.45 loads for a newbie reloader

buzz_knox · December 13, 2000, 10:15 AM

My brother-in-law and I have just purchased a Dillon 650 and will probably be setting it up over the holidays. We will be reloading .45 for now and I was wondering if ya'll had any good loads. Mainly, we're interested in 230 grain loads that will be comparable to hydrashok and 185 grain loads (for use in a Kimber Ultra Carry for practice).

Poodleshooter · December 13, 2000, 11:29 AM

If you want .45auto+p practice loads, check out Alliant Power Pistol-- http://recipes.alliantpowder.com/rg....escr=185%20JHP has data for that powder.
Try using plated bullets to keep costs down, and you should be able to cook up some nice cheap practice loads.

taco · December 14, 2000, 12:11 AM

For over 10 years I have loaded 180-185gr LWC over 5.6gr of Win231 as my practice load for all my 45ACP pistols. This is mild load that is very accurate in all pistols I have used it in. My "do it all" load is 200gr LWC over same 5.6gr charge of Win231. This load is a little warm but not hot and is very accurate in pistols with barrels over 4". In shorter barrels of Officer Model and Ultra Carry accuracy is only "average". I have loaded over 80,000 rounds of these two loads.

Steve Smith · December 14, 2000, 12:17 AM

taco and I have very similar loads. My IDPA/practice/accuracy load is 5.4 gr. of W231 with a 200 gr. LSWC. The load simulates standard factory load recoil, and bullets travel at 835 fps from my 4" barreled SA.

pokey074 · December 14, 2000, 01:50 PM

buzz: i too am new to reloading .45 and for a Kimber UC. i used to reload .40 with Universal so i decided to use up the rest of my powder for .45. 230gr FMJ over 6gr universal is my load right now. i've read that just plain old Clays and Winchester 231 work well in .45. i think i will be trying Clays next.

Matrix · December 14, 2000, 03:36 PM

Does W231 meter well? Is it clean burning?
I'm new to reloading too -looking for a load to shoot 200grSWC bullets out of my 1911.
Thanks!

WESHOOT2 · December 14, 2000, 07:21 PM

200g LSWC (H&G 68) - IMI case (or any 'brand' case), CCI300 (or WLP), 5.3-5.9g W231 (based on specific desired results), OAL 1.250-1.265" (based on your specific gun).

Recommend any case, Lee "U" undersized sizing die (for used brass), 5.7g W231, CCI300, 200g LSWC from Bull-X or D&J, OAL 1.258". Finish using Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die.

W231 is very easy-metering, clean enough, and very temperature INsensitive in this configuration. Correct 45ACP powder (although Alliant Power Pistol can make +P loads safely).

If you use the 230g bullets try 5.2-5.5g W231.

December 14, 2000, 07:21 PM	#7
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	200g LSWC (H&G 68) - IMI case (or any 'brand' case), CCI300 (or WLP), 5.3-5.9g W231 (based on specific desired results), OAL 1.250-1.265" (based on your specific gun). Recommend any case, Lee "U" undersized sizing die (for used brass), 5.7g W231, CCI300, 200g LSWC from Bull-X or D&J, OAL 1.258". Finish using Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die. W231 is very easy-metering, clean enough, and very temperature INsensitive in this configuration. Correct 45ACP powder (although Alliant Power Pistol can make +P loads safely). If you use the 230g bullets try 5.2-5.5g W231. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

December 13, 2000, 10:15 AM	#1
buzz_knox Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 1999 Location: Knoxville, in the Free State of Tennesse Posts: 4,190	My brother-in-law and I have just purchased a Dillon 650 and will probably be setting it up over the holidays. We will be reloading .45 for now and I was wondering if ya'll had any good loads. Mainly, we're interested in 230 grain loads that will be comparable to hydrashok and 185 grain loads (for use in a Kimber Ultra Carry for practice).

December 13, 2000, 11:29 AM	#2
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	If you want .45auto+p practice loads, check out Alliant Power Pistol-- http://recipes.alliantpowder.com/rg....escr=185%20JHP has data for that powder. Try using plated bullets to keep costs down, and you should be able to cook up some nice cheap practice loads.

December 14, 2000, 12:11 AM	#3
taco Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2000 Location: USA Posts: 936	For over 10 years I have loaded 180-185gr LWC over 5.6gr of Win231 as my practice load for all my 45ACP pistols. This is mild load that is very accurate in all pistols I have used it in. My "do it all" load is 200gr LWC over same 5.6gr charge of Win231. This load is a little warm but not hot and is very accurate in pistols with barrels over 4". In shorter barrels of Officer Model and Ultra Carry accuracy is only "average". I have loaded over 80,000 rounds of these two loads.

December 14, 2000, 12:17 AM	#4
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	taco and I have very similar loads. My IDPA/practice/accuracy load is 5.4 gr. of W231 with a 200 gr. LSWC. The load simulates standard factory load recoil, and bullets travel at 835 fps from my 4" barreled SA.

December 14, 2000, 01:50 PM	#5
pokey074 Member Join Date: October 28, 2000 Location: South Dakota Posts: 64	buzz: i too am new to reloading .45 and for a Kimber UC. i used to reload .40 with Universal so i decided to use up the rest of my powder for .45. 230gr FMJ over 6gr universal is my load right now. i've read that just plain old Clays and Winchester 231 work well in .45. i think i will be trying Clays next.

December 14, 2000, 03:36 PM	#6
Matrix Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: E. PA. Posts: 179	Does W231 meter well? Is it clean burning? I'm new to reloading too -looking for a load to shoot 200grSWC bullets out of my 1911. Thanks!