Newbie wants to start-.45 or 9mm

sox · October 13, 2001, 10:42 PM

This is for the experienced guys, I am going to start to reload. I shoot both .45acp and 9mm. Which is easier to start with for a newbie like myself? Also, what is the cost for say 100 rounds of .45acp fmj? Thank you.

Chemistry · October 13, 2001, 11:29 PM

I learned by starting on the 9 mm cartridge.

My first loads were with Alliant's Power Pistol. This powder gives you excellent velocities while keeping pressures down.

Also, it's very easy to see when you have stuck 6.3 grains of Alliant Power Pistol in a 9 mm case; double charging a 9 mm case with this stuff is impossible to do without blatantly noticing the overflowing powder.

My first loads were with Remington 124 grain FMJ. Easy bullet to load. However, my other choices of components were not exactly ideal for the first time loader. I had lots of once-fired Sellier and Bellot 9 mm brass, which has a tighter primer pocket than most other brands of brass, and I was using Fiocchi's leadless small pistol primers, which tend to be slightly larger than the other brands.

In addition to this, I did not have my RL550B mounted on a secure benchtop, instead trying to load my ammo on a MidwayUSA portable bench top that would wobble every time I actuated the crank.

I would suggest trying Winchester primers, since they seem to slide more easily into the primer pockets than other brands.

Clark · October 14, 2001, 12:49 AM

If I were to start out in 9mm now, knowing what I know, I would use 124 gr jacketed bullets, Power Pistol powder, RP primed brass, and a Lee Single stage press.

In 45: Power Pistol again.

Dogjaw · October 14, 2001, 06:10 AM

I'd start reloading the .45 first. Why? Because those suckers cost a lot more than 9mm from the factory. Really, flip a coin. There is really do difference in effort and ability for loading each. Keep it simple and use what's in your reloading manual and have fun.

maxwayne · October 14, 2001, 06:17 AM

I think that 45's are much easier to load. Those 9's seem so tiny. Also 9mm is so cheap now that I am shooting Blazer for $2.99 per box. You can same lots of money loading 45's.

DialONE911 · October 14, 2001, 05:13 PM

.45ACP is the best round to start with. It is more forgiving, you save more money and the components are easy to work with.

Depending on your sources, you can load 50 230gr fmj rounds for $8.00, but with 200gr lsw bullets you can cut that in half.

Freedom in theSkies · October 14, 2001, 05:20 PM

I tend to agree that the .45 is a bigger cost savings to reload.
Montana gold 200 gr. jacketed bullets a very inexpensive and I prefer 6.8gr of Unique under them. Winchester primers fit nicely in the Winchester cases that I use.
The cases tend to be easier to handle than 9mm as well.

WESHOOT2 · October 15, 2001, 06:08 AM

Suggest starting with 45ACP; easier to hold pieces.

W231, IMI cases, CCI300, 230g LRN/FMJ, OAL 1.255-1.260".

Adventurer_96 · October 16, 2001, 01:35 AM

I've only been reloading for a few months now, and I load both 9mm and .45, mainly because I hoarded all of my brass for years and I have a few thousand 9mm and almost a thousand .45 cases. I think they're both equally easy to load, but now I'm trying to find a load in 9mm my Beretta likes to shoot. My 1911 is quite happy with 4.0 gr Red Dot over a 200 gr SWC and shoots it accurately.

I agree with the .45 as far as being more economical to reload. Just look at Midway's sale on Winchester cheapie 9mm ammo, and the prices for .45 components! The only drawback which I've experienced is that there's a lot more volume in a .45 to fill with powder, and consequently a lot more room for variation in charges depending on your method of filling the cases.

What do you shoot more? If you shoot 50 9mm a week and 500 .45's, that could also be a factor.

Check Six.

October 13, 2001, 10:42 PM	#1
sox Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta Georgia Posts: 591	Newbie wants to start-.45 or 9mm This is for the experienced guys, I am going to start to reload. I shoot both .45acp and 9mm. Which is easier to start with for a newbie like myself? Also, what is the cost for say 100 rounds of .45acp fmj? Thank you.

October 14, 2001, 05:20 PM	#7
Freedom in theSkies Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2001 Location: The "Nice Dictatorship" of Canada Posts: 250	I tend to agree that the .45 is a bigger cost savings to reload. Montana gold 200 gr. jacketed bullets a very inexpensive and I prefer 6.8gr of Unique under them. Winchester primers fit nicely in the Winchester cases that I use. The cases tend to be easier to handle than 9mm as well. __________________ Live in peace... But defend it...Embrace it... But never take it for granted...

October 15, 2001, 06:08 AM	#8
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	AFTER MAKING A MILLION Suggest starting with 45ACP; easier to hold pieces. W231, IMI cases, CCI300, 230g LRN/FMJ, OAL 1.255-1.260". __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

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October 13, 2001, 11:29 PM	#2
Chemistry Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2001 Location: Central Alabama Posts: 158	I learned by starting on the 9 mm cartridge. My first loads were with Alliant's Power Pistol. This powder gives you excellent velocities while keeping pressures down. Also, it's very easy to see when you have stuck 6.3 grains of Alliant Power Pistol in a 9 mm case; double charging a 9 mm case with this stuff is impossible to do without blatantly noticing the overflowing powder. My first loads were with Remington 124 grain FMJ. Easy bullet to load. However, my other choices of components were not exactly ideal for the first time loader. I had lots of once-fired Sellier and Bellot 9 mm brass, which has a tighter primer pocket than most other brands of brass, and I was using Fiocchi's leadless small pistol primers, which tend to be slightly larger than the other brands. In addition to this, I did not have my RL550B mounted on a secure benchtop, instead trying to load my ammo on a MidwayUSA portable bench top that would wobble every time I actuated the crank. I would suggest trying Winchester primers, since they seem to slide more easily into the primer pockets than other brands.

October 14, 2001, 12:49 AM	#3
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	If I were to start out in 9mm now, knowing what I know, I would use 124 gr jacketed bullets, Power Pistol powder, RP primed brass, and a Lee Single stage press. In 45: Power Pistol again.

October 14, 2001, 06:10 AM	#4
Dogjaw Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2001 Location: S.W. Michigan Posts: 560	I'd start reloading the .45 first. Why? Because those suckers cost a lot more than 9mm from the factory. Really, flip a coin. There is really do difference in effort and ability for loading each. Keep it simple and use what's in your reloading manual and have fun.

October 14, 2001, 06:17 AM	#5
maxwayne Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2001 Posts: 402	I think that 45's are much easier to load. Those 9's seem so tiny. Also 9mm is so cheap now that I am shooting Blazer for $2.99 per box. You can same lots of money loading 45's.

October 14, 2001, 05:13 PM	#6
DialONE911 Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2000 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 214	.45ACP is the best round to start with. It is more forgiving, you save more money and the components are easy to work with. Depending on your sources, you can load 50 230gr fmj rounds for $8.00, but with 200gr lsw bullets you can cut that in half.

October 16, 2001, 01:35 AM	#9
Adventurer_96 Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2000 Location: Utah Posts: 417	I've only been reloading for a few months now, and I load both 9mm and .45, mainly because I hoarded all of my brass for years and I have a few thousand 9mm and almost a thousand .45 cases. I think they're both equally easy to load, but now I'm trying to find a load in 9mm my Beretta likes to shoot. My 1911 is quite happy with 4.0 gr Red Dot over a 200 gr SWC and shoots it accurately. I agree with the .45 as far as being more economical to reload. Just look at Midway's sale on Winchester cheapie 9mm ammo, and the prices for .45 components! The only drawback which I've experienced is that there's a lot more volume in a .45 to fill with powder, and consequently a lot more room for variation in charges depending on your method of filling the cases. What do you shoot more? If you shoot 50 9mm a week and 500 .45's, that could also be a factor. Check Six.