.45 ACP vs. .45 Super Brass

MikeFromIowa · December 19, 2000, 09:23 PM

I will soon be reloading for a 1911 that I have purchased, and am wondering if 45 Super Brass will last longer as opposed to regular ACP brass? I plan on loading target type loads, but may need to occasionally load to the IDPA power factor. I plan on using Starline Brass as I have had really good success with it in the past. The same question also applies to my .38/.357, where I plan to load wadcutters. Any knowledge would be appreciated!

--Mike From Iowa

Airborne · December 19, 2000, 10:56 PM

Starline .45 Super brass is quite a bit thicker in the web area of the case head. Considering this is where most case failure will occur, I would have to say they will last longer than standard .45 Auto brass. Of course this also raises the issue of a decreased case volume internally. I have never noticed any difference pressure wise when I load with identical powder/bullet/primer combinations with standard cases vs. Super cases. .45 cases are pretty roomy to begin with, so I think the volume issue is pretty moot. Let me put it this way. All new .45 cases I buy are .45 Super Starlines. What more can I say.

Regards,

SM

Casey · December 20, 2000, 11:11 AM

If you are loading target type loads (I assume that means you are loading to 700 to 900 fps; somewhere in that area) why would you need stronger brass?

I have regular .45 ACP brass, of different manufacturers (Winchester, Federal and others) that I have loaded so many times in the last year that the logo can't be read. Normal brass for .45 ACP, loaded to target velocities, will last a very long time.

I load on a Dillon SDB, and am getting to the point that I wonder if I will wear the primer pocket out before the brass is acctually unusable.

Just my findings. I guess if you can get the .45 Super brass for the right price, why wouldn't you use it? The only negative other than the volume being smaller (which probably wouldn't matter much at target load velocities) would be the fact that you would have to be careful about picking up your brass at the range and not accidently slipping in normal .45 ACP brass.

Casey

bk40 · December 21, 2000, 02:37 PM

Airborne or anyone else who knows, can you use .45acp dies with 45 Super brass or do you need special dies?

WalterGAII · December 21, 2000, 03:54 PM

You use regular old .45 ACP dies. The external dimensions of .45ACP and .45 Super are the same. After Jan, 450SMC will be available from Triton. It's going to be a zinger, and it also takes regular dies.

JoeHatley · December 21, 2000, 09:17 PM

Mike,

Check out the sectioned cases in this artice: http://www.realguns.com/archives/020.htm

BTW: How 'bout them Hawks!!! (9/0)

Joe

bk40 · December 22, 2000, 12:11 AM

Thanks Walt.

December 19, 2000, 10:56 PM	#2
Airborne Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 1999 Posts: 229	Starline .45 Super brass Starline .45 Super brass is quite a bit thicker in the web area of the case head. Considering this is where most case failure will occur, I would have to say they will last longer than standard .45 Auto brass. Of course this also raises the issue of a decreased case volume internally. I have never noticed any difference pressure wise when I load with identical powder/bullet/primer combinations with standard cases vs. Super cases. .45 cases are pretty roomy to begin with, so I think the volume issue is pretty moot. Let me put it this way. All new .45 cases I buy are .45 Super Starlines. What more can I say. Regards, SM

December 20, 2000, 11:11 AM	#3
Casey Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2000 Location: Delaware, OH, USA Posts: 279	If you are loading target type loads (I assume that means you are loading to 700 to 900 fps; somewhere in that area) why would you need stronger brass? I have regular .45 ACP brass, of different manufacturers (Winchester, Federal and others) that I have loaded so many times in the last year that the logo can't be read. Normal brass for .45 ACP, loaded to target velocities, will last a very long time. I load on a Dillon SDB, and am getting to the point that I wonder if I will wear the primer pocket out before the brass is acctually unusable. Just my findings. I guess if you can get the .45 Super brass for the right price, why wouldn't you use it? The only negative other than the volume being smaller (which probably wouldn't matter much at target load velocities) would be the fact that you would have to be careful about picking up your brass at the range and not accidently slipping in normal .45 ACP brass. Casey __________________ "Our job is to give people not what they want, but what we decide they ought to have." Richard Salant, former President of CBS News "To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men." Abraham Lincoln

December 21, 2000, 02:37 PM	#4
bk40 Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 1999 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,004	45 Super die question Airborne or anyone else who knows, can you use .45acp dies with 45 Super brass or do you need special dies?

December 21, 2000, 09:17 PM	#6
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	Mike, Check out the sectioned cases in this artice: http://www.realguns.com/archives/020.htm BTW: How 'bout them Hawks!!! (9/0) Joe __________________ Go NRA

December 19, 2000, 09:23 PM	#1
MikeFromIowa Member Join Date: May 13, 2000 Location: Darn Near Canada Posts: 46	I will soon be reloading for a 1911 that I have purchased, and am wondering if 45 Super Brass will last longer as opposed to regular ACP brass? I plan on loading target type loads, but may need to occasionally load to the IDPA power factor. I plan on using Starline Brass as I have had really good success with it in the past. The same question also applies to my .38/.357, where I plan to load wadcutters. Any knowledge would be appreciated! --Mike From Iowa

December 21, 2000, 03:54 PM	#5
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	You use regular old .45 ACP dies. The external dimensions of .45ACP and .45 Super are the same. After Jan, 450SMC will be available from Triton. It's going to be a zinger, and it also takes regular dies.

December 22, 2000, 12:11 AM	#7
bk40 Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 1999 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,004	Thanks Walt.