.45 ACP reloading tips

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Hey guys, I've had a stash of 100 Hornady 185 XTPs laying around for years that I got on a "get loaded" promo. I have two .45 pistols and plan to start reloading for them. I have hundreds of once fired brass cases and was wondering if straight wall pistol brass manufacturer is as important as for bottleneck rifle cartridges? The brass I have is mixed and in a big zip loc, and I'm not opposed to sorting it out if it would make a difference. If not, is there a reliable and consistent powder that ya'll would recommend for the 185 XTP out of a 5" government model 1911 and old school Sig 220?

 

[Steve300xcw]

99% of my brass was picked up in rockpits or given to me by folks that dont reload. Its all mixed.

45ACP runs both large and small primer. Pick a size and cull the rest. I like the small primer as thats normally your blazer brass etc which is the cheap shit that most folks leave laying

I've been running universal for both my 45acp's as well as 44 loads. Probly not your powder to use if you wanna hot rod things.

Also if you start shooting much, those xtp's an such get spendy. I sure like my 200gr SWC's https://www.summersenterprisesllc.com/product/hi-tek-45-200gr-452-swc-nlg-500-ct-box/

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

99% of my brass was picked up in rockpits or given to me by folks that dont reload. Its all mixed.

45ACP runs both large and small primer. Pick a size and cull the rest. I like the small primer as thats normally your blazer brass etc which is the cheap shit that most folks leave laying

I've been running universal for both my 45acp's as well as 44 loads. Probly not your powder to use if you wanna hot rod things

Thank you sir, and I'm not looking to hot rod, but need them to perform in self-defense scenario. Universal isn't listed in the Hornady app for the 185, and would you mind sharing your starting load?

 

[Steve300xcw]

I burned a lot of unique before that. Only switched when I couldnt get anymore of it.

For defensive loads, honestly I'd go pickup a box of factory ammo.

I'll dig through my notes this evening and see what I was loading

 

[RockAndSage]

For general practice and all-around shooting, there's no problem at all in mixing brass, and .45 ACP is pretty forgiving with the variety of powders you can put into it. I've always used Winchester 231, but there's a ton you could choose from. The level of shooter someone would need to be to get any accuracy benefit from uniforming pistol brass would have to be pretty stratospheric, along with a gun that had pretty tight match tolerances. So, in practical terms, an absolute non-issue.

I separate "practice and all-around shooting" from anything defensive related though. If you wanted to hunt prey animals with handloaded XTPs, no problem. And mixing brass, same, all good. But dangerous game or defensive, no way in hell would I ever use handloads in a semi-auto, if factory ammo is available.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Thank you sir, and I'm not looking to hot rod, but need them to perform in self-defense scenario. Universal isn't listed in the Hornady app for the 185, and would you mind sharing your starting load?

I wouldnt get hung up on 185's just because you have a box of them on the shelf.

You're right though, its not in the book. Is for 200gr cast, which is what I mainly load. Did spot this.

 

[Vern400]

I use Winchester 231 powder.
I like large pistol primers in a large pistol.
For practice ammunition I don't sort.

For Carry ammo I'm picky. I head stamp sort, load it to high end of the range, test for limp wrist FTF and run a Lee factory crimp dye on every round and gauge every round. I probably shouldn't use my own ammunition for defensive use. I could see a lawyer going after intent.. but that's what I do.

 

[waspocrew]

As stated above, watch out for large vs small pistol primer. Pick one and go with it. I had a lot of large pistol primers, so that’s what I go with.

I use Unique powder, Silhouette was ok too.

I’ve loaded a lot of plated projectiles, they are much cheaper. Also, a taper crimp is your friend.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I was digging around my bench and found a jug of HS-6 and some H-110. Back in the day I reloaded some 45LC for handgun season in Iowa. I also have some Winchester large pistol primers leftover. Sounds like it may be best to use the 185s for practice and maybe a backyard whitetail with my landowner tag if I can get them to shoot. Thanks for all the suggestions on brass too. I’ll dig out 100 with large primers, give them a tumble and find a set of dies to get going. Looks like Lee has a carbide 3 die set that’s reasonable. I appreciate ya’ll!

 

[Steve300xcw]

Also, a taper crimp is your friend.