.45ACP Easiest To Load?

[H Richard]

If I'm shooting Bullseye, (the reason to go to Camp Perry), I would be loading a much softer shooting load, and find the one that is most accurate. Needs to go into 2" at 50 yards for that game. Power isn't a necessity. I have developed my best load 20 years ago, and just re-verified it last summer again by ransom rest. 4.3 gr. 231 behind 200 gr. (H&G) cast bullet, with Fed primers. This groups into 1.5" at 25 yards from my Series 70 Gold Cup with Kart barrel. I use a 12 lb. recoil spring, and the main spring is 19 lb with the trigger set to break at 4 lbs. Recoil is very mild, and allows faster recovery for aiming in the timed and rapid fire stages.

 

[cp1969]

I think .38/.357 is easier but the .45acp is very easy, too. I think the small primer of the .38/.357 is what makes it easier for me. I've always wondered why the .45 acp needs a large primer. It isn't lighting any more powder than a .38 Special.

 

[ACP230]

The hardball loads I mentioned weren't made for Bullseye. They were for general shooting, plinking, bowling pins, steel plates, etc. They are generally made with either a 230 grain round nose lead bullet, or 230 grain FMJs. (I got a deal on pulled FMJs years ago and bought a few thousands. I wish I'd bought 10,000.)

The Bullseye loads I have been loading recently are made with a light load of Bullseye powder and a 200 grain LSWC bullet.

I find it easier to handle and seat the large pistol primers in the .45 ACP case than small pistol primers in .38 cases.

 

[Nygma]

I will take this a step farther and say that the .45 ACP as a REVOLVER cartridge is the easiest to reload. In a revolver it does not depend on pressure to function properly and the revolver is not demanding in regard to cartridge OAL. The revolver will also handle .45 Super equivalent in ACP brass. The revolvers are also great with very heavy bullets. No doubt about it, the .45 ACP is a fantastic revolver cartridge.

Dave Sinko

Close, but the big heavy rims on the 45 Auto Rim makes it even easier. Plus you can roll crimp or taper crimp for it without worrying it'll get into an auto.

 

[buckeyeshooter1]

For me a bigger and longer case is easier. 45 colt or 44 magnums are easiest, don't even ask me to load 9mm or heaven forbid 25 autos!

 

[VonFatman]

I know others will probably disagree...but believe it or not, I have found .380 to be the easiest caliber to load on my 650. I was sure I'd not find this...but for me it was.

Bob

 

[Last of the Mohicans]

Volume wise, I probably load more .38 Special than anything else. However, I would have to concur that I find the .45ACP to be easy to load compared to many other handgun cartridges.

 

[novalty]

I think .38/.357 is easier but the .45acp is very easy, too. I think the small primer of the .38/.357 is what makes it easier for me. I've always wondered why the .45 acp needs a large primer. It isn't lighting any more powder than a .38 Special.

Here is an interesting article on the .45acp and primer size--at least I thought it was interesting. This & That

 

[cp1969]

Thank you.

 

[growr]

I don't understand why people have so much trouble with 9mm/.40.....dropping casings all over? What else is the problem? I use a Dillon 550 as well and have no problem at all. Must be doing something wrong on my end..
Randy

 

[ACP230]

An occasional dropped case wouldn't bother me too much.

The other problem with 9mm, for me, is that I can't find a real accurate 9mm load. I've used TC and RN lead bullets, and 124 and 115 grain FMJs and got indifferent results with all of them.

The two problems together make it my least favorite pistol round to load.

 

[ChuckS1]

I like the .45 ACP but the .45 Colt is just a tad bit more fun for me.

 

[Last of the Mohicans]

Just another observation...I just finished reloading several hundred .45ACP and am in the process of doing the same with 9mm. I have surplus Canadian IVI military brass and find that every 10th or 12th case has an "undersize" primer pocket that results in a partially seated primer stuck in the case, which in turn traps the case in the shell holder. This stops the whole works until I can pop the primer out of the case...minor, but a royal pain...and the IVI is such good brass.

 

[5906fan]

.45acp is easy to load. I like 200gr cast rn's over 4gr Red Dot.

 

[jt1]

I have surplus Canadian IVI military brass and find that every 10th or 12th case has an "undersize" primer pocket that results in a partially seated primer stuck in the case, which in turn traps the case in the shell holder. This stops the whole works until I can pop the primer out of the case...minor, but a royal pain...and the IVI is such good brass.

Did the brass have crimped primers? If so, the crimp may not be fully removed.

John

 

[MikeD49]

If the .45ACP is easier to load it's probably because I load so many of them on my Dillon Square Deal. I shoot and load more 45acp than all other handgun cartridges combined. Equipment and familiarity?

 

[w2kbr]

Well, I'm new to reloading, but I do .45, 38/357, and 9MM. I'm kinda an old dude at 71, but have no problems loading any of the above. But I still do a quick check every 10th round, and being retired don't care how long it takes as long as the product is correct.

As for 9MM accuracy, it's been tough to find the right mix. On paper I want "In the Black at 25 and 50 yards". Have been told that folks have spent big bucks to get really accurate 9MM pieces, and still have problems, not to mention the "right" load.......

regards
R

 

[ACP230]

My son shot up almost all the .45 target loads I made while practicing for Camp Perry. (I have been sick for the past 10 days so got behind in my loading.)

Today I made about 150 so he's good for next week.
Just 400 Winchester LP primers left but he thinks that will hold him till the Nationals. Now I need to find another case of those primers at a fairly reasonable price.

 

[running iron]

No the 45 acp is not the easiest round to load for me. The 44 Special and 44 Magnum are. I check every 45acp round I load with a Wilson Max Case Gauge.I have no time at all for jams or FTF's. I have a few different 45's and sometimes I have to do a little filing on the nicks around the rim. I never have to do anything to my 44 brass. Auto pistols are more particular about brass than most wheel guns from my experience. They are easier to de-cap & resize because they are so short, but that's only one step for us diehards that still like the old single stage set up.

 

[Forrest r]

The 45acp is a great round to reload/shoot, like the 200gr bullets myself. Bullets are easy to hold, nice fat brass, large primers to see & use, excellent case capacity in the tumbler. I use a hornady progressive so using a lee factory finish sizer doesn't matter, It's still 1 pull of the handle. The only draw back that I could see with reloading the 45acp was casting the bullets for it. Was using the 230gr cast bullet & it used up alot of lead. Switching to the 200gr helped, lead goes farther & can cast more per pot.