New to reloading pistol; need some advice.

[Longshot338]

Hello fellow Nutz,

I have reloaded rifle for quite a few different cartridges and bullets. However, I am totally new to pistol reloading.

With rifle loads, I try a middle of the road load for several different powders with all other components and seating depth the same. I find out what powder my rifle tends to like better by shooting 2 5-shot groups. After that, I play with COL and bullet seating depth by starting the bullet in the lands, and moving back 0.005" at a time. After that, I start bumping the powder up 0.2gr for small capacity cartridges, and 0.5gr for larger capacity cartridges to see how hot the rifle likes it.

Can I do the same for determining what my pistol likes? Say I get lousy performance with powder "A", good performance with powders "B" and "C", and fantastic performance with powder "D". Based on this, I would stick with powder "D" and begin trying different charge weights, and ignore the rest. Is there any chance that powder "A", "B", or "C" would outperform "D" at a higher or lower charge weight? Do I run the risk of ignoring a potentially good powder?

When I do play with charge weights, and begin upping them to see if they run better at a higher or lower pressure/velocity, should I do so in 0.1gr or 0.2gr increments?

Also, how much does seating depth affect a pistol load? Should I experiment or leave it alone?

Finally, what do I look for in terms of signs of excessive pressure? Flattened/extruded/extracted primers? Anything else?

I'm loading 45ACP to run through a 1911 by the way.

Thanks for your help guys,
Alec

 

[just having some fun]

Reloading and asking questions = rewriting a book

45acp = low pressure round = easy to load for = lots of free information plus reloading manuals

45acp bullet weight 185g / 200g / 230g jacketed and Lead bullets plus bullets lower in weight and heaver but most 200 or 230g

Also, how much does seating depth affect a pistol load? Should I experiment or leave it alone?

bullet length = too short / just right / too long------> too long = many problems
the right length = a length that will pass the plonk test, and that length will depend on your gun

not all bullets are the same for instance
bullet A
bullet B
bullet C
bullet D
are all 200g the overall length (passing the plonk test) could be very different

Finally, what do I look for in terms of signs of excessive pressure? Flattened/extruded/extracted primers? Anything else?

I'm loading 45ACP to run through a 1911 by the way.

If you ever see pressure signs in 45acp STOP 45acp has a max pressure of App 18000 CUP = no pressure signs, A 44 mag can have a 40000 Cup using the same primer

When I do play with charge weights, and begin upping them to see if they run better at a higher or lower pressure/velocity, should I do so in 0.1gr or 0.2gr increments?
Thanks for your help guys,
Alec

the smaller the case the smaller the increments
start at min and work up

don't make too many test loads

there is so much info on 45acp it should be very easy to find a good power
Some powders will use more or less = cost

pick a powder that other people use for what you want it to do
light target loads
medium target loads
or heavy target loads

 

[Longshot338]

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.

Anyone else? Still don't know if I should try a powder with just 1 recipe, or give each powder a chance at different loads?

Alec

 

[Longshot338]

Anybody else?

How many rounds do I fire of each test batch? With rifle, I try 2 5-round groups of each load to ensure my first group wasn't a fluke. With pistol, should I do the same, or should I be firing more groups of the same batch?

Alec

 

[nevanevan]

I just use a moderate load from my lyman manual for 40s&w and 357/38 special. For 44 mag I have stuck to the lower charge weights as I don't want to beat up the frame on my smith. I haven't really every noticed a change in accuracy by variying the powder charge.

 

[stampede]

"should I be firing more groups of the same batch?"

I suggest two x 10 round batches or more. Alternating test ammo. Differences in accuracy show up more at rifle distances, less so at pistol differences.

 

[Soulfly]

My advice.. I found Alliant Power Pistol to be the nicest powder for .45ACP.

I used 7.4gr @1.260" COAL. For a 230gr FMJRN And CCI primers. (Non Magnum, Obviously).

 

[Soulfly]

My advice.. I found Alliant Power Pistol to be the nicest powder for .45ACP.

I used 7.4gr @1.260" COAL. For a 230gr FMJRN And CCI primers. (Non Magnum, Obviously).

Makes muzzle flashes like this:

 

[RUPZUK]

My 2 cents;
-The 45 is very forgiving with component selection.
-Use a chrono it will indicate if your in the ballpark or where you need to be if your concerned about over pressure.
-Open 45's tend to pound the stampings off the head- its the only pressure sign I have ever seen in a 45; if the primer falls out it's been reloaded a thousand times...
-Throw the cases away when they split, which is not often.
-Powder selection in a 45 usually revolves around what is available and cheap or what runs clean; everybody has their own favorite and it pretty much all works (depending your intent).
-OAL is usually set by the reliability of feeding; some guns need a longer OAL to run & some shorter.
-Make sure you get a crimp (to spec) on the bullet, if you get set back while feeding you might not like the outcome (some powders leave a lot of airspace).
-Again, the chrono and a loading manual is your friend.
Good luck & have fun.

 

[Longshot338]

Thanks for the input guys! Valuable advice here.

1 last question. At what distance should I be testing the loads out? Logic dictates that the further you shoot, the differences between loads shouldd be more apparent. I am used to shooting at 20m, is this far enough?

Alec

 

[Soulfly]

Thanks for the input guys! Valuable advice here.

1 last question. At what distance should I be testing the loads out? Logic dictates that the further you shoot, the differences between loads shouldd be more apparent. I am used to shooting at 20m, is this far enough?

Alec

I noticed an improvement with Power Pistol at only 10m in comparison to Factory loads and Win231.

 

[novega]

Thanks for the input guys! Valuable advice here.

1 last question. At what distance should I be testing the loads out? Logic dictates that the further you shoot, the differences between loads shouldd be more apparent. I am used to shooting at 20m, is this far enough?

Alec

When I do load development I usually do it in two phases:
1. Pressure test and Action Cycling-
I look at published loads, start at the min. starting load and load a one round with that. Then I increase the powder (typically in .2 grain increments) and load a few of each, until I hit max charge. Go to the range, really just look for signs of overpressure, burn characteristics and note which charge weights cycle my action & how the perceived recoil was. Also pay attention to any abnormalities when resizing & depriming the cases.
2. Accuracy-
From the first test, I'm usually able to find a "sweet spot" where a small range of charges have given me what I'm looking for.(ie: Clean, full burn, no pressure signs, acceptable recoil, action smoothly cycled) Now I load like 10-15 rounds of each of my three charge weights, put the target to the maximum distance I normally shoot (25m) and give 'er 5. Check grouping and repeat. I will then put the target at the usual distance that I shoot at (10m) and fire 5. Continue to watch for overpressure while firing, if your loads are near max or have had a lot of components substituted. Now I get out all my targets with the charge weights labelled and choose the best one.
Keep a logbook so you can refer to that next time you want to load that powder/bullet combo.

Been doing it like this since I started reloading, and this is how I do it every time I change one of the variables (primer/projectile/powder). Is it overkill? Maybe, but it gives me some peace of mind to know that I did everything I can to be safe and accurate.

Take from it what you will

 

[silverfoxdj]

tagged.