The closest place for me to buy reloading supplies is at Cabelas, north of Fort Worth. I made a quick run to there Friday evening to buy powder, primers, and bullets to get started on my reloading career.
It seems that Win 231 is the powder of choice for most of you guys (loading 230 grain 45 cal), so that's what I asked for. Well, they don't carry any Winchester powder and the guy suggested Hodgdon Clays. I didn't have a second powder choice, so that's what I bought. Was this a bad choice and should I take it back and get the 231? Oh yea, I got CCI primers and Berry's plated round nose bullets. I am open to all opinions - I'm kind of on my own without a close reloader to help me.
Thanks,
Charlie
Hodgdon Clays?
Moderators: carlson1, Charles L. Cotton
Hodgdon Clays?
40FIVER
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ScubaSigGuy
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40FIVER
I will be watching this post closely for info as well. I am considering getting into reloading and I shoot alot of .45. Thanks for asking the quetions.
I will be watching this post closely for info as well. I am considering getting into reloading and I shoot alot of .45. Thanks for asking the quetions.
S.S.G.
"A champion doesn’t become a champion in the ring. He is merely recognized in the ring.The ‘becoming’ happens during his daily routine." Joe Louis
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"A champion doesn’t become a champion in the ring. He is merely recognized in the ring.The ‘becoming’ happens during his daily routine." Joe Louis
NRA MEMBER
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nuparadigm
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I've used Hodgdon's Universal Clays (usually just refered to as "Universal") in .45 ACP and it's not too bad. The data for it (and other Hodgdon stuff for .45) is at:
http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/45acp.php
I've gone back to 231, though. Among the Box Stores, I've seen Gander Mountain selling 231. Wherever you get it, you'll save money in the long run if you buy it in the 8 lb. keg.
Your CCI primers are ok. Some will tell you that they're "hard" ... and that may be. But, if you've got a decent striker/firing pin spring, they shouldn't be a problem.
Your plated bullets are another thing: some manufacturers will tell you to use cast bullet data to load your plated bullets. I've used both that data for them as well as the data for FMJ's with no apparent ill effects.
http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/45acp.php
I've gone back to 231, though. Among the Box Stores, I've seen Gander Mountain selling 231. Wherever you get it, you'll save money in the long run if you buy it in the 8 lb. keg.
Your CCI primers are ok. Some will tell you that they're "hard" ... and that may be. But, if you've got a decent striker/firing pin spring, they shouldn't be a problem.
Your plated bullets are another thing: some manufacturers will tell you to use cast bullet data to load your plated bullets. I've used both that data for them as well as the data for FMJ's with no apparent ill effects.
Last edited by nuparadigm on Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:53 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Remember Newton and Azrak.
Re: Hodgdon Clays?
I like Clays very well... it is extremely versitile and economical as well.
In performance it is pretty close to Bulls-Eye which is probably my all time fav power still available on the market.
Clays also burns very cleanly and is great for .45 acp... It also works well in .38 Spl.
Only down side to Clays is, being a relatively new powder there is less data in circulation than for Bulls-Eye or W231.
I doubt you would be disappointed with Clays if you try it.
FWIW
Chuck
In performance it is pretty close to Bulls-Eye which is probably my all time fav power still available on the market.
Clays also burns very cleanly and is great for .45 acp... It also works well in .38 Spl.
Only down side to Clays is, being a relatively new powder there is less data in circulation than for Bulls-Eye or W231.
I doubt you would be disappointed with Clays if you try it.
FWIW
Chuck
40FIVER wrote:The closest place for me to buy reloading supplies is at Cabelas, north of Fort Worth. I made a quick run to there Friday evening to buy powder, primers, and bullets to get started on my reloading career.
It seems that Win 231 is the powder of choice for most of you guys (loading 230 grain 45 cal), so that's what I asked for. Well, they don't carry any Winchester powder and the guy suggested Hodgdon Clays. I didn't have a second powder choice, so that's what I bought. Was this a bad choice and should I take it back and get the 231? Oh yea, I got CCI primers and Berry's plated round nose bullets. I am open to all opinions - I'm kind of on my own without a close reloader to help me.
Thanks,
Charlie
Hoist on High the Bonnie Blue Flag That Bears the Single Star!
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Houston1944
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- Location: Houston, TX
I have not used it with a 230 gr bullet but 3.8 to 4.0 Clays with a 200 gr LSWC is a great 45acp load. I have seen this load shoot in many different 1911's and they all performed well with it. It is not the powder of choice for SD or hunting loads but for target loads I don't know of anything any better.
Thanks guys,
What you are saying and what the guy behind the counter said are pretty much the same thing. BTW, it is the Hodgdon Clays, not Universal Clays or International Clays, and about the only place I can find data for it is at Hodgdon's website. The salesman, who uses a Dillon 650, says the shape of the powder makes it pretty hard for him to get his powder measure set for the correct grains. I think this is a cylindrical powder, not ball like the 231.
I'm getting into reloading to be a better concealed carry shooter, so my ultimate goal is to produce a round the will mimic my self defense rounds.
I understand that I have to be careful when taper crimping the plated bullet. Do any of you Dillon users reload a plated bullet like Berrys, and how do you set your crimp?
I could go to other forums for this info, but this forum is like family and I trust what you guys say.
What you are saying and what the guy behind the counter said are pretty much the same thing. BTW, it is the Hodgdon Clays, not Universal Clays or International Clays, and about the only place I can find data for it is at Hodgdon's website. The salesman, who uses a Dillon 650, says the shape of the powder makes it pretty hard for him to get his powder measure set for the correct grains. I think this is a cylindrical powder, not ball like the 231.
I'm getting into reloading to be a better concealed carry shooter, so my ultimate goal is to produce a round the will mimic my self defense rounds.
I understand that I have to be careful when taper crimping the plated bullet. Do any of you Dillon users reload a plated bullet like Berrys, and how do you set your crimp?
I could go to other forums for this info, but this forum is like family and I trust what you guys say.
40FIVER
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Houston1944
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:37 pm
- Location: Houston, TX
I would have to disagree with the salesman on how Clays meters in a Dillon 650. I have found it to be very accurate in my 650 powder measurer.
When using plated bullets I found that I needed to open the bell up just a little more than I was using for FMJ. Before I increased the bell I was having occasional problems with the copper plating rolling up on the mouth of the brass when the bullet was seated.
Nothing different on the crimp for plated bullets. All you want to do with the taper crimp is to remove the bell. You do not want the crimp to cut into the bullet of the 45acp no matter what bullet you are using.
If you are looking to duplicate hot factory SD loads then you will need to use a slower burning powder such as Power Pistol.
When using plated bullets I found that I needed to open the bell up just a little more than I was using for FMJ. Before I increased the bell I was having occasional problems with the copper plating rolling up on the mouth of the brass when the bullet was seated.
Nothing different on the crimp for plated bullets. All you want to do with the taper crimp is to remove the bell. You do not want the crimp to cut into the bullet of the 45acp no matter what bullet you are using.
If you are looking to duplicate hot factory SD loads then you will need to use a slower burning powder such as Power Pistol.
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pistolchamp
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45 acp is easy to reload
Try 5.8 grains of Winchester 231 for a factory duplicate load with 230 grain lead bullets, or 5.9 grains of Unique. Both work well.
I ran a very profitable reloading company for over 10 years and sold out to a guy who managed to go broke in a little less than six months. Price your ammo close to the competition, go to gun shows, flea markets, etc and you'll sell more than you can make.
A Class 6 license is required if you intend to sell any ammo.
I cleaned my brass using Sanivac toilet cleaner in a commercial sized clothes washer and air dried it in the sun. It was super shiny and clean as could be.
You'll like any brand of primer better than CCI. Federal, Winchester, Remington, they are all of better consistancy and maybe "softer".
My favorite handload for practice is a 200 grain SWC over 5.5 grains of WW-452AA. I know, I know, its not made anymore, but, I've still got over 100 pounds and no none of it is for sale.
I ran a very profitable reloading company for over 10 years and sold out to a guy who managed to go broke in a little less than six months. Price your ammo close to the competition, go to gun shows, flea markets, etc and you'll sell more than you can make.
A Class 6 license is required if you intend to sell any ammo.
I cleaned my brass using Sanivac toilet cleaner in a commercial sized clothes washer and air dried it in the sun. It was super shiny and clean as could be.
You'll like any brand of primer better than CCI. Federal, Winchester, Remington, they are all of better consistancy and maybe "softer".
My favorite handload for practice is a 200 grain SWC over 5.5 grains of WW-452AA. I know, I know, its not made anymore, but, I've still got over 100 pounds and no none of it is for sale.
Don't Understand Why Salesman Has a Problem
I don't understand why the salesman would say he has a problem with Clays.
I use a Dillon 550b and it meters Clays +/- .1 grain all the time... considering that represents 1/10 of 1/7000th of a pound that is real accuracy.
I can't think of anyone who has problems with metering Clays through any measure...
Anyway, if you try it I think you will be pleased with it.
FWIW
Chuck
I use a Dillon 550b and it meters Clays +/- .1 grain all the time... considering that represents 1/10 of 1/7000th of a pound that is real accuracy.
I can't think of anyone who has problems with metering Clays through any measure...
Anyway, if you try it I think you will be pleased with it.
FWIW
Chuck
40FIVER wrote:Thanks guys,
What you are saying and what the guy behind the counter said are pretty much the same thing. BTW, it is the Hodgdon Clays, not Universal Clays or International Clays, and about the only place I can find data for it is at Hodgdon's website. The salesman, who uses a Dillon 650, says the shape of the powder makes it pretty hard for him to get his powder measure set for the correct grains. I think this is a cylindrical powder, not ball like the 231.
I'm getting into reloading to be a better concealed carry shooter, so my ultimate goal is to produce a round the will mimic my self defense rounds.
I understand that I have to be careful when taper crimping the plated bullet. Do any of you Dillon users reload a plated bullet like Berrys, and how do you set your crimp?
I could go to other forums for this info, but this forum is like family and I trust what you guys say.
Hoist on High the Bonnie Blue Flag That Bears the Single Star!
+1 on the questioning of the sales guy & his inability to get Clays to meeter well. With that said, some powders do meeter better than others.
I have shot thousands of Berry's plated bullets in both 9mm, 40 & 45 and they work very well. I recently ordered a mini case of 200gr SWC molly coated from masterblaster & am going to push it with clays.
I have been reloading for about 13 years now and (IMHO) I can say that the 3 most important pieces of equipment to reloading are:
1. Chronograph
2. Caliper
3. Scale
Not necessarily in any particular order.
In order to try and mimic your self defense load you need to know the velocity from your gun not what the box says.
I use a Dillon 650 & love it. (with some minor modifications)
There is a great source of info on the 650 at: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=584
I have shot thousands of Berry's plated bullets in both 9mm, 40 & 45 and they work very well. I recently ordered a mini case of 200gr SWC molly coated from masterblaster & am going to push it with clays.
I have been reloading for about 13 years now and (IMHO) I can say that the 3 most important pieces of equipment to reloading are:
1. Chronograph
2. Caliper
3. Scale
Not necessarily in any particular order.
In order to try and mimic your self defense load you need to know the velocity from your gun not what the box says.
I use a Dillon 650 & love it. (with some minor modifications)
There is a great source of info on the 650 at: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=584
Dr. Kyle