Advice to a tyro reloader.

oldRoger · #1 03-05-2009, 09:11 PM

I am helping a friend restart reloading after a 30+year lapse.
Of course I am giving him the Lyman Pistol Manual, he will have adequate equipment including a scale, and instruction to set-up and start out.
He only wants to load .45acp mostly for range practice. It will be a long time if ever, before he branches out. I think that I will start him using Red Dot@5grs and a 200gr lswc.
Red Dot is cheap, easy to meter, and bulky enough so that a double charge is really noticeable. 5 grains is sort of a middle of the road charge so not pushing the envelope there.
Does this sound rational?
Any comments appreciated

oldRoger · #2 03-05-2009, 09:11 PM

I am helping a friend restart reloading after a 30+year lapse.
Of course I am giving him the Lyman Pistol Manual, he will have adequate equipment including a scale, and instruction to set-up and start out.
He only wants to load .45acp mostly for range practice. It will be a long time if ever, before he branches out. I think that I will start him using Red Dot@5grs and a 200gr lswc.
Red Dot is cheap, easy to meter, and bulky enough so that a double charge is really noticeable. 5 grains is sort of a middle of the road charge so not pushing the envelope there.
Does this sound rational?
Any comments appreciated

john traveler · #3 03-05-2009, 10:18 PM

That 5.0 grain charge with 200 grain lswc looks good to me too. That same powder charge is good for 185 lswc, 225 RNL, and 230 ball loads too.

I've loaded and fired many, many thousands of those load combinations.

It's right in the middle of the range recommended in the Layman Reloading Handbook 45th Edition. Sould give about 850 fps.

I would be especially carefull to help your friend establish a routine for powder charging and VISIUALLY INSPECTING each and every case before bullet seating. Load safe and have fun!

zercool · #4 03-06-2009, 08:15 AM

My favorite load in my .45ACP is 4.3-4.5 of Green Dot behind a 230gr LRN. Soft and accurate.

Amici · #5 03-06-2009, 08:24 AM

I used Red Dot in my guns for years. However, especially with lead bullets, there is some smoke.

Two suggestions:

Use poly-coated bullets. Cleaner than lead and cheaper than jacketed, or even plated.

2. Check out WST as a propellant.

oldRoger · #6 03-06-2009, 08:49 AM

Thanks J traveler, It was my thinking that its a nice safe load for a tyro. I started with Bullseye many, many years ago, 220gr Ideal, 4.0 grs Bulleseye, 111 primer. But I think there is too much potential for a double charge for beginners. The closer to a full case the better, with bulky powder you can almost fill by eye.

oldRoger · #7 03-06-2009, 08:50 AM

Whoops 200gr Ideal, see mistakes will be made.
Roger

Dale53 · #8 03-06-2009, 10:46 PM

OldRoger;
I think your recommendation is excellent. I have been shooting up partial cans of powder that have been around entirely too long (trying to reduce my inventory). I am loading for a pair of 625's in .45 ACP/Auto Rim.I have recently been through Bullseye at 4.0 grs, Red Dot at 4.0 grs and am now running 4.5 grs of 5066. So you're right in that neighborhood. I think I ran right at 3000 rounds of .45's in 2008 and will probably do at least 5000 rounds this year.

People ask me what I'm shooting and I tell them the truth, of course, "4.0 grs of Bullseye OR equivalent". Red Dot runs close to Bullseye in the low and intermediate loads. I am using 200 gr SWC's in revolvers and you may well be better off with 5.0 grs of Red Dot to insure functioning in untuned 1911's.

Good luck to you and your friend. He's lucky to have you to help him out.

Dale53

Careby · #9 03-07-2009, 05:25 AM

I bought some Titewad instead of Titegroup by mistake and see now that there aren't any handgun loads listed for it. I don't reload for shotgun. The burn rate charts list it faster than Bullseye. I'd be happy with a low velocity plinking load in .38, .44, or .45 but haven't had the nerve to try it. Any suggestions?

45cal · #10 03-09-2009, 06:32 AM

Red Dot is my favorite powder in the 45apc,I shoot 230 ball so I cant speak to your load,4.9 works very well for me in the 230 grain jacketed.

Dale53 · #11 03-09-2009, 06:51 AM

Careby;
Get your information "straight from the horses mouth" by calling Hodgdon direct and talk to one of their techs. There just may be a reason why they don't list pistol data with Titewad. Instead of raw speculation get the "real skinny".

They are nice people to talk to and will be happy to help you.

Dale53