1st reloads (45 ACP) -- PLEASE critique

[paridgerunner]

I recently loaded my 1st 10 rounds of 45 ACP practice ammo.
I have been researching and gathering supplies for reloading handgun ammo for the past month or 2.

Many thanks to all who have shared their experience on this forum.

Let me know if there is anything I should/could do differently. I have not tried the rounds yet since the ground has been covered with snow. I want to recover my brass.

I purchased a Lee single stage press (Challenger kit) and dies.
I also acquired a Lee Pro Disk measure and a Hornady digital scale.

Components used:
New brass
Federal large pistol primers
Berry’s 230 Gn round nose plated bullets
Wins 231 powder

I used the Hodgdon data site, the Lyman 49th and Lee 2nd edition reloading manuals for load data references.

I started with 4.3 grains of Win 231. This translated to a .40 cc Lee disk.

.40 cc / Win 231 VMD .0931 = 4.296 grains

I measured the OAL of 20 rounds each of WWB 230 Gn FMJ and Rem. UMC 230 Gn FMJ. I ended up with an average OAL of 1.260”. I used this as a starting point for seating depth since these rounds feed reliably in my XD 45 Compact. Minimun OAL specified in the Lee manual in 1.20”

After setting up the dies per the Lee instructions, I proceeded to practice flaring/seating/crimping/pulling bullets on a couple sacrificial pieces of brass.

I primed 10 pieces of brass using the Lee hand primer, ensuring all primers were flush or slightly below flush with the case.

I had some issues getting the Lee Pro disk to throw consistent charges in the beginning.
I dumped ~50 charges and measured each one. They were all low, ~ 3.7 – 4.0 grains, except the first 2 or 3, which were right on at 4.3 grains. I had a dryer sheet wrapped around the powder hopper to help reduce static cling. After many dumped charges, I found if I tapped 2-3X firmly on the side of the powder measure with my finger before throwing the charge, they were much more consistent ~ 4.2 grains. At this point I measured every charge, dumped all 10, and started over. I charged all 10 cases, measuring every other one, getting consistent charges of ~ 4.2 grains. I did measure some charges on the Lee bar scale and the Hornady electronic scale. The scales seem to be consistent with one another.

I seated bullets in all 10 and measured the OAL.
My finished OAL was 1.260” +.003”, -.002”

I used the Lee factory crimp die. After crimping, the case diameter at the mouth measured 0.471”

What do you think? Improvements/precautions/suggestions?

[.45Kimber1911]

You are going to laugh at this one, but I have read of people taping an adjustable speed vibrator to the side of their powder measure to agitate it if they are getting inconsistent powder drops. This may help you out instead of tapping the side constantly for each charge.

[Arrdy]

I'm not a fan of the disk system. As you found, rather inconsistant ...

But since you already bought it, get the upgrade kit.

Biggest question ... how they shoot? Let us know.

As you gain experience you'll find there's a few steps you can speed up, but for now it's good practice.

Welcome to the wonderful world of reloading!

[Rik Bitter]

You are going to laugh at this one, but I have read of people taping an adjustable speed vibrator to the side of their powder measure to agitate it if they are getting inconsistent powder drops. This may help you out instead of tapping the side constantly for each charge.

Here you go...



I wonder if they come in a hollow point.

[daschnoz]

Here you go...



I wonder if they come in a hollow point.

I'm not sure I want to know.

[vapochilled]

Here you go...



I wonder if they come in a hollow point.

I'd rather buy a compound bow than risk someone seeing that lol
Clearly a man not afraid to wear a salmon (pink) shirt,

[Jim8300]

One other tip I was shown and it may save a wasted trip to the range. A case chamber gauge should be used to check the ammo for proper sizing. Evolution Gun Works has some.

http://www.egwguns.com/chamber-check...mber-checkers/

I don’t have one yet, but a friend told me a quick way to check safely at home prior to the trip to the range was to disassemble the pistol and use the barrel as a chamber gauge. It works but I think I will invest in a ammo checker in the future.

[paridgerunner]

Here you go...



I wonder if they come in a hollow point.

I can't seem to find one of those in stock....

[paridgerunner]

One other tip I was shown and it may save a wasted trip to the range. A case chamber gauge should be used to check the ammo for proper sizing. Evolution Gun Works has some.

http://www.egwguns.com/chamber-check...mber-checkers/

I don’t have one yet, but a friend told me a quick way to check safely at home prior to the trip to the range was to disassemble the pistol and use the barrel as a chamber gauge. It works but I think I will invest in a ammo checker in the future.

The barrel is a good idea. Either way, it is easier than measuring with calipers.

[Chazman321]

I can't seem to find one of those in stock....

They sell them at Spencer's in the mall


-Chaz