Perfect storm for reloading 45acp?

[novalty]

This past year has certainly been crazy for the reloading supply market. We've fortunately seen primers come back to open availability, and rifle powders have finally started being commonly in-stock. Handgun powders are seeing an increased availability with a lot more sightings in local markets, as well as online for hugely popular powders like W231, HP38, Unique, Bullseye, and the return of Clays powder for 2015.

Well today as I sit here contemplating loading 45acp for this years shooting season, as another storm bears down on the northeast looking to drop another foot of snow on top of the 4 feet that we've received in the past two weeks, I find myself in a perfect storm of events for reloading. Over the past year, my shooting bench has gone through some changes with the switch from a Redding T-7 turret to a Dillon RL550B.

I addition to this my supply of powder started off 2014 with a dwindled supply of W231 and Unique. Due to both of these powders being unavailable or hard to get, I end up restocking with Bullseye, AA#5, and a jug of Ramshot Competition. Foreseeing another 3 months before I get out to the range, I'm trying to determine where I should start with reloading my cast 200gr SWC's. Bullseye will probably be my first candidate as I have opened a jug, to starting testing it with my 9mm cast bullets.

Multiple changes and no opportunity to test them out of 3 months is really difficult for someone with OCD tendencies. Looking forward to when I get a load set and can just crank out some rounds.

 

[KLYDE]

I'm sitting here watching it fall. The piles are so high I can't throw it to the top of them anymore. My back is killing me!

Power Pistol has been very abundant around here for some time. Good alternative if available. I know you are a little bit North but hopefully it is around. It is an excellent powder for use in both the 9mm and the .45. Close in burn rate to Unique but meters like 231. After trying some it will be in my inventory from now on.

I'm heading out to shovel.

Update... Monday night. 25" on top of the 3 feet we had and still falling. Forecast to stop sometime tomorrow. It is a disaster here.

 

[epj]

So long as you're sticking to a proven formula, I wouldn't be reluctant to load up a few thousand rounds without testing. I think 5 gr or so of bullseye is a go to load, though your gun might like 4.9 and my gun might like 5.1. Unless we're shooting 50yd bullseye here, it likely won't matter.
You have my deepest sympathies regarding your weather.

 

[ageingstudent]

I hear you buddy; I couldn't stand hanging out at home for another weekend. I trudged out in the cold soaking rain yesterday and did some shooting/testing in the mountains anyway. Weather was miserable but I feel better that I got out. That storm you got going on over there is a bummer though. Pretty hard to get out in that:/.

All the changes in powder have slowed me down too. It's like starting all over. I used to have one standard powder per caliber and maybe a pound of something different for testing. Now my bench is full of whatever I could find here and there. Doing a quick count...7 different powders just for pistol.

 

[gaijin]

Ditto epj's comment.
5 gr.+- Bullseye and a 200 gr. SWC should work well in terms of "autoloader" function and accuracy.

 

[gm272gs]

I bought an 8-pound jug of Titegroup ($125) the other day. That represents over 11,000 loaded rounds of .45ACP in the future. Maybe I should get some more.

 

[scooter123]

Novalty, and RL550 and OCD just do NOT compute, you only think you have OCD tendencies. I was loading some .223 Remington yesterday using Varget and I have tweezers next to the scale. Because OCD means adjusting a powder charge one single granule at a time.

As for Accurate #5, I can tell you that you will absolutely LOVE loading with this powder. Because with a standard deviation 0.014 out of an RCBS Competition powder measure you can be confident of a maximum deviation of about 0.05 grain. Basically it's one of the best metering powders in existence. The only negative is that it has such a fine grain size it will leak from powder measures with too much clearance. Another plus for #5 is that it was developed specifically for the 45 ACP and the burn rate is perfect for this caliber, so it will yield higher velocities than any other powder suitable for the 45 ACP. BTW, if you want to load powder puffs for 45 ACP I've found IMR SR7625 is another powder that meters superbly and produces distinctly light recoiling loads.

Can't comment on Bullseye, I've seen in around but haven't picked any up. Currently I have enough SR7625 to see me through for another 4 or 5 years. In another year or two I may pick up a pound of Bullseye just to test it as an alternate to the 7625 but I'm in no rush at this point.

Also can't comment on the Ramshot Competition, I cannot recall EVER seeing a Ramshot powder at any dealer I frequent or at any gun show I've attended.

 

[Peakes]

The weather pattern here in MT. have been crazy as well..We went from a very cold November early December to temps. in the mid 60's. This week is calling for 50's. Our snow has gone, and it has set record high temps. I have been able to get alot of reloading done, and supplies have been fairly abundant in this area. Hope you come out of the deep freeze!

 

[novalty]

Well I got most of my case prep work done for 45's. Was looking over the Lyman 49th edition and see they have two load listings for 200gr. LSWC's. Oddly enough the data does not match.

With their #452460 mold:
Starting: 3.5gr. Bullseye
Max Load: 5.6gr Bullseye

With their #452630 mold:
Starting: 4.9gr Bullseye
Max Load: 6.0gr. Bullseye

I've got a ballpark idea on where I am going to start, but thought it was odd at the starting and maximum load levels for essentially the same bullet using the same powder.

 

[Engineer1911]

Was looking over the Lyman 49th edition and see they have two load listings for 200gr. LSWC's.

With their #452460 mold:

With their #452630 mold:

I have both those molds. One bullet has a short nose and longer bearing area (Lyman style wadcutter). The other bullet has a long nose and shorter bearing area (H&G #68). I'm too lazy to get my manual or molds and look to very which one is which. The Long Nose bullet has no problem feeding in most 1911s. The short nose only worked in my Colt Gold Cup -- don't know why.

I shoot a 200 gr SWC with #5 powder, but my load is less than minimum because I use a 12# recoil spring. The volume of powder for AA #2 and AA#5 in a 45 ACP load is very close for the published starting load. I found this out when I switched from #2 to #5 powder that the Dillon powder measure was good to go without any adjustment.

 

[novalty]

Thanks Engineer1911,

I will be loading some test rounds with my 3 new powders for 45: Bullseye, AA#5, and Ramshot Competition. I just plink anyway, so just need to find a good charge volume for function properly. Shoot at my plate rack mostly, not overly concerned with ragged hole groups on paper. The pain is that I have plenty of time to reload during the winter, but can't test. So as Spring hits when I'll be busier with yard work, cutting firewood, etc. I'll only have test loads to take to the range instead of an ample supply of range ammo.

 

[Step N. Mud]

being here in south Tx., I can't say for sure, but heard snow banks make for wonderful bullet stops.

p.s.
5 grs. bullseye and 45 auto made for each other.

 

[novalty]

p.s.
5 grs. bullseye and 45 auto made for each other.

That is what I was looking at for Bullseye. For Ramshot Competition I'm looking at a 4.0grs, and AA#5 8.0grs.

 

[SMSgt]

Because OCD means adjusting a powder charge one single granule at a time.

Whoa! I guess I am OCD.

 

[SMSgt]

Because OCD means adjusting a powder charge one single granule at a time.

Whoa! I guess I am OCD.

 

[bigsteve113]

Sorry guys, but I'm in short sleeves today in South Louisiana!!

 

[forestswin]

I feel your pain too novalty

not much snow, but its been cold down here.
every time we get some temps above 30 degrees - it does that sleet / rain thing

like ageingstudent - I think I'm going to have to just get out there!

What's bugging me - is now I am wasting so much time on the 3 rifles I just started reloading for

I'm sitting on three rounds each of a bunch of different powders and bullets
all at min charge!
I know I'll be going with higher charges, but I got to work my way up

BTW novalty - if your charges weights aren't quite right and don't ring the plate like you want
adapt - get a bigger target

Amazon.com : Steel Targets 12" x 1/2" : Hunting Targets And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

that should do it

 

[novalty]

BTW novalty - if your charges weights aren't quite right and don't ring the plate like you want
adapt - get a bigger target

Amazon.com : Steel Targets 12" x 1/2" : Hunting Targets And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

that should do it

Well, I could try that approach or just reload more so I can throw more lead at the plates. geniusrear

 

[Rocket3]

Bad weather, a cup of joe and a good reloading press.

Without a doubt the next best thing to dropping the hammer.

 

[novalty]

Expecting to get over another foot of new snow tomorrow. Instead of reloading, will be spending this storm pulling the motor out of my 1970 Chevy Nova. I'm already tired of winter, and just want warm weather and hear the hum of a small block 350 while cruising, and hear the ring of steel at the range.