.45 w/ RedDot Charge question

daYooper · January 18, 2007, 02:40 PM

I'm getting ready to start loading .45 ACP and have purchased a container of RedDot powder. I'm trying to figure out what kind of bullets to use and I have noticed that Red Dot charges are not listed for all kinds of bullets. I was looking to purchase some of the Ranier plated bullets from Midway, but my Lee Reloading book does not have listings for Red Dot under the plated bullets.

Can I safely load using the specs for simple lead while using these plated bullets? It seems like it shouldn't be a problem, but I don't have a good way of comparing charges between plated and jacketed for any given powder.

Also, should I consider just purchasing lead bullets? I am not terribly thrilled with that idea because I'm not real sure how my 1911 will respond to non-jacketed bullets. Is there a significant dis-advantage to lead bullets?

Thanks for the help everyone, I'm new to reloading and excited to get started, but I want to make sure I have all my info together before I do.

~Bazan

amamnn · January 18, 2007, 03:32 PM

Red dot is a pretty fast powder and is not suitable for many handgun loads. I have some that I use for smaller caliber handgun loads, but I originally bought it for shotshell reloading. It's not a powder I use much at all, having found that it has some density issues. If you want to use a good flake powder froom Alliant, Unique would be more versatile. W231 is also a good all rounds handgun powder.

zeisloft · January 18, 2007, 03:55 PM

The only down side of lead (aside from shooting indoors) is when you try to push it fast. That said, I don’t think you will find any problems running lead through a 1911, one of mine has well in excess of 750K of lead through it. I began running lead for economy and never looked back.
~z

daYooper · January 18, 2007, 04:48 PM

Thanks for the tip Amamnn. But can I still use the Red Dot? Maybe I'll just go lead since there shouldn't be any negative effects and I have a load listing for that in my books.

Also, what does everyone recommend for a beginner to use to measure powder? I've got the scoop that came with my die set, but man that could be pretty inaccurate. Any other reasonably priced options?

~Bazan

1tomcat · January 18, 2007, 04:52 PM

you should not have any problems with red dot, I use it in all my light and medium pistol cartridges, 38 45 45acp

JohnLizCas · January 19, 2007, 11:04 AM

I use Red Dot for 45, 9mm, 40 S&W, and 380 ACP reloads. Get manufacturer's specs from Alliant powders. John

cloudcroft · January 19, 2007, 01:51 PM

daYooper,

OF COURSE you can use Red Dot...or Green Dot, or Blue Dot, or Unique...any of them.

I use them all, whichever I have the most of first.

-- John D.

Poodleshooter · January 19, 2007, 02:47 PM

daYooper,
I recommend the Lee Perfect Powder Measure,or the AutoDisk measure. $20-30 at Midway,etc.
The PPM works well with flake powders. That was my first measure after the dippers.
Red Dot is just fine for handgun loads. It's slower than Bullseye,which is a fantastic handgun powder,so don't worry about it being a fast burner.

January 18, 2007, 02:40 PM	#1
daYooper Member Join Date: January 2, 2007 Location: Hancock, MI Posts: 20	.45 w/ RedDot Charge question I'm getting ready to start loading .45 ACP and have purchased a container of RedDot powder. I'm trying to figure out what kind of bullets to use and I have noticed that Red Dot charges are not listed for all kinds of bullets. I was looking to purchase some of the Ranier plated bullets from Midway, but my Lee Reloading book does not have listings for Red Dot under the plated bullets. Can I safely load using the specs for simple lead while using these plated bullets? It seems like it shouldn't be a problem, but I don't have a good way of comparing charges between plated and jacketed for any given powder. Also, should I consider just purchasing lead bullets? I am not terribly thrilled with that idea because I'm not real sure how my 1911 will respond to non-jacketed bullets. Is there a significant dis-advantage to lead bullets? Thanks for the help everyone, I'm new to reloading and excited to get started, but I want to make sure I have all my info together before I do. ~Bazan

January 18, 2007, 03:32 PM	#2
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Red dot is a pretty fast powder and is not suitable for many handgun loads. I have some that I use for smaller caliber handgun loads, but I originally bought it for shotshell reloading. It's not a powder I use much at all, having found that it has some density issues. If you want to use a good flake powder froom Alliant, Unique would be more versatile. W231 is also a good all rounds handgun powder. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

January 18, 2007, 03:55 PM	#3
zeisloft Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2005 Location: Amarillo TX Posts: 419	The only down side of lead (aside from shooting indoors) is when you try to push it fast. That said, I don’t think you will find any problems running lead through a 1911, one of mine has well in excess of 750K of lead through it. I began running lead for economy and never looked back. ~z __________________ A scalpel can be just as effective as a broadsword Obviously, Occam was not a reloader

January 19, 2007, 11:04 AM	#6
JohnLizCas Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 162	Red Dot I use Red Dot for 45, 9mm, 40 S&W, and 380 ACP reloads. Get manufacturer's specs from Alliant powders. John __________________ For those who have had to fight for it, life holds a special meaning that the protected will never know.

January 18, 2007, 04:48 PM	#4
daYooper Member Join Date: January 2, 2007 Location: Hancock, MI Posts: 20	Thanks for the tip Amamnn. But can I still use the Red Dot? Maybe I'll just go lead since there shouldn't be any negative effects and I have a load listing for that in my books. Also, what does everyone recommend for a beginner to use to measure powder? I've got the scoop that came with my die set, but man that could be pretty inaccurate. Any other reasonably priced options? ~Bazan

January 18, 2007, 04:52 PM	#5
1tomcat Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2005 Posts: 147	you should not have any problems with red dot, I use it in all my light and medium pistol cartridges, 38 45 45acp

January 19, 2007, 01:51 PM	#7
cloudcroft Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 565	daYooper, OF COURSE you can use Red Dot...or Green Dot, or Blue Dot, or Unique...any of them. I use them all, whichever I have the most of first. -- John D.

January 19, 2007, 02:47 PM	#8
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	daYooper, I recommend the Lee Perfect Powder Measure,or the AutoDisk measure. $20-30 at Midway,etc. The PPM works well with flake powders. That was my first measure after the dippers. Red Dot is just fine for handgun loads. It's slower than Bullseye,which is a fantastic handgun powder,so don't worry about it being a fast burner.