Check my plan/method.
I've loaded a few hundred rounds of .38 spcl and .357 so far this year. Started reloading late in the spring. Got the hang of it and am now expanding to .45 ACPs. I have probably shot 1-200 of the loads I've done for .38s.
I am using a lee classic turret 4 hole press. Lee 4 die carbide set of dies. The pro powder measure with adjustable charge bar is how I'm measuring powder.
So, reading up, I read a thread about how to set the bullet depth. The thread(its on the internet...so it must be true) said that with .45s they don't use the SAAMI? length guidelines that are in the book...the guy typing used the actual barrel of the gun. I have a 1911 I'm loading for, so I pulled the barrel and set the depth so the bullet bottom is even with the bottom of the barrel. I can't recall the max load...but its somewhere around 8.5 or higher I believe for #5. Books out in the garage or I'd look.
Here's the thread...
.45 ACP Reloading for beginners - Shooters Forum
Regardless, I have Titegroup, Blue Dot, and Acc #5 powder. I grabbed the Accurate 5 to load with as it had good results in the Lee Loading book with the bullets I have(230 Gr Lead RN and 230 gr Plated Xtreme Bullets).
I set the depth at around 1.26"(above the book recommendation of like 1.23") based on above thread(I had read that method somewhere else as well). I then started loading at the minimum load. 7.7 gr of powder. I have loaded 4 or 5 rounds of 7.7, 7.8, 7.9 gr(each load indivudally measured on a RCBS 505 scale) and then I have a couple at 8.1 gr and 8.2 gr. I read somewhere that with Semi-autos you want to use as little powder charge as possible. Just enough to actuate the gun reliably...so I am working my way up. Figure I'll take my samples to the range and see what my 1911 likes.
For the crimp...I crimp it. Not sure how I tell if its too much or too little...I backed it off a bit(I bought a 4 die lee carbide set...so I am using the 4th die for the crimp.) I know the crimp originally felt very firm as it took some press pressure to run the die. The new one takes very little effort some times...other times more but its mainly on that last sizer and not on the crimping part of the die stroke.
So, is this the proper method for my semi-auto? I 'think' it is...but wanted to run it by the knowledgeable folks...
Thanks!
I've loaded a few hundred rounds of .38 spcl and .357 so far this year. Started reloading late in the spring. Got the hang of it and am now expanding to .45 ACPs. I have probably shot 1-200 of the loads I've done for .38s.
I am using a lee classic turret 4 hole press. Lee 4 die carbide set of dies. The pro powder measure with adjustable charge bar is how I'm measuring powder.
So, reading up, I read a thread about how to set the bullet depth. The thread(its on the internet...so it must be true) said that with .45s they don't use the SAAMI? length guidelines that are in the book...the guy typing used the actual barrel of the gun. I have a 1911 I'm loading for, so I pulled the barrel and set the depth so the bullet bottom is even with the bottom of the barrel. I can't recall the max load...but its somewhere around 8.5 or higher I believe for #5. Books out in the garage or I'd look.
Here's the thread...
.45 ACP Reloading for beginners - Shooters Forum
Regardless, I have Titegroup, Blue Dot, and Acc #5 powder. I grabbed the Accurate 5 to load with as it had good results in the Lee Loading book with the bullets I have(230 Gr Lead RN and 230 gr Plated Xtreme Bullets).
I set the depth at around 1.26"(above the book recommendation of like 1.23") based on above thread(I had read that method somewhere else as well). I then started loading at the minimum load. 7.7 gr of powder. I have loaded 4 or 5 rounds of 7.7, 7.8, 7.9 gr(each load indivudally measured on a RCBS 505 scale) and then I have a couple at 8.1 gr and 8.2 gr. I read somewhere that with Semi-autos you want to use as little powder charge as possible. Just enough to actuate the gun reliably...so I am working my way up. Figure I'll take my samples to the range and see what my 1911 likes.
For the crimp...I crimp it. Not sure how I tell if its too much or too little...I backed it off a bit(I bought a 4 die lee carbide set...so I am using the 4th die for the crimp.) I know the crimp originally felt very firm as it took some press pressure to run the die. The new one takes very little effort some times...other times more but its mainly on that last sizer and not on the crimping part of the die stroke.
So, is this the proper method for my semi-auto? I 'think' it is...but wanted to run it by the knowledgeable folks...
Thanks!
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