Finally ready to start

[cindynles]

After about 2 years of saving my brass, buying books, watching youtube videos, and telling myself that I was going to start reloading "soon", I finally pulled the trigger and put my order in at midwayusa.

I'm starting off on the cheap with a Lee Turret press to load 45acp. Does anyone have a recommendation for a starting powder? I am eventually going to load 357/38sp and 9mm, is there a good handgun powder for all three?

In a perfect world I would like to eliminate as many variables as possible (same primers and powder). I've been buying and saving Federal 45acp brass since it uses a small primer so that I can standarize the primers. Now I would like to do the same with powder if possible (reduce the chance of a mistake). Is Winchester W231 a good candidate?

Oh, and I plan on using Berrys plated 230gr RN bullets to start. I'm not after super low recoil, I just want to replicate factory velocity and have ammo that will cycle well in my 1911.

[Bill Steele]

Yes, W231/HP38 would suit your needs fine for everything but factory full house 357 loads, for this I would suggest 2400, but for target loads in 357, the W231 would be fine.

Good luck, have fun.

[lpspinner]

Congratulations on jumping in and welcome to the club.

I personally use Hodgon's Titegroup as my all around powder. It will work fine for your .357/.38 Special, 9mm and .45 ACP.

It's a great snappy powder.

[cindynles]

Now I get to spend the next week putting together my bench while I am waiting for the UPS truck

[ahren111]

Congrats! I just started reloading a couple of months ago. I got Lee turret too, very happy with it so far good press for the price! I've been loading 9mm with w231. From what I've been told its a great powder to start with. I just ordered .45, .223, & .308 dies today. I'm waiting for UPS too.

[rconnerley]

As Bill said, for your uses, it would be hard to beat HP-38/Win 231 (these two are the same powder in different packaging). Its an economical and versatile powder, my first choice for most standard power pistol rounds.

[Dark Mod]

good luck, go slow

[Clownpuncher]

I have used Unique, Titegroup, and W-231 for all 3. I prefer 231 and Unique. I don't know why but I just haven't warmed up to Titegroup.

[roc_my_tims]

Thanks for the info guys I needed this also

[Cowboy T]

Congratulations on jumping in and welcome to the club.

I personally use Hodgon's Titegroup as my all around powder. It will work fine for your .357/.38 Special, 9mm and .45 ACP.

It's a great snappy powder.

Titegroup, like HP38/W231, is an excellent all-around powder. I currently use it primarily for .45 Colt and .44 Special, and I also have a .38 Special load with it in case Bullseye (my normal .38 Special powder) becomes scarce again like in 2009. A buddy uses it for his .45 ACP loads and loves it.

For your full-house .357M, I also second the 2400 powder recommendation. Great stuff, and easily ignitable by standard primers (no "magnum primers" needed).

Your choice of a turret press is a pretty good one. Mine is the Classic Turret variety and will reload just about any cartridge, including the long rifle Magnums.

Allow me to add my welcome to that of lpspinner. It's just another exercise of your own independence, and it is your right.

[damndave]

W231/HP-38 will work great for all those calibers. Also meters like a champ.

Congrats on getting a new addiction. You will be reloading those other calibers soon enough.

[JSolie]

Congrats! I've used Bullseye in all of those calibers. I am trying some WST in .45 to see how it goes.

[cindynles]

Success!!!!

I loaded my first batch of 45acp with the starting load. 20/20 rounds fed, fired, and ejected without any malfunctions in my 1911. They felt just like factory 230 FMJ. I guess I'm sticking with the starting load for now. I'll try and bigger sample size next and see how consistent this load is.

Berry's 200gr SWC

Winchester Brass

CCI #300 LPP

4.5gr (+/- 0.1) W231

COAL 1.225"