1st attempt help?

[Shadowline]

Thanks to all for the information. There's a lot of useful information in this thread, and I'll be using all of it. Right now my plan is to start with .45 ACP reloads, and then move onto the rifle rounds once I get proficient.

I ran into a stumbling block I didn't anticipate last night. It was going to throw a couple of test powders and realized I either don't know how to use the uniflow adjustment screw, or I have too big of a drum on the measure I have. To be honest, I can't see using this set-up for pistol rounds.

Anyway, once I get the measure issue resolved I'll post my results. Thanks again.

[Arrdy]

...
I ran into a stumbling block I didn't anticipate last night. It was going to throw a couple of test powders and realized I either don't know how to use the uniflow adjustment screw, or I have too big of a drum on the measure I have. To be honest, I can't see using this set-up for pistol rounds. ...

The screw moves a 'plunger', screw it in, less volume. Out gives you a larger charge.

[PennsyPlinker]

I have the following components...

• Remington cases (brand new)
• Bullseye Powder
• Large Pistol Primers
• 230 grain round hard cast alloy bullets (from King Shooters)

I am by no means an expert when it comes to reloading, but I have been casting since the beginning of the year, and I have learned lots. One thing you will need to check for is barrel leading. Leading occurs when you do not get a good seal in the barrel and gas leaks past the bullet, melting part of it, which the passage of the bullet then irons onto your barrel. It can accumulate very quickly. While it is very likely that the bullets will be sized correctly for your barrel, it may be that either the lead, the lube, or both are too hard for a low pressure round like the .45 ACP to obturate correctly.

I tried two different bullets in my .45 ACP pistols. One was a half wheel weight half pure lead mix I cast myself with a relatively soft lube sized at .452. The other was a commercial hard cast bullet with hard lube also sized at .452. The commercial bullets showed leading in my barrel within about 20 rounds. The softer ones with the softer lube showed no leading at all in over 200 rounds. I am working from memory here, but I am pretty sure I was using 5.0 grains of Titegroup. I know for sure it was Titegroup - I just don't remember the exact charge.

All of this can vary from gun to gun, which is something else I am learning. One of the other things I am learning is that casting is as much fun as loading and shooting.

[mikal90]

I also use Bullseye on my 45 ACP loads. I load 5.0 grs over a 200 gr plated RN bullet. Use a loading block to charge your cases and visually check the powder level in each case. You can double charge a 45 case with bullseye. Keep an eye on the over all length of the finished round. As others have said load in small batches until you find the load you like.

[kimbershooter]

I used to use bullseye with Kings lead bullets, my load was 4.2 grain for 230 LRN, OAL 1.27. Have since switched powders. Just remember Lead takes a lighter load than jacketed.

[blawnoxboy]

I like Clays with the 200gr H&G cast bullet. I have used that bullet since the late seventies when I shot IPSC. I think most of the IPSC shooters used that bullet. I have it to be very accurate. I buy mine at Penn Bullets in Indinola Pa. and they have a website.

[Remington788]

Thanks to all for the information. There's a lot of useful information in this thread, and I'll be using all of it. Right now my plan is to start with .45 ACP reloads, and then move onto the rifle rounds once I get proficient.

I ran into a stumbling block I didn't anticipate last night. It was going to throw a couple of test powders and realized I either don't know how to use the uniflow adjustment screw, or I have too big of a drum on the measure I have. To be honest, I can't see using this set-up for pistol rounds.

Anyway, once I get the measure issue resolved I'll post my results. Thanks again.

Having a progressive machine myself, I can imagine that a single stage could be a challenge. Then again, it just takes a little bit longer and probably make you more careful.

Check your powder measure often. Not only do you want a load that won't break your gun or hand, you also want consistency or else your shots are all over the place.

I make 10 rounds of the minimum load (from the load data chart) and then 10 of 0.10 grain more and 10 of 0.20 more and so on until I get to maximum published load. Mark them all different with a Sharpie on the rim and make notes so you know which is which. Keep a log of what you make and how it performs, so that you can reference back later.

Since you want to use your rounds for competition, you need to run them over a Chronograph so you can determine the power factor. I made some loads that felt great to shoot, but later figured out did not meet minimum power requirements. There are a number of good units on the market for around $100, or else put the word out at your club that you want to use one and see if someone will loan you one. I've let plenty of people shoot across mine.

I've not used Bullseye, I use Clay's for .45 (HB38/Win231 for .38 and AutoComp for 9), but there is a load for most any pistol powder (within reason). Ask the guys at King's. They LOVE to talk reloading. AJ probably loads more in a week than I will in a year.