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Is 45ACP the Easiest Round to Reload? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 7/28/2026 3:25:42 PM EDT
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I haven't loaded 45ACP in years (maybe a decade or more). It seems to me, picking the proper powder charge and the OAL are the most difficult things and even those are easy. Regarding powder charge, Hodgdon lists only two charge for 45ACP with W231 and 230 gr bullets (min and max). GRT agree with Hodgdon, too, when I use Hodgdon's OAL. As it turns out, my prior chrono testing is almost perfectly in line with their data. If you go over Hodgdon's max, GRT says you get into pressure trouble without significant gains in muzzle velocity. GRT also shows how sensitive pressure is to OAL - 600 fps per inch of OAL. Bullet set back and weak crimps BEWARE! Having not reloaded 45ACP in a long time, I am having more issues setting up the press than anything else (powder charge and crimp). I'm loading up some Berry's Hybrid Hollow Points and some Speer Gold Dots. It has been a long time since I reloaded this round. Any advice? Am I missing something? |
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OVER THINKING Find a load that shoots in your guns and load it. Then enjoy the range time! I have been loading the 45 ACP since 1981. I followed publish data and never had a problem. Most of my loads have been 200gr H&G 68 clones. All kinds of powder seated at 1.250" or about the width of nickel above the case mouth. I love VV powders now for handguns. |
jme and I am a NRA Endowment Member
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
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Originally Posted By gtsteve03: I never tried 45ACP, but 38 Special was super easy. The first round I learned reloading on, it seemed so simple with revolvers and rimmed cases. Yes the 38 is easy to load for. A 148gr Wadcutter 2.7 gr of Bullseye in 38 case 3.0 gr of Bullseye in 357 case GOLDEN |
jme and I am a NRA Endowment Member
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
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This is the God's honest truth. Some people on here want to make reloading so freaking hard. It is not. #1 Invest in yourself by reading quality stuff. #2 Do not believe you need QL or Gordons or what ever. People have been doing just fine without it. And they will down the road. #3 Reload so you can shoot more for your hard earned dollars. #4 It took me a long time to build up to the stuff I have, and I do not have that much. Do not be overwhelmed by pictures of people's man caves. It took them a lifetime to acquire that stuff and learn to use it. |
jme and I am a NRA Endowment Member
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
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A always enjoyed loading .45acp more than any other pistol round. I had a super accurate Wilson Combat .45 that I loaded all kinds of ammo. I used to buy 200 grain copper clad semi wadcutter bullets and loaded them so light they were just able to cycle the action. Not only did it shoot smooth with little recoil but they were crazy accurate out to 25 yards and the shape of the bullet cut clean holes in the target that were easy to see at that distance. Really helped learning trigger control and sight alignment using live fire. I also loaded regular power bullets for range use and even occasionally some hot loaded rounds. That’s really the beauty of reloading is that you can build what you want. I used to enjoy .38/.357 also but I rarely shot those rounds so I still have hundreds of bullets loaded in the late 90’s. Loaded tens of thousands of 9mm too and enjoyed doing it but it was really just to have ammo on hand for range sessions. Never really experimented with 9mm just picked a projectile and whatever powder was cheap and loaded them to standard velocity. |
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Enjoy reloading. I know people that shoot just to generate brass to reload. Please enjoy your hobby! It has been a lifetime source of fun and learning for me. |
jme and I am a NRA Endowment Member
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
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OK , couple of things to think about . 45acp brass lasts about forever and really doesn't ever need trimming to length. Taper crimp instead of roll crimp . Like lots of reloading , no need to try and make a magnum out of it . If you change to a bullet of different shape you might need to adjust over all length to make it hit the chamber ramp in a correct way (reliability) do a dozen or so test loads and try them in your gun before you load hundreds . Find the old geaze retiring to Florida wh used to load for Trap. I have scored 12 lb kegs of Unique , red dot and 700X that has kept me in 45acp powder for free for years. Just take those silly small primer cases and scrap them. Yes they can be used but they mess up the whole process when a couple get mixed in . There are plenty of regular 45acp cases laying around on most any range or shooting area |
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RMR FMJ is not much more than the Berry's. Hollow points aren't really necessary and if they are, Berry's is not the best choice. I use only the manufacturer powder data sheet and have never read a reloading manual. .45 ACP is easy because things are larger for peeps with big fingers. 231 is a great choice, and there are several other powders you can use if availability or inventory is an issue. |
Preferred pronoun: MARINE
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Originally Posted By rn22723: #2 Do not believe you need QL or Gordons or what ever. People have been doing just fine without it. And they will down the road. Hey!, wait a minute here. Remember, it's a hobby, at least that's what you always say. Besides, GRT is free. I did not really need GRT, I just wanted to understand OAL and bullet set back in terms of internal pressure. Now I know. I've already measured the relationship between OAL and muzzle velocity for 45ACP. Pressure is the main danger in reloading. Under pressure is bullets stuck in the barrel. Over pressure is a barrel KABOOM! Pressure is more important than velocity. I always wanted one of those pressure measuring systems but never got one. Now, they're gone and no longer available. I need to do a plunk test before I load a bazillion, that's for sure. |
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Seems like there used to be a guy on here that would go on big tirades about how technical people should be loading 45acp. That it needed to be so perfect for the timing of the gun's and mags..... It's the cartridge i started with dillon 550 all those years ago it's not that technical i had a book and a dillon vhs tape. I lived guns worked fine. |
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I have to add that I am finishing off a couple thousand Berrys 230 gr hp that I inherited from my brother. They run well in 1911s, Sig 320, 226, and S&W 4566. I shot a bunch in my S&W 625 last week. I wouldn't trust them for expansion. |
Preferred pronoun: MARINE
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Originally Posted By wildearp: RMR FMJ is not much more than the Berry's. Hollow points aren't really necessary and if they are, Berry's is not the best choice. I use only the manufacturer powder data sheet and have never read a reloading manual. .45 ACP is easy because things are larger for peeps with big fingers. 231 is a great choice, and there are several other powders you can use if availability or inventory is an issue. Everything I've seen or read about RMR's 9mm and Berry's 45 hollow points says they need to go 1100 fps to expand at all. The 9mm is do-able, it's a hot load but do-able (not dangerous). 230 gr 45ACP at 1100 fps from a 1911 is a serious NO-GO! I'll be loading to about 830 fps. I'll also load Gold Dots to about 830 fps. Those work at that speed. |
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Originally Posted By Pointman91: I figured out a long time ago to seat and crimp in separate steps, less problems and more consistent that way. I also like having extra seating dies, set each one for a particular bullet profile and forget about it. Came to post this exactly. Also- beware of small primer cases Sort them out BEFORE they throw a monkey-wrench into your rhythm. I hate hitting one, and I am single-stage only. I definitely wouldn't want to hit one on a progressive. |
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Hey, I like the small primer brass! I don't shoot anything else that's exclusively LPP so it is one less component to stock deep. The other point is that it is one of the rounds that really has some cost savings for the reloader. Components dont cost too much more than they do for 9mm, but factory ammo is twice as much. 
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I am not an AFT agent.
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Originally Posted By PoppaCapp: Came to post this exactly. Also- beware of small primer cases Sort them out BEFORE they throw a monkey-wrench into your rhythm. I hate hitting one, and I am single-stage only. I definitely wouldn't want to hit one on a progressive. |
Preferred pronoun: MARINE
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Originally Posted By PoppaCapp: Came to post this exactly. Also- beware of small primer cases Sort them out BEFORE they throw a monkey-wrench into your rhythm. I hate hitting one, and I am single-stage only. I definitely wouldn't want to hit one on a progressive. Originally Posted By PoppaCapp: Originally Posted By Pointman91: I figured out a long time ago to seat and crimp in separate steps, less problems and more consistent that way. I also like having extra seating dies, set each one for a particular bullet profile and forget about it. Came to post this exactly. Also- beware of small primer cases Sort them out BEFORE they throw a monkey-wrench into your rhythm. I hate hitting one, and I am single-stage only. I definitely wouldn't want to hit one on a progressive. Will do. I use Dillon pistol dies. That is how they are designed to work. I collect and save small primer 45ACP brass. I haven't ever used any but I save it, nonetheless. |
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I love loading 45acp on my Lee Turret Press. It's the only round that for some reason works nice and reliable in that thing. I can chug through tons of rounds with no issues.......where as trying to do the same with .223 I have primer jams, it will dump powder all over the places, ect... .45acp is definitely where it's at if you want to start reloading pistol rounds. I love Missouri Bullet lead bullets.....haven't checked prices recently, but they used to be really cheap! |
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Flying Ash Tray. They supposedly would feed in stock Colt 1911 by mimicking 230gr RN without polishing the feed ramp etc.. That was when you had to do stuff to a 1911 to have it shoot. A shooting buddy found a deal on a few cases of CCI Blazer loaded with the 200 JHP. Made for good gopher ammo out the car door. Did not worry about losing aluminum brass! God shooting in a bullseye league back then people stole brass. Of course with the FOPA of 86 it made it easier to source components and ammo. |
jme and I am a NRA Endowment Member
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
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Originally Posted By rn22723: Flying Ash Tray. They supposedly would feed in stock Colt 1911 by mimicking 230gr RN without polishing the feed ramp etc.. That was when you had to do stuff to a 1911 to have it shoot. A shooting buddy for a deal on a few cases of CCI Blazer loaded with the 200 JHP. Made for good gopher ammo out the car door. Did not worry about losing aluminum brass! God shooting in a bullseye league back then people stole brass. Of course with the FOPA of 86 it made it easier to source components and ammo. The CCI cases are have "N R" stamped into the case head. Presumably, this means "Not Reloadable". |
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: Hey!, wait a minute here. Remember, it's a hobby, at least that's what you always say. Besides, GRT is free. I did not really need GRT, I just wanted to understand OAL and bullet set back in terms of internal pressure. Now I know. I've already measured the relationship between OAL and muzzle velocity for 45ACP. Pressure is the main danger in reloading. Under pressure is bullets stuck in the barrel. Over pressure is a barrel KABOOM! Pressure is more important than velocity. I always wanted one of those pressure measuring systems but never got one. Now, they're gone and no longer available. I need to do a plunk test before I load a bazillion, that's for sure. My Glock 21 is very tolerant of bullet profiles & loaded length. My Para Ordnance / Colt slide Franken2011 is very fussy. So I recommend plunk test or case gauge & function test before a big batch run. Duplicating a known-to-feed and-cycle commercial load isn’t a bad idea if you can get close enough with bullet profile. .45 ACP handles a variety of powder speeds well but the faster powders seem to come up as favorites for accuracy. I like AA#5 because it fills case to a visible level and a double charge would be obvious. |
| Tttegroup is such a low volume low charge weight powder. I bet in theory you could triple charge a 45 ACP case. |
jme and I am a NRA Endowment Member
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
|
Originally Posted By KalmanPhilter: Duplicating a known-to-feed and-cycle commercial load isn’t a bad idea if you can get close enough with bullet profile. .45 ACP handles a variety of powder speeds well but the faster powders seem to come up as favorites for accuracy. The top three most important characteristics for my handgun reloading are - reliability, reliability and reliability. Once the load is relaible, within practical limits, pistol ammo accuracy simply doesn't matter. It's the archer not the arrow. |
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Originally Posted By rn22723: This is the God's honest truth. Some people on here want to make reloading so freaking hard. It is not. #1 Invest in yourself by reading quality stuff. #2 Do not believe you need QL or Gordons or what ever. People have been doing just fine without it. And they will down the road. #3 Reload so you can shoot more for hard earned dollars. #4 It took me a long time to build up to the stuff I have, and I do not have that much. Do not be overwhelmed by pictures of people's man caves. It took them a lifetime to acquire that stuff and learn to use it. One of the wisest things posted on Arfcom! I went with a single stage press because of advice from here and other boards, I didn’t even mount it. I got a Lee turret press and used it for about 10 years. I bought a SDB for pistol and and 550 for rifle, I should have started out with this. Reloading isn’t rocket science! I also don’t understand that statement that a caliber is easy to load for. Every caliber I own has been easy to load for, .40, 10mm, 45 7.62N and ‘06. All have been easy, super easy to find good accurate loads. There are some slight equipment choices that can make your life easier or more difficult because it may not get used when you find out that YOU really didn’t need that. It’s just a matter of going a different path to find the same destination…. |
If a 147 grn 9mm at 1000 FPS is the hammer of Thor then a 165 grn. 40 at 1200 fps must a lightening bolt from Zeus!
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45acp = easy, just remember "taper crimp" separate, plus large / small primers Been reloading 45acp for decades, for Bullseye, Target, Bowling Pins. Powders now are: W231 / N310, W231 / 5.0-5.3 grs H&G 68, N310 / 4.1 grs. Zero 185 JHP Bullets: H&G 68's 200gr SWC / Zero 185gr JHP / was Speer "Flying Ash trays" (saving them now) Primers: CCI-300 Brass: mostly 1x LP cases, have a few SP Dies: RCBS Carbide set / Lyman "M" Die (for cast bullets) / old CH Tool Taper crimp I seat and crimp in separate steps. Presses: old ones "Stars"or CH Mk IV Autochamps, some modern ones (grin) 1911's for GI out to Clark Customs, and on. Those AMT Hardballers were fun. It's been a while since I heard the mention of the "nickel" as a gauge, old school for sure. Good ole "plunk test", high tech we were... |
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Originally Posted By Pointman91: Small primer brass has more material in the web and therefore theoretically is stronger. I use SP brass for plus P loads and just recently, 45 Super loads with SR primers. This. And having SP and LP .45 brass just gives you options. I prefer the LP for .45, but a lot of the free .45 brass I got at the range over the years is WinClean with SP…. And free is my preferred price for brass. Takes me a bit of time to sort before loading, other than that I use the same load. And yes 45 ACP is easy to load- don’t overthink things. |
a loaded gun won’t set you free, so you say…
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.45 ACP is almost as easy to load as .38 Special wadcutter rounds. The .45 simply adds one complication: it headspaces on the case mouth, so you have to taper crimp - and do so appropriately. Also, there are SO MANY well documented load combinations out there. Want a lighter bullet? Heavier? Want a load that shoots softer, one that hits harder? You can find loads that areas accurate as your gun can possibly get, or loads that just get you trigger time so you can practice the basics. |
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Ok, so the easy part is over. Now, a question or two. I made a batch using the recipe shown below. Hodgdon/Winchester, as well as GRT, say it should give me 830 fps. It did not, not even close. I got ~760 fps not 830 fps. <-- those with a longer OAL were even slower: 1.240" gave 735 fps. Any thoughts on how to proceed? 230 gr Berry's Hybrid Hollow Point seated to OAL = 1.21" Winchester small pistol primer Winchester case Taper crimp 830 fps target (~5.3 gr W231 powder) |
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: Ok, so the easy part is over. Now, a question or two. I made a batch using the recipe shown below. Hodgdon/Winchester, as well as GRT, say it should give me 830 fps. It did not, not even close. I got ~760 fps not 830 fps. <-- those with a longer OAL were even slower: 1.240" gave 735 fps. Any thoughts on how to proceed? 230 gr Berry's Hybrid Hollow Point seated to OAL = 1.21" Winchester small pistol primer Winchester case Taper crimp 830 fps target (~5.3 gr W231 powder) Hornady 9 agrees with your result 
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Thank you. The places I checked all said I should get 830 fps - Hodgdon, Sierra and GRT. That data even shows the OAL that I used, that's good. They are jacketed bullets not plated or lead. How does that affect the loading? I do have a box or two of the Hornady XTP's. I want to load those up, too, as well as a box of Speer's Gold Dots. Can anyone explain the rule of thumb on powder charge differences typically quoted or lead or p[owder coated or plated or jacketed bullets? Does one type need more/less powder than the other? |
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If you want clean burning powder. VV is really clean burning and not as costly as in the past. Power Pistol burns clean too, I have only used that in some iterations of 45 ACP +P loads. |
jme and I am a NRA Endowment Member
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
Joined:
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: Thank you. The places I checked all said I should get 830 fps - Hodgdon, Sierra and GRT. That data even shows the OAL that I used, that's good. They are jacketed bullets not plated or lead. How does that affect the loading? I do have a box or two of the Hornady XTP's. I want to load those up, too, as well as a box of Speer's Gold Dots. Can anyone explain the rule of thumb on powder charge differences typically quoted or lead or p[owder coated or plated or jacketed bullets? Does one type need more/less powder than the other? In my .357 power pistol thread, Dryflash says he uses jacketed data for powdercoated. I tried this out and received similar results. I use lead data for plated bullets. I only have a few plated bullets left. I use powder-coated anymore. I don't use w231 too much, anymore. I found it ok for light to mid loads. For mid to heavy loads, I still like Unique, and lately CFE Pistol. This for .38, 9mm and .45acp. I could do 99% of my pistol loading with Bullseye for light and Unique for heavy loads, and be perfectly happy. This and magnum powders for .357. |
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Originally Posted By PoppaCapp: In my .357 power pistol thread, Dryflash says he uses jacketed data for powdercoated. I tried this out and received similar results. I use lead data for plated bullets. I only have a few plated bullets left. I use powder-coated anymore. I don't use w231 too much, anymore. I found it ok for light to mid loads. For mid to heavy loads, I still like Unique, and lately CFE Pistol. This for .38, 9mm and .45acp. I could do 99% of my pistol loading with Bullseye for light and Unique for heavy loads, and be perfectly happy. This and magnum powders for .357. The more I look at this recent test data, the more mystified I am. I have a bunch of data from long ago and this data does not match any of that. Admittedly, there is a velocity offset from the chrono location to true muzzle velocity, however, neither load got near to that 830 fps goal. 5.3 gr W231 yielded only 767 fps (n=30, SD=18 fps). OAL was 1.21" 5.6 gr gave only 794 fps (n=10, SD=19 fps). OAL was 1.235" I'll do another test creeping up to maybe 5.9 gr max. I'd like to reliably and safely reach at least 800 fps. |
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Originally Posted By rn22723: If you want clean burning powder. VV is really clean burning and not as costly as in the past. Power Pistol burns clean too, I have only used that in some iterations of 45 ACP +P loads. |
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Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
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Sorry, guys, this thread is about W231 and no other powder. Powder options are nearly endless for this cartridge but I am using W231, exclusively. I picked 5.3 gr of W231 based upon my old loading data. These Berry's bullets are behaving differently than mylead and powder coated bullets. The Berry's are slower. Oh, yeah, waywaup, it's about large primer brass. ;-) |
| A long time ago a shooting buddy did a load work up with 200gr H&G Clone using 231 with charges ranging 4.7 - 6.1 grains. Shot out of ransom rest. Not a one of the loads was bad....4.7/5.4/6.0 stood out. |
jme and I am a NRA Endowment Member
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
| For me, maybe. Though all pistol rounds are pretty simple. Almost never have to trim and I've never had to trim 45. Deprime, tumble, sort, load. So much data out there. I've used that powder with no issues, though I don't have the charge at hand. Usually with 200 or 230 gr plated. In my 550 I seat and use a lee crimp die for a taper crimp on the last stage. |
Fighting for underscores everywhere.
Is 45ACP the Easiest Round to Reload? (Page 1 of 2)
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