New RL550B for 45acp need some newbee advice
Quote from Reloader on June 13, 2012, 7:07 pmHi All,
On a strong recommendation from fellow shooters I finally took the plunge on a new Dillon RL550B reloading press along with the caliber conv kit and die set for 45acp so I can stop the flow of cash down the toilet each month for store ammo that is expensive and too hot and heavy to get the type of results I need to shoot matches and steels. Trying to shoot these round nose 230grain standard loads feels like I'm wrestling a fire hose to manage the recoil enough to shoot the rate of fire I need to. I went ahead and bought a dillon powder scale and primer flipper tray because I knew I'd need those items. The person I spoke with said the press setup would be complete and ready to reload and I could always buy more enhancements in the future. I haven't reloaded in over 25 years and forgotten most of the details.
My first goal is to load my own 45acp loads for a match coming up in about 2 weeks, and another the week after. I would like to load some rounds to test and measure velocity, then load about 1000 to get started then regroup for the following month end of matches and possibly enhance my setup to include any other small things I missed. I'm going to probably order a Cabelas brass tumbler kit.
Now there's where I have gotten but I want to skip buying a loaders book for the first month and work out a 45acp 185gr load based on web available information and solid recommendations. I've had the recommendation to use shotgun powder or specific brands due to the slower burn and smoother shooting results. I want to load just hot enough round to qualify for use in USPSA and IDPA for targets, steels etc and that will be the only use for this first round I load.
I need a little help gathering any additional tools I will need to load this month and get started as well as the cheapest best value I can find on powder and bullets. I have brass already and 4000 winchester large primers. I saw some cheap prices on a site called everglades and natchez but I'm a little taken back by the bullet and brass costs on some of the sites I was already familiar with.
Can anyone here offer me some good advice based on my situation and get me on a nice safe track for this first reload of 1000 rounds? I really appreciate your time. I'm looking forward to this and plan to absorb a lot of online information and video demos of using the RL 550B. I hope I made a good decision.
Thanks much,
GS
Hi All,
On a strong recommendation from fellow shooters I finally took the plunge on a new Dillon RL550B reloading press along with the caliber conv kit and die set for 45acp so I can stop the flow of cash down the toilet each month for store ammo that is expensive and too hot and heavy to get the type of results I need to shoot matches and steels. Trying to shoot these round nose 230grain standard loads feels like I'm wrestling a fire hose to manage the recoil enough to shoot the rate of fire I need to. I went ahead and bought a dillon powder scale and primer flipper tray because I knew I'd need those items. The person I spoke with said the press setup would be complete and ready to reload and I could always buy more enhancements in the future. I haven't reloaded in over 25 years and forgotten most of the details.
My first goal is to load my own 45acp loads for a match coming up in about 2 weeks, and another the week after. I would like to load some rounds to test and measure velocity, then load about 1000 to get started then regroup for the following month end of matches and possibly enhance my setup to include any other small things I missed. I'm going to probably order a Cabelas brass tumbler kit.
Now there's where I have gotten but I want to skip buying a loaders book for the first month and work out a 45acp 185gr load based on web available information and solid recommendations. I've had the recommendation to use shotgun powder or specific brands due to the slower burn and smoother shooting results. I want to load just hot enough round to qualify for use in USPSA and IDPA for targets, steels etc and that will be the only use for this first round I load.
I need a little help gathering any additional tools I will need to load this month and get started as well as the cheapest best value I can find on powder and bullets. I have brass already and 4000 winchester large primers. I saw some cheap prices on a site called everglades and natchez but I'm a little taken back by the bullet and brass costs on some of the sites I was already familiar with.
Can anyone here offer me some good advice based on my situation and get me on a nice safe track for this first reload of 1000 rounds? I really appreciate your time. I'm looking forward to this and plan to absorb a lot of online information and video demos of using the RL 550B. I hope I made a good decision.
Thanks much,
GS
Quote from Reloader on June 14, 2012, 9:36 pmI reload the same as you, for USPSA/ICORE. Go to the powder manufacturer's website for recipes, I like Clays for 45 ACP 230 gr round nose. Lots of others use 231. You can get a real soft shooting load, but you'll need to experiment to be sure your gun cycles properly, assuming it's a semi auto.
You must purchase a set of calipers to measure OAL (over all length) to ensure you aren't seating the bullet to shallow or deep in the case. This is a MUST. Otherwise your pressures will be all off, which throws off both the speed and accuracy, and makes the powder burn dirty.
Lots of guys use plated bullets which are cleaner than lead but cheaper than jacketed, use lead bullet load data because plated bullets aren't as strong as true jacketed ones. Berry's, Precision, whatever.
Good luck.
I reload the same as you, for USPSA/ICORE. Go to the powder manufacturer's website for recipes, I like Clays for 45 ACP 230 gr round nose. Lots of others use 231. You can get a real soft shooting load, but you'll need to experiment to be sure your gun cycles properly, assuming it's a semi auto.
You must purchase a set of calipers to measure OAL (over all length) to ensure you aren't seating the bullet to shallow or deep in the case. This is a MUST. Otherwise your pressures will be all off, which throws off both the speed and accuracy, and makes the powder burn dirty.
Lots of guys use plated bullets which are cleaner than lead but cheaper than jacketed, use lead bullet load data because plated bullets aren't as strong as true jacketed ones. Berry's, Precision, whatever.
Good luck.
Quote from Reloader on September 21, 2012, 6:38 pmI know you said 185 gr, but my favorite load in a .45acp is 6.0 grains Unique and a 200 gr swc. Use of a 200gr swc has always required a smooth feed ramp and smooth chamber. Never saw a 1911 that couldn't be smoothed more than what comes from the factory. I use a Lyman mould #452460 lubed with alox, oregon laser cast also makes great swc's. I use a low power spring and an adjustable plunger to do final tuning for load.
Too old to compete now but still shoot every day on my range.
Good luck!
I know you said 185 gr, but my favorite load in a .45acp is 6.0 grains Unique and a 200 gr swc. Use of a 200gr swc has always required a smooth feed ramp and smooth chamber. Never saw a 1911 that couldn't be smoothed more than what comes from the factory. I use a Lyman mould #452460 lubed with alox, oregon laser cast also makes great swc's. I use a low power spring and an adjustable plunger to do final tuning for load.
Too old to compete now but still shoot every day on my range.
Good luck!
Quote from Reloader on October 3, 2012, 11:39 pmGet HARD cast bullets, about 23 brinel
Other items
kinetic puller +/- $15.00 online or at a gun show
8" dial caliper, 6" works, but is a bit short for comfort when you graduate to rifle ammo. can be had at any machinery supply store for about $15.00
loading blocks, you can use old ammo carton liners. I load a batch, fill the carton liner and dump it into a baggie (1 liner = 50 rounds, much quicker than actually counting them)
vibratory tumbler, don't waste your money on frankfort arsenal, they go south anywhere from a few days to a few years and take all night to do their job. they also do not hold more than a couple of handfulls of brass so you are constantly having to run the things. I recommend Lymans polishers, I used to use 2 frankfords for 8 to 10 hours and went to a Lyman pro-magnum for the same amount of brass and only 3-4 hours of polishing.
Media seperator, you can make one out of a wooden box and some rabbit wire, but i like the ones made by RCBS, Lyman and Dillon.
Media, go to the pet store and get walnut ferret litter for $15.00 big bag and add your own compound. I use a teaspoon or jewelers rouge and a tablespoon of mineral spirits to each change of media.
I got 4,000 pieces of once fired dirty .45 ACP brass for $200.00 shipped, keep your eyes open.
As far as powder goes, Vihtavouri N30 costs more, but is very reliable with no flash or smoke trail.
Get HARD cast bullets, about 23 brinel
Other items
kinetic puller +/- $15.00 online or at a gun show
8" dial caliper, 6" works, but is a bit short for comfort when you graduate to rifle ammo. can be had at any machinery supply store for about $15.00
loading blocks, you can use old ammo carton liners. I load a batch, fill the carton liner and dump it into a baggie (1 liner = 50 rounds, much quicker than actually counting them)
vibratory tumbler, don't waste your money on frankfort arsenal, they go south anywhere from a few days to a few years and take all night to do their job. they also do not hold more than a couple of handfulls of brass so you are constantly having to run the things. I recommend Lymans polishers, I used to use 2 frankfords for 8 to 10 hours and went to a Lyman pro-magnum for the same amount of brass and only 3-4 hours of polishing.
Media seperator, you can make one out of a wooden box and some rabbit wire, but i like the ones made by RCBS, Lyman and Dillon.
Media, go to the pet store and get walnut ferret litter for $15.00 big bag and add your own compound. I use a teaspoon or jewelers rouge and a tablespoon of mineral spirits to each change of media.
I got 4,000 pieces of once fired dirty .45 ACP brass for $200.00 shipped, keep your eyes open.
As far as powder goes, Vihtavouri N30 costs more, but is very reliable with no flash or smoke trail.
Quote from Reloader on April 15, 2013, 3:49 amGet the loading manual first thing. Review reloading procedure. You need to relearn the basics.
Get the loading manual first thing. Review reloading procedure. You need to relearn the basics.
Quote from Reloader on April 23, 2013, 6:07 amHi GS - I think you'll be happy with your 550B. I've had mine for over 17 yrs without problems. I used to shoot IPSC with a compensated 1911 / .45ACP, using 175 gr LSWC. My load has remained 5.6 gr of Winchester Super Target (WST), which pushes the 175's at just over 1,000 fps, for a power factor of 175+. As to the bullets, I'm still working out of a major buy that I made years past, which I believe was called Alliance or Alliant bullets. For practice/target shooting with plated bullets, I've been very happy with Berry's Bullets. A warning, however, if you haven't already discovered it for yourself. Things are crazy right now, and both ammunition and components are hard to find, and very expensive. Good luck!
Regards,
Mike
Hi GS - I think you'll be happy with your 550B. I've had mine for over 17 yrs without problems. I used to shoot IPSC with a compensated 1911 / .45ACP, using 175 gr LSWC. My load has remained 5.6 gr of Winchester Super Target (WST), which pushes the 175's at just over 1,000 fps, for a power factor of 175+. As to the bullets, I'm still working out of a major buy that I made years past, which I believe was called Alliance or Alliant bullets. For practice/target shooting with plated bullets, I've been very happy with Berry's Bullets. A warning, however, if you haven't already discovered it for yourself. Things are crazy right now, and both ammunition and components are hard to find, and very expensive. Good luck!
Regards,
Mike