Which is easier to reload, .45ACP or .40 S&W

[jrjordan]

Or, is there any difference once your're set up and running? Would appreciate some views on this question.

[Verk]

I don't believe there is much difference once you have the required equipment setup. As always, you want to never exceed the max loadings for the particular bullet you have chosen and start low and work your way up looking for signs of overpressure.

I would spend a few extra dollars and purchase carbide resizing dies. These allow you to resize the case without the case lube process and are worth the extra few bucks trust me. Good luck.

[Tard]

I load both, they are very similar and are both really pretty easy.
The .40 uses small pistol primers and the .45 uses large pistol primers so there is a slight difference in cost there.

Where I live nearly all the cops carry .40 and leave their once-fired brass at the range. I sweep it up, have thousands of shells.

The .45 ACP guys nearly all reload so it's very rare to see someone leave their shells.

I use the Dillon Square Deal B press which I like a lot BUT transferring from .40 to .45 takes a bit of work since they use different primer sizes... end up changing a lot of parts to change calibers. So, I load 1000 rounds of one then change, load 1000 rounds of the other.

Carbide dies are a must-have, don't even consider dies where you must use lube for straight-sided pistol cases.

[fredj338]

They load exactly the same, but I find the 45acp easier to load. Bullet selection isn't as critical in the 45acp. It's a low pressure round so you don't have to worry so much about bullet setback that can cause problems in the 40s&w.

[Tard]

Originally Posted by fredj338

They load exactly the same, but I find the 45acp easier to load. Bullet selection isn't as critical in the 45acp. It's a lwo pressure round so you con;t have to worry so much about bullet setback that can casue problems in the 40s&w.

Yep.

[brian40]

Originally Posted by Tard

The .45 ACP guys nearly all reload so it's very rare to see someone leave their shells.
.

Around here I find hundreds of 45's and almost no 40's.

And +1 on the carbides. Do they even make non-carbides for straight-walled cases anymore??

[zac07]

At the outdoor range I can find tons of both, I dont reload .45 yet but I have buckets of brass for when I get the 1911 on my wish list.

[Krackels]

It seems like .45 would be easier to load for since it's not a high pressure round like .40 is and therefore you won't have to worry as much about blowing yourself to kingdom come if you use too high of a charge.

But both should be fairly easy to reload as long as you remember to start from a minimal load and work your way up being sure to chrono your rounds.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by Krackels

It seems like .45 would be easier to load for since it's not a high pressure round like .40 is and therefore you won't have to worry as much about blowing yourself to kingdom come if you use too high of a charge.
But both should be fairly easy to reload as long as you remember to start from a minimal load and work your way up being sure to chrono your rounds.

Good advice but most new handloaders don't have a chronograph. FWIW, I never use the starting loads because they often fail to cycle some actions properly, leaves unburned powder, etc.. Consult at least two loading manuals & split the max. & starting load & start there in the middle. This often gives a functional round that is completely safe in any firearm. You can work up or down from ther to get the desired result safely. If you can get access to a chronograph, def. take advantage of it. I hev never turned a request down to run a strangers loads over my chronograph while I am at the range.

[scalce]

Originally Posted by Tard

The .40 uses small pistol primers and the .45 uses large pistol primers so there is a slight difference in cost there.

Everyplace I have ordered from and see online has large and small as the same price.

I don't load 40 but I load 9mm and 45 ACP.

I find 45 easier to load and is smoother in my machine.