Anyone recommend a formula for reloading .45 ACP

[PistolPete75]

k...just finished reloading .223. now i'm ready to reload .45 acp

What is the best bang for the buck for current market pricing? Brass, powder, bullets, and primer. Prime usage is for plinking paper and steel targers less than 25 yards. I don't need match grade stuff, but something accurate.

[mike100]

getting a fair deal at a gunshow still saves on shipping and hazmat..200-230 gr slugs are heavy to ship too.

anyways, I just started in with 45 acp. 5 grains of WIN 231 behind any bullet just about seems to be a universal load. I have been dabbling with WST also. The other one I like is Unique (a flakey shotgun powder) that seems less smokey than the winchester powders but is hard to meter.

the 200 gr lead semi wad cutter (lswc) are the best deal and fly straighter than ball ammo with the weight being at the base more like a hollowpoint. I've tried 4 or 5 different bullets and my favorites so far are speer coated LRN 230 gr that feed in even my tight chamberd guns and jacketed hornady bullets since they press so consistantly and aren't as fat as the cheap cast lead brands.

I bought $28 for 500 200 gr lswc and they are fine, but just stretch brass a bit more than expensive bullets. Magtech makes a mighty good bullet too (bought a 100 pack at Turners for way too much, but it was just a tester pack to see what it loaded like.

I don't much think brass matter that much just so long as it isn't stretched thin and used up.

[PLINK]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=50304

Bear Creek 230 grain LRN .452 dia ($25.99 plus tax for 500 bullets)
5.4 grains Hogdon Clays Universal ($14.50 a pound)
Winchester WLP primers ($20.00)
Brass - mixed HS once fired from ebay (38.90 shipped for 1000)
COL 1.240

Average Velocity = 738 fps
Power Factor = 169.74


This is what I am using for IPSC. I would use this even for plinking.

[Bing]

200 gr TMJ RN and 4.5-5 gr of Clays.

[yoteassasin]

bear creek lead round nose of your desired weight with wincherster super target to back it up

[CSACANNONEER]

If you want to be real cheap, collect tire weights and PM me. We can set up a time and place to cast, lube and size! I don't want to waiste your time or mine so be prepared for hours of casting/sizing and expect 300-500 rnds/hr.

[Blue]

I use WSF powder and the Bear Creek semi wadcutter cast lead bullets.

[xrMike]

200 grain LSWC bullets, 5.0 grains of Winchester 231, Winchester primers, with an OAL of 1.255 inches.

I've been buying everything from Powder Valley so far. Keep your eyes peeled here for group buys and you can really cut down the hazmat charge.

[Bolt2Bounce]

Brass
start collecting and saving your factory brass or pick up some at a public range
options
buy from www.gibrass.
230 gr Bear creek round nose bullet
w/
700X powder or bulleye
Look in a reloading manual for powder weight, Lyman is a good one. don't rely on some one else's powder charge they can make a mistake and cause you an over charge.. I use winchester Large pistol primers and load on a Dillon 650 press... good luck, have fun, save coin... B2B

[NRAhighpowershooter]

200gr SWC bullets from Oregon Trail $42.50 per 500 (that includes S&H)!

4.3gr Clays

Any LP primers I can get my hands on.....

[otteray]

200 gr. Bear Creek SWC
6.2 gr. Unique
Crap- I lost my chronograph note book!
Anyway, 6.8 gr Unique was my max load that I tried; no problem ( with my Springfield GI.)
Start with the lowest load data and work up.
I think the newest reload manual (Lee) says max 5.8 gr. Unique, or so.
I think it's a misprint, but I'm not an expert.
Lyman #48 shows 6.0gr to 7.5gr (900 fps+) for cast loads. A lower (top end load) is listed for jacketed bullets.
The newer Unique isn't as dirty as the old.
No apologies are needed for it.

[TonyM]

I load Zero brand 230gr FMJs with 5.5 grains of 231 behind them. Averages just over 850 fps out of my Sig P220 according to my chrony.

[ivanimal]

http://www.berrysmfg.com/50.php

I like IMR Hiskor 700X because I have 12lbs of it.

I use plated bullets because theyt are cheaper than jacketed and dont lead my barrels.

[rawb]

I use 4.1gr of alliant bullseye on a 200gr swc for 25yds and 50yds for conventional pistol. Groups real nice, might be a light load for what you want though.

[PistolPete75]

cool..thanks guys for all the info!