New to reloading---45ACP

[CWOOD]

I shoot a Glock 30. It is my daily carry sidearm and the one I use for IDPA.

I am thinking about starting reloading for IDPA. For now I will continue to use the Corbon +P DPX round for daily carry. Letely I have been using Blazer aluminum to compete, but now even that is beginning to soar in price approaching $300/1000 delivered.

For use on paper and occasional steel targets of IDPA I have a couple of questions.

1. I have been told by someone at Berry's that their plated bullets will work just fine in the Glock without creating leading or other problems. Do any of you fine folks here have any disagreement with that? I am not ready to get an aftermarket barrel at this time and the savings of the plated bullets compared to FMJ rounds are considerable.

2. What would be your powder recommendation? I am looking for the best value...a combination of reliability and economy which will give velocities of 750-800 fps so that I am OK in SSP but could also shoot CDP if I wanted. I have looked at Titegroup but I suspect that there are other choices which might be better.

I don't even have my press yet, but this info would be helpful in making the cost/benefit analysis.

Thanks all for this...and all the other wisdom and wit on Texas CHL Forum.

[HankB]

Using a 230 grain cast round nose bullet and taper crimp, my "standard" .45 ACP load uses 4.8 grains of 700-X and a standard Winchester large pistol primer; the last time I chronographed this load out of my Les Baer 1911, it averaged 833 ft/sec instrumental velocity with the first screen at 10 feet, which to all intents and purposes duplicates standard "hardball" ballistics.

It's well under the maximum charges listed in the Midway LoadMAP, gives me good brass life (dozens of reloads), and is cheap . . . I used to shoot competitive trap and skeet, and bought the powder in 12 lb kegs . . . you get a lot of .45 ACP reloads out of one keg.

Charges for jacketed bullets are almost the same as for lead bullets, so I imagine the same would hold true for plated bullets . . . but you might want to cut back 0.5 grains or so until you see how your gun likes it.

[HighVelocity]

A 230gr Berry's plated bullet should shoot just fine in your G30. I do NOT recommend shooting Moly coated or plain cast lead in the factory barrel unless you lay awake at night dreaming of cleaning your gun. The bore gets just plain filthy with moly or lead. Not to mention it'll smoke like a locomotive. I shoot the heck out of moly and cast lead bullets in guns with standard rifling and it's not so bad but with glocks, it's messy.

One of my pet loads is a 230gr Berry's bullet on top of 3.9grs of Clays loaded to an overall length of 1.250". It shoots like a dream in just about every 45 I have ever owned. Including a G21 and a G30.

[lrb111]

There are a few folks here that are using black bullets from http://www.precisionbullets.com/products.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
My last order from them got back ordered for both the case of 125gr 9mm, and the case of 200gr, .45. It took a real long time for the .45s. Maybe the 230gr is in stock.

fwiw, there is a huge run on ammo and related stuff right now.

I haven't even set up my Lee Loadmaster for .45 yet. I ordered all the parts to set it up for 9mm, and .45. It came with the .38/.357.
http://www.wideners.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; had the best prices for a complete starter kit. But right now it seems most retailers are out of stock. There is a Lee retail store down the street from the factory apparently. That's where I ordered my extra shell plates, dies, and bullet feeders, etc. http://www.factorysales.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don't know a lot about reloading, so I took my time over a few evenings setting it up. I made some mistakes and learned how to use a kinetic bullet puller to take bullets apart.

Then after I was pretty sure of what I was doing, I ran off about 850 .38 spec in about an hour one night.
That was before I got the bullet feeder. I like my press.

The base kit was about $215, I probably have $250 more in it for a total of 4 calibers. That's with case feeders, bullet feeders, and small and large primer feeders.

[sbb]

My loads are 4.6 gr. of IMR 700x and CCI large pistol primers behind Berry's 230 gr. plated rn. I've been shooting this load for six months or so and have no complaints. I received advice to use a powder load similar to cast lead bullets when using the Berry's plated versions. I don't know if that was good info but it has worked for me. Best of luck in your journey. Loading and shooting your own reloads is a hoot.

[SRVA]

Best load I have ever found for IDPA is a 230 gr jacketed or plated bullet over 4.5 gr of Winchester WST. It makes power factor (about 170) it is very soft shooting and it is VERY clean. It is the only 45 load that I use anymore.

Steve

[Houston1944]

Dillon Precision sells Berry's Plated bullets and in their monthly catalog they state that Berry's bullets are safe with Glocks. The recommended load data is stated as "low to mid-range" FMJ data. Please note this info is from a catalog and not my personal opinion.

I only tried plated bullets once and that was a few years ago. I had a problem with the plating rolling up when I would seat the bullet. This caused me to believe that I needed to use a slightly larger bell setting for plated bullets. I decided to just stay with lead or FMJ so I never proved that theory.

[gregthehand]

Just to throw anothe mix in I use a Ranier plated 230 gr round nose bullet. For powder I use 5.6 grains of Winchester 231 powder and a winchester large pistol primer.

[CWOOD]

Hey everyone, Thanks so much for the helpful and informative replys. It is really appreciated.

Anyone else who might want to add a word or suggestion is urged to do so.

I don't have my press yet. I found a new LoadMaster advertised for $100 from an individual. It has 40S&W dies and is in the box and has never loaded a round. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get him to return my emails yet, but for that price I can afford to be patient. If I can get that good a deal, this whole exercise is a no brainer. Wish me luck.

Regards to all.

[Oldgringo]

What is IDPA?

[SRVA]

International Defensive Pistol Association. It is the sanctioning organization for one to the "action pistol" disciplines. IDPA matches are geared toward defensive scenarios shot with stock, or near-stock handguns. While it is a game (no one shoots back and we keep score) it is a great way to get trigger time doing things other than standing and shooting at a stationary target at a known distance. It is a lot of fun. If you want to try it, there a clubs all over Texas and they will welcome you to their matches.

Steve

[Venus Pax]

What is IDPA?

It's a whole lot of fun.

[Oldgringo]

What is IDPA?

It's a whole lot of fun.

I can recall a lot of things which were, or are, a lot of fun.

That said, IDPA is an acronym for what?

[Keith B]

That said, IIDPA is an acronym for what?

SRVA has is in the first four words of his post above, International Defensive Pistol Association and explained it very well.

[Oldgringo]

That said, IIDPA is an acronym for what?

SRVA has is in the first four words of his post above, International Defensive Pistol Association and explained it very well.

Well, excuse me! What a dolt I must be for not making that connection.

You feel better, Mr. Moderator?