newbie reloading .45acp

[downfall]

built some .45 acp using the hornady manual. But from what I am reading on this forum I need to use more than one source for reference. I have not fired the loads yet and I wondering if I strictly follow the data from the Hornady manual, then will the loads be safe?

[checkenbach]

I would say, if you followed the recipe to a tee(length, grains of powder, made sure no doubles...) yes.
Go to the powder Mfgr's site for more info. What powder are you using???? Try this for example- http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

[Sheldon]

Data in the manuals is a reference......your mileage will always vary some as your lot of components is different as well as the barrel your shooting it from versus theirs. As long as you are not jumping straight to the highest listed load you should be safe.

[downfall]

checkenbach

I am using W231, and the manual says 5.0 gr to start with a Hornady 230 rn RN,FMJ. I checked the website andyou referenced and it says 4.2 grn W231 with the same bullet config. ???

[Dan-0-]

I think that's why they tell you to use multiple books. You are supposed to be able to determine the average range and then adjust accordingly.
I haven't started reloading yet, but that's my understanding from what I've read.

[donger]

Hodgdon site shows 5.3 grains of W231 as the max load for the 230 Hrdy 230 grain FMJ. What was your COAL?

[downfall]

COAL is 1.230

[checkenbach]

The Hogdon site list the load/OAL for a 230 FMJ FLATPOINT bullet, not round nose. Your length seems OK. I'm using the same OAL for Winchester 230 RN FMJ's.
You're within the min/max for WW231.
Downfall, I think you are correct in the Hogdon being the more conservative of the two. I will edit my post accordingly. Tired.

[chim-chim7]

I am also new to reloading. I just made my first batch of .45acp. I too was a bit nervous at first, but I double checked, then triple checked, then checked all my numbers again. My first pull of the trigger on my first round I think my eyes were closed, lol. After it fired and sounded good, then checked the empty casing, I loaded the whole magazine and blasted away. Checked all those casings and that was a confidence builder. I will always error on the side of caution though.

[GeoffLinder]

Winchester data sheet I have says 1.25" COAL with 230gr FMJ and 4.9 to 5.7 grain is the charge range for 231. 695-830 fps velocity range is called out.

Hogdon website data says 1.20" COAL and 4.2 to 5.3 grains 231 under a 230gr FMJ and to expect 750-830 fps velocity

230 grain cast lead bullet should use similar charges at similar COAL

As you can see COAL seems to makes a difference. Load as long as you can and start with a lower charge range.

[Bill Steele]

My Lee book specs 4.5 start, 5.1 max with min OAL of 1.190" 765-870 fps.

[zfields]

I like around 5.5, I started with 5.0 and worked up, better accuracy out of my XD.

with 200 grain HP or 185 XTPs I use 5.7.