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

[300rum]

I think that the whole reloaded ammo for self defense thing has been debunked.  From what I can tell it started from Massad Ayoob who warned against it in his books and caught on as he is an expert witness in quite a few self defense situations.  It seems though that he has changed his stance over the use of handloads.  If it is a justified homicide in the first place I don't think it is going to matter whether you handload, use factory, the butt of the gun, a hammer....

[300rum]

As far as loading for .45, it is one of the more simple rounds to load for.  As far as powder's go all of the powders listed are fine.  Titegroup is going to be the cheapest (typically) then Clays, then 231.  I shoot a lot of titegroup because I shoot a lot.  The problem with titegroup is that it is a very violent and snappy powder and will also heat up your gun quickly.  It doesn't take much to meet power factor though and it is cheap and doesn't smoke too much if you are using jacketed or molly coated lead bullets.  Don't use it with lead bullets though, it smokes like a train. 

Clays works well in .45, lots of guys like it, I don't.  It seemed snappier then Titegroup at the same power factor, is dirty and doesn't meter as well. 

231 is dirtier then the other two and but works well in .45.  It is just too dirty for me and smokes a bit too much.

WST is a very nice powder, soft shooting and for a plinker is probably the best.  It is reverse temp sensitive so when the temperature gets hotter it slows down, when the temperature goes down, it speeds up.  Temperature sensitivity doesn't matter if you aren't shooting competitions or leaving your rounds out in the sun on a 90+ degree day.  Even on hot days I never had a failure, even when I left them out in the sun.  They were noticeably softer but no failures.  WST can be harder to find though and usually is about the same price as 231 or slightly more expensive.

Use your barrel to chamber check your loads and don't go over 900 FPS or so with lead bullets. 

[h20hunter]

Wasn't sure if I mentioned this at another time but I have an extra case gauge for .45...very very handy. It is new and never used. I think they go about 35$ plus tax and shipping new......pm me and we can work something out if interested.

[high country]

I roll Universal clays and power pistol in my 45. My old rcbs throws them very well.

[KelseyH]

The best thing I can suggest is a case gauge and precheck every round you load prior to heading to the range.  Nothing more frustrating that a case jam due to a bulged or improper case size.


Good Luck!

Kelsey
High Mountain Hunting Supply, LLC

[JackOfAllTrades]

The best thing I can suggest is a case gauge and precheck every round you load prior to heading to the range.  Nothing more frustrating that a case jam due to a bulged or improper case size.


Good Luck!

Kelsey
High Mountain Hunting Supply, LLC

Oh good gosh.... I've fired/reloaded a hundred thousand 45acp in the last 20 years, some 30,000 through my current Kimber SS Custom II, and never once put my shells through a case guage. I measure my 'Target/competition slow fire' brass with a dial caliper since I want the light taper crimp to be abosolutely consistent, but I don't for the other thousands of rounds I reload/fire. 45acp brass actually shrinks over time, (reloaded/fired brass), unlike bottle neck rifle cases that stretch when fired. 
 
That said, your best case guage is your barrel/chamber.
 
Remember that 45acp head spaces on the neck so don' t roll crimp, and only a .462" taper crimp for cast bullets. Maybe a tad less crimp for jacketed bullets.
 
-Steve

[sirmissalot]

Some good info here.

I've been loading with power pistol for some time now for the 45 and the 40

[crazysccrmd]

I've used Power Pistol and AA5 for 45ACP with 185gr plated FN bullets. It's great for cheap target ammo and practice, I stick with Corbon/Hornady 165/185gr factory loads for carry.

A tip, for mass producing on a single stage press try using the Lee powder dippers. I can get a consistent scoop within +/- .1gr which is more than enough for your mid-level power target ammo. For my 10mm hunting loads that are max power I hand measure, but I'm loading a lot less of those in a single sitting.

[andersonjk4]

I've used Power Pistol and AA5 for 45ACP with 185gr plated FN bullets. It's great for cheap target ammo and practice, I stick with Corbon/Hornady 165/185gr factory loads for carry.

A tip, for mass producing on a single stage press try using the Lee powder dippers. I can get a consistent scoop within +/- .1gr which is more than enough for your mid-level power target ammo. For my 10mm hunting loads that are max power I hand measure, but I'm loading a lot less of those in a single sitting.

I've been thinking about the dippers.  I will have to give them a try.  I figured that at that small of charge and when accuracy isn't critical loading by volume instead of weight might be way quicker.  Thanks for the recommendation.   

[JackOfAllTrades]

Trust your pouder measure to throw consistent charges. Weigh every 5 or 10th one. You can make more mistakes with dippers.
 
-Steve

[high country]

I would never give up my powder measure for a dipper......those are dangerous.

[crazysccrmd]

Trust your pouder measure to throw consistent charges. Weigh every 5 or 10th one. You can make more mistakes with dippers.
 
-Steve

I took the time and measured what the dipper holds for the powder type I'm loading and have never had more than a .1gr variation when using the same method of scooping the powder. Like I typed, they are never used for anything approaching a max load, just target loads when there is plenty of room for a .1gr variation in charge.

[high country]

I stuck a bolt on a 300 wby using a lee loader and a scoop 20 years ago.....never again.

[Wacenturion]

Getting ready to start pistol reloading myself, 45ACP and 9MM.  Have both a single stage and progressive stage Hornady's.  Anybody here using Ramshot pistol powders?  From what I can gather, they meter extremely well and are also very clean...i.e. True Blue or Zip?