45 ACP Reloading Advice

[Socalal]

I reload rifle, revolver and shotgun, but have never reloaded for a semi auto pistol. I have tons of RedDot and the brass is easy to find, so I'm thinking about reloading 45 ACP for a model 1911. Any advice or things to watch out for?
TIA, Al

[rice_man]

Straightforward if you already reload rifle. Find a recipe that works for your gun. Just watch out for those Small Pistol Primer cases!

[Tommy Gun]

Stay away from small pistol brass. Just stay with LP due to not needing to buy 2 types of primers.

Other then that follow recipies and find a load that works for your pistol. Plunk test your rounds into the barrel to make sure you don't have issues. Have fun making plinking rounds then try out some +p HP Rounds later.

[XDJYo]

Originally Posted by rice_man

Straightforward if you already reload rifle. Find a recipe that works for your gun. Just watch out for those Small Pistol Primer cases!

SPP in 45 is the DEVIL!!! I hand sorted all of my brass and still some would slip thru the cracks. Going to seat a LPP into a SPP pocket brings the press to a halt! (Dillon 650). Now, I'm a lot more picky when chasing brass at the range. I still hand sort it all, but usually toss some of the brass that I haven't already reloaded previously.

45 ACP is a forgiving round. I use 4.7 of Bullseye with a 230 grain FMJ. I started off at 4.2 and it functioned fine. I may bring it back down and see where I like it. I'd like to get to a softer shooting 45 for the wifey. I bought 200 grain coated SWC, but haven't loaded that yet.

[sirgrumps]

Watch OAL.
Make sure the rounds fit in your magazine.
Stay with the 200 SWC. The longer nose helps to eliminate feeding problems.

[Sailormilan2]

Small pistol primer cases are ok. But they are a pain because they need to be segregated when priming.
I don’t know how many, if any, reloading manuals list Red Dot powder nowadays. So, from the Lyman Manual #45:
200 gr cast….4.0gr/769fps to 5.4gr/959fps

230 gr FMJ….4.0gr/652fps to 5.3gr/818fps.

[Socalal]

Originally Posted by Sailormilan2

Small pistol primer cases are ok. But they are a pain because they need to be segregated when priming.
I don’t know how many, if any, reloading manuals list Red Dot powder nowadays. So, from the Lyman Manual #45:
200 gr cast….4.0gr/769fps to 5.4gr/959fps

230 gr FMJ….4.0gr/652fps to 5.3gr/818fps.

Thanks for the loading data!

[eaglemike]

An overall length for the 200 swc suggested in many manuals is 1.250 to 1.260. Stay to the longer side if your magazine and chamber will allow for it.
Good luck!

[stormvet]

One of the easiest pistol calibers to reload, I use a case gauge. 1911s especially can have tighter chambers, if no case gauge the plunk test is very important. Always use your tightest chamber for the test.

I have around 2000 small pistol primer cases I keep separate, that way if I’m out of large pistol primers I can still shoot 45.

[Romeo_alpha01]

I’ll take those pesky SPP cases! Lol

[Steve45-70]

I put together about 500 yesterday on a single stage press. If you get into casting bullets the 45 is pretty cheap to shoot and very easy to reload. Only issue I have had is with nickel plated cases. Probably my dies but it I am going to have a failure to feed they are always them. Yeah the small primers ones suck. I basically just throw them and the nickel cases away. Brass is easy to come by. Have no idea about Red Dot. For powder coated lead I use WST and am happy with it .

[bigbossman]

Originally Posted by eaglemike

An overall length for the 200 swc suggested in many manuals is 1.250 to 1.260. Stay to the longer side if your magazine and chamber will allow for it.
Good luck!

Aldo - The Plunk Test is where it's at, and will save you a lot of grief.

[Full Clip]

Originally Posted by stormvet

I have around 2000 small pistol primer cases I keep separate, that way if I’m out of large pistol primers I can still shoot 45.

There ya go.

[Cowboy T]

I find that reloading .45 ACP is just like reloading a revolver cartridge. Same steps, same process. It's an easy round to do.

The only caveat I would mention is if you cast your own bullets. Size them to 0.451", and/or use a Lee Factory Crimp Die to make sure your rounds will fit every time, in any .45 ACP firearm. If you're using store-bought bullets, that issue should not come up. Since I use my cast "boolits" with .45 ACP, I do use the Factory Crimp Die for post-sizing. Works very well.

[JagerDog]

123456

1.230 COL, 45 Cal, 6gr Unique. (Ball ammo)

Or of course the appropriate amount of faster pistol powder.

And crimp just enough to eliminate the flare. 45 ACP is "supposed to" headspace on the case mouth.

[eaglemike]

Originally Posted by bigbossman

Aldo - The Plunk Test is where it's at, and will save you a lot of grief.

Plunk test is ok, but doesn't tell one everything. One can make ammunition that doesn't feed reliably, but will pass the plunk test. I did specifically mention if the chamber will allow that length - aka plunk test.
I've seen lots and lots of people that can't get 200 gr swc to feed, all because it's loaded too short. I even learned that the hard way long ago. Sometimes .010 on OAL makes a difference. Some molds are better than others too - if the shoulder is too far out of the case it might not chamber at the length needed for reliable feeding. I've seen that happen with some 185 swc.

Headspacing on the case mouth was mentioned above. It's a good thing if one has a chamber that will do it, most of the time it won't. Most guns aren't reamed with a match chamber, and often the brass is short enough the extractor holds it tight enough the firing pin can set off the primer. I've personally never seen .45acp brass get to trim length. Just for fun, look at the book length for the brass and then measure some. Some reloading manuals have drawings for the chamber and brass, and a few also show the shorter match chamber for .45acp.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by Romeo_alpha01

I’ll take those pesky SPP cases! Lol

they go in the scrap been to be melted down never to be used on this planet again

[kcstott]

I reload a bunch of 45 ACP all advice previously posted is solid.

1911's love ball ammo so FMJ are the easiest to load. Watch the OAL as mentioned make sure they fit the mag all the way down not just the top two or three spots.

[bergmen]

Only one comment from me (very good comments from everyone else here). Make sure to get carbide dies so you don't have to lube cases.

Dan

[Che762x39]

Load a plated 230 grain RN. Some of the Indoor Ranges do not allow lead bullets.

Also the advantage of 230 RN is that they work in all magazines. When I load 200 SWC some of my surplus USGI type magazines don't feed them with 100% reliability.

[beerman]

Originally Posted by JagerDog

123456

1.230 COL, 45 Cal, 6gr Unique. (Ball ammo)

Or of course the appropriate amount of faster pistol powder.

And crimp just enough to eliminate the flare. 45 ACP is "supposed to" headspace on the case mouth.

That’s awesome Jag.. never saw that before.. I think I go 6.2.. but 6 is a good target/ lead load.

[Southpaw45]

Originally Posted by kcstott

they go in the scrap been to be melted down never to be used on this planet again

I'm beginning to love those SPP .45ACP cases. Performs just like LPP cases and I don't have to change over the priming system on the Dillon when switching from calibers like 9mm and .38spl.

[ptmn]

Separate out all small pistol primers brass. Load and use the standard large pistol brass as your go to.

Load and use the small pistol primer brass whenever you are planning to shoot out at BLM land or other places that you will have a hard time collecting your brass or ranges that don't allow or discourage you from picking up brass.

[bruce381]

"SPP in 45 is the DEVIL!!! I hand sorted all of my brass and still some would slip thru the cracks. Going to seat a LPP into a SPP pocket brings the press to a halt! (Dillon 650)"

yeah that and a primer stack kaboom i HAD 2 Till I learned to feel the large primer going into a small. Dillion will send a whole new primer feeder and then they laugh at u

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by Southpaw45

I'm beginning to love those SPP .45ACP cases. Performs just like LPP cases and I don't have to change over the priming system on the Dillon when switching from calibers like 9mm and .38spl.

Thats why I have two Dillon's And the SPP 45 ACP still goes in the scrap heap. Hate the crap.

[Cowboy T]

Originally Posted by bruce381

"SPP in 45 is the DEVIL!!! I hand sorted all of my brass and still some would slip thru the cracks. Going to seat a LPP into a SPP pocket brings the press to a halt! (Dillon 650)"

yeah that and a primer stack kaboom i HAD 2 Till I learned to feel the large primer going into a small. Dillion will send a whole new primer feeder and then they laugh at u

Originally Posted by kcstott

Thats why I have two Dillon's And the SPP 45 ACP still goes in the scrap heap. Hate the crap.

My presses (Lee Pro 1000 and 6000) don't quite stop, but I still have to be careful about SPP cases and pay attention when reloading. This is true of any press, especially any progressive press. The Pro 1000's, I likewise have two of 'em, one for SPP cases, one for LPP cases. The Pro 6000 is easier to change between SPP and LPP, but the above two posters' point is still relevant. The idea behind progressive reloading is speed, and an SPP case in a large batch of LPP cases messes that up.

With that said, I keep the SPP cases and just separate them. Then, when I have enough, I'll do a run of SPP .45 ACP rounds. They fire just as well as the LPP versions.

[newbie1234]

Originally Posted by rice_man

.....Just watch out for those Small Pistol Primer cases!

This ^^^^^^

[Cowboy T]

The way to handle SPP cases is to pay attention to the feel of the press during the priming stroke. If you feel more than normal resistance, it's probably a SPP case. Just stop, remove the case, and keep going. It really isn't the end of the world if you're paying attention, which all reloaders should be doing.

[bigbossman]

Originally Posted by Cowboy T

The way to handle SPP cases is to pay attention to the feel of the press during the priming stroke. If you feel more than normal resistance, it's probably a SPP case. Just stop, remove the case, and keep going. It really isn't the end of the world if you're paying attention, which all reloaders should be doing.

I prefer the "closed loop" method....... I've been using the same bucket of known LPP brass for at least a decade. No need to pick up or buy other used brass to add to the stash, I have enough to last my lifetime.

[pennstater]

OP, you're good with Red Dot. Per Speer and Lyman manuals. 4.6-5.3gr with 230gr FMJ/LRN will work just fine. I run 5.0gr RD with LRN coated in my 1911-A1. No issues. OAL for mine is 1.260"-1.265". Works.

MLC

[RandyD]

I have been reloading the .45 ACP for 40 years.

For bullets, I use a 230 gr. a lead bullet made by Redline Ballistics in San Diego. I like an all lead bullet. I know it will never wear out my barrel.

For powder, I use Unique. I can use it in all my pistol calibers, .38 Sp, .357, 9mm, and 12 gauge shotgun. It makes things more simple for me.

I use a Dillon 650 and once my dies are set and the ammo works, I don't change anything other than verifying that the powder charge is still set correctly.

[eaglemike]

Originally Posted by RandyD

I have been reloading the .45 ACP for 40 years.

For bullets, I use a 230 gr. a lead bullet made by Redline Ballistics in San Diego. I like an all lead bullet. I know it will never wear out my barrel.

For powder, I use Unique. I can use it in all my pistol calibers, .38 Sp, .357, 9mm, and 12 gauge shotgun. It makes things more simple for me.

I use a Dillon 650 and once my dies are set and the ammo works, I don't change anything other than verifying that the powder charge is still set correctly.

Agree
Pretty sure that Ken Waters said that a 230 and Unique load made the best combination of power and accuracy. I ran that load for a bit, and it worked very well.

[Cowboy T]

There are several good powders for .45 ACP. Unique certainly is one of them. I've also found that Bullseye and Titegroup do very well, too. In my case, I'm running the max loads in Lyman's 49th and 51st reloading manuals. The Titegroup load uses a home-cast 200gr LRNFP, and the Bullseye load uses Rainier 230gr plated RN's.

[TomReloaded]

Its not the 45acp thats fussy to load, its usually the 1911's that are fussy to load for.

One of mine starts jamming up under 1.230. One of mine stops plunking around 1.250. Gives me a narrow window to make both function. I should ream the one with the short leade and load everything to 1.250.

I think 9mm is easier to load for. Running short solves all my problems for all my guns (and works in other peoples guns too).

[stormvet]

Originally Posted by TomReloaded

Its not the 45acp thats fussy to load, its usually the 1911's that are fussy to load for.

One of mine starts jamming up under 1.230. One of mine stops plunking around 1.250. Gives me a narrow window to make both function. I should ream the one with the short leade and load everything to 1.250.

I think 9mm is easier to load for. Running short solves all my problems for all my guns (and works in other peoples guns too).

Very true, I have a Kimber Warrior SOC that had a short lead very picky with reloaded ammo. Just a few turns with my finish reamer corrected the problem, makes reloading for my 45s much simpler now.

[Epaphroditus]

Huh, I loaded 1k's of rounds 45ACP and never knew about SPP stuff!

[valken]

I just started a load development with small pistol primers. I just have to many SPP cases (range pick up) that it only makes sense at this point. I have not had a chance to test or crony it yet. Hopeful this weekend. Keep you posted, oh and sorry didn't hi-jack the threat. Just enhanced it

[beerman]

Originally Posted by eaglemike

Agree
Pretty sure that Ken Waters said that a 230 and Unique load made the best combination of power and accuracy. I ran that load for a bit, and it worked very well.

This.. been using Kens recipes for years. Very accurate. I load a lot with unique (45,38/357, & 10mm) for 9mm I like Win 231 and for 44mag & 30 carbine I like 2400.. all Waters pet loads.

[sirgrumps]

Originally Posted by Southpaw45

I'm beginning to love those SPP .45ACP cases. Performs just like LPP cases and I don't have to change over the priming system on the Dillon when switching from calibers like 9mm and .38spl.

Interesting thought, but considering I have over 50,000 pieces of 45 brass collected over 30 years, before the advent of SPP 45 cases.

No thanks.

I sort my brass after every tumbler session. I have a box for beat up/European/Remington/PMC brass.

I load that brass for matches, where retrieving brass may be problematic. So if I lose them, I don’t care.