I've been reading many threads on the subject but I am still unsure when picking a recipe. I have four different sources and I find many contradictions. For example, one's maximum load is an other's minimum (Lee and Lyman), this looks like a potential squib or kaboom.
?
As with all reloading, you want to have
ONE primary reloading source. That, IMHO, should be your Lyman manual. If you don't trust the Lyman manual, then throw it in the trash can. If you
can trust the Lyman manual,
then set all others aside until you have a special bullet or powder not covered by the Lyman. In this respect, nothing is different from your adventures with reloading 9mm.
? As with all loads, beginning at the
Starting Load, as given in a trusted manual, and working up with small incremental test loads while shooting at individual targets will tell you what the best load for your gun and your bullet will be.
No one can tell you that, you have to do the work.
Due to the much lower chamber pressure in 45ACP, your faster powders are going to perform much better. Especially for target loads. Powders like 231/HP-38, Bullseye, Competition, N310, AA No2, etc are going to be the ones you'll want to test. So there is some overlap with 9mm powders.
? 45ACP is rather ironic in many respects. Because it's a larger physical cartridge, your brain is telling you it's going to be harder and more demanding to reload. While in actuality, the lower chamber pressure means
45ACP is far, far more forgiving than 9mm. Variations in powder and OAL that would/should scare your pants off in 9mm, have almost zero effect in 45ACP. Therefore, the load ranges are much wider, and the danger of "pressure spikes" and "kabooms" are almost non-existent in 45ACP. (A scan of Google images will probably turn up no blown up 1911's.) 45ACP is in short, the cartridge most new reloaders should start with while they perfect their process and work toward loading 9mm, not the other way around.
Hope this helps.
