Loaded my 1st batch of 50rds 45acp

drobs

Finally loaded my 1st batch of 45acp yesterday. Using the starting load of 4.6 grns of Win 231 behind a 200grn lead semi-wad cutter. I weighted every charge. Gotta say that powder measure comes in handy!

It took me about an hour to load 50rds.

Went over to Gat Guns shooting range and shot all 50. They went off without a hitch. Seemed a little smoky though! Accuracy was ok at 21ft out of my Kimber TLE. Will have to post some pics.

perry shooter

ALL-RIGHT now we have you hooked . Remember you will not pay for your equipment on the first 100 rounds or even the first 500 but you will be able to shoot more[^][:p]. I commend you for weighing each powder charge and this will help you avoid overloads . When you have had more practice and develop a pattern you will find you can use a powder measure and just weigh the first few and the last few of a batch. For pistol loads at 25 yards or less function is key most any powder charge that will function the gun will shoot better groups then the shooter is going to HOLD the pistol. The smoke most likely came from the bullet lube and the smell will be addictive [;)][:0]and make you want to shoot more often.[:D]

EDIT Dillion make some very good presses "I like Star better" and first rate customer service and tech support. I have loaded over 300,000 rounds of 45ACP in the last 35+ years and tested with RANSOM REST thousands of ROUNDS of varying loads and and loading techniques I have found no improvement in group size with match grade ammo in match grade pistols with cleaned primer pockets . "PRAISE THE HARD-BALL GUN"

drobs

Ahh wondered why they seemed so smoke. That would definately explan it.

I think I'm ahead of the game. [8D]
Got my press's (2) Lynman All American's + a Lynman powder measure for free from member k.stanonik.

Bought a Lynman D550 scale and Lee dies + all the component minus the brass.

Been keeping an eye out for used tumblers at gun shows but haven't found one yet.

Colonel Plink

MuWAAAHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!

Now you are one of us!

There is no turning back!

Welcome to the Dark Side.

dcs shooters

Look at www.midwayusa.com they have tumblers on sale.

drobs

Loaded another 30rds last night on my turret press in a hour. Thinking I need a Dillon 550B. I hear they can load 500rds in an hour?

Here's another question, since I'm not tumbling my brass do I need to scrape my primer pockets?

I've been scraping them after I deprime them but this seems time consuming.

dcs shooters

You need to clean your brass. Even with carbide dies, the dirt will imbed in them and wear the sizer very quickly.

BHAVIN

The Dillon will load between 500-600 rounds an hour. I usually don't load at that rate because I like to relax and enjoy reloading.
I would reccomend a tumbler. Cleaning your brass is a must and will prolong your dies. I like to have my brass really shiney just because I can.

As far as cleaning primer pockets on pistol ammo it isn't a big deal. When using a progressive press you don't clean pockets it would defeat the purpose of being progressive to stop and clean them. I have shot thoussands and thousands of pistol rounds withput cleaning the pockets and have had no issues. That being said if I am loading hunting pistol ammo I do clean pockets but that is more from past training than actual need.

I think W231 is a dirty powder and I have better luck (not to mention being cheaper) with Hodgdon "Titegroup". I had a box of 231 loads that were left over from when I used it and shot them up last week then shot some Titegroup loads. There was alot less smoke with Titegroup.

drobs

Here's my setup.


Not the best 10shot 21ft group but they worked!

.223

Thats a nice setup. [:)]

A cheap and quick clean for brass is Scotch Brite.