Random reloading questions regarding grain, bullets, etc.

[///D]

My 550B is almost fully configured and I'm now onto the grain/bullet specifics. Here are some random rookie questions that popped up as I'm getting closer:

Currently, I am only planning to reload .45ACP, seeing there are recommended specifications printed on the label of each powder type, would a good reloading book still be a must?

Pretty common advice I get is to try a a small amount of rounds first off and see how I'd like it before I buy in bulk (1000+). How would one tell wether they like it or not? What are the common characteristics of things one would like and not like?

Lastly, would someone be able to give a quick crash course in grain advantages and disadvantages regarding light and heavy? I will be doing mostly target shooting w/ a max distance mostly being 25 yards so obviously accuracy would be a plus. I also noticed lead bullets are a good amount cheaper than FMJ, is there any cons of full lead compared to FMJ, JSP, or JHP performance wise?

[Rule .308]

My 550B is almost fully configured and I'm now onto the grain/bullet specifics. Here are some random rookie questions that popped up as I'm getting closer:

Currently, I am only planning to freload .45ACP, seeing there are recommended specifications printed on the label of each powder type, would a good reloading book still be a must?

Pretty common advice I get is to try a a small amount of rounds first off and see how I'd like it before I buy in bulk (1000+). How would one tell wether they like it or not? What are the common characteristics of things one would like and not like?

Lastly, would someone be able to give a quick crash course in grain advantages and disadvantages regarding light and heavy? I will be doing mostly target shooting w/ a max distance mostly being 25 yards so obviously accuracy would be a plus. I also noticed lead bullets are a good amount cheaper than FMJ, is there any cons of full lead compared to FMJ, JSP, or JHP performance wise?

Where to start with all of that? All though you have a boat load of questions it is fairly straight forward because you are talking about one caliber.
1) Yes, a good reloading book is a must and I recommend having a few different ones.
2)Things that you may or may not like in a given bullet or load: There are so many variables in projectiles such as bullet design, round nose, wadcutter, or semiwadcutter to start with, hard cast bullets, full metal jacketed, copper plated, if you go with hardcast then what kind of lube do you use or do you go with the moly lubed bullets? Will your pistol reliably cycle semi wadcutters or do you have to run ball rounds? For me I like to shoot 185 grain semi wadcutters out of my 45's. I like this bullet because it is more accurate, it is lighter and kicks less, bullets weigh less so typically cost a little less, and the big kicker for me is the perfect wad cutter holes that they punch in the target as opposed to tearing a sphincter shaped hole like your typical ball round does. You might want to buy some smaller boxes of the bullets you think you might want to run and load up 50-100 rounds of each and try them out. I usually buy 1,000 round boxes of 230 grain copper plated ball rounds and the same in the 185 SWC.
3) Difference in a light load compared to a heavy load are just that, one will be heavier and typically kick harder if all other things are equal.
4)As far as bullet design goes, what are you looking for? It would not suprise me if they make a JSP for the 4 ACP application but I think you will more typically see round nose or ball rounds, jacketed hollow points, and semi wadcutters. Hollow points can be a little more accurate bullet and if they are moving fast enough they will expand when they hit a target. The bummer about hardcast rounds is that they tend to lead the bore. One thing you can do to help with this is to shoot a mag of FMJ's through the pistol last things last and it will push a bunch of that lead right out the end.

Anyhow, there are a few things to think about.

Mark

[50ae]

The reloading book is not just for the recipies in the back, but for the safety information in the front. Go get a book and start reading it. Finish reading it and then read it again.

[Fjold]

Yes, buy at least two reloading books. Besides the safety aspects, sooner or later someone is going to give you some powder that you don't have data for.

As far as whether your gun like the load is: Does it cycle the gun 100% of the time? Is it accurate? Is it clean burning? (Does it leave excessive powder or lead deposits in your gun?)

Generally the common .45 bullet weights range from 180 - 230 grains. Most target shooers use the 180 - 200 semi wadcutters (SWC) in a copper plated or jacketed bullet to reduce felt recoil. Generally less felt recoil will result in better scores, plus the shoulder of SWC bullet cuts a nice round, full diameter hole in the target paper.

With lead bullets you will have to scrub the lead deposits out of your barrel. Jacketed or plated bullets will keep your barrel a lot cleaner.

[///D]

Thanks for the info everyone...

I'll probably go w/ the Lyman's manual. I noticed on MidwayUSA there are a few versions. Can anyone point me in the right direction to the most useful one?

[Prc329]

I have the speer book that came with my press, sierra and hornaby books. I plan on getting a few that just deal with reloading and not just recipes and safety info. All three books have good info but I like the reloading and safety info in the speer book the best. Just seems easier to understand.

[Rule .308]

Seeing as how they are all different I don't think that there is going to be any one that is the most useful. I have manuals from Hornady, Speer, Nosler, just to name a few. I suggest you just buy one and go from there. Make sure that you do read the stuff in the beginning that outlines all of your basic safety precautions as well as different techniques and the like.

Mark

[///D]

Seeing as how they are all different I don't think that there is going to be any one that is the most useful. I have manuals from Hornady, Speer, Nosler, just to name a few. I suggest you just buy one and go from there. Make sure that you do read the stuff in the beginning that outlines all of your basic safety precautions as well as different techniques and the like.

Mark

Will do, any one in particular that you'd personally start off with?

[Prc329]

What bullet did you decide on? Try the one from the bullet maker.

[///D]

What bullet did you decide on? Try the one from the bullet maker.

I may try a Hornady 185gr SWC as my first run. Most likely buying from powdervalleyinc. On a side note, here is the listing on powdervalley:

HORNADY 45 CAL .451 185 GR SWC TAR ENC

"TAR ENC"....would you happen to know what abbrevation this stands for?

Can you point me in the direction of the Bullet Maker you speak of?

[Prc329]

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=438424

Why not start with this one since you are using hornady for the first batch. The data will be with the exact bullet you want to use.

[///D]

I also maybe going w/ Nosler 185 gr jacketed hollow points. I noticed reviews on Midway are very mixed w/ the Hornady SWC. Lots of complaining of OAL do's and don'ts etc.

[-hanko]

///D, I just forwarded via email an old post from the bullseye mailing list with loads used by a few Camp Perry champions. Info and bullet makes may be a bit dated, but it will at least get you started. Target loads typically use a 185 or 200gr lead semi-wadcutter (lwsc), target loads are a LOT lighter than normal ammo and may require you to use a lighter recoil spring.

email me if you have more ??

-hanko

[-hanko]

I also maybe going w/ Nosler 185 gr jacketed hollow points. I noticed reviews on Midway are very mixed w/ the Hornady SWC. Lots of complaining of OAL do's and don'ts etc.

Midway's reviews are a little bizarre, particularly when you consider the owner of the company also reviews products

Trick is finding the bullet make/model that functions best in YOUR pistol.

-hanko

[///D]

///D, I just forwarded via email an old post from the bullseye mailing list with loads used by a few Camp Perry champions. Info and bullet makes may be a bit dated, but it will at least get you started. Target loads typically use a 185 or 200gr lead semi-wadcutter (lwsc), target loads are a LOT lighter than normal ammo and may require you to use a lighter recoil spring.

email me if you have more ??

-hanko

Thanks! I just got it and reviewing it right now.

I went ahead and ordered some Nosler 185gr hollowpoints and of course the Hornady 185gr SWC's. These will be fired through my Kimber TLE which includes a 16lb recoil spring I believe.