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Picture of StorminNormin
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In pistol, I have only reloaded 9mm and use Xtreme plated bullets with Power Pistol. I now want to start reloading .45. I have a Dillon 550 and plan to order everything from them to reload .45. I have a few questions before I start buying things.

Is there any reason to buy a different die than the three die set from Dillon?

I am thinking of reloading with Xtreme or Berry’s plated bullets since they will be for plinking only. If I go with the plated bullets, is it better to get .451, .452, or does it matter?

Does anyone have a preferred powder for .45 using Dillon 550?

I would appreciate any load recipes for using plated bullets. I am thinking of going with 200gn bullets.

I would appreciate any other advice as well.




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Posts: 8657 | Location: The Lone Star State | Registered: July 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of rduckwor
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quote:
Originally posted by StorminNormin:
In pistol, I have only reloaded 9mm and use Xtreme plated bullets with Power Pistol. I now want to start reloading .45. I have a Dillon 550 and plan to order everything from them to reload .45. I have a few questions before I start buying things.

Is there any reason to buy a different die than the three die set from Dillon?

I have used the Dillon dies without issues for about ten years.

I am thinking of reloading with Xtreme or Berry’s plated bullets since they will be for plinking only. If I go with the plated bullets, is it better to get .451, .452, or does it matter?

I don't use plated, but load naked lead. I had a size issue a couple of year ago with Mo Bullets which were somehow defective and caused failure to feed due to the somewhat enlarged case neck caused by an underswaged bullet. I have since gone to CB bullets (0.451) and that resolved my issue.

Does anyone have a preferred powder for .45 using Dillon 550?

I use WST when I can get it or W231. WST is cleaner in my experience.

I would appreciate any load recipes for using plated bullets. I am thinking of going with 200gn bullets.

Again, naked lead 200 Gr LSWC, but 4.5-4.6 Gr WST and roughly the same for W231 give me between 870-900 fps in a 5" 1911.





TL Davis: “The Second Amendment is special, not because it protects guns, but because its violation signals a government with the intention to oppress its people…”
Remember: After the first one, the rest are free.
 
Posts: 20302 | Location: L.A. - Lower Alabama | Registered: April 06, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Truth Seeker
Picture of StorminNormin
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quote:
Originally posted by rduckwor:
quote:
Originally posted by StorminNormin:
In pistol, I have only reloaded 9mm and use Xtreme plated bullets with Power Pistol. I now want to start reloading .45. I have a Dillon 550 and plan to order everything from them to reload .45. I have a few questions before I start buying things.

Is there any reason to buy a different die than the three die set from Dillon?

I have used the Dillon dies without issues for about ten years.

I am thinking of reloading with Xtreme or Berry’s plated bullets since they will be for plinking only. If I go with the plated bullets, is it better to get .451, .452, or does it matter?

I don't use plated, but load naked lead. I had a size issue a couple of year ago with Mo Bullets which were somehow defective and caused failure to feed due to the somewhat enlarged case neck caused by an underswaged bullet. I have since gone to CB bullets (0.451) and that resolved my issue.

Does anyone have a preferred powder for .45 using Dillon 550?

I use WST when I can get it or W231. WST is cleaner in my experience.

I would appreciate any load recipes for using plated bullets. I am thinking of going with 200gn bullets.

Again, naked lead 200 Gr LSWC, but 4.5-4.6 Gr WST and roughly the same for W231 give me between 870-900 fps in a 5" 1911.



What OAL are you using?

I am thinking of maybe using Bullseye. I am seeing people on other forums saying they use OAL for the Xtreme 200gn RN that range from 1.235"-1.265" and some under 1.235". Of course most then don't say what powder or what charge they are using.

The Lyman Handbook says for 200gn lead at 1.235" for W231 to start at 5.4 and max at 6.1. For Bullseye start at 4.9 and max at 6.0 with Bullseye as potentially most accurate at this OAL.

Then it says for 200gn lead at 1.161" for W231 to start at 4.0 and max at 6.0. For Bullseye start at 3.5 and max at 5.6 with W231 as potentially most accurate at this OAL.

I guess a question I have is that if I am using a 200gn plated round nose, should I have a longer OAL than what the book shows for flat end lead? The book shows a 225gn lead round nose and has the OAL 1.272" and for Bullseye to start with 4.0 and max 5.0.

I am thinking of going with the Xtreme 200gn round nose at either 1.235" or 1.265" OAL and start with 4.2gn of Bullseye and work up to 6.0.

I know things will make more sense for me when I can load some dummy rounds at different OAL and see how they chamber in my gun, but I am just trying to get an idea of loads and it stinks I don't see data listed for a 200gn plated round nose out there.

ETA: ....or maybe I just buy 230gn plated round nose and go with the load data in the Lyman book for 225gn lead.




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Posts: 8657 | Location: The Lone Star State | Registered: July 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I have a 650 press and load a lot of 45ACP brass. The Dillon dies work just fine for my reloading needs. I shoot "softer" loads in my 45cal handguns, as it is more comfortable/fun/and quite accurate. I load Xtreme bullet 185gr plated flat point and Xtreme 200gr plated RN bullets.


Xtreme 185gr PFP......3.6gr Bullseye....OAL 1.166

Xtreme 200gr PRN......3.8gr Bullseye....OAL 1.250


You will most likely need to use lighter recoil springs for these rounds to function 100% in you guns......These rounds are all shot in my 1911s.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: GT-40DOC,
 
Posts: 6600 | Location: Az | Registered: May 27, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Originally posted by GT-40DOC:

Xtreme 200gr PRN......3.8gr Bullseye....OAL 1.650


Is 1.650" OAL a typo?




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Posts: 8657 | Location: The Lone Star State | Registered: July 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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cant help much,red dot for 25 years,cast 230 for about the same time.
I started coating with red from harbor freight years back.
Five grains was my load till I started coating with the powder.
Had to up it to 5.2 cause the 1911's were failing to cycle
 
Posts: 22407 | Location: Georgia | Registered: February 19, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of Expert308
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I shoot a lot of 200 LSWC in .45ACP, going back to when I was shooting IPSC in the 80's. Full power loads then, mostly lighter ones now. I use RCBS dies but there's nothing wrong with Dillon's. Bullseye, 231, HP38, WST all work well, as will others. It's a pretty forgiving cartridge, just be careful to avoid double charges - it's easy to have one if your handle-cranking rhythm gets out of step. My OAL with that bullet is, I think, 1.26.
 
Posts: 7244 | Location: Idaho | Registered: February 12, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Rule #1: Use enough gun
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An old school round that works very well with old school powders. I use Bullseye, W231, and Unique mostly in 45, but I have used IMR 4756 and Power Pistol with good results as well. I just use the "standard" loads from any good reloading manual. Never seen the need to push any handloads into +P territory.

I've loaded all kinds of bullets in 45 over the years, including hard cast lead, jacketed, and plated. I load plated bullets almost exclusively these days.



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Posts: 14826 | Location: Birmingham, Alabama | Registered: February 25, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by StorminNormin:
quote:
Originally posted by GT-40DOC:

Xtreme 200gr PRN......3.8gr Bullseye....OAL 1.650


Is 1.650" OAL a typo?



Yes it was....thanx for catching it(brain fade).
 
Posts: 6600 | Location: Az | Registered: May 27, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Im using mostly plated myself and some jacketed but no 200 grain stuff.

My 230's that I've shot recently and chronographed:

230 grn Berrys plated at 1.250 with 5.0 grains of Red Dot gave me 841 fps average out of a Les Baer 5 inch 1911

Same load and gun but Xtreme 230 grain rn gave me 859 fps.

Same gun and xtreme 230 bullet with 5.1 grns of Bullseye gave me 836fps.

4.6 WST and the same Xtreme plated bullet gave me 757fps through the CZ 97

These were all thrown from the measure on my Dillon 650 so they could be high or low by a couple tenths. Just food for thought.

There is an article in one of the current or semi-current Rifle magazines on 185 grain target loads usin Zero, Nosler and Sierra bullets with good chrono data.
 
Posts: 1063 | Location: hampton roads, va. | Registered: October 03, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by jackimoe:
Im using mostly plated myself and some jacketed but no 200 grain stuff.

My 230's that I've shot recently and chronographed:

230 grn Berrys plated at 1.250 with 5.0 grains of Red Dot gave me 841 fps average out of a Les Baer 5 inch 1911

Same load and gun but Xtreme 230 grain rn gave me 859 fps.

Same gun and xtreme 230 bullet with 5.1 grns of Bullseye gave me 836fps.

4.6 WST and the same Xtreme plated bullet gave me 757fps through the CZ 97

These were all thrown from the measure on my Dillon 650 so they could be high or low by a couple tenths. Just food for thought.

There is an article in one of the current or semi-current Rifle magazines on 185 grain target loads usin Zero, Nosler and Sierra bullets with good chrono data.


Thanks for the info. I wish I could afford to get everything I need sooner than later to start reloading this round. It will be $200 just for equipment to get the Dillon ready and that doesn’t count bullets, primers, and powder. Once I do start to reload, I will definitely post my best loads with velocity.

I am definitely still looking for all info so I can gleam a little from everyone’s experience.




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Posts: 8657 | Location: The Lone Star State | Registered: July 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I had really good results with 4.7 of WST under a 230 gr JRN @ 1.256 oal out of my P220. I don't have a chrono so I'm staying well within the published limits.


Rick



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Posts: 1362 | Location: P.C., FL - the emerald coast | Registered: September 15, 2000Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Originally posted by RIC.45:
I had really good results with 4.7 of WST under a 230 gr JRN @ 1.256 oal out of my P220. I don't have a chrono so I'm staying well within the published limits.


Rick


Great info, thanks.




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Posts: 8657 | Location: The Lone Star State | Registered: July 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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For 200gr plated, for me doesn't get much better than 4.8gr of WST under any 200gr shape. OAL will vary with the bullet, but 1.240"-1.250" works for most.


IF YOU AREN'T HANDLOADING, YOU AREN'T SHOOTING ENOUGH!
NRA Instruc: Basic Pistol & Met Reloading
 
Posts: 7789 | Location: ca, usa | Registered: February 17, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Originally posted by fredj338:
For 200gr plated, for me doesn't get much better than 4.8gr of WST under any 200gr shape. OAL will vary with the bullet, but 1.240"-1.250" works for most.


Thanks Fred.




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Posts: 8657 | Location: The Lone Star State | Registered: July 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I also use 0.452" bullets. They are basically a soft lead bullet with thin plating.


IF YOU AREN'T HANDLOADING, YOU AREN'T SHOOTING ENOUGH!
NRA Instruc: Basic Pistol & Met Reloading
 
Posts: 7789 | Location: ca, usa | Registered: February 17, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of chansen92
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quote:
Originally posted by StorminNormin:
In pistol, I have only reloaded 9mm and use Xtreme plated bullets with Power Pistol. I now want to start reloading .45. I have a Dillon 550 and plan to order everything from them to reload .45. I have a few questions before I start buying things.

Is there any reason to buy a different die than the three die set from Dillon?

I am thinking of reloading with Xtreme or Berry’s plated bullets since they will be for plinking only. If I go with the plated bullets, is it better to get .451, .452, or does it matter?

Does anyone have a preferred powder for .45 using Dillon 550?

I would appreciate any load recipes for using plated bullets. I am thinking of going with 200gn bullets.

I would appreciate any other advice as well.
To my knowledge it does't matter what press you put the powder in. I like IMR700X for a good all around powder. In your case I would use the load data in YOUR manual for cast bullets. I would not use anyones load data unless I compared it to an up to date manual first.
 
Posts: 1622 | Location: owosso,Mi. USA | Registered: August 18, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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The last batch of 200s I loaded on my 550 were:

200gr Xtreme plated
Rem, Win or Fiocchi case
Win or CCI primer
Win 231 - 5.4
OAL - 1.241

Accurate, cycles both Glocks and my 1911s. Haven't chonographed them, I load for comfort and accuracy.
Shoots softer than factory loads which is what I prefer.
When I run out of Xtremes I use the same load with Berry's 200s.


--------
After the game, the King and the pawn go into the same box.
 
Posts: 3771 | Location: Central AZ | Registered: October 26, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Personally, I prefer FMJ bullets over lead, and especially over plated. You can buy them from Precision Delta for approximately the same cost as plated, as long as you order 2,000 or more (the price goes down per 1,000 once you move up in quantity). And I've always preferred the old standard, 230gr RN, even when I used to load lead.
 
I find HST to be an excellent powder for this heavy bullet loaded to major power factor, which is somewhat below the ball velocity. With 230gr, you only need 720 fps to make it major PF. And I have yet to find a stock gun that won't shoot this load. I use an OAL of 1.250 for 230gr.
 
 
Posts: 10778 | Location: South Congress AZ | Registered: May 27, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
I have not yet begun
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posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by henryaz:
I find HST to be an excellent powder for this heavy bullet loaded to major power factor

Typo or did you find a new powder?
Methinks HS-6 is what you meant.

In the gun games I play at, there is no power factor to load to.
I have a Bullseye load for 200gr lead SWC that is an absolute bunny fart. It just needs to be powerful enough to punch through a paper target right over the last bullet hole. Cool


--------
After the game, the King and the pawn go into the same box.
 
Posts: 3771 | Location: Central AZ | Registered: October 26, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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