45 / 50 Caliber Reloading

[R Dub]

Post you questions, answers, and recommendations about the .45 & .50 caliber load data here.

Use this load data at your own risk. YOU, and ONLY you, are responsible to use common sense and safe load development techniques in working up to a good load for your own use. Always consult the Powder Manufacturer’s specs and stay below the maximums they recommend.

[Grimloktt]

What's a ball park cost to start reloading? What's an average amount of time it takes to reload 100 bullets? How much does it cost to reload 100 bullets?

Thank you. Aaron.

[Krackels]

Originally Posted by Grimloktt

What's a ball park cost to start reloading? What's an average amount of time it takes to reload 100 bullets? How much does it cost to reload 100 bullets?

Thank you. Aaron.

Aaron, it might be adviseable to search for your answers and if you still don't find what you're looking for start a thread here in the Ammo can with your questions.

Since I'm here how about some recommended loads. I haven't started reloading yet, so these loads are only recommended loads from the powder manufacturer's websites.

It is advisable that you reduce the charge weight by 10% and work up until you establish a safe and reliable load.

Alliant Powder
Loads for .45ACP using 230 gr. FMC bullet, Federal 150 primers, test barrel 5", Minimum OAL is 1.19

Bullseye, charge 5 gr.
Muzzle Velocity 905 (fps).........Pressure (psi)16,200

Red Dot, charge 5gr.
Muzzle Velocity 910 (fps).........Pressure (psi) 16,200

Green Dot, charge 5.4 gr.
Muzzle Velocity 920 (fps).........Pressure (psi) 15,800

Unique, charge 6 gr.
Muzzle Velocity 895 (fps)..........Pressure (psi) 16,000

Power Pistol, charge 7.2 gr.
Muzzle Veloctiy 895 (fps)..........Pressure (psi) 20,000

Herco, charge 6.2 gr.
Muzzle Velocity 890 (fps)..........Pressure (psi) 16,200

Blue Dot, charge 8.5 gr.
Muzzle Velocity 900 (fps)..........Pressure (psi) 16,200


Hodgdon Powder
For all brands of powders use only the components shown. If you make any changes in components or get new lot numbers, you should begin again with the starting loads and work up to maximum cautiously.
The loads shown here are at maximum. Reduce them by 10% and work up to the load that works best for you. NEVER EXCEED THE LISTED LOADS.

CASE: WINCHESTER
BBL: 5"
PRIMER: FEDERAL 150
BULLET: 230 GR. Hornady FMJ FP

Longshot, charge 6.8 gr.
Muzzle Velocity 908 (fps)..........Pressure 17,200 CUP

HS-6, charge 8.2 gr.
Muzzle Velocity 825 (fps)..........Pressure 15,400 CUP

UNIVERSAL, charge 5.6 gr.
Muzzle Velocity 844 (fps)..........Pressure 16,800 CUP

HP-38, charge 5.3 gr.
Muzzle Velocity 832 (fps)..........Pressure 16,800 CUP

TITEGROUP, charge 4.8 gr.
Muzzle Velocity 818 (fps)..........Pressure 16,700 CUP

CLAYS, charge 4.0 gr.
Muzzle Velocity 732 (fps)..........Pressure 17,000 CUP



Vihtavuori Reloading Manuals here, get 'em quick.

[Grimloktt]

Originally Posted by Krackels

Aaron, it might be adviseable to search for your answers and if you still don't find what you're looking for start a thread here in the Ammo can with your questions.

Oh... I thought I was supposed to place my questions here. Maybe the initial thread starter meant this section of the forum when he said here instead of the literal term here...in this thread ?

Either way, thnx for the response.

[Krackels]

Originally Posted by Grimloktt

Oh... I thought I was supposed to place my questions here. Maybe the initial thread starter meant this section of the forum when he said here instead of the literal term here...in this thread ?

Either way, thnx for the response.

Sorry Correct you are! my bad.

I'll do some searching. There was a calculator that would calculate your component costs per round.

I found this excel spreadsheet.

I didn't account for shipping. I used the cheapest 230gr. FMJ bullets in the largest quantity, 2k Rainier bullets. I used the prices of Bullseye powder with the recipe above and Federal 150 primers. I didn't account for any hazmat or shipping charges because I'm assuming you could pick all of it up locally and pay less for taxes than shipping, and I assumed that you were using free brass that you already had.

I figured in a 6% tax rate if everything was bought locally or if shipping was minimal.

I got $0.1290 per round or $129 per 1000 compared to $200 for 1000 for purchased loaded ammunition. A savings of $71.05 per thousand or 35.52% savings.


Using this savings method and assuming $500 for start up equipment it would take you 7 thousand rounds before you broke even and then you'd be saving $71 per thousand if the prices don't go up.

Or using the bare essentials prices that I used below. It would take you a little more than three and a half thousand reloaded rounds save enough money over bought ammunition to pay for your equipment.

You could save a lot more if you went with bare bones essential equipment or your costs would increase if you had to buy your brass or if your tax or components costed more.

[Krackels]

Originally Posted by Grimloktt

What's a ball park cost to start reloading? What's an average amount of time it takes to reload 100 bullets? How much does it cost to reload 100 bullets?

Thank you. Aaron.

Using a Lee Deluxe Turret Press Kit for $150 and a set of 4 deluxe pistol dies for $50 and a cheap tumbler for $60 you should have all the equipment you need except for the actual components.

Lee's website says for the turret presses, "you can load over 200 rounds per hour."
See videos for demonstration.
Videos

[Mike Russell]

or you can do it for less, and do what I did to get started...

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=351321
(Lee Pro1K Progressive press w/ .45acp dies, $130)

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=587176
(FA Tumbler, $40)

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=713372
(FA Micro Electronic scale, I got it on sale for $30 but it's back up to $63)

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=138039
(Lee Z-Bar to allow case feed to work properly w/ .45 & .40, $2)

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=198878
(brass polish cause I like shiny brass, $7)

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=215517
(bullet puller, $10 when I got it, $14 now)

My total to get started was $230 from Midway and another $9 at WalMart to get media (bird bedding, corn cob 8lbs) & home-made casing/media separator (collander & bucket). I already have over 1300 .45acp casings, so all I need is bullets, primers, & powder (and there's a gun show next weekend in Lake Charles where they usually wheel & deal on reloading items).

When I'm more comfortable with reloading, I'll probably make the Lee Pro1K be set up for strictly reloading .223 (and any other rifle caliber I may end up with) and buy another press with 4-5 stations for doing .45acp & .40smith (that way I can use the factory crimp die).

[Krackels]

Good call there. Like I said, I haven't started reloading yet so I'm just throwing out a ballpark figure.

[BBunin]

I just did my very first reloading session tonight with the Lee Pro 1000 I bought off a forum member.

4.5g of Win 231
Hornady 230g FMJ
Win Large Rifle primers.

Two questions:
How precise does OAL need to be?
My rounds mike out between 1.255 and 1.262 Is that close enough to 1.260?

Can you use Win Small Rifle Primers, instead of Large pistol?

[Old School]

Originally Posted by BBunin

Two questions:
How precise does OAL need to be?
My rounds mike out between 1.255 and 1.262 Is that close enough to 1.260?

Can you use Win Small Rifle Primers, instead of Large pistol?

You are fine on the OAL. It will very a bit because the case length may vary. As for the primers, on the 45ACP, you will need to use Large primers.