Major Newbie .45 Questions

sixty9santa

sixty9santa

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Hi all :D
This is my first time going through this part of the site and I would like some help/recommendations :D
I have never reloaded and I unfortunately don't know anyone that has/does.
I would pretty much like know what I need to purchase in order to reload .45ACP?
This is all kind of embarassing since I don't know what kind of brass to get and or do I know what size/make primer to get either :oops:
What powders and in what quantities are recommended?
What kind of scales?
I would also like to know what reloading equipment would be needed.
I'm not looking for an extravagant/expensive setup (still a student) cause I'd most likely be reloading about 50 to 100 rounds at a time.
I would load jacketed hollow points and round nose as well.
I thank you all for your time and patience for dealing with such a newb :oops:
Best regards to all,


-sixty9santa
 
Try this for a Start.

StartReloadingKit.jpg


AOB
 
If you have a pistol you probably belong to a club to shoot it. Check the club bulletin board for used reloading gear and maybe someone who would help you get started. Ask around ,it couldn't hurt.
 
sixty9santa said:
This is all kind of embarassing since I don't know what kind of brass to get and or do I know what size/make primer to get either :oops:
What powders and in what quantities are recommended?
What kind of scales?
I would also like to know what reloading equipment would be needed.
I'm not looking for an extravagant/expensive setup (still a student) cause I'd most likely be reloading about 50 to 100 rounds at a time.
I would load jacketed hollow points and round nose as well.
:oops:
Best regards to all,


-sixty9santa
Click to expand...


OK, let's go through this:

Primers - - If you've been shooting WinClean, you'll need "Small Pistol Primers" if you've been shooting anything/everything else you'll use "Large Pistol Primers"

Brass - - You are saving what you've been shooting, right? If you do decide to buy brass, make sure it uses the size of primers that you are otherwise using.

Powder - - I've always had a fondness for Unique, some guys like WW231.
Buy your powder in a one (1) pound can.

Bullets - - Why jacketed? Cast are much less expensive and accurate enough.

Hardware - - I'd look really hard for one of the Lee Aniversary Kits, with the manual (check with the nice folks at www.higginsonpowders.com), just add a set of dies and you can start loading ammo. Just make sure that you "carbide" type dies, because they don't require you to lubricate the cases to resize them.
Frankly, some of the Lee stuff is not quite "top drawer" quality; but, it's good enough, and you can replace or accesorize as your needs and budget dictate.
 
Wow, Thank you all for the great info.
Ill start looking around for kits when I have more brass and cash saved up.
Cheers,


-sixty9santa
 
If you are only going to dod few, then a single stage is ok, but you will proberly go to a progressive if you start doing them in quantity!
 
At our gun club we are more then willing to help anyone that asks as to what is best for them in starting out in reloading & willing to actually teach them once they have the basics. That is the good idea of belonging to a gun club & shooting with the others. Even if you do not belong to a gun club, then it might be a good idea to belong to one & start to talk to members who will offer you the help you need.

True loads of information on this Site that is often priceless, but then the personal touch & advise from members of a gun club is an amazing asset to you.
 
This may sound like heresy on this particular thread but another option may be not to do it at all.

I'm starting to get into reloading now that I'm into rifle and .338 LM, nuff said.

Prior to this I was shooting .45 ACP exclusively and rejected the idea of reloading this round.

Cost it out "carefully". Estimate the number of rounds you shoot per year. Determine the cost of this number of rounds if obtained from say "Wolf". Estimate what the cost of materials is to reload "the very same type" and number of rounds. The difference between these would obviously be your cost saving per year by reloading. Divide this into the cost of "ALL" your reloading hardware, manuals, etc. This gives you the number of years it'll take you to recoup the cost of your gear. If this number is greater than 3 for cheap gear, or greater than 5 for quality gear, you might want to reconsider reloading if, that is, you're doing it just to save $$.

I expect that if we were discussing the .223 Rem instead of the .45 ACP, other CGN members would also be cautioning you regarding the cost effectiveness of reloading as the .233 is so cheap to buy. Same thing with the 9mm. With more expensive ammo, especially if you're using a lot of it, reloading has obvious cost advantages. I personally find .45 ACP to rest on the edge of the issue. It largely depends upon how much of it you shoot. Others will disagree. Others will also disagree with my 3X and 5X recoupment criterion. Chalk it up to my 2 cents :wink: .
 
To me reloading is more or less a hobby & a challege to come up with better loads in 45ACP, 9mm, 38spl to 44 Mag for rifle.

I prefer to read up on such powders & be willing to try it out or even reduce the loads for indoor range.

Besides in my area it is not easy for find factor loads agt dxecent prices in something like Cdn Tyre or wallmart. For proper gun shops have been pretty well wiped out by Bill C-68.

So my reloading is churning out loads when I so wish & knowing it is made well. Besides for me it is some satisfaction as said reloads are my own doing.
 
HKMark23 said:
This may sound like heresy on this particular thread but another option may be not to do it at all.

I'm starting to get into reloading now that I'm into rifle and .338 LM, nuff said.

Prior to this I was shooting .45 ACP exclusively and rejected the idea of reloading this round.

Cost it out "carefully". Estimate the number of rounds you shoot per year. Determine the cost of this number of rounds if obtained from say "Wolf". Estimate what the cost of materials is to reload "the very same type" and number of rounds. The difference between these would obviously be your cost saving per year by reloading. Divide this into the cost of "ALL" your reloading hardware, manuals, etc. This gives you the number of years it'll take you to recoup the cost of your gear. If this number is greater than 3 for cheap gear, or greater than 5 for quality gear, you might want to reconsider reloading if, that is, you're doing it just to save $$.

I expect that if we were discussing the .223 Rem instead of the .45 ACP, other CGN members would also be cautioning you regarding the cost effectiveness of reloading as the .233 is so cheap to buy. Same thing with the 9mm. With more expensive ammo, especially if you're using a lot of it, reloading has obvious cost advantages. I personally find .45 ACP to rest on the edge of the issue. It largely depends upon how much of it you shoot. Others will disagree. Others will also disagree with my 3X and 5X recoupment criterion. Chalk it up to my 2 cents :wink: .
Click to expand...

Not a bad point, but..If you are already loading for other stuff, you may as well do it for your 45

I still haven't got around to getitng a progressive press, because I'm a pretty low volume handgn shooter.

But what I did is get a LEE handpress (35$) a LEE Auto PRimer tool (35$) and dies (35$)

Then I take all my cases, sit in front of the TV, and resize, expand and prime the cases.

FOr charging, I use my powder measure /scale and for seating I use my ROckchucker press, but I submit I could use the handpress for that just as easily.

So most of the process is done in front of the TV, and I even get my GF to do some. In an evening, I can process and prime 500 cases. :D
 
Gatehouse, I'm with you 100%. When I ordered my gear for reloading the .338 LM, for $47.00 more, I got dies for loading 45 ACP as well. When attributing only $47.00 + tax to the "cost of "ALL"reloading gear", the above criterion for reloading the 45 ACP now works for me. You don't have to shoot much or reload at huge savings or for a very long time to recoup $47.00 + tax = $54.05. Attributing the cost of the bulk of my reloading gear to the .338 LM side of things is what really justifies it all for me on a cost saving basis. :mrgreen:
 
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