45 ACP reloading questions

bleh!

bleh!

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Hi,

this spring I bought a S&W 1911 and 4 box of CCI Blazer 45 ACP FMJ 230gr. So I shoot all my ammo and begin to reload. My reloaded ammo is fine but can I do better?

I use :

AIM precision bullet (FMJ 230 gr)
my CCI Blazer cases
Hodgdon HP-38 powder (4.5 gr or 5 gr)
CCI large pistol primers

my questions :

1. I'm using AIM bullet, the best price I found 1000u for 175$ shipping and taxe inclued. Is someone knows better price for bullets?

2. I'm not sure about the "quality" of CCI brass. Only after 2 reloads the brass looks punched on the "extractor". Which brass (brand) is better?

3. I tried the Hodgdon HP-38 powder 4.5 gr for lower charge or 5 gr for more BaNg! effect :rolleyes: What do you think about that? Do I use the best powder or I should try something else?

4. I use CCI large pistol primers because it's the only one available at my local gun shop. Do I should change or it's ok?

I know my reloaded ammo is fine but I'm looking to improve it.


Thanks,

(sorry for my english writing)
 
1. Depends where you live and how close you are to a dealer. I live 20 minutes from the AIM shop, I can drive down and buy them without having to pay shipping.

2. The brass is fine. My 1911's leave dings on the rim of the case when they eject the spent casings.

3. I use 5 grains of Win 231 ball powder in my loads, I am sure your HP38 is fine.

4. You can change the primer if you wish, just work your loads back up as per your reloading book/manual.
 
Nothing wrong with those loads. 1911's are hard on brass as are many handguns, so don't worry about the dings, etc. I use a tad more W231, but CCI primers have always been my go to primers. Bullets, well I have no loyalty there in the .45. I buy whatever is cheapest.
 
Use your brass until it splits at either the mouth or along the sides. .45acp brass lasts for a very long time and there is nothing wrong with Blazer brass. For FMJ I use 5.1 gr of Win 231 (HP38 by a different name) to make PF for IDPA.

I find the 200 gr LSWC to be slightly more accurate in my .45acp guns. For those bullets I go with 5.3 gr of Win 231 to make IDPA PF. I prefer Win LP primers but will use CCI if Win is not available.

Take Care

Bob
 
Thanks guys for your help!

I feel little bit less noob :p So next time I'll try the WIN 231 powder.
 
bleh! said:
Thanks guys for your help!

I feel little bit less noob :p So next time I'll try the WIN 231 powder.
Click to expand...

As Cerdan said (just beat me to it) Winchester 231 and Hodgdon HP-38 are the same.
You can find a thread on this on the 1911 forum here.

Congratulations on the S&W. I've heard they're an excellent pistol.

:) Stuart
 
Thank for the confirmation about the powder

win231 or hp-38??? the cheaper please...

Cerdan you WIN :eek: my CCI lp primers came from Dante as my 1911, my local dealer sell thoses primers also but always BO :mad:

I'm living at 6 hours away from Montreal so powder/primers need to be shipped at high cost :(
 
bleh! said:
win231 or hp-38??? the cheaper please...
Click to expand...
Same price. Buy in larger quantities, that'll lower the price.

bleh! said:
Cerdan you WIN :eek: my CCI lp primers came from Dante as my 1911
Click to expand...
I was there a few days ago, they had a lot of primers in stock, only CCIs, so I figured it was a safe bet! I got my S&W 1911 from there as well!

bleh! said:
my local dealer sell thoses primers also but always BO :mad:
Click to expand...
He smells??
 
Canuck44 said:
Use your brass until it splits at either the mouth or along the sides. .45acp brass lasts for a very long time and there is nothing wrong with CCI brass.

I find the 200 gr LSWC to be slightly more accurate in my .45acp guns. For those bullets I go with 5.3 gr of Win 231 to make IDPA PF. I prefer Win LP primers but will use CCI if Win is not available.

Take Care

Bob
Click to expand...

I use the exact same load and it is super accurate in my Spartan and especially my CZ 97

002-5.jpg
 
I've been using wheel weight for quite some time, works good once you clean it up.

I use my 45 for bulleye match... and 99% of the time, I use my own 200gr LSWC and 230gr similar to these one...

l452200s.gif


reloading_1.jpg


For primers and powder, it might be worth while to either get friendly with your local Pro-Pac Chasse et Peche... or organize a 'group' buy from Andrew (Higginson powder, in Hawkesbury)
 
The only additional step in casting 45acp bullets... is that you need to 'lube' them... I personnaly like to use the Lee 6 cavity mold with the 'micro-groove'... since lubbing them is only a matter of rolling them in Lee liquid alox.

For which reasons do we use copper plated bullet?
Click to expand...

Some guns with polygonal rifling (like Glock with factory barrel) do not like lead bullets... and some indoor range will not let you use lead bullet... Also, your gun will most likely need to be cleaned/scrubbed more often when using lead bullets...
 
sillymike said:
Some guns with polygonal rifling (like Glock with factory barrel) do not like lead bullets... and some indoor range will not let you use lead bullet... Also, your gun will most likely need to be cleaned/scrubbed more often when using lead bullets...
Click to expand...

I clean my barrel every time with hopes 9 elite bore gel, is in enough if I shoot lead bullet?
 
Eastern Ontario

I just love the newyby stuff, don't you?
I have been reloading the 45acp cartridge for many years and it is one of the best. Some friendly advice might give you a leg up.
First of all, switch to a cast bullet. Preferably the 200 grainer or a 175/185 or similar. My pal Rick at RandRbullets@gmail.com is now in Cornwall and casting up a storm. He had numerous 45acp cast bullets that are suitable. Mention my name but don't quote me on the price but I think he is selling cast 45acp bullets for around C$80.00 per thousand, bulk.
Most large pistol primers will work. I prefer the best on the market, namely Federal LPP but they are scarce. Cases don't matter much. Most will work.
As for powder, I am currently using the bulk powder made by the nice people at Alliant. PROMO is sold in 8 pound containers, is just like RedDot and with a 200 grain cast bullet, anywhere from 4.2-4.5 grains makes a great load. Promo nets out to about C$14.00 bucks a pound. Wow right?
 
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Thanks hatman1793,

I'll keep your friend contact for the next time I need bullets. Where did you buy your powder at 14$/p?
 
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