Reloading .45 colt(update: Bullet inquiry)

fishermanben

I'm going to do it. I got a Lee press I can use. As far as I can tell, all I need are the dies, and the bullet components.

What brand of dies should I purchase?

Any suggestions on a good hunting load being shot through Contender?

Ben

mrbruce

Dies are kinda like cars, and trucks, everybody has there favorite's.
Mine happen to be Redding, but they will all make good loads if you follow instructions to a (T)....
W-296, and a 250gr Hornady XTP are good medicine in a 45 Colt.
You could check out the 300 Gr XTP too while your at it.

Gun control is hitting what your aiming at.

PJ

I have only used Lee dies. Get the 4 die set as it includes the Factory Crimp Die (a must when reloading 45 Colt).
Pete

"Be kind to your neighbor, he knows where you live"

bpost

Any die set will work fine and last almost forever. A four die set is a plus, roll crimps are very helpful in keeping the bullets from moving under recoil.

This round also works very well with 240-260 cast bullets. It is a powerful round that can be very fun to shoot. As a defense round some of the newer bullets from the various manufacturers are fine. A big hole leaks important stuff faster than a small hole. The .45 colt makes a big hole.

Unique is a good choice for powder to start with. Any brand primer will work fine too.

fishermanben

Here are the types of bullets I was looking at on Midwayusa.com. Anyone have any input on any of these. They will be loaded hot for deer.

288379 Swift A-Frame Bullets 45 Caliber (452 Diameter) 265 Grain Hollow Point Box of 50 $32.49

591316 Speer Bullets 45 Caliber (451 Diameter) 260 Grain Magnum Hollow Point Box of 100 Available $16.99

613004 Barnes XPB Handgun Bullets 45 Caliber (451 Diameter) 250 Grain Hollow Point Box of 20 $13.79

richbug

Jacketed bullets are nice, but the 45 colt is classic lead bullet cartridge. pick something in the 250-325 grain range and back it with 2400 or 4227.

.

Cornflk1

You might consider carbide dies (for straight wall cases), little bit more money, but much nicer to reload in the long run.

Snellstrom

As Richbug suggested go with a cast lead bullet. They are cheap and do the job, I load everything from 185 grain to 255 grain, my gun seems to like the heavier stuff and Unique powder. Start with a mild load because mild loads are just easier to shoot if you will shoot very much. I shoot fairly tame loads the most but have also worked up some good hunting or manstoppers loads that are fun on occasion but I find I will usually shoot light loads the most. I have used RCBS dies for 30 years now for all of my loading and I am very happy with them, I don't know of too many dies on the market that people think are bad so pick what the most people suggest but most seem to work regardless of the name.
Good luck and stay safe