45 / 50 Caliber Reloading

[ormandj]

Originally Posted by wbyrd

Couldn't tell you what the diameter was as we shot them all and I didn't take any measurments before hand. The OAL was running right around 1.230 give or take a few thousandths and we were checking every 10 rounds.

All I can figure is the rounds were too wide w/ bullet. Next time you load some up, check to make sure your diameter doesn't exceed .471, with the bullet in place. Personally, I taper crimp to ~.470.

I've got a little thing that I drop my finished ammunition in, and if it fits, doesn't exceed the length, and the tail-end of the cartridge is between the low/high of the backside, it's good ammunition (head-spaced properly, OAL is fine, diameter is good). I forget what they call them, but you might want to look around for one. I don't think I paid more than $10 for it at some local shooting supplier.

[Liquid Rhino]

Testing out a my first JHP's this afternoon. A tad nervous about pressure on the lower seated depth of the JHP's (1.230) as opposed to my usual FMJ RN loads (1.260), but all my loads so far have been extremely light vs factory. 1.230 was the highest depth I could get the JHP's to rack in the XD, but was afraid to try the manual's stated 1.200 - 1.210 for my first batch...

My loads are:
Hornady 230gr XTP JHP on 4.7gr - 5.0gr W.231 at ~1.230.

Wondering if anyone here had any objections as to it's safety or overpressure?

[Mamba]

Originally Posted by eightmillimeter

The 4 die set includes the factory crimp die. It is worth it's weight in gold. The Lee factory crimp die not only crimps but it post sizes the entire loaded round with a carbide ring. You get a great crimp die that is easy to adjust and you will never have a stoppage from an oversized round.

I just did my first 10rds on the Lee turret last night. I followed the factory crimp die install instructions, turning the adjustment in another 1/2 turn after it touches the casing. The result fits in my XD barrel with similar slack as factory ammo. And it passes the "push test". But visually it's hard to tell if the crimp is set right...what's the best way to check? Should the neck diameter be a constant or at least match a factory (say, WWB) load?

[jwoolf]

Originally Posted by Sharpsshooter

I'll give you my experience, with the normal caveat YMMV. I currently load 45ACP, will start loading 38spl and 357mag soon. I also load a number of rifle calibers, but that is a different forum.

If you want to get the absolute lowest reloading cost, you need to cast bullets. No question about it. Of course, many people will say that it takes too much time and that you must take into account your time when determining the real cost of reloading. I can't dispute the assertion, but I think of the therapuetic value of casting and reloading along with knowledge of the money I am saving, which is VERY therapuetic.

I currently use a 4 hole Lee turret press. I like it because you can get your dies set up for other calibers on spare turrets and never have to mess with settings again. I also like using the auto disk powder measure that comes in the kit for handgun loading. Very slick and easy. Deluxe kit at Cabelas, $80

I use a Lee auto prime for priming. Tool and shell holders $24

Lee trim tool, included in the kit, but you will need to buy the length gauge and shell holder for each caliber, about $3-$4.

Lee camfer tool, included in kit.

Calipers. Can be found for $10, just get some. Do not play around with cartridge length, trust me on this.

Lee Carbide Four-Pistol Die Set. $31 I can't say enough about this set of dies. The two stage setup for seating and crimping provides a very consistent round. The carbide factory crimp die is a life saver for auto loaders. My buddy likes to hack on me for my Lee equipment, he uses RCBS. He loaded a bunch of 45ACP and about 10% would not load in his pistol. We took them back to my place, ran them through my factory crimp die and every one of them loaded perfectly. Needless to say, he bought a carbide factory crimp die the next day.

Lyman master cast kit. Excellent value for the caster. I have yet to outgrow mine and I cast many, many bullets. $134

Sizing die and top punch, $25

Mold. I use the Lee 228g LRN mold, works for me. $19

Total equipment outlay, current cost, $327.

I have been able to get by without having to buy brass, but others may not be so lucky.

My current cost for my handloads is about 3.5 cents per round or $1.76/50 or about $36/1000.
The load is WLP primer, 4.4g Titegroup, with my hand cast 228g LRN.

Blazer brass ammo at Wally World, $10.99+tax. I'll ballpark it at $11.50/50.

Cost difference: $9.74/50. After 1700 rounds, you have paid for your equipment.

Time? That's a hard one to say, I never have timed all of the steps. The casting and sizing is the "longest". I would have to say actual time spent on 100 rounds is less than an hour.

Yup, that's about it.

Once you have your brass, it's all about reducing your cost on projectiles... which you can cast or, you can find a really good source for lead projectiles.

Face it, as long as you shoot at or about 1000 fps, you will not lead your barrel with a good cast bullet so, if you're learning to get better then, you'd be an idiot not to shoot lead and/or cast your own if you're a dedicated shooter.

Primers will cost you less than .03/round for big pistol primers and powder is less than .01/round so, what's going to cost you to shoot? The bullet.

Once you start reloading, you can reload whatever you want, that's the beauty but, for practice, shoot the cheap stuff and actually learn how to shoot. You always have the option to load anything else too.

[ragsflh]

Originally Posted by Liquid Rhino

Testing out a my first JHP's this afternoon. A tad nervous about pressure on the lower seated depth of the JHP's (1.230) as opposed to my usual FMJ RN loads (1.260), but all my loads so far have been extremely light vs factory. 1.230 was the highest depth I could get the JHP's to rack in the XD, but was afraid to try the manual's stated 1.200 - 1.210 for my first batch...

My loads are:
Hornady 230gr XTP JHP on 4.7gr - 5.0gr W.231 at ~1.230.

Wondering if anyone here had any objections as to it's safety or overpressure?

try 1.245.my xd45 likes this length.1.250 or longer won;t feed

[Edubya]

Originally Posted by jwoolf

Yup, that's about it.

Once you have your brass, it's all about reducing your cost on projectiles... which you can cast or, you can find a really good source for lead projectiles.

Face it, as long as you shoot at or about 1000 fps, you will not lead your barrel with a good cast bullet so, if you're learning to get better then, you'd be an idiot not to shoot lead and/or cast your own if you're a dedicated shooter.

Primers will cost you less than .03/round for big pistol primers and powder is less than .01/round so, what's going to cost you to shoot? The bullet.

Once you start reloading, you can reload whatever you want, that's the beauty but, for practice, shoot the cheap stuff and actually learn how to shoot. You always have the option to load anything else too.

If you need to get more specific information on cost to load: Handloading Cost Calculator

[afish4570]

Will be getting ready to load a batch of 45 Cast bullets in my XD as a new XD owner any precautions? Not sure if Athe XD's are even supposed to be shot with cast bullets, I know the Glocks with polygon orig. equip. barrels aren't. afish4570

[mongoose33]

Originally Posted by afish4570

Will be getting ready to load a batch of 45 Cast bullets in my XD as a new XD owner any precautions? Not sure if Athe XD's are even supposed to be shot with cast bullets, I know the Glocks with polygon orig. equip. barrels aren't. afish4570

Assuming you're an experienced reloader and using the right load for lead bullets, no.

I shoot Precision's "black bullet" through my XD-45 with no problems. It's a lead bullet with a proprietary coating, but it's loaded as if it were just a basic lead bullet.

[SSwanner]

does anyone on here load 185 or 200gr bullets in their 45? i have been loading 5.4gr bullseye with 200gr montana gold jfp bullets & col of 1.115"

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by SSwanner

does anyone on here load 185 or 200gr bullets in their 45? i have been loading 5.4gr bullseye with 200gr montana gold jfp bullets & col of 1.115"

That's a really short OAL, be very careful w/ BE loads, pressures go up quickly.