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I got a free RCBS Rock Chucker so I decided to start reloading 45 acp. Just ordered my dies and other little stuff (tumbler, brushes etc.). I am sure there are people here that have their favorite loads for .45, so I want input on what bullets (weight, type, size), powder and primer you are using. Since I am new I do not want to waste money "experimenting", I am trying to reload to save money. I will be shooting a 5" 1911. I was thinking about using Sundance lead bullets (http://www.sundancebullets.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)since they are $83 per thousand. I could also go with Ranier Restrike 200 SWC @ $128/1000. I could save $50 by using lead bullets though. Any suggestions?

I'm still relatively new to the reloading game, so I'm still using jacketed bullets until I get comfortable with the whole process. I am also loading for a 5" 1911. My components are my once-fired brass (and some range pick-ups), Winchester LP primers, HP-38 powder, and 230gr FMJ bullets. Once I get another thousand or so rounds under my belt, I may look into lead.

Still, if you are looking to save money, even jacketed bullets will be cheaper than loaded ammo. I bought some not-so-cheap FMJs by the hundred a while back, and even those expensive bullets made the full cost of my reloads about 70% of factory ammo. Quantity purchases save even more.

From what I've seen so far, it isn't a "waste" of money to experiment a little. Just the starting load of the above components makes a wonderful light-shooting target load. Experimenting a bit to get a factory-similar load is fun, too. Be careful - like everyone says, you will start reloading to save money, but you'll just wind up shooting more.

An almost foolproof .45 load is a 230 round nose bullet (lead or jacketed) with Bullseye, 231, HP38, or Titegroup. Start at the lowest powder charge and work up till you reach the load you like.

As a little side note, Hercules Powder Co. (the precursor of Alliant) developed Bullseye to load .45ACP. Tons of Bullseye was loaded into millions of rounds of .45 ACP for the military since 1911.

Myself and a several other 45acp reloaders that I shoot with load 200 gr Lead SWC with 3.8 to 4.0 gr of Clays. I have used this load with most of the major primer brands and all are very accutate, soft shooting and very clean.

200gr LSWC and one of these powders for IPSC major loads:
WW231
HS-6
N340
Green Dot

Thanks for all the replies.

My normal load for practical competition is a 230 lead round nose on top of 4.8 grains of 700-X powder. This basically duplicates standard ball ammo ballistics, about 830 ft/sec or so. I started using 700-X because I used to shoot quite a bit of trap & skeet, and used that powder to load shotshells . . . pretty cheap when you buy it in a 12 lb keg.

Light target loads are a 200 grain SWC over 3.5 grains of Bullseye for about 630 ft/sec. with negligible recoil and is fine for punching paper at 25 yards. Upping the charge to 4.2 grains gives me about 100 ft/sec more, and is a good 50 yard target load.

All velocities are chronographed out of a 5" 1911.