Loading the 45 acp

7

7887mm08

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After recently purchasing a new sig p320 compact in 45 and already owning a colt 1911, I decided I want to start loading rounds for them. This will not be high volume shooting, just target and plinking ammo that "could also" serve as personal defense if needed. I was thinking 200 gr coated semi-wad cutters
What would you guys recommend for powders, primers, and bullets.
I have saved a couple hundred rem umc brass to start with.
Oh yeah, what die set would you recommend,(I am by no means RICH)
I was thinking the rcbs carbide 3 die set. I do load for several rifle calibers but have not loaded pistol ammo since my dad taught me 40 or so years ago. I have been reading a lot to get familiar with this new endeavor.
Thanks
 
I've been using CFE Pistol for 45 and it's been doing just fine, if I remember correct I used up a pound of red dot before that and it did fine also. I got a cheap Lee carbide 4 die set, works fine, and I ether use 230gr XTPs or 230gr Berry's plated bullets, I've never tried semi wad cutters. And I think I am using fedral primers right now, most the time I use CCI, they both do fine.

Pistols being pistols, I never test for accuracy resting on a bench, I have a S&W 1911 that pretty much shoots all ammo I've tried more accurately than I can hold it. With handgun shooting, speed with multiple shots on target or moving from one target to the next is more important than small groups so I'm happy.

 
I use the RCBS carbide dies to load 200 gr. lead SWC using Accurate #5 for my 1911. Accurate & dependable.

One word of caution on the SWC for 45ACP. Be sure to leave 1/32 to 1/16" of the .45 dia. of bullet exposed to aid in feeding. If you load flush it will cause jamming; at least it did in my Kimber.

Regards,
hm
 
I run the Missouri Coated 200 gr SWC in my XDm. I run 4.6 gr of bullseye. Cycles fine and comfortable to shoot. I use the RCBS carbide dies.
 
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I run bayou coated 200gr swc with 5.0gr of Winchester super target. very accurate in my gun out to 25 yards. Dillon carbide dies in a dillon 550 press. I also use the mr bullet case expander. works like the Lyman M die only for progressive press.
 
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I'm sure there are newer cleaner burning powders available but I have burned buckets of Unique under a 200 gr. H&G SWC. I liked mine about 950 - 1,000 fps. Grouped well on paper and killed small game and pest around the farm pretty well.
 
I shoot 185g Nosler HP, 185G SPEER GOLD DOTS with 9.1-9.6g of AA#5

200g Gold Dots at 8.7g of AA#5

230g Speer Gold Dots at 8.0g of AA#5, 220g hard case flat base with 7.8g of AA#5

AA#5 is VERY, VERY clean burning! AA#5 also meters like water, no powder bridging.

For target loads of extreme accuracy, 200g SWC with 6.0-6.7g of Unique, cci 200 can be very, very accurate in a lot of pistols.

CAUTION: IN SOME PISTOLS, SWC WILL NOT FEED!!!!

check out George's bullets, they look exactly like you see them in this picture when you get them. I had George mold me up a few thousand of soft bullets in the 200g HP, and they expanded to 85 caliber in 5 gallon water jugs laid on their side. George is an avid shooter and Hog hunter in Ga.

http://www.gtbullets.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1
 
I started with Unique and it was pretty nasty stuff; looked like you'd been burning corn cobs in it, but it did shoot very well and dependable. After exhausting the 5# of Unique, switched to the #5 as it was much cleaner burning.

Regards,
hm
 
Thank you all for your info. Yes I have read that swc bullets can be problematic.
Seems that the swc bullets in general, are more accurate (please correct me if im wrong) I have read up so much I get confused sometimes. Any how I think I am going to start with AA #5 and a 200 gr hp jacketed bullet. Where I end up, who knows but the range time will be enjoyable.
 
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I reload for 44 mag, 327 mag, 45-70 and 35 Rem. I am set up to load for my sons 45acps -but- he can buy them in bulk ( 1000 rounds ) as cheap or a hair more than I can load them for.
 
Unfortunately I live in NY so internet purchases are a no no! I do travel out of state every so often to make purchases that I cant get locally and they just happen to be tax free also!
(New Hampshire)
 
Originally Posted By: onegunredI reload for 44 mag, 327 mag, 45-70 and 35 Rem. I am set up to load for my sons 45acps -but- he can buy them in bulk ( 1000 rounds ) as cheap or a hair more than I can load them for.

A quick check, and not shopping much, shows my cost per round right at $0.20 or $10.00/box using a top quality 200 gr SWCL bullet and my brass. Even buying new brass with a life expectancy of 15 firings though I know it's way over 30 brings my cost up about $0.02 per case with new Starline to so out the door for 50 rounds is right on $11.00. I don't find quality ammo for less than about $0.35 per round so for me the choice is easy.

Getting SWC's to feed is often a pretty easy job with some polishing wheels and crocus cloth or a trip to the smith and a crisp $50.00. Most of my 45's were custom built but I've throated a bunch of them over the years with little effort.

I buy my lead bullets in 5,000 lots and use Bullseye powder. I use Dillon or RCBS dies.

Greg
 
I use MBC HyTek for all my lead bullets along with Universal and CCI primers, cost of the loaded 45 is about 20 cents. He is paying about 25 cents at the Rocky Mountain Gun Show. It is not worth my time to do his reloading, we even buy 223 in bulk. I have too much other stuff to do to justify saving 4 cents ----- like SHOOTING. Now I do have dies and stuff for 223 and 45 just in case I need to load. Even WalMart can have good prices.
 
Back when I was competing heavily I avenged around 20,000 rounds/year. The only factory 45 I shot in 15 years was some GI Ball I used for bowling pins because I didn't have any 230 grain pills. At those levels even $0.05 made a difference. In PPC I was shooting around 30,000/year 38 Specials and IHMSA was easily 15,000/year mixed between 308 and 44 MAG.

Being as how 90% of what I shoot now are wildcats I don't have a lot of choice but I do set down for an afternoon and load up enough 45/9MM to have plenty on tap when I hit the ranges with friends on a monthly trip. Dillon and Star presses are my best buddies.

I can't even imagine me getting to my shooting level using factory ammunition. I learned in the mid-70's that I liked customizing the round to the task and I never ran out of ammo that suddenly wasn't available before a match.

Greg
 
you can now find coated bullets as cheap or cheaper than hard cast lead. I have experimented with a few hard cast bullets and coated bullets. Even hard cast was leaving lead behind in my kart barrel. I have yet to find anything left behind using coated 200swc
 
Properly sized and lubed hardcast shoots clean. And with less wear on the bore than a jacketed bullet. Coated bullets are good also. If you use a 200 gr. SWC load to 1.250" OAL and taper crimp to .469". Any .45 ACP that wont feed that ain't worth having.
 
Originally Posted By: GCProperly sized and lubed hardcast shoots clean. And with less wear on the bore than a jacketed bullet. Coated bullets are good also. If you use a 200 gr. SWC load to 1.250" OAL and taper crimp to .469". Any .45 ACP that wont feed that ain't worth having.
I am going to show my IGNORANCE of crimping here and ask what do you mean by -taper crimp to .469".
 
I’ve loaded a lot of 45acp. For everything from glock 21 to 1911 and an ar in 45acp. I started using unique because it’s so versatile. I loaded 9mm 40cal 45acp and 357sig. It’s a good powder but is dirty. I’ve switched to n350 for all my 9mm and 45acp loss. It’s a great powder. Faster and tons cleaner. Meters beautifully too. I use it with 185/200 and 230gr in 45 and 115-124gr in 9mm
 


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