45 ACP Reloading

[GeneCC]

I pick up small primer 45s when I see them. Happily reload them, and have no issue seating the new primer. One question I have, though; Small Pistol or Small Rifle? Don't lose any sleep, and run Small Pistol primers in these critters. Not shooting match, not for self defense, just plinking ammo.

Rifle primers tend to run with higher pressures. If you want to have the feedback of pressure signs I would stick with small pistol primers.

[JenniferG]

I'd be more concerned using Federal brass that has a cannelure in them. They go into my junk brass hopper. Ever see a rupture at the cannelure? I have after two reloads.

[Doug570]

I reload both small and large primer 45's. Never had a problem with small primers and I use CCI. The brass is Blazer Brass and CCI Lawman. I have noticed in the Lawman some are small and some are large primer in the same box. I dont ream the primer pockets. Out of the tumbler and into the loader.

[Bang]

I'd say if not crimped, reloading either should be straight-forward and either would produce pistol accuracy and power factor. If crimped, reaming is no biggie too.

[Pete D.]

I've never had issues with small primer .45's. Use a primer pocket reamer. It will maker them all uniform. I shoot both small and large and could never tell the difference. I really don't think things like this matter much with handguns as far as accuracy is concerned.

This^^^^^. My experience also.

[walker71]

That's what I ended up doing. Used a reamer, cleaned up the primer pocket and seated new primers without issues. Everything went bang at the range.