.45 ACP reloading recipe comments/validation.

[dakman]

I'm like a little kid but I'm telling myself to move at half speed due to my excitement. My Dillon XL650 is all set up, all the components are bought, and now I'm ready to start building test ammo. All dies are adjusted and unprimed/no powder cases with bullets cycle just fine in my SIG and fit the case feeder. I have not been able to find the exact recipe for the components I have so I want to validate with the group if this makes sense.

Powder: Winchester WST Min 4.1 Max 4.9 from Hogden
Bullet: Winchester .45 auto 230 gr FMJ round nose
CCI primers
OAL: 1.250

I'm thinking of starting at 4.1 grains and working my loads up a grain at a time for 10 rounds each up to 4.6 grains. Test in a case gauge, test cycling in my SIG and then head to the range and write down the data. I found good data on the Hogden/Winchester website but the data is for flat point bullets and COL is 1.200" which seems short but that might be due to flat nose and not round. No data for WST in my Lyman or Lee manuals. Thanks in advance!

[Sennasixty8]

I run 4.8 WST behind a copper 230g fmj bullet and the same primers. Works in all of our finicky 1911s, just press a few out and chamber chk.

[dakman]

Thank you for the feedback Sennasixty8. Based on what I'm reading, I might start my test loads at 4.4 gr instead of 4.1 then. All 4 of the non-powder/primer rounds that I built cycled perfectly in my Sig P220 so I think the OAL and crimp are good. I was nervous about the powder but looks like I'm okay.

[jakuda]

For what purpose are you shooting?

For bullseye shooting, 4.7gn or 4.8gn WST with 230gn fmj at 1.265 length, crimped at .469-.470 ransom rested very well at 50 yards with multiple barrels/1911s.
For 25 yard shooting or general plinking 4.4gn WST has less recoil and is accurate enough.

[Artsville]

I run 4.8 WST behind a copper 230g fmj bullet and the same primers. Works in all of our finicky 1911s, just press a few out and chamber chk.

Ditto 5 1911s 4.7 -4.8gr 230gr

[dakman]

This is just for target shooting max 25 yards in my SIG P220R. Based on the feedback, I think I'm going to start at 4.4 gr 1.250 OAL and work my way up 10 rounds at a time to 4.9 gr and then head to the range for testing tomorrow.


Last question, is there any difference in using plated versus FMJ for performance or load data? Plated is less expensive but for my first load, I didn't want to add too many variables so I went with what I knew was going to be good. Would love to save some money but not at the expense of accuracy.

Really, really appreciate the feedback. As you can imagine, I'm a bit nervous this being my first reload. I did get a great tutorial from Ivanimal which was fantastic be he lives pretty far from me so I'm figuring it out and taking my time. Don't want bad things to happen.



Sig P220R
Sig P229 Enhanced Elite 9 mm

[gigante]

Dakman, I'm shooting Berry's 230 gr plated now with that exact charge of WST, primer, and OAL. Functions fine in everything I've tried it in so far, and that includes a Sig 220. My previous experience with the 220 was that I needed to have a stouter load for the Sig to function a 100%, but that was with Win 231 and Bear Creek Mo coated lead. I tried these WST loads in my son's 220 and experienced no issues at all.

As far as Ivan goes, he's been my hero for a few years now

[area51]

try some 231 and BE...

[dakman]

Yes, Ivan is amazing and very generous with his time. He also have every toy imaginable if you want to see it. A tremendous help on deciding what to buy. Area51, I couldn't find any 231 when I went to Reeds so like Ivan taught me, you make the recipe based on what you can find. :-) Seems the consensus on WST is that it shoots clean and is accurate. I could only buy a pound of it so we'll see how I like it.

I have to say, things do happen fast on the Dillon XL650 but I'm figuring it out and working to get a rhythm. Needless to say, my bullet puller is getting a pretty good workout. When in doubt, I pull them apart.

[milw50717]

I have to say, things do happen fast on the Dillon XL650 but I'm figuring it out and working to get a rhythm. Needless to say, my bullet puller is getting a pretty good workout. When in doubt, I pull them apart.

In my experience 45 acp is a good round to reload. Everything is large and manageable.

You'll soon find a smooth and steady rhythm that suits you and the XL650. With the Xl650 there is quite a lot going on in a small space, but you are in control of the speed at which these things happen. It takes a little time to get used to the operation - how much pressure to use, how far the travel is on the up and down strokes, etc - but you'll soon get there. Getting everything working smoothly is a must as it helps prevent misfeeds, powder spills, etc.

We have all spent time bashing the kinetic puller against a block of wood. Character building. The 45acp is also an easy cartridge to break apart as there is a big bullet that usually breaks free with one good swing.

[jakuda]

Again as a bullseye shooter, we are more anal about accurate rounds, so take my bias into consideration.

berrys plated bullets are fine for 25 yards. At 50 yards, you see better accuracy from the standard winchester/remington FMJ bullets. Not sure why, maybe because the FMJ has an exposed base?

As for costs, if you buy in bulk (1000+ bullets), the price differential between berrys and Winchester are negligible.

[jakuda]

WST is good powder also because it's less dense than say bullseye and meters well. So it's really easy to tell when you double charge the case.

If you have problems finding more WST, you can substitute with Hodgon Titegroup (yes I know they're not exactly the same) but in terms of precision downrange and perceived recoil, 4.8gn of WST performs the same as 4.8gn Titegroup.

[dakman]

jakuda and milw, thank you for the feedback and glad that WST is good since it's what Reeds had and I found a recipe. Ivan told me, find some components and that's how you make your recipe. Sign of the times. I've spilt a bunch of powder already :-( but it's a learning experience. I'm already faster but like anything, it will take time. Once I know my recipe is good, I'll go out and buy more components. I'm going out tomorrow with rounds built from 4.6 - 4.8 gns so we'll see.

I'm going for accuracy too and would love to shoot accurate at 50 yards but for now, I'm happy if I can punch 3" holes at 15 yards. LOL, you guys are amazing but I'll get there now that my ammo will cost significantly less. I calculated that my rounds should come out to $11.99 for a box of 50. :-) Not including the cost of brass or my labor.

[dakman]

Thanks again everyone. I shot 10 rounds each of 4.5 - 4.8 gn and the verdict, 4.6 gns without a doubt shot best for me. I really thought it would be close between them but 4.6 was the most consistent, tight grouping I shot so I'll load up 50 and see if it continues to be a winner. Shot better than my factory loads too!!! Cycled perfectly too. I am thrilled to say the least.