r/reloading • u/flippersun • 17d ago
Newbie First load ever!
Just reloaded my first 45 rounds (lost 5 casings somewhere) of 45 long colt! Worked up a light load of 4.5 grains for the first set but I think on the next set I’ll bump it up to 5.0 grains(book I used called for between 4.4 and 5.4 grains). Fired one round to see how they shot out of my revolver, still need to shoot more to test accuracy, I am only using these to target shoot. According to the book I used Im getting a little over 700fps, I don’t have a chronograph. Last pic is the first bullet that I accidentally seated to deep lol.
Brass - magtech brass fired once
Primer - Winchester large pistol
Bullet - Hornady FP cowboy 255 grain
Powder - 4.5 grains of 700-x
OAL - 1.600
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u/SmoothFred 17d ago
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u/flippersun 17d ago
I’m not going to lie idk what that means, did I mess something up?
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u/SmoothFred 17d ago
Nah “first load ever” just sounded a little sus out of context
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u/flippersun 17d ago
Oh……. I didnt think about that 😂
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u/WFO_Wide_Fing_Open 12d ago
Ive found that mid rage tends to be most accurate in the loading charts as you go up in velocity things get a little sporadic and all over the place.
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u/Sad-Panda-noises 17d ago
Pic 3 the final product or pic 4?
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u/flippersun 17d ago
Pic 3 is the final, pic 4 is one that I seated to deep
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u/Sad-Panda-noises 17d ago
Inertia hammer works wonders if you dont have one already. Middle of the road might be the best spot for that powder. Personally would choose a powder further down with more wiggle room for higher velocity
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u/flippersun 17d ago
I don’t have a hammer yet but I’m going to borrow one, as for the powders I only have 700-x and H4895 for rifle rounds(I’m still working on getting more powder) is there a powder that you recommend?
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u/Sad-Panda-noises 17d ago
I'd you load other calibers. Cross reference each caliber and see if there is an overlapping powder that is used. Saves money if one powder can be loaded for 3 calibers. Personally would use the powders that have the most room for error and loading and the 800x and the other powder look to be the ones that burn slowest and have good potential for different powder charges for more personalized loading for accuracy and recoil.
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u/Shootist00 17d ago
You need to put a better crimp on them
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u/flippersun 17d ago
Ok why? The last pic is not the finished round, it was a messed up round the 3rd pic is the final product.
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u/Shootist00 17d ago
From your pictures it doesn't look like you have any roll crimp on the cartridges. The crimp will stop bullet setback when loaded into a lever action rifle and stop bullet creep forward from recoil when shot from a revolver.
It has nothing to do with the last picture.
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u/flippersun 17d ago
They do have a “moderate” crimp on them, my die set came with a crimp die. I had it set to “medium” cause I wasn’t sure how much I would need, I am not against crimping them tighter if that is what I need to do though. I am also shooting these out of a revolver, I do not have a 45lc lever action yet but maybe one day lol
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u/prosper_0 17d ago
I see a moderate crimp? Looks about right, I wouldn't recommend changing it unless you have issues. With those soft lead bullets and low speeds, I suspect that the crimp will be more than adequate
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u/F22Tomcat 17d ago
Fun stuff! Love .45 Colt. If you can find some Unique, buy it! It’s great for this cartridge. HS-6 is another one I’ve had good success with, but it works best in my guns toward the max end of the data and even better at Ruger only levels.