Wise Me Up on .45 Por Favor
Having bought my first .45 I need to gather up some ammo for it. I am about clueless on the ammo other than what my quick research has revealed and that is that it looks like 230Gr is pretty popular and I'm seeing prices from about $.30/round on up. I'm looking for target practice ammo and want to hear what you like and dislike and why. Oaks gun show is upon us and I'll certainly be looking for some while I'm there.
Re: Wise Me Up on .45 Por Favor
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Walleye Hunter
Having bought my first .45 I need to gather up some ammo for it. I am about clueless on the ammo other than what my quick research has revealed and that is that it looks like 230Gr is pretty popular and I'm seeing prices from about $.30/round on up. I'm looking for target practice ammo and want to hear what you like and dislike and why. Oaks gun show is upon us and I'll certainly be looking for some while I'm there.
It won't help much but I like whatever is cheapest. I watch for sales and grab 500 or 1000 rounds. I have some Freedom Munitions (my least favorite) Winchester white box, UMC, American Eagle. Freedom is pretty weak which I why I don't like it.
Re: Wise Me Up on .45 Por Favor
When I carried 45 I went with Hornady or Federal self defense ammo.
Practiced with 230 gr FMJ Federal or UMC usually.
I was also comfortable carrying 230 gr FMJ.
Re: Wise Me Up on .45 Por Favor
Pick up an inexpensive Lee single stage starter kit and start reloading for it. Pick up brass at your range, or buy brass. I use 200 grain Lead Semi Wadcutters, and Hogdon Clays or Tightgroup powder. It's easy to do.
Re: Wise Me Up on .45 Por Favor
I buy whatever is cheapest with large pistol primers, mainly because I reload and that's what most .45 is loaded in.
That usually ends up being S&B. Watch Gun.Deals and our gun deal thread, and you can usually snag it at Brownells for about 25-26 cents per round plus cash back if you do that.
Re: Wise Me Up on .45 Por Favor
I have a Dillon 550 pretty much set up and it came with a quick change setup for .45 as well so once I get it figured out I will reload them. Some of them are small pistol primed? How can one tell what size it's primed with when buying the stuff? That sounds like a reloading dilemma sorting them out.
Re: Wise Me Up on .45 Por Favor
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Walleye Hunter
I have a Dillon 550 pretty much set up and it came with a quick change setup for .45 as well so once I get it figured out I will reload them. Some of them are small pistol primed? How can one tell what size it's primed with when buying the stuff? That sounds like a reloading dilemma sorting them out.
You can't tell, aside from Googling and seeing what people say it has (or, if you're in the store, getting permission to open the box and peek). I know from experience (i.e. after buying a case) that Blazer Brass is SPP.
SPP is nice because you can use the same primers as 9mm, so you don't have to worry about stocking both or converting over. LPP is definitely more ubiquitous though.
Re: Wise Me Up on .45 Por Favor
And is there any functional difference between the primer sizes?
Re: Wise Me Up on .45 Por Favor
Been shooting Speer Lawman TMJ in 9 and 40 because of no lead dust in inside range but if you're shooting outside guess it doesn't matter. I spose they make 45 but never checked.
Re: Wise Me Up on .45 Por Favor
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Walleye Hunter
And is there any functional difference between the primer sizes?
I don't think so. I've read that you might get slightly lower pressures with SPP, but nothing major.
Disclaimer: I'm still new to reloading, and have loaded a LOT less .45 than 9mm.