.45 ACP primers...

[dragon813gt]

Changing over has never been an issue for me.  The 550B is easy to change out.  It does a take a few minutes but it?s still easy.  The LCT that I use a lot is the simplest of all.  Fill the large primer safety prime and install the large primer arm.  By far the easiest priming setup on any of the presses I own.

[daved20319]

Fortunately (?), I still load with a single stage press, and use a hand priming tool, although that requires reconfiguring for the different sizes.  I actually have two, a Hornady and an RCBS, but I hate that Hornady with a passion, I tossed it in a box somewhere so I wouldn't even have to look at it.  I should pick up another, along with some extra shell holders, debating between another RCBS or the Frankford Arsenal unit, it looks like a well thought out piece of equipment, and I have yet to have any complaints with any of my other FA gear.

So I've now loaded my first .45 ACP test loads with 2 different bullets, Bullseye powder, and new Starline brass with large primer pockets.  Had it and the large primers already, so figured I'd go ahead and do my initial testing with new brass.  Once I use up all my LPP's, I'll revisit this, see if I can standardize on small primers, or have to continue with both simply due to supply.  Doesn't seem like .45 ACP is all that popular around here, but most of what I am able to pick up is small primer.  Range report soon, I hope.  Later.

Dave

[Radom]

If you are loading some of the older, slower burn-rate Hercules/Alliant powders, such as Herco or Blue Dot, I would recommend using the large primer/large primer pocket case combination.  These are not ideal for 45 ACP, and I believe (not an expert), they would benefit from the greater brisance at the base of the powder charge.  Also, there are about 6-9 decades of load data developed around the large primer for some of the older and less popular extruded and flake powders. 

Years ago, some of the foreign ammunition manufacturers used small pistol primers on .45 ACP as their standard.  IIRC, PMP (Pretoria Metal Pressings) of South Africa and Fiocchi of Italy did this, and they still may do so.   All of the American "lead free" .45 ACP used to use small primers.  I am really out of touch, because I haven't bought new .45 ACP cartridges for at least ten years.  In other words, I don't really know if small primers are the new status quo...

If you have a lot of cases with both types of primer pockets, you need to segregate them if for no other reason than load development.  You might not see any significant difference with powders like Win-231 or Alliant Red Dot or Bullseye, due to their fast burn rates/low powder charges, but I suspect you will see differences as you go into slower burn rates/heavier powder charges like Alliant Unique and AA#5 (this is a grouping issue, not a safety issue).  If you are using a single stage press like the Rock-Chucker, as you mentioned, you might as well get the full benefit of going slow and steady...

Bottom line: old data + old powders = large primers, at least in my opinion. To put this in perspective, I have a lot of old manuals and old powder....

EDIT: ...and LP .45 ACP cases....