Comments on: Reloading Question

By: ZerCool

ZerCool — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 22:56:40 +0000

I currently load for .45ACP, .38SPL, .270Win, and I’m working up a load for .357Mag.

I use H4831 in the .270 and have been very happy with results. 56.2gr behind a Hornady 130gr Interlock gives me just over 1MOA groups unsupported prone, which is as good as I can do with factory Remington loads.

.45ACP I’m currently loading 4.3gr of Green Dot behind a 230gr LRN. It’s a very mild target load, and I actually need to bump it up a little to see if I can tighten up the groups a little bit.

.38SPL I’m using 3.5gr of Trailboss behind 158gr LRN and 158gr LSWC… very accurate and VERY light recoil.

I’ve got a .44SPL waiting at the store to pick up, when I start for that I need to figure out the best load – and I’ll probably see if I can find one powder to work with both the .357 and the .44. All my digging suggests either W296 or Alliant 2400 will be the way to go…

By: formerflyer

formerflyer — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:40:23 +0000

Another vote for Trail Boss, using a loading block with a good light (any tac light will do fine for checking a finished block for standard powder depth), and never, NEVER reloading while talking on the phone, watching tv, talking to a neighbor, etc. Easy to lose attention for just a second and either load a squib (frustrating and time consuming) or a double charge (resulting in carbon steel confetti and a sore hand IF YOU’RE LUCKY).

By: Billll

Billll — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:23:06 +0000

One more vote for Titegroup here. The stuff works well in my .38, .357, and 9×18.
I’ll second the observation on having company over while you’re reloading. To reduce the risk, get a pencil, the kind with no eraser, just a metal cap, and scribe it at the depth of an empty case, and one with the right amount of powder in it. After filling 50 cases, use the pencil to check EVERY ONE for powder depth. You’ll find you can estimate the powder charge to within .1g after a bit.
Also, go here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=218188
for more Heloise Helpful Hints than you can shake a boomstick at.

By: DJk

DJk — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:16:29 +0000

I read the ABC’s of Reloading. That’s a good one.

I also use W231 for my .45 ACP loads…. 5.1-5.3 grn behind a 230 grn bullet.

By: Rob K

Rob K — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:36:19 +0000

If you don't have one, get a good reloading manual and start with one of the recipes therein.

By: BobG

BobG — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:46:44 +0000

I’ve had good luck with Unique for most loads; W231 also works well for lighter grain bullets in 45LC and 45ACP.

By: DJk

DJk — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:07:57 +0000

Yeah…and check all your cases (if you use a loading block) for powder before you seat your bullets…. I had a squib in my Glock 21 and it was a PIA to get out.

Some people had come over and we were talking in the garage while I was reloading….NOT A GOOD IDEA.

By: DJk

DJk — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:06:05 +0000

I just started reloading, too!

http://oflifeandliberty.blogspot.com/search?q=reloading

The story of my start is actually quite cool:

http://oflifeandliberty.blogspot.com/2008/06/gods-of-reloading.html

By: Tam

Tam — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:53:53 +0000

I always feel obliged to point this out:

Reloading is the single geekiest gun-related activity there is.

We’ll have to swap recipes sometime. :D

By: anonymous

anonymous — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:08:24 +0000

I load .357 mag for Cowboy Action (.38spc is harder to clean-up after). IMR Trail Boss & Alliant Unique work well in the large cavernous space of the casing. Titegroup is supposed to be less susceptible to the open space, but I got wide velocity spreads. YMMV.

Here’s some loads for .45LC…
http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=45 Colt&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=