Looking for pistol ammo reloading tips and powder preference for .45 ACP.

[andersonjk4]

I'm going to start reloading some .45 ACP rounds for my new 1911.  I have been reloading rifle ammo for over 15 years and am very proficient with rifle loads, but this will be my first experience with reloading pistol cartridges.  I just bought a LEE carbide 4-die set in .45 ACP.  So do any of you long time pistol cartridge reloaders have any words of wisdom for a rookie?  Also, I've been doing some research on different powders and was curious what people who have some experience with different powders think of the different popular pistol powders (clays, titegroup, W231, HS-6, Hi-Skor 700-X ... etc)?  I'm not really looking for competition accuracy, but would like a clean burning, easy metering powder.  And being easy on the wallet would be a plus.  I'm mainly going to load FMJs for plinking but also some HPs for self defense.  Any info will be greatly appreciated. 

[C-Money]

231 is good, also look at Unique, bullseye and Red Dot. the 45acp does not seem to be picky, it does well with a wide variety of powder. Happy loading!

[Heredoggydoggy]

Whatever you do, load your gun with Factory Ammo for self defense.  This is strictly a liability issue, just in case you ever have to use the gun in a self defense situation....  Target shoot with reloads, but carry with factory stuff! 

[wildmanoutdoors]

When shooting IPSC for years 231 was my go to!

[C-Money]

Whatever you do, load your gun with Factory Ammo for self defense.  This is strictly a liability issue, just in case you ever have to use the gun in a self defense situation....  Target shoot with reloads, but carry with factory stuff! 

Good advise!

[Heredoggydoggy]

I used Unique in my 9mm loads for years, because I used a lot of it for shotshell loading, too.  But it's DIRTY!
I was given a pound of Bullseye, so I used it to load my 45 ACP rounds.  Finally used it all up, thank god!  After shooting my 45 with Bullseye loads, I felt like my gun had just come out of a bag of charcoal!  It's got to be the dirtiest powder ever made.  I'll go to one of the Ramshot powders if I ever load any more 45 ACP. 

[Blacklab]

Ive always used Blue dot. 

[waterdoctor]

cleanest burning I have found is Universal clays.  I have to use a little bit more than Bulls-eye but it is worth it to me.

[thinkingman]

AA2 is easy to meter.
Titegroup is hot and does not meter well.

[whacker1]

tagging this one as I had the same questions

[andersonjk4]

Lots of good info here.  Thanks guys.  I can see where it is a good idea to use factory ammo for defense purposes.  But are handloads really less reliable than factory ammo?  Like I said before I have been reloading rifle ammo for over half my life and would way rather have my handloads in any of my rifles over factroy ammo anyday in a hunting situation or defense situation.  I have NEVER had a failure to fire from any of my handloads.  I won't be using a progressive machine to pump out thousands of rounds.  I only have a single stage press and will probably be weighing every charge I load.  Is there anything I need to make sure I do /don't do when reloading pistol shells compared to rifle shells? 

[whacker1]

Lots of good info here.  Thanks guys.  I can see where it is a good idea to use factory ammo for defense purposes.  But are handloads really less reliable than factory ammo?  Like I said before I have been reloading rifle ammo for over half my life and would way rather have my handloads in any of my rifles over factroy ammo anyday in a hunting situation or defense situation.  I have NEVER had a failure to fire from any of my handloads.  I won't be using a progressive machine to pump out thousands of rounds.  I only have a single stage press and will probably be weighing every charge I load.  Is there anything I need to make sure I do /don't do when reloading pistol shells compared to rifle shells?

The handloads or factory ammunition for self-defense comment is about how you appear before a court and/or jury, after discharging your weapon.  The perception of someone that hand loads particularly lethal rounds vs. buying them over the counter is the perception you have to appease to a jury.  The person purchasing over the counter is seen in a different light over those with technical ability.    I don't believe the comment has to do with reliability, but rather providing a legal defense if you are ever put in the position to actually have to use the firearm for self-defense.

I personally think that if you are handloading any round (rifle, pistol, or otherwise), that same perception will apply in court whether you handloaded the self defense rounds used or not.  Just my two cents

[JackOfAllTrades]

Glock or 1911? Other?
 
Bullseye, Clays, Titegroup for plinking/target shooting. Buy/pour lead for target shooting. (unless in a Glock) No reason to waste your mondy on FMJ. Cheap Barry's, plated Rainier or Montana Gold could be cost effective.  Unique works great but is dirty to shoot. 231 doesn't meter well with light loads and builds some higher pressure spikes where other pouders are just better choices.  I don't buy into the 'factory ammo' for self defense thing. If I meant to point the gun at a human, it meant that I felt that my life was in danger. At that point I'm shooting center mass anyway. Likely to kill. Factory or handload doesn't matter.  If I do have a factory load in the pipe, it'll be a Black Talon.
 
-Steve

[JLS]

I agree with Steve.  If you have to use your handgun for self defense there a lot more very important things that will be considered.  Your ammo is likely not one of them. 

I've yet to see case law that ruled for excessive use of force because someone was shot with a hollow point vs. ball ammo.  Honestly, that argument makes about as much sense as telling someone they should shoot an intruder with a .380 instead of a .45 because it doesn't look as intrusive (pun intended).

[andersonjk4]

Thanks Whacker and Steve.  That is all very good information to have.  And I will be shooting these from a Sig Sauer 1911.  In all honesty I feel like I would be more likely to have to defend myself against a predator of the animal kind (bear, wolf, cougar) while hiking/hunting in the mountains than I will have to defend against predator of the human kind.  But I guess you never know especially the way things are going these days.  All I know is I want a reliable round to stop whatever is threatening me first and foremost and worry about the legality of the situation later.  I have always been partial to IMR and Hogdon powders for really no other reason than that is just what I have always used for rifles.  Anyone ever used Hodgdon HS-6 in a .45 ACP?  I like the thought of a fine sepherical powder from a metering standpoint.