groups too.

 

[mdi]

For a new reloader I'd say hold off using plated bullets for now. New reloaders seem to have problems with them; load data, crimp info. OAL, etc. I tell new fellers to use a tried and true load, right out of their reloading manual as a "get used to reloading a specific caliber" method. For a 45 ACP, use your HP 38 mebbe start with 4.2 gr. (as per Hodgon), under a 230 gr FMJ bullet. Use this combo for few hundred to get used to reloading for semi-auto pistol (learn the "Plunk test", and proper crimping), then branch out.

FWIW: I just finished off loading a Beer Nut plastic container full of my "just in case load" for 45 ACP. I used a mid load of Bullseye, same as GBEexpat, under a 230 gr. FMJ by Rocky Mountain Reloading. I know this load, loaded it several times, is good on my guns and feeds in both my 45s like grease through a goose...

Go slow, double check everything, be safe, and most important, have fun...

 

[wanderinwalker]

Thanks for the suggestions! Looks like I'll start with the initial plan and go from there. I neglected to mention I'll be using Small Primer brass; I've been breaking my Colt in with CCI Blazer Brass and Federal Champion hardball ammo and the batches I've put my hands on have been in SP cases.

mdi,

I appreciate the concern, however I am not a new reloader, just new to .45 ACP. If I haven't loaded 20,000 rounds of 9mm Luger and .223 Rem (each), that number has to be over 25k of each by now. Plus .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special and Magnum, .30-30 Win, .45-70 Gov't, .30-06, .260 Rem, .38 Super and I'm sure others I've forgotten. I'll be sure to do the plunk test, as well as making dummies for checking for proper cycling.

My .38 Super (the pistol in my avatar) taught me the importance of the plunk test, as I was having severe issues with chambering when I started loading for it. In the end it turned out the brass I saved from the break-in ammo was inconsistent. A switch to brand new Starline cases had everything running like a sewing machine in no time.

I plan to leverage that experience and skip right to having reliable .45 reloads from the start.

 

[Sunray]

"...I'll be using Small Primer brass..." Only matters if you have regular large pistol brass around too. They'll do just fine otherwise. Just don't buy LP brass and mix 'em. Can't imagine an experienced guy doing that though.
"...20,000 rounds of 9mm Luger..." Loading .45 ACP is exactly the same except it's bigger. Techniques are identical.
Never bothered with anything but cast 230 RN's and FP's myself. Nice target load that works well for bowling pins and plates assorted, too is 4.5 grains of Bullseye. HP-38 will do as well. 4.3(699 FPS) to 5.3(834 FPS) according to Hodgdon's site. Taper crimp only, of course.
Stay away from magnum primers as they aren't required for any typical .45 powder.

 

[wally]

I've shot tens of thousands of 200gr hardcast lead SWC bullets using 6.0 gr Unique with OAL 1.230". I recently switched as Unique became very hard to find last year, I find 7.1gr of AA #5 is virtually identical. Any powder than can get ~850 fps velocity should be fine, .45ACP is a very forgiving caliber to reload, almost as easy as .38Special.

The downside of the H&G 68 style lead SWC bullet is it was made for bullseye matches in 1911 guns, non-1911 .45 pistols sometimes have issues with it, but if you are only loading for your Colt 1911 it should be great. I shoot a lot more non-1911 .45ACP pistols so I won't be buying any more SWC bullets as I want all my guns to be able to shoot my loads.

OTOH if you never shot lead bullets before you may not like the smoke from the lube. The new "polymer" coated cast bullets are supposed to be an improvement here, but I haven't tried them yet.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Pretty much what the title says: I'm going to start reloading .45 ACP shortly and I'm looking for suggestions for bullets and powders to work with.

I already have HP-38 on hand and was going to start with that and some 230gr Berry's plated RN bullets. Once I get those running, I think I want to try some 200gr LSWC loads. I'll be loading these for my new Colt 1911 and am slightly concerned about feed reliability.

So I'm open to any other input and feedback from others on loading .45 ACP. Tips and tricks also welcome!

I use almost nothing else than HP-38/W231 for loading the 45 ACP. I feel its,almost a perfect match. With that 230gr Berry's bullet a charge of between 5.0gr and 5.5gr HP-38 will make you very happy. Same charge weights with the 200gr LSWC too.

Since you are not new to reloading you will probably have no problems loading the 45 ACP. Just be sure to flare the mouth if the case enough not to shave the plating off. I prefer lead bullets or coated lead bullets to plated bullets. Missouri Bullets Company sells both at a good price and great CS.

 

[Demi-human]

I will second Missouri Bullet Company and also suggest SNS Casting. Power Pistol has worked well for the two hundred thirty grain loads. It has a hard time fully combusting with the two hundred grain wadcutters. It smells nice though, so I don't mind wearing a few flakes of powder home on my shirt. The Blue Bullets are nice if one prefers, well, blue.

 

[Kaldor]

If you are shopping around for bullets, Delta Precision sells good quality jacketed for a reasonable price if you buy 2000 at a crack. I prefer Acme Bullet Co for HiTek coated. I have not seen a company that does a nice job in the coating department, smooth like a candy shell.

My 45 prefers 185 SWC and TCHPs, with a good charge of CFE Pistol. I use TiteGroup for 230gr bullets. I set all my small primered brass aside for a friend. He shoots small primer, I shoot large primer. Only difference is I get about 30 fps more with the same powder charge.

 

[1KPerDay]

I shoot almost exclusively Berry's or Xtreme plated in .45 ACP and have been very pleased. My fave is the 185 HBRN Berry's, which you can build into a very reliable, accurate, and amazingly soft-shooting .45 ACP load. Otherwise any 200 grain or 230 grain RN works great for me. I prefer 200s over 230s now. Most people say ammo built with heavier bullets recoils less for them, but I have not found that to be the case.

 

[mikey98e]

I've been loading Rainier 200 gr plated JHP with 6 gr of Universal for my plinking load. If I use a Hornady 230 gr FMJ with 6 gr of Universal I have a carry load for the woods. These loads work fine in my 45 shield.
-mike

 

[Cannibul]

My favorite .45 ACP powder is Winchester WST. Meters very well, smells good when it burns, burns clean, and it flat out works.

 

[W.R.Buchanan]

Wander: You should have no problems whatsoever.

The .45 ACP is one of the most forgiving cartridges to reload there is.

I use 5.7 gr of W231/HP38 and a 230 gr plated X-Treme bullet. Just make sure you have enough Flare on the case mouth so you don't shave the plating off.

I also use the same load with a 230 gr Lyman 452374 boolit that I cast and Powder Coat.

These loads function perfectly in both my Glocks and a Kimber 1911 I just sold.

The taper crimp on these rounds needs to be .470 at the case mouth. OAL not to exceed 1.275.

You'll be fine.

Randy

 

[Dudedog]

HP38 is my goto powder for .45. I really like the RMR 230 HC plated RN.
It is a little different shape than some other RNs (more bearing surface and stubby nose) so it needs to be loaded shorter. (don't forget the 5% RMR discount for THR members)
For 200 SWC I prefer coated ones over plain lubed lead but have shot a lot of both. I had good results with the ones from MBC (my pistol and my load shot better with the softer BHN 12 ones).
Also had excellent results with the ACME 200 Coated SWC. (they come in cool wood boxes)
For practice loads I use either 4.7 or 5gr of HP38 with the 230s, (4.7 if I want them a little lighter) 5gr of HP38 works well with the 200s.

Mixed LP range brass, charges as thrown, WIN LP 1.21 OAL
String: 2
Date: 9/11/2016
Time: 9:25:57 AM
Grains: 230
Hi Vel: 762
Low Vel: 714
Ave Vel: 734
Ext Spread: 48
Std Dev: 16
45 RMR 230 4.7 HP38
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
762 175.26 296.51
735 169.05 275.87
725 166.75 268.414
748 172.04 285.715
739 169.97 278.881
721 165.83 265.461
714 164.22 260.331

 

[nettlle]

5.0 gr HP-38 with 230 gr cast or coated is a favorite load. 4.0 gr HP-38 with 200 gr SWC coated or cast is soft shooting. Both are very accurate loads. HP-38 is an excellent 45acp powder.

 

[Klint Beastwood]

I taper crimp my loads, hardest part when I started was figuring out to bring it up as close to the case mouth as possible. My 1911 would actually push bullets into the case without the taper crimp. I use HP38 as well. As others said, it works. I use 5.4gr in most my pistols with 200gr berrys.
On a side note, I feel it burns pretty dirty, but on the flip side, I've never noticed any other powders burning cleaner then a few factory loads. IDK maybe its just in my head.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

On a side note, I feel it burns pretty dirty, but on the flip side, I've never noticed any other powders burning cleaner then a few factory loads. IDK maybe its just in my head.

I'm getting ready to load 45 and like the OP I currently load 9mm so I've been watching this thread. I couldn't offer anything until I saw this and had to laugh. I say that not in a mean way, but because I've seen so many posts saying a powder is dirty, then someone else saying it's really clean. I've got to the point that I think that how clean or dirty a powder is most are probably affected by the load and the gun. If the powder is burning efficiently it'll burn clean, if not it'll burn dirty. It's like a car. If the car is burning rich there will be soot in the tail pipe. If it's running lean or properly it'll be clean. Hence I suspect the same is going on with why some folks say a powder is dirty why others say it's clean.

Anyway, I appreciate the posts above as I like RMR bullets so, as soon as I get a set of dies, I guess I need to get some bullets and load up some 45!

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

My first rule of pistol reloading is to always use a bulky powder that almost fills the case, so I don't end-up w/ a double charge. HP38 is not a bulky powder.

 

[Jack B.]

I see you already know the importance of the plunk test. I have found some bullets must be seated quit differently than suggested. I also have found that loading to max load is usually not the way to get decent accuracy. I have found with my 45 ACP that loading down is much easier on me the gun and improves the accuracy. Of course it depends on what your loads are going to be used for. Have fun!

 

[Hokie_PhD]

My first rule of pistol reloading is to always use a bulky powder that almost fills the case, so I don't end-up w/ a double charge. HP38 is not a bulky powder.

When I started reloading a heard that.
Not too long ago I posted something similar when I said it might not be the best powder for newbies. Ironically I got jumped on by a couple of folks. But to each his her own.
That said, when I started, I was given some Win231 by a friend to get started. So it's what I used. I was careful and the loads worked great. In fact I still like Win231/HP38.
So my suggestion would be for newbies to use a powder that fills the cases better to start. If they don't, then be extra careful as double charges can happen if you get distracted, don't watch each she'll, etc. The key is going to be how comfortable each person is and how much risk they're willing to assume.