Shot my first reloads today

[kilimanjaro]

Good for you, enjoy the process and the results, it's fun.

Just to advise, that anal checking and rechecking, then checking again bit, it's best if you never stop doing that.

You will not care one whit if you reloaded X rounds per hour if one of them puts a rifle bolt through your forehead, or rips off a finger or two when the bottom blows out of your action.

I met a reloader at the range, he said, 'I'll buy ammo here at the range before I'll rush a reloading session the night before."

 

[Nick_C_S]

You don't want to pound out 180 rounds with a kinetic hammer, trust me.

You got that right!

Fortunately, I've only had to do a batch no larger than 20. Still too many.

 

[Jim243]

I am super excited so I had to post it on here.

Congrats and welcome to the addiction. Now you need to make yourself a log book and write down the components for each load you make. I also make a label (stick on) and include the same information on the label to go on the storage case for that load. When you find a very good load for each firearm, make and keep as many notes on it as you can. This helps in reproducing that same load over and over again.

Stay safe.
Jim

 

[Longshot4]

You now know what the loading is about. Keep the powder thrower filled to at least 1/2 volume it will help to be consistent with the charges.
Bullseye isn't the best throwing powder for consistency but it is the standard for 45 ACP.
It's what I use to. The fine ball powders throw very well. Although I can't tell you off hand what would work for the 45.

So you are loading for a 1911 that alone can be a branch of the loading hobby to learn. Especially with all the custom parts that have developed in the last 100+ years.

Keep it up. I wish you well for 2016...

 

[Shimpy]

I haven't loaded 45ACP for years but always used 230 gr with 6.5 Unique. When using fast burning powders such as Bullseye and Unique a double charge is always possible. Always check to be sure you didn't double charge a case.

 

[Prof Young]

Good job and . . .

I too was meticulous with my first loads. Still try to be that way. I was so nervous about shooting my own first loads that I figured out a way to clamp the gun (44 mag) to my tailgate and I pulled the trigger with a lanyard. Really. Have loaded other calibers since then 223, 9mm, 45 auto, 45 colt and 380 and have never done the lanyard pull again.

Live well, be safe
Prof Young