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Posted: 9/30/2008 7:57:26 PM EDT
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I just got my dies today and got started. I have loaded 20rnds so far and am going to the range tomorrow to check functionality. I am using CCI prilers Hodgdon Universal powder. i loaded 10 with 6.0g (max reccomended) and 10 with 5.4g (min reccomended starting load. I am loading Ranier 230g JHP to an OAL of 1.23. when I started setting my dies i loaded a couple dummies to set my OAL. the factory ammo i looked at ederal HST (oal 1.223) and winchester white box FMJ (Oal 1.273). I found that my OAL has to be under 1.427 (my first attempt) because although it fits in the Mag it jams coming out of the ejection port (when loaded). any thought or tips i need to know. Update: 6.0g of universat set at the specs above privides good accuracy but a 6'' fireball. no visible pressure marks in primers and or cracks in casings. 5.4g of universal at above specs provides good accuracy but puts my bullets about 1.5'' above target. As long as im not firewallign it I dont see what the problem would be. 6.0g of univeral is the Never Exceed limit per my reloading book producing 16900 CUP. For the record i have been reloading 9mm for over a year or so not and have never had any problems. And as of yet i have not had any problems with .45. i did the max and min to give myself an idea of where i stand with my loads, rather than trial and error. i did max and min, max was too much and min was not enough, and by the difference in the loads i can now gauge where i want my loads at, which from the looks of things it is going to me half way i nthe middle at 5.7g of universal. hopefully this will give me good accuracy without a fireball. |
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It's almost never a good idea to load anything to the max when you first start. It's generally recommended that you start at the minimum and "work up". Working up a load means just that--load some at min, then load some a bit hotter, then a bit more, approaching the max. You are doing this and checking for signs of excess pressure with the fired cases. The fact is, all barrels are different, and one barrel might handle the max better than some barrels. This is why it's always recommended that you start out light, with any load. |
| I would listen to the other posters. I would not shoot the max loads until I had worked up to that load safely by loading and firing a sequence from the low end up to the max if no signs of pressure have been encountered. Loading safely will help ensure firearms and body parts that are not damaged. |
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yes, try to check your brass after each "group" to look for split cases, ejector marks or unusual or shiny spots on the base of the cases. DO NOT shoot the max loads unless you are feeling lucky - as a beginner reloader the weakest link is not the manual, the press or the components, it's YOU. It is very easy to sneak a little extra into a case and not realize it.... More likely than not you will be just fine with .45 loads no matter what you do, but we want to start off with good habits to help you keep all your fingers, eyeballs and weapons functioning properly! Consistency will be your loftiest goal, so be sure to check, doublecheck and then spot check as you go with all of your measurements and powder loads. Couple of more tips: Bullet shape (ogive, etc) has more to do with OAL than just the "length" of the bullet - this is because your bullet seating die may or may not closely match the shape of the bullet. It sounds like you may not have really read or understood your manual (if you have one) - re-read the part about working up loads safely. Bear in mind that "MAX" loads are assuming specific barrel lengths, chamber profiles and SPECIFIC components including the type, shape, weight and profile of the bullet; as well as primer type and of course the powder used. Understand that any variation in any of these can result in appreciably different chamber pressures, velocity and function of your firearm. |
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While I agree that its always a good idea to work up in you powder loads, if you got those min and max charges from the powder company, you need not be afraid of the max charge damaging anything because they recommend a charge that will damage your pistol. They always leave some 'wiggle' room in their recommendations, however, hot loads do shorten the life of your brass. I agree that you need to have intermediate powder loads to decide which charge gives you the best performance. In addition, the max charge is rarely the one that gives the optimum performance and accuracy in your rig, super long range shooters excepted, and as you are shooting 45acp, super long range isn't in the cards anyway. |
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I agree with all the above posters. I want to add, however, that Rainier recommends there bullets be loaded closer to lead specs, and not FMJ specs. So max loads for FMJ may be WELL over what those Rainier's will handle.... Also, maybe it's just me, but ejection of live rounds is not always "smooth" Even factory length rounds |
i got my information from Lee, 2nd edition modern reloading. due to the "thanks" at the font i would say that the major powder manufacture companies provided most of the information. both rounds gve good performance but the max load did give me a better grouping.
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