How to Find the Most Accurate Load for your 45 Auto ~ Or Any Pistol!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ค. 2023
- Finding what is the most accurate load for your handgun is so easy! The best load is the one you tailor for your own components and gun, and for the style of shooting you do. Follow along and see how simple and fun it is to do t yourself!
- แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Thank you for investing time to produce your many informative videos. Listening to you is like having a great friend who stops by and shares his specific firearms expertise over an adult beverage. You have a unique talent for conveying information with clarity. Your TH-cam contributions will be an important legacy for future generations.
I was lucky enough to have the same alibre of Mentor with the late Great Dan Hacket getting me through the precision loading of Rifle Ammunition, in the Shooting Forum that was on Compuserve. Dan is really Missed. RIP Dan, hopefully he's on a 1,000 yds Range on the Other Side. ❤ Bob. 👍✨️✨️✨️
More pleasing to absorb the way he explains simply and direct to the point.
I keep having to remind myself that most people don't have the experience that you and I have. Always great to see you passing it along. Thank you.
The 45 AARP. Just kidding, I love it.
Yeah I don't know why they call it the AARP, when the 9mm Luger is actually older than the .45 Auto.
5 grs. Of bullseye is the standard load for me. I have had really good accuracy with it in most of my guns.
Great content..... At the age of 61 I'm late to the reloading game. I've been shooting and hunting since I was a young man but never attempted reloading ammo, so I'm tooling up and building a new reloading bench and reading and binge watching youtube videos for all the info I can get. Wish me luck and thanks for your helpful videos.
I am now 1400 bucks poorer due to your video on the Colt gold cup, i am now a happy owner of this great pistol , i enjoy your videos and have learned alot, i now own three 1911 pistols.
Congratulations!
In a world where so many people cannot get a Lee Turret or Safety Prime to work and tell everyone about it… I chuckle at your videos!
I think this press is wonderful for load development.
Man I miss the days when you could just blow through reloads developing that magical load. Now with large pistol primers hidden right next to the gold in my safe, and nothing new on the horizon I just start at velocity I want, and if it keeps my self defense rounds inside a 8" paper plate 25', causes no malfunctions, its good enough for me.
This is one thing I miss about living in WV where I grew up free shooting ranges everywhere. I moved to Indiana and there is no where to shoot besides very expensive indoor ranges. I understand flat land verses mountain land it just stinks I haven't shot a single round in almost four years now.
Thank you again for your detailed explanations.
One of my favorite channels!
Another great video! Looking forward to seeing you shoot!
Thank you for taking the time to put your extremely informative videos on here!!
Very informational. Being able to load your own ammo is undoubtedly a valuable skill to have! I’m considering looking into it and learning some more so I can do it myself one day soon.
It's easy, very rewarding, and you'll get many more bangs per the buck.
Before you spend any money ask some of us that have been doing it for years, decades in many cases. We can tell you what works and what doesn’t. You will most likely find it can be very expensive depending on the equipment you want to buy but it doesn’t have to break the bank. It is a great way to shoot more and can quickly pay for itself, the equipment that is, depending on what you shoot and how much. Plus it is very enjoyable and relaxing.
Before i really got into reloading, mainly handguns in mind, i pushed some numbers. To me, it turned out that reloading will be really worth it mainly when i cast my own bullets from free scrap lead. Because the bullet was the main cost at least with primer prices around 2017 (2,5 cents). I was gutted. I did not want to get into casting, initially. So i upfront tried to find a most straightforward process. 6 Cavity molds. Botom pou pot. Tumble lube. No handling of individual bullets till loading. This gives about 500-1000 bullets per hour. Needless to say, i was able to shoot a crapton of rounds since then for little money, and casting / loading really became my focus of attenion, because this yields tthe best possible competition ammo ever, and with your gaining of knowledge of interior ballistics, between harder lead and softer lead, faster and slower powders, you really start to get acquainted with your guns, on what they do and why, and how they do exactly what you want.
Warning! Reloading will cost you more...because you'll find it so much fun you'll shoot more so you can reload more again! It's very addictive...just as much as shooting.
@@ecleveland1 Thank you, I appreciate the help.
Great how-to video. Thank you for all the instruction!
Fantastic, Thanks!
Thank you, looking forward to the range test video !
Thank you for your time . I enjoyed watching the video . I’ve loaded around 2k shotshells , eyeballing some pistol loads with my inherited Dillon 😊
Excellent video and information thanks
Ecellent video! Thanks!
Thanks alot for your reloads I could drink coffee and watch you 24/7 what great knowledge I learn from all your tuterial's. Have a good day
I recently started loading for 357 sig and 10mm. I'm a 40 geek, and I have a 9mm already so these rounds I wanted to be actually doing things that either of these calibers can't do. Lol so I got my loads worked up and damn are they fun 🤗😂
Looking forward for the test!
Thank you for posting this video. I wasn’t going to comment until you said you were in New Hampshire. My grandmother came from Hanover and I listened to every word she said. I look forward to you teaching me how to load 200 grain lead with a gas check…loa is a bugger for me
Good information.
thank you for the awesome knowlege you provide and share with us looking forward to the shooting videos and all other videos you share with us hello to mr benny glad to see you guys are happy and healthy god bless my friend
Same press I’ve used for several years now. Works great for producing plinking pistol or rifle rounds really quickly, especially with the powder through die with the powder drop attached right to the die, or you can take out the rod that turns the turret, and use it like a single stage for making more precise rifle rounds.
Had mine almost 3yr and do .308..223…9mm…10mm…and 6.5prc. Lee dies so when they stick you dan just knock em out with the decapper. Made for it
Thank you!!
Thank you sir, wisdom is gracious, even equally when shared with our furry family. God speed Sir.
Thank you kindly
Awesome video... Will watch again..
Try the lee auto drum powder dropper.....
Thank you for your many terrific videos. Oddly enough what caught my attention in this video was that you mentioned a lighter spring for slower loads. Sometimes the arthritis in my hands makes it difficult to rack the slide. I never thought about replacing the spring and simply using lighter loads. BTW, my son lives in Weare and I am always wondering if i might run into you at a store or dinner in the area. Oh the problems of being a celebrity 🙄
Just finished loading 100 Auto Rim cases for my shaved .455 Webley on the same brand equipment! That recipe is long since established but I will next be working up a load for a .45 ACP. Are you going to show us some chrono stuff? I have found mine very useful, especially see certain nuances like different primer brands. You have a lot more experience than me (or many of us) you know have a broader base of knowledge and experience. With far less of all that, I feel the need to test and document a lot more of the basics than you need to.
I'm looking forward to your follow up video from the range.
Have you ever tried swaging your own bullets from copper or brass?
I use my Lee 4-hole like that once in awhile but I use a Lyman powder-thru die that is female threaded 7/8-14 on the top enabling the use of any powder measure right on the turret. Mostly use my RCBS Lil Dandy but once in awhile my Redding 10X. Thanks!
This demonstration required individual hand charges. Once one is established, I'll use an automated powder dispenser.
Blessings from Australia.
Always good info!
Thanks for reminding me how much I loved Reloading Ammunition, it is so rewarding. ever done any Reloading of Pistol Ammunition yet though, just Shotgun and Rifle. Best Wishes and God Bless to you all. Bob in Wales. 👍✨️✨️✨️
I've been reloading (mostly pistol) for 20+ years and contemplated buying a shotshell press. My wife intervened and said, "You don't need another hobby!" 🤣🤣
@@hawkeyeted It used to be really worthwhile Reloading Shotshells here in the UK as you could do loads for Choke regulated for great patterns . My Favourite 12g load was 1 oz of number 7 shot powered by Nobel 78 Powder which was very fast and really clean burning. Unfortunately Nobel no longer seem to be making powders, and the Best Lead Shot from Sheldon Bush has gone as the insane anti
lead Agenda has shut them down. They made possibly the best Pure Lead Products in the World. Now all we have is Rubbish quality Lead from China. For the architectural Renovation of Historical Buildings, to be able to Lead Weld for example, you need pure Lead, and now it has ecome Unobtainium. Still, we may have turned the Corner, The Norwegians have Woken up to that they have been Lied to with Fake Science about Lead, have Banned Lead Free Ammunition from Military Ranges due rapidly resulting real environmental Damage, such as Contaminated Groundwater, plus have removed the Ban on using
Lead Shot over Wetlands. Plus Military Range users were getting Metal Fever using Lead free ammunition, and that had never been a Problem with Lead ammo. It apparently was all about finding markets for otherwise Worthless Non Lead Rubbish. Best Wishes. Bob in Wales. 👍
Good stuff. I have a lot of Bullseye on hand. For reasons unknown, I have never used it for the .45 ACP. Going to have to remedy that!
There's information available that implies that Bullseye (originally developed by DuPont, then bought by Hercules, and further purchased by Alliant) was the "original" powder used for MIL-SPEC 45ACP. Try searching for "45ACP GI Load."
5.0 grains of bullseye under a 230 ball (fmj) is very rewarding in a 5" 1911. Ymmv
...for a number of years Iused a Lee 1000...aokd it after my stroke in 2002...recently bout the Lee 4000 mostly because it has a station for the Lee FCD...I've got the case feed and collater also
Always a comforting, enjoyable experience watching you GB. Just an observation, by no means a criticism but I cant help but notice your somewhat distant, awkward location of your powder measure from your press?
What work for me on load development. I color code each load that way i know what one is what . I use one color for one load on paper and I then mark the primer with that color. I use a Sharpie marker. I like how you come up with the start load.
I see you got a u-tube award in the background
Thank you for what you do. I really enjoy watching and learning. I am relatively new to loading, about 2 years. Loaded total about 4,000 rounds of which about 1000 45acp. I am shooting a non-modified SR1911. I have been working up a load with 6 gn Universal, using Blue Bullet 200 swc and an OAL of 1.240 target. At the range yesterday at 15 yards from a rest shot 5 with one flyer. The remaining 4 were in a 1" group. I know I have more work to do. Since it is difficult for me to trust blogs, I would like your opinion if that is a decent group. It is always difficult for me to figure whether it is me and my technique or if it is the load or both. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Let me know if more info is needed. Thank you
Great video. I'm just getting into the 45acp life. Just purchased my 1st 45acp this week. Rock island tac ultra fshc 45acp 13 round. 👌 beautiful pistol, I love it. What off the self target and self defense ammo do you remember?
I'll soon be doing a video on different brands of factory made defense ammo. Stay tuned!
I have the same shirt!
I'd sure like to hear your take on finding the sweet spot for firearms nominally in the same caliber but actually with different bore sizes. E.g. My .44 Mag revolvers seem to be right at 0.429" at the front of the cylinders on most chambers but my .44 Mag rifle is 0.431" according to the gunsmith from whom I bought it, and that seems par for the course for that caliber. But while I don't want rounds keyholing into the target, I don't want overpressurise my revolvers either. I bought reloading equipment specifically to load for .44 Mag but now realizing it is quite a bit more involved that I thought it would be.
As always, thanks for the great, informative videos. I could literally watch these all day (my boss probably wouldn't appreciate it though...)
I regard handloaded ammo as a remanufactured version of the original, but with potentially better accuracy. There's no such sweet spot and no such thing as different bore sizes in modern firearms. Yes, there were differences in bore dimensions with century old barrels, but that's not so with modern barrels. Any .44 Magnum was made after 1956, and is a very modern barrel, made long after the irregularities of the 1800s. Slugging barrels is not something done with modern barrels such as a .44 Magnum. Take your gunsmith's measurements with a very heavy dose of salt. It's very easy to misread a micrometer by .001" and much easier to make a bad casting to measure from. Gunsmiths don't get many visitors in the course of the day and many like to talk, and often they elaborate to extremes. Barrel sizing has been very precise to the nth degree in the last 100 years, no matter who makes them. I can virtually guarantee that your bore is exactly standard dimensions and not oversize at all. Just use standard data for anything regarding the .44 Remington Magnum and be happy. Use .429' jacketed bullets and .430" cast lead and you'll have fine results.
Starting at 6:07 mark
Carful comin outta the powder die as it gives that pop to vibrate the powder kernels can jump out. I quit loadin mine through the press and do it carefully with funnel…I’m sure you know all these quirks but just puttin em out there for ones that might not..thanks again….matt
I've checked that before with a scale. Powder bounces but falls into the case. No powder escapes.
...I've been using Win 231 fir my 200 gr LWSC 45 ACP loads for years..I started with AA #2 until it became scarce..I use 5.6 grs..which is sligless than the maximum load shown in my very old Hornady manual..going back to the 80s...
Thank you for all of the great videos you’ve produced over the years. I’ve learned a lot from you! I did have a question on the factory crimp die. I have a Lee press with the factory crimp die and was wondering how do I know I set the the crimp die up? I though I had it set up for a good crimp, but someone at the local range told me I didn’t have enough crimp. Also does the factory crimp die apply a taper crimp? Thank you for your help!
Lee designed two types of factory crimps. Auto pistol crimps are a full length style that post sizes the entire case. Revolver crimps place a very firm crimp at the mouth in addition to post sizing the entire case. The instructions that came with the die give full details. It's absolutely the best crimp in the industry.
Thank you for your help! I appreciate you taking the time to help me out!
I’ve always thought asking someone else for their load data was foolish at best. Loading manuals are not very expensive and they are packed full of information about hand loading.
You're absolutely correct!
Dear Sir,
I just got done re-watching your video of six years ago entitled "Dropping the Model 1911 slide ~ The Truth."
I've noticed that the comments remain tuned off to this day and I can't say as I blame you. I believe what you're saying in this video as you come across as being knowledgeable and authoritative but also humble. Many of the self-professed gun gods even with decades of similar experience come across as arrogant and belittling in their speech. Even so, in the interest of showing respect to other peoples sacredly held beliefs, I wouldn't drop the slide on an empty chamber in a gun shop. 👍
Neither would I do so in a gun shop. I wouldn't even rack the slide back without permission. That would be quite inappropriate for another's property.
One missing step: mark each round’s charge on the round itself with a sharpie, etc. You don’t want any mixups at this stage of the process. If you knock your ammo box over at the range sorting things out again will be easy, not a mini disaster. Don’t ask me how I know this.
Though I've had no such mixup in 50 years, it's a good idea.
What powder and load data was used in military ball ammo for 1911......
Weatherby vanguard is there a barrel break in could it be all over map then suddenly 🤔 tight grouping
USReloading is looking for a writer,you would be perfect for that Sir,Have a great day, Richard
Is the powder charge the only thing you try out? How about the seating depth (e.g. 0.0001" deeper?) or the amount of crimp?
I am currently developing a load for my 9 mm and have noticed that often the cases have some black residue on the outside. I thought about playing with crimp and seating depth to increase the pressure.
Between Gunblue and Paul Harrell I have a video encyclopedia on all things shooting.
This isn’t on topic, but will a Keith Semi Wadcutter at magnum velocities ruin a bore like full Wadcutters at magnum velocities do?
My question is i have tite group ,be86,cfe pistol,sport pistol powder .in your opinion which is the best for me to use in making my first rounds the pistol is a glock 21gen 5
Is that smokless or black powder I'm learning i didn't know powders burn different how is unique powder would you use it
My experience with pistol shooters, including myself, is that practice makes all my loads more accurate...LOL
I do appreciate more accomplished pistol shooters, such as yourself, and the time it takes to get there.
where do plated bullets fit.? They seem to be softer than FMJ but a bit harder than cast.
Crazy how little powder goes in there. I have a 357 Sig load with a light projectile that has over 10 grains of charge
Bullseye is one of the most efficient powders ever made for low to moderate velocities.
@@GunBlue490 interesting, need to double check maybe I do have modeled a load with it already.
In any case, I try not to go below 70% case fill, I want to spill it over good in case of a double charge
@@nikos6220
That's why he mentioned to concentrate to never double load with this powder.
@@onpsxmember sure, and you always should concentrate not that. But at least my reloading happens sometimes after my kids are in bed and after a long working day. So the ensured spilling over is a free and extremely visible 😂 security measure
👍
What do you think of using steel sizing dies for pistols? For example, loading for my 460 s&w. If I use the steel die with lube, it barely touchs the lower 2/3rds of the case, and only sizes around the mouth area to hold the bullet. I wondering if using this type of die would be worth it to extend brass life.
I recommend only carbide dies for any straight walled case. Never lube them under any circumstances. Always size fully.
I also recommend carbide dies and full sizing. I know over the years I have reloaded some 38 spl over ten times. Nickel plated shells are more brittle and can occasionally split a neck. 45 ACP I have loaded of recent over 6 times. Brass is generally easy to find at some ranges.
I have an Iver Johnson 45 auto that an amazingly accurate, now and then it doesn't close up completely for the next round, the manual says it needs 500- 1,000 rounds for a break in period,sad to say but it hasn't been used that much, I would love to hear what you have to say about this ?
I would increase the spring weight by 2 pounds. In all likelihood, it came with either a 14# target spring, or a standard military 16# spring. Go to whatever is higher. Many 1911s come stock with 18.5# springs these days. Unfortunately, some manufacturers have the notion that extreme slide tightness is necessary for accuracy, which is entirely untrue. Only the snugness of the barrel to the slide is the accuracy factor.
I just want to know where you found Bullseye. I can't seem to find Alliant products anywhere.
Local store in New Hampshire. I was very fortunate to get it.
@gunblue usually when I set up my measures to throw a powder, I'll get a single throw measurement. Say 4.5 gr then I'll throw 10 throws to get an average. Is that a waste of time? Or generally a good idea?
It's an excellent idea. I do it all the time.😊
@@luvtahandload7692 glad that I'm not the only one. I've had a few times where single charge will say 4.4 and once I way the ten charges it'll come to like 46 and change. My scale sucks. That's why I use the old school scale for higher pressure stuff lol.
@@mybuickskill6979 ya, can't be too safe.
I've loaded hundreds of thousands of dropped charges of Bullseye for .38 Special police training loads, and pulled many to check weights. I never saw a variation of even a tenth of a grain.
@@GunBlue490 i think I need two things before I get that confident, a little better scale and a steadier bench 😂
Have you see that crazy Prometheus scale?
No
What are your thoughts on red dots for edc? And what do you carry?
Red dots are wonderful for certain uses, but they detract from the very nature of a handgun, which is its speed and handiness. I carry various handguns according to my dress and circumstances, favoring none in particular. I may drop my wife's .38 Special Lady Smith into my pocket or holster my S&W Model 19, Ruger SR9c, or 1911. They're all very capable companions.
@@GunBlue490 Could you make a video elaborating on the nature of a handgun?
@@MrTmont22 I'll put that in my to do list!
@@GunBlue490 I'll be looking forward to it.
I have a question and you are the person to answer it.
I like the .41 magnum. What's your opinion?
Best to ya',,,,!
I covered the .41Remington Magnum in a video 3 years ago. Please watch it for my complete comments and assessment.
@@GunBlue490 Thank- you!
Best to ya',,,,!
Did you factory crimp the last round?
No, I didn't. I discovered that when the turret was out of phase. It's very easy to make mistakes when someone else is in the room, even if it's a camera. Reloading is a solitary activity.
The problem with estimating handgun velocity from published tables is that they are obtained with test barrels and rarely bear any resemblance to shooting from a real gun. My revolver velocities measured with a chrono are never anywhere near what the tables promise, even with a 6" barrel.
I have not found that to be the case with Lyman velocities and handgun cartridges. The issue is not actual measured velocity in the incremental development process. It's about finding the most accurate load. Once found, you can then run it over chronograph screens, for what it's worth.
@@GunBlue490 Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Yes, I get the process and have been using it successfully for years. Would be interested to see the Lyman data and compare it with factory data for trying to identify the bandwidth for a moderate to warm load. Thanks again. Love the videos!
@@davidmacnab5213 In their older spiral bound manuals, Lyman actually listed factory velocity duplication loads, as my Lyman Reloading Handbook 45th Edition 1970 does. I tested such loads over my Chrony many times. Adjusting for barrel lengths, their data indeed produced "advertised" factory velocities. That being said, factory loads themselves often didn't hit their own mark.
A Lyman factory duplication load could be expected to perform as the factory claimed. A person reloading his own .270 ammo to so-called factory velocity was possibly achieving 150 fps greater velocity than what he bought. I suspect the availability of affordable of chronographs in the late 80s, combined with such disparities may be why Lyman discontinued factory duplication loads in later manuals, and why advertised velocities are not always what they were in years past.
@@GunBlue490 Thank you. I stand corrected. I see the Lyman Handbook gives velocities for a .357 magnum with 4-inch barrel. The Hodgdon Manual, which I was thinking of, cites velocities from a 10-inch barrel, presumably with no cylinder gap. Lyman is therefore probably more realistic for what one can expect for a given load, and also for estimating velocities at less than maximum charges.
Is there a reason a hollow point bullet would be a "target" bullet? Does something about that design make it more inherently accurate than just a regular round nose.
One isn't inherently more accurate than the other, so either can be loaded for plinking. Regular hardball RN is generally cheaper than HPs, that's why they're preferred for target loads. I think HPs are being used here because it's what he has available.
It wasn't a hollow point, it was an open tip. As the host said, many jacketed bullets have an open base, which is more dirty on shooting. The open tip allows the base and body(bearing surface) of the bullet to be very uniform, whereas swaging/forming the bullet from the nose rearward can make the bearing surface uniform, the base is less so. Most match rifle bullets are formed base to tip, which leaves the tip open, thus the designation of OTM(open tip match) or HP(hollow point) even though they are not intended as expanding bullets. Jacketed hollow point pistol bullets are very accurate, but since they are designed to expand, they tend to be more expensive than "standard" jacketed bullets. Several companies actually make hollow-point jacketed pistol bullets, but are designated as "non-expanding".
@@williamgaines9784 Excellent explanation. Thanks!
Sir you know stuff can i shoot buffalo bore ammo in my model 732 H&R 32s&w long its all steel 1967yr. Get back please
I handload for my ss specialist 1911 10mm and run 135 noslers@1550fps…and 180gr hp at over 1300…not for the plastic fantastics…6” trp I took 2 whitetail with the 155gr hornady xtp’s@1400…ol buck didn’t go far..
I've always been told you're lucky to be able to hit anything 50' or less with a 45, never cared for the caliber
Whoever told you that is certainly lacking in its history and capabilities. A well worn standard Government issue 1911 will easily strike a 6" bull at 50 yards. I know, because my issue Remington Rand 1911, made in 1943 and quite worn, placed all rounds into that bull at Fort Polk, LA in 1969. It's one of the most inherently accurate guns in the world and is used annually in The National Match.
@GunBlue490
It was a local county sheriff here in Tennessee
I remember those well-worn 1911s in Navy boot camp, 1979
You'd shake them side to side, and they would rattle
I'm just partial to my S&W 40
Thanks for the video, as always
I have a 1939 Government Issue 1911 and a 50 yd. shot is no problem at all. I put 1 round in the chamber and 7 in the magazine and from a bench rest and led bag all 8 rounds will be in the X ring of a 22 lr. rifle target.
@@shadythereok That sounds like a firearm issue and not a caliber issue. (There's a reason .45ACP is known as "The Lords round." 🤣)
Is ur 45 4 sale
No.
Mr Gunblu490, is there an email address I can reach you at about an old S&W I have? I can’t find much info on it anywhere. Thanks and God bless
Use Accurate brand powders? 😇😂
I use all brands. They're all good.
1000✔
Like #34
The best way to load for 45 AARP is to convert your pistol to 45 Super or 460 Rowland. 😮
It's perfectly fine, as is!