Which is easiest/most forgiving for Beginner?

sox · July 16, 2002, 09:59 PM

So guys, I ask your sage advice, or "how not to blow up a newbie" Which is easiest/ most forgiving for a beginner, .40S&W, 9mm, .45ACP. Thanks.

Chief Jones · July 16, 2002, 10:16 PM

45 (IMO)....just check case length, taper crimp and check to avoid double charges....of course that's good advice for any of the calibers you mentioned...

Jeeper · July 16, 2002, 10:27 PM

40 is a pretty high pressure cartridge so I would stay away from that. Really if you follow the load book you should be alright trying any loads first. Just dont go over or under the powder weight. Get a good case gauge and measure the length and you should be fine.

Steve Smith · July 17, 2002, 09:37 AM

.45 acp

Check case length? Ok, if it makes you feel better. I don't even do that with .45 acp.

Bogie · July 17, 2002, 10:24 AM

Lessee - does unique fill more than 50% of the case with a 9mm?

Find a bulky powder. It is WAY too easy to double charge with Bullseye.

nyetter · July 17, 2002, 03:29 PM

It is definitely possible to double charge a 9mm case with Bullseye, or another dense powder like Titegroup or W231. IMR 700-X, the slower Alliant powders like Herco, Blue Dot, and Power Pistol, and Vihtavuori powders are bulkier and will fill to the brim or spill over if double-charged.

I've not loaded any .45 yet, but I can definitely say that the 9mm is more forgiving than .38Spl/.357Mag.

stans · July 17, 2002, 06:22 PM

45 ACP, everything is big, easy to see, easy to handle, just don't drop a case (1000) of 200grain bullets on your foot!

Ala Dan · July 19, 2002, 04:08 AM

.45 ACP

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

Zorro · July 19, 2002, 08:54 PM

Any revolver Cartridge.

.44 Mag in a Ruger Super Blackhawk Single Action is pretty blow up proof.

Automatic pistol cartridges are much harder.

.38 Special is easy to load too, but it is much easier to double charge a .38 than a .44 Mag.

jjmorgan64 · July 19, 2002, 10:00 PM

All pretty easy the 45 will be easiest to learn with, bigger pieces.

Good luck

labgrade · July 20, 2002, 02:04 AM

Never loaded for yer .40 or .45s, but the 9 is "fairly" prone to a way high-pressure loading due to bullet set-back (that minimal case volume thing). Maybe prone isn't the right word at all .... taking care of proper neck tensions, etc, & you'll never run across it - can, but shouldn't happen.

Have used Bluedot with good results in the 9 & switched to Bullseye. Do have some doubts on a progressive though ..... still not all that "comfortable" with Bullseye in a progressive - but that's just me.

WESHOOT2 · July 20, 2002, 09:38 AM

45 ACP is by far the easiest simplest safest to load handgun cartridge.

Selfdfenz · July 20, 2002, 09:40 PM

Any revolver 38 spl or bigger is very easy but for autos 45 is the pick of the litter you listed.
Take care
S-

cheygriz · July 21, 2002, 12:20 AM

I am an absolutely devoted 9MM fan, and I find it easy to load for. Having said that, I must admit that the .45 ACP is probably the very best cartridge for any new beginner to start with.

Whatever you pick, I would advise you to stay away from extremely fast powders like Bullseye, Titegroup, Clays, 231 etc. until you get some experience under your belt.

Choose a powder that will overflow the case in the event of a double charge. When you've been reloading for a couple of years, you may choose to use faster powders, or like me, you may choose not to do so.

Waitone · July 21, 2002, 08:48 PM

I vote for .45 ACP.

Easiest to locate in a bucket full of brass.

Easiest to see inside to check for double load.

Easiest to find on the ground (and that ain't sayin' much) if you shoot outdoors.

Brass is readily available.

Check each case before use for burred mouth.

C. D. Beaver · July 22, 2002, 12:32 PM

If you invert your cases (with the mouths down) in your loading blocks, then set them right side up after charging with powder, the likelihood of a double charge is greatly reduced--but not necessarily eliminated if you grab the wrong case.

July 16, 2002, 09:59 PM	#1
sox Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta Georgia Posts: 591	Which is easiest/most forgiving for Beginner? So guys, I ask your sage advice, or "how not to blow up a newbie" Which is easiest/ most forgiving for a beginner, .40S&W, 9mm, .45ACP. Thanks.

July 16, 2002, 10:27 PM	#3
Jeeper Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2001 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 776	40 is a pretty high pressure cartridge so I would stay away from that. Really if you follow the load book you should be alright trying any loads first. Just dont go over or under the powder weight. Get a good case gauge and measure the length and you should be fine. __________________ Gun control theory - A woman raped and strangled is morally superior to a woman with a smoking gun and a dead rapist at her feet.

July 17, 2002, 09:37 AM	#4
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	.45 acp Check case length? Ok, if it makes you feel better. I don't even do that with .45 acp. __________________ Favor the X. Steve Smith NRA Life Member

July 17, 2002, 10:24 AM	#5
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	Lessee - does unique fill more than 50% of the case with a 9mm? Find a bulky powder. It is WAY too easy to double charge with Bullseye. __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

July 19, 2002, 04:08 AM	#8
Ala Dan Member in memoriam Join Date: August 13, 1999 Location: In The HOT, Humid, and Mu Posts: 6,116	I concur .45 ACP Best Wishes, Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

July 16, 2002, 10:16 PM	#2
Chief Jones Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2002 Location: Wewahitchka, FL Posts: 218	45 (IMO)....just check case length, taper crimp and check to avoid double charges....of course that's good advice for any of the calibers you mentioned...

July 17, 2002, 03:29 PM	#6
nyetter Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 342	It is definitely possible to double charge a 9mm case with Bullseye, or another dense powder like Titegroup or W231. IMR 700-X, the slower Alliant powders like Herco, Blue Dot, and Power Pistol, and Vihtavuori powders are bulkier and will fill to the brim or spill over if double-charged. I've not loaded any .45 yet, but I can definitely say that the 9mm is more forgiving than .38Spl/.357Mag.

July 17, 2002, 06:22 PM	#7
stans Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2001 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 838	45 ACP, everything is big, easy to see, easy to handle, just don't drop a case (1000) of 200grain bullets on your foot!

July 19, 2002, 08:54 PM	#9
Zorro Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2000 Posts: 1,072	Any revolver Cartridge. .44 Mag in a Ruger Super Blackhawk Single Action is pretty blow up proof. Automatic pistol cartridges are much harder. .38 Special is easy to load too, but it is much easier to double charge a .38 than a .44 Mag.

July 19, 2002, 10:00 PM	#10
jjmorgan64 Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2001 Posts: 519	All pretty easy the 45 will be easiest to learn with, bigger pieces. Good luck __________________ The Forty-Four spoke and it sent lead and smoke And seventeen inches of flame. -Marty Robbins JM

July 20, 2002, 02:04 AM	#11
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	Never loaded for yer .40 or .45s, but the 9 is "fairly" prone to a way high-pressure loading due to bullet set-back (that minimal case volume thing). Maybe prone isn't the right word at all .... taking care of proper neck tensions, etc, & you'll never run across it - can, but shouldn't happen. Have used Bluedot with good results in the 9 & switched to Bullseye. Do have some doubts on a progressive though ..... still not all that "comfortable" with Bullseye in a progressive - but that's just me.

July 20, 2002, 09:38 AM	#12
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	WITHOUT QUESTION 45 ACP is by far the easiest simplest safest to load handgun cartridge. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

July 20, 2002, 09:40 PM	#13
Selfdfenz Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2001 Location: The Gas Tax State Posts: 949	Any revolver 38 spl or bigger is very easy but for autos 45 is the pick of the litter you listed. Take care S- __________________ Selfdfenz

July 21, 2002, 12:20 AM	#14
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	I am an absolutely devoted 9MM fan, and I find it easy to load for. Having said that, I must admit that the .45 ACP is probably the very best cartridge for any new beginner to start with. Whatever you pick, I would advise you to stay away from extremely fast powders like Bullseye, Titegroup, Clays, 231 etc. until you get some experience under your belt. Choose a powder that will overflow the case in the event of a double charge. When you've been reloading for a couple of years, you may choose to use faster powders, or like me, you may choose not to do so. __________________ If you think a mighty military force is expensive, wait 'til you see what a weak one costs.

July 21, 2002, 08:48 PM	#15
Waitone Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2000 Posts: 2,904	I vote for .45 ACP. Easiest to locate in a bucket full of brass. Easiest to see inside to check for double load. Easiest to find on the ground (and that ain't sayin' much) if you shoot outdoors. Brass is readily available. Check each case before use for burred mouth. __________________ "Given a choice between good intentions and human nature, I'll go with human nature every time."--Me, 2002.

July 22, 2002, 12:32 PM	#16
C. D. Beaver Member Join Date: May 18, 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 65	If you invert your cases (with the mouths down) in your loading blocks, then set them right side up after charging with powder, the likelihood of a double charge is greatly reduced--but not necessarily eliminated if you grab the wrong case.