.45 worth reloading?

[Rockclimbg]

I've been reloading .40 for a while now and love the round for everything from minor in production and SSP to major in limited/limited 10. However, I'd like to start reloading .45 so I can shoot CDP at the local IDPA matches. I know I can save a boat load of money reloading .45 and that is certainly part of the motivation, but if I wanted to save money, I'd probably be better off just not shooting CDP at all. Sooo, I am wondering how much different major power factor .45 loads will feel compared to winchester white box or some other factory load? I like how you can dramatically change the feel of the gun with the .40, can the same be done with .45's while still maintaining major power factor?

Thanks for any advice.

Rockclimbg

P.S: I am using a dillon 650xl, I have an extra "large" plate for the case feed bin but I would need everything else to convert the machine to .45. What would be the most cost effective route to go when ordering off of BE?

[Chuck D]

When I get lazy (fairly often these days) I purchase factory ammo. The white box winchester stuff (230 grain bullet) feels a little bit different than my usual 200 grain load but it's not that bad or that difficult to work with.

Of the 40's I've shot, you can change the feel of the guns impulses by changing bullet weights. In a 45 from what I've noticed, 230 grain bullets give you more of a pushy feel while 185 g bullets give you more of a snappy feel. 200g bullets are the compromise between the two weights. Guys that shoot the 45 are usually looking to speed up the motion of the slide because the 45 is such a low pressure round, the gun cycles slower than a 40 caliber gun. Lighter bullets at a higher velocity help increase slide speed thus the gun cycles faster.

I reload quite a bit of 45 but a match or two have been known to have been shot with some factory stuff with no ill effects.

[Kingman]

well, white box is over 190pf, if you load to just around 170 which you should the difference is a whole lot.

[TriggerT]

I agree with Kingman. When I compair the two, one right after the other, the difference to me is very noticable. Even if I could afford not to, I think I would still reload all my ammo. The ammo is tuned to MY gun, just like the gun is tuned to MY ammo.

[Duane Thomas]

I reload my .45 - and 9mm, for that matter - and I do like the ability to tune the load for lighter recoil, as well as choose a softer powder than whatever they happen to throw in the case at the factory. Having said that, there've been two instances over the past year or so where I wanted to shoot a match (one USPSA/IPSC, one IDPA) and found I didn't have any of my "easily controllable" .45 loads ready. In both cases, I just grabbed a few boxes of factory ball (Wolf for the USPSA/IPSC match, Black Hills for IDPA, just 'cuz that's what I had) and headed out the door. Strangely enough I won both matches. I'm not quite sure what that says, but I still appreciate the cost savings and ability to get the load **I** want that's offered by reloading the .45 ACP.

[TBF]

Rock,

You already have a 650, go for it !

I am using a 200 gr. bullet at major PF ( barely ) over a very fast powder, the difference in recoil is very noticable when compared to 230 Win. white box or any of the usual bargain basement loads.

$ 8.00 / 100 rounds, custom tuned ammo , very accurate.

Whats not to like about that ?

Travis F.

[Rockclimbg]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'll definately be getting set up. I picked up some once fired .45 brass (2000 rounds worth) a ways back because it was a good deal and figured I would reload for it eventually. Actually, I figured that after the first 2000 reloaded rounds, all the equipment to change to .45 would pretty much be paid for.

Thanks again for the advice.

Rockclimbg

[froglegs]

As far as factory ammo goes I like magtec 230 rn makes major and feels much better than winchester and Natches shooters supply has the best price I've found

[Steve Moneypenny]

Froglegs makes a good point, i use ammo like that for a brass supply.

I have shot a 45 some in CDP, won 1 major IDPA and placed ok in one USPSA in limited 10 (jamming mags). Both of which i shot my 170 PF reloads, I could tell a HUGE difference

the worst part is 45 brass is expensive too bad it's not priced closer to 40 You have the press already i'd go for it!

[Liota]

The best part of reloading .45 is that you can re-use the brass for a looooonnnnngggg time. That is especially true with light loads.

Liota

[Kingman]

most of my light load brass is more than 40 years old. Its stuff dad got when he was my age. It probably has been reloaded 40 times. We load about 20k during the winter and then use them all summer to shoot bullseye.