New 45 ACP Reloading questions

1702 Views 18 Replies 15 Participants Last post by jaybirdjtt, Mar 28, 2010

BigBets

Discussion Starter · Mar 27, 2010 (Edited)

Gentlemen,

I have searched extensively and still a little confused so sorry for the newb questions.

I recently aquired a Dillon 550B press to start reloading 45 ACP for my Glock 21SF and 30SF duty weapons. I am looking for a load to replicate/just a little softer than my duty Speer Gold Dot 230 gr hollowpoint which comes out 890 fps at the muzzle.

My questions are:

1. Which brand dies do you recommend for loading in a Glock since dies did not come with the press? Dillon?

2. I have on order several cases of Zero 230 gr FMJ plated bullets. Can you guys recommend a powder that will meter well in the Dillon and OVERFLOW the case if there is a double charge loading the Zeros to the above specs? I am looking to buy one powder for the above application that accomplishes both and just order in bulk...saving time and money. Can you recommend a starting load for the powder you recommend? I do have a reloading manual but looking for further info...

3. I found several cases of Remington large pistol primers. Any problems forseen with using these on the Dillon and a new reloader running it?

Thanks in advance and sorry for the newb stuff

BigBets

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Trench Sweeper

· #2 · Mar 27, 2010

BigBets said:
Gentlemen,

I have searched extensively and still a little confused so sorry for the newb questions.

I recently aquired a Dillon 550B press to start reloading 45 ACP for my Glock 21SF and 30SF duty weapons. I am looking for a load to replicate/just a little softer than my duty Speer Gold Dot 230 gr hollowpoint which comes out 890 fps at the muzzle.

My questions are:

1. Which brand dies do you recommend for loading in a Glock since dies did not come with the press? Dillon?

Dillon Carbide would be my recommendation

2. I have on order several cases of Zero 230 gr FMJ plated bullets. Can you guys recommend a powder that will meter well in the Dillon and OVERFLOW the case if there is a double charge loading the Zeros to the above specs? I am looking to buy one powder for the above application that accomplishes both and just order in bulk...saving time and money. Can you recommend a starting load for the powder you recommend? I do have a reloading manual but looking for further info...

Unique would be a good start. It will certainly overflow on a double charge

3. I found several cases of Remington large pistol primers. Any problems forseen with using these on the Dillon and a new reloader running it?

Everyone has preferences on primers and how hard they are. Myself I use CCI but alot don't like them saying they are hard. I haven't had any problems. I think the Remingtons will work fine for what your wanting

Thanks in advance and sorry for the newb stuff

BigBets

Hope it helps

IndyGunFreak

· #3 · Mar 27, 2010

sfguard said:
Hope it helps

I agree with you, other than the dies. I think Dillon dies are over priced, considering a Lee 4 die set is just as good, is half the price, and has a full length sizer. I think for the money, Lee 4 die carbide sets, are about the best bang for the buck. If you wanna start spending a lot more money, Redding's dies are great.

IGF

chris in va

· #4 · Mar 27, 2010

No issues with my 45 Lee die set. I'm just getting started with the caliber as well, having loaded thousands of 9mm already. 45 is so much easier to load!

Hydraulicman

· #5 · Mar 27, 2010

i use a dillon 550 and a lee three die set. I just have not gotten around to buying another die. It works great.

srd

· #6 · Mar 27, 2010

Almost all of my dies are Lee except when i started loading 45 acp i bought a set of Hornady Nitride when they first came out ( showing my age] . Really cant tell any difference between them and Lee. In my opinon Dillons are just over priced and still dont own a set and probobly never will.

dudel

· #7 · Mar 27, 2010

Any standard die will work fine. In this case, Dillon might make a better choice since you can order the whole thing from one place and save a bit on shipping (free if you go to BE).

Unique would likely fit your bill, and would work in almost any other pistol caliber you might start loading for.

No problem with Remington primers. They are a bit pricer than other brands; but they've gone bang every time for me. The only primer seater I'm familiar with that has an issue with specific primers is are the Lee primers. (At least Lee recommends not using certain primers in their seaters.)

BigBets

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 27, 2010

Keep em coming guys!!! Especially about recommended powders and possible starting recipes with the Zero FMJ.

Also does everyone think the full legnth resizing is necessary with low pressure loads like the 45 acp? Do the Dillons full legnth resize or does Lee do it better?

Thanks!!!

Fire_Medic

· #9 · Mar 27, 2010

Dillon dies because you can clean them out without losing your setting and they're Carbide.

For powder Unique, or WST should do the trick.

I also have had good results in the past with Solo 1,000 in 45 ACP.
:wavey:

IndyGunFreak

· #10 · Mar 27, 2010 (Edited)

BigBets said:
Keep em coming guys!!! Especially about recommended powders and possible starting recipes with the Zero FMJ.

Also does everyone think the full legnth resizing is necessary with low pressure loads like the 45 acp? Do the Dillons full legnth resize or does Lee do it better?

Thanks!!!

If you just want the Dillon dies, Dillon dies are fine. I had a pair for 40 S&W, and just didn't like the lack of a full length sizer. Ended up selling them, and getting a Redding Pro Series set. REALLY nice dies. I don't like the Lock rings they come with(damaged die threads) so I bought another set of Lee lock rings. Redding makes some very nice dies. If I was going to buy Dillon dies, I'd just pony up another 25 bucks or so and get the Redding's...
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=736556

You'll still need a Dillon powder die(which you'll need even if you buy Dillon dies)..

You can ask 10 people the questions you've asked, and get 12 different sets of answers. Everyone has their favorites for different reasons.

IGF

BurkGlocker

· #11 · Mar 27, 2010

I use Lee dies almost exclusively, and actually have a set of carbide .45 ACP dies that are sitting here collecting dust. As for powder, Unique is good, but I switched over to Power Pistol a while back, it burns cleaner, but it is a little snappier than some of the other powders. I was packing 7.0 grains of PP under Hornady FMJ 230 gr bullets and it would zip along pretty good. I dont think it will overflow the case with a double charge though, so it would be out of the question for your needs. I have had good success with Remington primers, but really, as long as they help the ammo go bang, I am all for it. LOL

BG

Glocks&Ducs

· #12 · Mar 27, 2010

IndyGunFreak said:
...

You'll still need a Dillon powder die(which you'll need even if you buy Dillon dies)..

...

I doubt his press came without a powder die. They aren't usually sold seperately on a Dillon unless you want to buy an extra.

IndyGunFreak

· #13 · Mar 27, 2010 (Edited)

Glocks&Ducs said:
I doubt his press came without a powder die. They aren't usually sold seperately on a Dillon unless you want to buy an extra.

You know, for some reason, I looked at it and thought he was loading 2 different calibers, but its two different guns.. You're absolutely correct, he should already have the powder die(assuming he bought the press new, and it came with it).

IGF

fredj338

· #14 · Mar 28, 2010

I like the Dillon dies better, but Lee will work, as will any die set. You don't really need a powder tha overflows w/ a dbl, just enough volumn where a dbl is obvious (NOT TG). WST is a high loft powder, best I have found for liht to full power 45acp loads w/ any bullet. W231, Unique, WSF or Universal would also work. Nothing wrong w/ PP but the muzzle blast. Starting loads, average the middle data form 2-3 manuals & that is a good starting place. Work the load up or down 0.1gr & run em.

MSgt Dotson

· #15 · Mar 28, 2010

Unique...

I made many thousands of rounds with 5.5 gr of Unique, 230 gr FMJ; if desiring 850+ fps, you might be a tad higher than 5.5 gr, closer to 6.0. Case volume filled to nearly 75%, IIRC...

Blaster

· #16 · Mar 28, 2010

I have reloaded over 20,000 rounds of .45 ACP for my G21 and G30. Unique has been the only powder I have used. I haven't found a need to try anything else.

I typically load 6 grains of Unique with a Zero 230 grain FMJ bullet. I would advise getting a manual and starting with the minimum charge weight and working your way up.

CCI primers have been the bulk of what I have used. However, I have used a few boxes of Winchester and Remington primers. They all work. I have never had a round that failed to ignite. Just make sure you seat your primers fully and you should have no problems.

I purchased my 550 with Dillon dies. Dillon has a great reputation and I did not want to mess around in the beginning. I think it was Brian Enos when I talked to him on the phone that advised I go with the Dillon dies. I certainly haven't regretted that decision.

Once you start loading and have your powder charge weight determined do the following. Set your scale for 4 times your charge weight. Drop four powder charges, weigh all four together and adjust your powder measure accordingly. This way you are averaging across 4 loads.

Additionally do not get carried away with "crimping". The case wall tension is what holds the bullet not the crimp. The final stage is used only to remove the bell you imparted on the case in the second stage. People who get carried away with crimping end up crushing/distorting the bullet and ruining accuracy. Your produced round at the case mouth should measure no less than the bullet diameter + (case wall thickness X 2) minus a couple thousands.

See less See more

fredj338

· #17 · Mar 28, 2010 (Edited)

MSgt Dotson said:
Unique...

I made many thousands of rounds with 5.5 gr of Unique, 230 gr FMJ; if desiring 850+ fps, you might be a tad higher than 5.5 gr, closer to 6.0. Case volume filled to nearly 75%, IIRC...

I agree, Unique, or it's more reliable metering twin WSF, work great in std. vel to +P 45acp. They are not at their best if you want light target loads though. All of the medium burners get a bit dirty below 800fps w/ a 230gr bullet. FWIW, 6gr of Unique or 6.1gr of WSF give about 810fps in my 5" 1911 or XDTAC. Under a 230grRNL, a bit more than 855fps.

Patrick Graham

· #18 · Mar 28, 2010

My 2 cents.

Here's what my RL550 45acp setup is.

For a powder, Unique.

For the dies, Dillon and Lee.

For 230 FMJ - Dillon sizing die in station one, Lee seating die in station 3 and a Lee Factory Crimp die in station four.

For Lead - Dillon sizing die in station one, Lee seating die in station 3 and a Dillon Crimp die in station four.

It mutated into that over the years.

See less See more

jaybirdjtt

· #19 · Mar 28, 2010

chris in va said:
No issues with my 45 Lee die set. I'm just getting started with the caliber as well, having loaded thousands of 9mm already. 45 is so much easier to load!

I have to agree. The Lee 4 die set for around $33 works great. You aren't reloading for bench rest , silhouette or even NRA target competition and even then, I'd still use the Lee.

Also, Unique works great for the 45.

Primers......whatever you can find in large pistol and you might want some small pistol in case you come across some of the NT brass that is out there. No sense tossing it. Just sort it and when you get a bunch, prime 'em. They'll shoot the same. I think your gun will cycle fine even down to 800-850 fps using the 230 grain bullets.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.