Reloading 45 ACP

[okierider]

Got all the gear and most supplies here or on the way. Waiting on a scale (Monday) and a priming ram(Tuesday). Are there any local suppliers of cases and slugs in OKC or am I better off sticking with online suppliers.
Going by Village tactical tomorrow to see what they have, looked at their stuff before and thought the selection was kinda small but was really there to look at a pistol and find a reloading manual.

 

[OKCHunter]

Rickn on this forum has .45 brass on occasion. Are you wanting to shoot lead, plated, or jacketed bullets? Lead - cast myself; lots of options for plated or jacketed.

 

[okierider]

Believe I will stick with jacketed until I get the basics of reloading down.

 

[beastep]

H&H has range pick up brass pretty cheap if I remember correctly. And pretty much everything else you need really. They have the XTreme plated bulk bullets there. They shoot good out of my .40 But Im a long ways from anywhere so I order all my stuff except powder and primers.

 

[OKCHunter]

I'm not sure who sells jacketed .45 bullets in OKC other than H&H. And frankly, I'm not sure if they sell anything other than plated or lead bullets.

 

[beastep]

I dont know either. Nothing wrong with plated just make sure you use the load data for them. I have no idea what experience you have with reloading but get a manual that represents the brand of slugs you will be shooting if possible.

 

[Ignored Member]

Reloading book is a must. Start there before venturing to the world of reloading.

 

[scottb42]

Another source of components is Gene Sears Supply in El Reno, their website has a different name http://store.thirdgenerationshootingsupply.com/ but it's the same place. They're only open during the week though, (M thru F 8:30 to 5:30, last I knew) so be sure to check the hours of operation before you head out there. 2003 S Shepard Ave, El Reno.

I shoot a lot of plated bullets (X-Treme and Berry's), and I've had some luck watching for sales at Cabela's. For examle, they have their Berry's plated bullets on sale now at this link.

 

[swampratt]

Watch the size on the plated bullets most are .452"
This can cause feeding issues.. especially in Kimber custom pistols.

My Hi-Points will eat anything.
And are quite accurate at hunting distances.
Head stamp will make a difference if you shoot for utmost accuracy.
Some head stamps work much better than others, so I sort them.

If you are just shooting for center mass at close combat distances you will see little difference.

I shot many rounds over a chrony and found the small primer has less velocity difference between rounds than the large primer brass.
But I could not see any difference in group size at 30 feet.
Which is as far as I tested that.

Some Boxer primed Aluminum and steel cases can be reloaded.
I have shot and reloaded aluminum cases 9 times before I seen a tiny spot of primer leaking from loose pocket.

DO NOT clean aluminum or steel in citric acid pin tumbler.

I have shot up to 300 gr bullets in my 45acp's with very good accuracy.
A 45acp bullet will pass through 2X more gallon milk jugs than a 168 gr .308.
Maybe more. It just keeps on trucking.

I shot through 1/8" thick leather and then 5 jugs and then 3/4" oak board and the bullet kept going.
Very fun round to reload for.
You should/will enjoy it.

 

[okierider]

I have the Lymans for around the house and 2 different Digital manuals and have read them and have been reading the reloading stickies on a couple different shooting forums. Also youtube has endless amounts of videos to watch and learn.

Have been studying pretty heavy since before Christmas!! So I am ready to start putting all this info into practice!!

Thanks for all the info!