Reloading Recipes?

viper84 · June 16, 2007, 11:02 PM

I'm just starting to reload .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and 5.56/.223 cartridges. I'm curious to know what everyone has reloaded and what tips and suggestions you have to offer. Thanks.

cdrt · June 17, 2007, 07:45 AM

Welcome to the wonderful world of reloading. If you have some reloading manuals, take the time to read the front pages, since they usually have some good advice.
I don't load the .40 or .223, but have loaded lots and lots of .45s since I shoot Bullseye pistol.
I always taper crimp the .45 ACP with both the lead and FMJ bullet. The case mouth after loading usually measures between .470 and .472 in diameter. You'll have some tell you to have "no crimp" on the cartridge, which has never made much sense to me. Taper crimping is consistent and easier to work with than roll crimping if you have varying case lengths.

ShootingNut · June 17, 2007, 09:23 AM

One of my caliber's that I load is the 40SW. As Hodgdon Titegroup is not reccomended for the .40, I have been using Accurate #5 and have been happy with that. May try Bullseye next time on the 40's to see if I notice any difference.
What reloading equipment are you going to use? I load with a Lee Classic Turret Press (4 hole).
I'm by no means the resident guru on this forum, fairly new to reloading, but will say I have learned a fair amount since starting. Some on this forum have forgot, more than I have learned!

So, I have a ways to go, but have enjoyed reloading for my .40, .38Spl, .357Mag, and 9mm. Maybe a .45 is in my future, Hmmmm.

Best

WESHOOT2 · June 17, 2007, 10:02 AM

....is reliable functioning, usable accuracy, and economy.

Try these (well-tested):

40 S&W--
180g Rainier TCJ-FP
CCI500
sized case (I prefer IMI new, R-P used)
6.0g Alliant Power Pistol
OAL 1.130"+/-.005"
LEE Carbide Factory Crimp die
(av = 890--930fps)

45 ACP--
230g LRN
CCI300 or WLP
sized case (I prefer IMI new, most any used)
5.1g W231
OAL 1.257"+/-.005"
LEE Carbide Factory Crimp die
(av = 730--770fps)

With either cartridge ENSURE sufficient case neck tension (by pushing a OAL-measured finished cartridge bullet-first into an immovable object; the cartridge must not shorten).

Last but NOT least: wear glasses when touching anything other than paper while handloading or gun-handling.
See?

shooter_john · June 17, 2007, 10:12 AM

My plinking loads:
.223- Win 55gr PP/ FMJ w/ 25.0 gr of Win 748

.40 S&W- 165gr FMJ w/ 8.0 gr Blud Dot

Both of these are fairly conservative loads according to the Lyman 48th Manual. .223 is shot out of AR15(s), the .40 is for Glocks, and these loads function flawlessly.
Good luck, you will love your new hobby!

fourrobert13 · June 17, 2007, 11:53 AM

For 45 acp, I use 5 gr of Bullseye and Berry's 230 gr plated bullets.

For 223, I use 23 gr of H335 and Hornady 55 gr FMJ's.

I can't remember my old load for 40 cal, but I did use Bullseye powder.

FM12 · June 17, 2007, 01:55 PM

WELCOME to the forum. Also check out and register at www.handloads.com FM12

Edward429451 · June 17, 2007, 02:21 PM

45 ACP--
230g LRN
CCI300 or WLP or Fed 150
Mixed brass
5.5gr WW-231
OAL 1.245" +/-.005"
Dillon taper crimp .471
863 FPS (5")

5.56/.223
62gr SS109
FED 205MGM
LC 91 Brass
23.5gr H-335
2.255 OAL
2936 FPS (20" )
23 AVG DEV
86 ES

5.56/.223
55gr FMJ
Fed 205 SR
LC 92 Brass
26.0gr BLC-2
2.245 OAL
3028 FPS (20")

Tips:

Small rifle primers are kind of scarce right now. DO NOT subsitute Remington 6-1/2 small rifle primers as they are not intended for the application and could be dangerous to use.

These loads were worked up in my guns and may not be suitable for your gun. Reduce the loads and work them up accordingly.

Ball powders seem to work real well in 5.56

June 16, 2007, 11:02 PM	#1
viper84 Junior Member Join Date: February 11, 2007 Posts: 8	Reloading Recipes? I'm just starting to reload .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and 5.56/.223 cartridges. I'm curious to know what everyone has reloaded and what tips and suggestions you have to offer. Thanks.

June 17, 2007, 07:45 AM	#2
cdrt Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 255	Welcome to the wonderful world of reloading. If you have some reloading manuals, take the time to read the front pages, since they usually have some good advice. I don't load the .40 or .223, but have loaded lots and lots of .45s since I shoot Bullseye pistol. I always taper crimp the .45 ACP with both the lead and FMJ bullet. The case mouth after loading usually measures between .470 and .472 in diameter. You'll have some tell you to have "no crimp" on the cartridge, which has never made much sense to me. Taper crimping is consistent and easier to work with than roll crimping if you have varying case lengths. __________________ Navy Vet, SWIFT Boat OIC, Distinguished Pistol Shot #1399 USS JOHN S. MCCAIN (DDG-36)

June 17, 2007, 09:23 AM	#3
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	viper One of my caliber's that I load is the 40SW. As Hodgdon Titegroup is not reccomended for the .40, I have been using Accurate #5 and have been happy with that. May try Bullseye next time on the 40's to see if I notice any difference. What reloading equipment are you going to use? I load with a Lee Classic Turret Press (4 hole). I'm by no means the resident guru on this forum, fairly new to reloading, but will say I have learned a fair amount since starting. Some on this forum have forgot, more than I have learned! So, I have a ways to go, but have enjoyed reloading for my .40, .38Spl, .357Mag, and 9mm. Maybe a .45 is in my future, Hmmmm. Best

June 17, 2007, 10:02 AM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Safety First, but second..... ....is reliable functioning, usable accuracy, and economy. Try these (well-tested): 40 S&W-- 180g Rainier TCJ-FP CCI500 sized case (I prefer IMI new, R-P used) 6.0g Alliant Power Pistol OAL 1.130"+/-.005" LEE Carbide Factory Crimp die (av = 890--930fps) 45 ACP-- 230g LRN CCI300 or WLP sized case (I prefer IMI new, most any used) 5.1g W231 OAL 1.257"+/-.005" LEE Carbide Factory Crimp die (av = 730--770fps) With either cartridge ENSURE sufficient case neck tension (by pushing a OAL-measured finished cartridge bullet-first into an immovable object; the cartridge must not shorten). Last but NOT least: wear glasses when touching anything other than paper while handloading or gun-handling. See? __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

June 17, 2007, 11:53 AM	#6
fourrobert13 Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: South West Ohio Posts: 336	For 45 acp, I use 5 gr of Bullseye and Berry's 230 gr plated bullets. For 223, I use 23 gr of H335 and Hornady 55 gr FMJ's. I can't remember my old load for 40 cal, but I did use Bullseye powder. __________________ Be aware of yourself and everything around you.

June 17, 2007, 10:12 AM	#5
shooter_john Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2002 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 1,472	My plinking loads: .223- Win 55gr PP/ FMJ w/ 25.0 gr of Win 748 .40 S&W- 165gr FMJ w/ 8.0 gr Blud Dot Both of these are fairly conservative loads according to the Lyman 48th Manual. .223 is shot out of AR15(s), the .40 is for Glocks, and these loads function flawlessly. Good luck, you will love your new hobby! __________________ TROTAC.com

June 17, 2007, 01:55 PM	#7
FM12 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2007 Location: Monroeville, Alabama Posts: 1,683	WELCOME to the forum. Also check out and register at www.handloads.com FM12

June 17, 2007, 02:21 PM	#8
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	45 ACP-- 230g LRN CCI300 or WLP or Fed 150 Mixed brass 5.5gr WW-231 OAL 1.245" +/-.005" Dillon taper crimp .471 863 FPS (5") 5.56/.223 62gr SS109 FED 205MGM LC 91 Brass 23.5gr H-335 2.255 OAL 2936 FPS (20" ) 23 AVG DEV 86 ES 5.56/.223 55gr FMJ Fed 205 SR LC 92 Brass 26.0gr BLC-2 2.245 OAL 3028 FPS (20") Tips: Small rifle primers are kind of scarce right now. DO NOT subsitute Remington 6-1/2 small rifle primers as they are not intended for the application and could be dangerous to use. These loads were worked up in my guns and may not be suitable for your gun. Reduce the loads and work them up accordingly. Ball powders seem to work real well in 5.56