Reloading in 45 ACP

[fiveredapples]

Hello, everybody, newbie here.

I'm going to start reloading for my 97b in 45 ACP soon, and I was wondering if you guys have specific experience with either Xtreme, Berry's, or Precision Delta bullets -- these are the more affordable brands I know of?  I'm thinking either 200 or 230 grains.  If you have comparative experience, one is better than the other, then that would be helpful too.

I'm not new to reloading; I just want to know which loads work for you guys.  Thanks.

[jwc007]

Congratulations on your new Cz97B! 

As for reloading the .45ACP, I have a marked preference for the 200 grain Bullet weight, as I believe it gives the best balance between bullet weight and velocity, and most of my IPSC Match loads use it.  The 230 grainers can work too!

I've used both Xtreme and Berry's and either will serve you well.  I do tend to buy the Berry's though.

Best of Luck! 

[ReloaderFred]

I prefer the Berry's 185 grain Hollow Base Round Nose bullet for the .45 acp.  It has the same profile as the standard 230 grain round nose bullet, but the lighter weight of the 185 grain.  They feed and function through every .45 I've ever tried them in, and they're very accurate.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Wobbly]

Welcome Aboard !

Both those are good suggestions. The SWC may be slightly more sensitive to OAL, but will cut a cleaner hole in targets. If you call Berry, they may offer an "assortment" if they have both types available. Then you can play and decide which is best for you.

 

[levellinebrad]

I am a fan of the 200gr lswc in front of clays powder. I wad getting them from lucky 13 for$90 per 1000. That was my competition load before I switched to a 9mm. I could shoot a 1"group from the bench at 25yds and recoil was awesome. Since you are not new to reloading, you already know that you are going to get many different answers so take mine with a grain of salt. I'm pretty new to this forum myself and so far it has been invaluable, especially the reloading section. Welcome

[Wobbly]

I'm pretty new to this forum myself and so far it has been invaluable, especially the reloading section. Welcome.

We pay Brad to say that. 

[levellinebrad]

I think wobbly has his press set up at the white house. So far I have been promised a medal, a plaque, and money. I have yet to see any of it.

[mmb713]

I shoot Xtremes in all my pistols almost exclusively. They are very accurate and well made. I've only used Berrys in 9mm and prefer Xtremes, I think they are a bit higher quality. In 45 Auto I use their flat points and round noses, both in 200gr. I've gotten excellent results with N320, N340, Bullseye, Universal and Clays. My Universal loads were on the stout side and I have backed down to softer shooting Clays. If I can ever get my hands on WST I will try that out too. The flat points can be hard to feed in some guns but the round noses work flawlessly in everything and it's hard to say which one is more accurate, they both shoot straight. My Witness P Carry didn't like the flat points until I polished the feed ramp but my Witness Match has never had a problem with them. Xtreme told me to use Speer's jacketed data with their bullets. On their website it says to keep velocity below 1200 fps. You'd have to be a special kind of stupid, and reckless, to ever exceed 1200fps out of your 97b.

[1SOW]

 Brad: 

[jameslovesjammie]

I am a fan of the 200gr lswc in front of clays powder. I wad getting them from lucky 13 for$90 per 1000.

It's not surprising you had good results with that Lucky 13 bullet.

Lucky 13's 200 grain seems to be a slightly modified copy of the Hensley & Gibbs #68, which is a known target grade design.  It was designed to feed, cycle, and be reliable back when 1911's only were reliable with ball ammo.  It is THE go-to accuracy bullet for .45 ACP in Bullseye competition.

Another bullet design they offer that is commonly acknowledged as an accurate bullet is their 185 grain, which is definitely a H&G #130 design.

[fiveredapples]

Oh man, you guys are great.  I truly appreciate all this information.  I've been reloading Xtreme 155 gr. (40 S&W).  I run 6.0 grains of WSF, but that's about as low as I like.  I happen to have a couple of pounds of WSF, Clays, W231, and Power Pistol on hand, so I should have no trouble finding a good starting load.  I'll work my way up.  1,000 fps is my limit.

I've heard that Winchester primers pack more punch, so I should probably stick with CCI unless a recipe calls specifically for Winchester.  I have no large pistol primers, so I'll probably stay away from Winchester (unless I find a specific recipe for it, or someone tells me my info about Winchester is wrong). 

Once again, thanks for the hospitality. 

   

[jameslovesjammie]

I've heard that Winchester primers pack more punch, so I should probably stick with CCI unless a recipe calls specifically for Winchester.  I have no large pistol primers, so I'll probably stay away from Winchester (unless I find a specific recipe for it, or someone tells me my info about Winchester is wrong). 

In a handgun, unless you are shooting MAX chamber pressure rounds, you can swap about any small primer with any small primer and not see much difference.  You don't really need "more punch" to ignite 5 grains of powder.  If you were shooting a long column of powder (such as a magnum revolver case), you may benefit from a little more ignition.  No need in a 9mm case.

FWIW, I shoot CCI and Federal primers.  I shoot the Federal in light sprung revolvers and the CCI in everything else.  Why do I shoot those two brands?  Because they are what is locally available.  Shoot what you can find.

[jwc007]

Once again, thanks for the hospitality. 

You are most Welcome! 

I've heard that Winchester primers pack more punch, so I should probably stick with CCI unless a recipe calls specifically for Winchester.  I have no large pistol primers, so I'll probably stay away from Winchester (unless I find a specific recipe for it, or someone tells me my info about Winchester is wrong). 

Shooting Times ran brizzance tests quite a while ago, with Federals being the hottest, Winchesters being average, and CCI's just behind Remingtons, being the coldest.
I use Federals, Winchesters, and Magtechs.  I don't load so close to the max, that a different primer will make that much of a difference.

[motosapiens]

Regarding bullets, I've been very happy with extremes. If you buy 25k at a time the prices are quite good. If you buy less, other brands are comparable.

I personally prefer 230gr bullets for competition, but I just like heavier softer-shooting loads more than snappier lighter loads. Some people prefer snappy.

Regarding powder, I have only used clays and n320 in 45, and clays shoots softer and plenty accurate.

Regarding primers I get a little more consistency in velocity using magnum primers (i got some because that's what was available). I suspect that's due to 4 gr of clays not taking up much room in the case. If it all gets down towards the nose of the bullet (like on the draw) a regular primer seems to have a bit more trouble, and my velocities on the first shot after the draw were significantly (around 10%) lower.

[Wobbly]

Once again, thanks for the hospitality. 

That's job number one. We'll bicker back and forth about powders and bullet brands (all in good humor), but we get the important stuff right.


JLJ was right about the primers. Not much difference in "power" between the brands, use what you can find locally. Federal brand uses a thinner cup and seems to be more sensitive, and therefore preferred by target shooters. Winchester would be second. If you find Remington primers, use the #1-1/2 over the thicker cup #5-1/2.

Additionally, I've recently seen mention where 45ACP shooters are starting to prefer the small primer cases over the traditional 45ACP cases with the large pistol primers. Seems the small pistol primer may be more sensitive. The point is, a lot of 45ACP shooters used to discard their small pocket cases. Now there's a market for both and you can trade them out.