45acp reloading, need pointers please.

[victor3ranger]

I have never reloaded for handgun ammo so I am not sure what to ask.

I picked up a set of Hornady 3 set dies and I have a RCBS rock crusher and Lee challenger press.

What are the pitfalls to stay away from on handgun ammo??

 

[technetium-99m]

Do: Make a few dummy rounds to make sure they feed in your gun from the mags you will use, fit your chamber, and live eject.

Don't: Trim cases, clean primer pockets, etc.

Handgun ammo is mucho easier than rifle ammo.

 

[victor3ranger]

Wow, really?? You don't have to trim the cases? That's cool.

Anything special about crimping??

 

[dennishoddy]

Very little if any crimping is required on a .45.

 

[victor3ranger]

I was hoping you might step in here Dennis. I may need to lean on you when I get ready to setup my dies for this so I don't make rookie mistakes if that's ok.

 

[dennishoddy]

Not a problem. I can come to you, or you can come to my shop and see how I reload them. What bullet are you planning on using?

 

[Glocktogo]

Wow, really?? You don't have to trim the cases? That's cool.

Anything special about crimping??

Crimp to .469" at the case mouth. Thet will give you a good hold against bullet setback without disfiguring the bullet.

 

[victor3ranger]

Haven't picked up any bullets yet, probably some FMJ stuff to start with.

 

[1mathom1]

I have only loaded for a few .45's......a rock island tactical, a smith 4506 and a sig 220.

My experience is that some guns don't like certain bullets. You should be ok learning on FMJ but don't be surprised or disappointed if you find a shape that your gun does not feed well.

 

[victor3ranger]

My wife has a Rock Island and it dosen't like HP rounds very much, even after working on the feed ramp. But it hasn't had very many rounds thru it yet so some of that my be caused from not being broken in yet.