.45 acp

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Hi.

So I'm such a noob at reloading - I don't even do it, yet.

But I want to learn about it 1st.

I could google it - or whatever - but I prefer to ask here.

so here goes...

Please school me in the art of reloading .45.

Feel free to include preferred equipment, and in particular please explain min/max tolerances for bullet and powder specx?

Thanks very much.
 
09outlander said:
First thing you need to do is buy a good reloading manual, Hornady or Lyman, then after you read it thoroughly start asking questions.
Click to expand...

Seconded. I read alot of the threads over a few weeks and watched alot of youtube videos. Bought a press and components and started reloading.
 
Quite a few great videos on youtube on reloading the .45ACP. After you get your manual, go for it. I have had great success with the Lee Delux die set, which combines the 3-die set with carbide factory crimp die.
 
+1 Read several manuals and watch lots of videos.

I have a Lee Precision Classic turret press kit. It works great for .45 ACP and also my rifle loads. You just need to get a lot of those plastic square ratchet pieces (like $1 each) if you want your auto indexing feature to keep working.
 
As people have touched on, there is a bit of liability discussing details of reloading. REMEMBER THIS.

One golden rule is to never take unconfirmed data from any sources. Even print. It's always best to double up. If you have one manual, check out Hodgdon's website, etc. Somebody's typo can be your massive mistake.

With that said, loading for .45 is like any other for the most part. You have your components and you have standards. Some guns have some wiggle room with the standards (COL - case overall length, etc)


The two biggest things to watch out for are:

1) Correct powder charge. Be it under or over, both are very dangerous. One can explode the gun, the other can lodge a bullet in the barrel for the following round to explode the gun. If a semi pistol, pay close attention to failure to cycle.
2) The case HAS powder. No powder can act like low powder with the pressure created by the primer.


I believe in buying reasonably good equipment at the minimum. Presses (both progressive and non-progressive) vary in cost. Research the choices thoroughly.

I personally have:

- RCBS - Rock chucker supreme kit with lots of additional pieces.
- RCBS - Chargemaster
- Hornady Lock-n-Load AP with bullet feed and powder COP. (among a few other enhancements).

Another important part is a GOOD reloading test. I have a wicked desk, but the top isn't rigid enough. Working on that.
 
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