One step closer!

[Gothboy]

Good news! My Lock n Load AP came in monday and I got it mostly set up last night! Ive got my primers, my brass, just got to figure out what powder Im going to use and start bangin em out! Slowly at first ofcourse since... I really dont know what Im doing lol. But with the books Ive got, the reading ive done on here, and the way Im getting things laid out... The only thing I dont know is the experience. That'll come soon.

Havent looked at any powders at all yet so maybe it says on the container, or maybe not. How can you tell grain type? Does it say on the bottle? Ive heard theat the round type grains are easiest to work with, Anybody have any input on this?

Going to be (probably) picking up some berrys plated round nose .45 for my first batch. They seem cheapish and have decent reviews it seems. According to using that I can use 700x powder, as it seems to cross over into most "normal powered" loads for .45. I figure start simple and basic.

Once I get everything dialed in and I KNOW what Im doing I'll start switching on all the feeders, until then slow, manual and methodical is key.

Sorry guys, just really excited and wanted to share.

[BigBronco]

Great welcome to reloading. I\Many of us have one feel free to ask questions. I hope you are adding and using the RCBS Lockout die.

[rsrocket1]

Make sure you degreased all the parts to the powder hopper and injected grease into the zerk fittings.

[shooterbill]

I like Bullseye or W231 for my 45 loads. You can read the description of the powders on manufacturers websites. Berry's makes good bullets. If you spend $50 on their site, shipping is included. I like the 185 HBRN. Same profile as the 230 but lighter.

[BLR81]

Remember, you can't use jacketed data for plated bullets. Per Berry's website

We recommend using hard cast load data or start with mid-range jacketed data. Make sure data is below 1250fps unless you are using a Thick-Plated bullet that we list a higher max velocity for like the 9mm 124gr HBRN-TP that can be shot to 1500fps in open class guns like a .38 Super. Keep in mind that since our plated bullet has the same pressure curve as a hard cast bullet, the published cast data will be very close to what you will get with our plated bullets. If you use Jacketed data with our plated bullets you can get from 5% - 8% increase in velocity using that data.

[Gothboy]

@Big Bronco Most definitely on the lockout die. It hasnt come in yet, and I havent set up the rest of the dies yet, just the case feeder drop and decapper/full length sizer. I will set up the rest of the dies as soon as I get bullets, and make a few probably without powder and primers until Im sure my settings are correct.

@Rs Rocket Yes, got some cleaner, drylube and took everything apart and degreased it all. Was also educational as to how everything works inside by looking at the dies guts and the powder drops guts too. Once you understand a machine, you can use it more safely.

@Shooter Bill Sounds like a good start since once i KNOW everything is set up correctly and safely I'll just be making 45acp plinkers. Maybe in a year or so depending on how comfortable I feel I will start making higher power loads, but I want some good press time under the belt before I blow my face off. lol. I'll probably run with your idea on the that.

@Tom Dw Yes, thank you for the reminder my friend. Though I dont understand why, just knowing its a hardfast safety rule is good enough for me. Not here to push the envelope, just lead.

Is there a place anyone knows of where I can find out what the pros/cons to the different types of powder grains are? Im sure theres a reason they make the grains in different styles, I'm just not sure how to find that.

Thanks a million all, you have super helpful, and I hope oneday to be able to return that help to a fellow newbie reloader.

[john16443]

Is there a place anyone knows of where I can find out what the pros/cons to the different types of powder grains are? Im sure theres a reason they make the grains in different styles, I'm just not sure how to find that.

Gothboy - don't get wrapped up about the shape of the powder granules. In very general terms, ball, flattened ball, and flake powders are used in handgun applications, extruded powders are used in rifle applications. Here's a little primer: http://ultimatereloader.com/reloadin...pistol-powder/

For 45ACP, there are a host of good powders, depending on what you want to do with the bullet. Some of the most common ones are:

Accurate Arms #2 and #5 - ball powders that meter like butter, but may have a tendency to leak out of some measures due to the small size of the granules. I haven't had issues with them out of the Hornady LNL measure.

Alliant Bullseye - I believe is a flattened ball type powder, been around as long as the 45ACP cartridge has. Meters well

Alliant Unique - flake powder that some say does not meter well or consistently

Hodgdon Titegroup - flattened ball, meters well, burn hot, ie. your cases and barrel will be hotter to the touch than with other powders

Hodgdon HP-38/Winchester W231 (Same powder) - flattened ball, meters well, wide range of performance. This is where I suggest you start as there is tons of published load data for 45ACP and this powder.

There are MANY other powders that work, these are just what I believe are the most popular. Check around the powder manufacturers web sites, they typically tell you what powders are suggested for pistol or rifle reloading.

[gotglock99]

I was the same way when I got my Hornady press! I even called in sick so I could stay home and try it out. Win 231 is a good powder to start out with. Hodgons website will give you load data.