?? Reloading starting point, .45ACP or .38SPL ??

[ZigZagMarquis]

I've been thinking of getting into reloading for sometime now. Mostly because its a skill I'd like to have and we're talking plinking / target shooting here, not a major venture into research, home defense loads, etc.

I'm looking for thoughts on whether a good place to start would be with .45ACP or .38SPL? I've got a lot more once fired .45 brass on hand then .38 and I've heard that reloading .45 mixed mfgr brass is less of a concern then other calibers. Plus the few reloading books I have, it seems that guidance for reloading 230 grain FMJ .45ACP rounds is a bit more standard / consistent that what I'm understanding regarding .38SPL. Is that a true impression or am I missing something?

I'm also thinking about starting with a Dillon Square Deal, but a Dillon 550 looks attractive too, is a bit more expensive, but has more growth potential. Thoughts regarding a press too would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[capstan]

Ive loaded 38 specials for over 40 years. I have never loaded any 45 auto so cant help you there. a38 specials are easy to load and i have used about every type brass there is. Many of loaded boxes of wadcutters are full of all diiferent brass. If i want to get real serious and try for the ultimate group size, ill only use the same brass and measure each one for length and hand trickle the powder for each case and tap each cartridge before shooting to get the powder into the same location within the case before each shot and etc. but for plinkung idont worry about all that and any old brass will do mixedup or not.
I dont know if its true, but ive heard that loading semi auto rounds like 9mm or 45 acp is more finicky because of the tighter tolerances required fro case length and bullet seating vs loading for revolvers.

[ColtSnakes]

I have been reloading for 20 years. My very first rounds were .30-06. I got into reloading because that was the only way to achieve the accuracy I was searching for. I found my "pet load" right off the bat...I still have my first 100 yard target I shot hanging on my reloading bench...To this day, that particular rifle still shoots that particular load in groups like that.

Anyway, I my first pistol loads were .38's for my only handgun at the time...my 6" King Cobra...I loaded a lot of .38's and .357's over the years before I ever owned a .45. I never had trouble with any of the .38/.357 rounds and found them quite easy to load....I bought a 1911 a few years ago just for the challenge of reloading .45's. I had never owned a 1911 and had heard all this business about getting them to "run"...I must have got a good one, because it will eat anything that I load in it, including cast SWC's.

I know that Dillon has a great reputation...However, I don't own one. I loaded on a single stage Rock Chucker for years...A couple of years ago, I bought a Hornady Lock-N-Load progressive. I couldn't beat the deal. At the time, you got 1000 free premium Hornady bullets with the press...I really like the press. It runs smooth. I like the fact that it auto indexes. The Hornady powder measure is pretty slick as well...Check out some videos on YouTube of it getting used. One guy has some great informative clips.

No matter what press you get, get a good manual...or two...and spend some time studying it before you jump in to loading.

[bmcgilvray]

I suppose the .38 Special would be the best choice for folks starting out. I began with the .38 Special in 1976.

Some say the .45 ACP is a bit more involved due to the tapered crimp. I can't really see it though.

[Dbacker]

Start with the .38 Special.

[A1A]

Be sure to browse through this topic if you have not. There aren't as many threads as other topics and they should be helpful.

[billd13]

I started reloading my own about 27 years ago when it became inconvenient to drive 25 miles one way to buy commercial reloads. At that time I was only shooting 38Spl- but 148gr DEWC for my S&W 52 and 158gr SWC for my Mdl 14. I looked at the Square Deal but I needed to load the both types as trying to stuff DEWC's into a revolver in an IPA or IPSC match wasn't working too well. So I saved the extra money and sprang for the 550. That turned out to be the best extra money I ever spent around shooting. The Mdl14 turned into a Mdl66 which turned into a Mdl686, so now I was also loading 357's in 2 different loads. A couple of Colt 70 Series 45's joined the group a year or 2 later and a 3rd more recently. I now load 45's with 3 different bullets. About 1986 I started shooting Mini14's and needed to load 223's. All of these are easily done on the 550. I have accumulated 7 different heads and can swap reload type in 5 minutes.

I load 3 different knids of 45's and have a head set for each, 185gr JHP, 200gr LSWC, and 230gr FMJ. Once these were set, each to its own OAL and each crimp dye set to .470 any one of these rounds will feed in my 1927A1, 6" comped 70 Series Colt, 70 Series 5" Government Combat Mdl and 3" STI Escort. The 45's are physically the easiest to load, followed, in order, by the 38Spl DEWC, 357 brass, 357 nickel, with the 223's being the most difficult due to lubing and their length.

If there is even the slightest chance that you will load more than one caliber or type, skip the Square Deal and go directly to the 550 or the Hornady equivalent. I have no direct experience with the Hornady but have read good things about them. I do know from experience that the 550 will do a good job for you.

[Joe A.]

The main difference between loading 45acp and 38 is the crimp. The 45acp requires a taper crimp where the 38 does not. The taper crimp on the 45acp is required because the cartridge headspaces on the case mouth. The 38 headspaces by the rim and a rolled crimp works fine. The case length is more important on the 45acp since it headspaces on the case mouth, but I've personally have not had problem with headspacing due to OAL. I shoot 45 acp in 2 1911s and a 1917 without moon clips. Also, the case OAL will affect the amount of crimp applied, especially on the 38.

I load mixed headstamped brass all the time. If I were to load for match shooting, I would sort the brass.

As far as reloaders, I would prefer the 550 over the Square Deal anytime. It is more versatile.

Joe A.

1.The differences in individual case lenght will affect amount of crimp applied.
2. 45acp dies come with the taper crimp die.

[morecolts]

I've been thinking of getting into reloading for sometime now. Mostly because its a skill I'd like to have and we're talking plinking / target shooting here, not a major venture into research, home defense loads, etc.

Research, HD, ect comes with the territory. theres no way to get around it. once you start reloading, you will be looking for some other recipe. if you want a more accurate load, you will be asking for that too. also, some people have mulitple guns chambered in the same caliber and they sometimes try to find the right load/bullet that will feed/function in all of them and that give great performance.

I'm looking for thoughts on whether a good place to start would be with .45ACP or .38SPL? I've got a lot more once fired .45 brass on hand then .38 and I've heard that reloading .45 mixed mfgr brass is less of a concern then other calibers. Plus the few reloading books I have, it seems that guidance for reloading 230 grain FMJ .45ACP rounds is a bit more standard / consistent that what I'm understanding regarding .38SPL. Is that a true impression or am I missing something?

mixing headstamp imo is a personal pref. if its just range fodder, imo, it doent make a dif. i do sort by headstamp as a matter of habbit and for some of my brass i can tell what has been loaded more times by the LOA of the case. When you crimp them, it shows up too.

the 45 can be more finicky. depending on the bullet/gun combo. if youre going to shoot FMJ/Ball, then you can get lucky, but LOA/bullet shape plays into the reliabiltiy/feeding of autoloaders.

38 will probaby be less critical when it comes to LOA/bullet shape, unless you seat the bullets too long and they stick out of the cylidner. also, depending on the type of powder you choose, you could get a 2x charge.

with regard to data, the more the better. did you ever hear of the saying "knowledge is power". same applies here. the more data you have, the more you can find that special recipe or verify what you have is good. dont forget that if its in print doesnt mean it cant be wrong. i always try to verify my loads with other references.

I'm also thinking about starting with a Dillon Square Deal, but a Dillon 550 looks attractive too, is a bit more expensive, but has more growth potential. Thoughts regarding a press too would be appreciated.

If youre going to go progressive, go with the 550 or larger. The SDBs are good presses and i wouldnt deal with caliber changeover with them, i would buy separate presses for the calibers i want. also, you cant load rifle on the SDB. on the 550 or larger you can and eventually you will.

some people dont belive in recommending a progressive press to noobes. i belive a single stage press can be a great way to learn the process and will probably be used for other things. i changed my mind on that subject. only you will know if youre over your head and sometimes you cant tell/recommend things to people. they will do what they will/want to do. if they have any intelligence they will know soon enough if they have too much on their hands. If you have any friends that reload and know about progressives they can be a really excellent resource and i strongly recommend you use them. even if you are starting to reload, they can be of help to guide you thru the process.

[ZigZagMarquis]

Copy all, thanks.

One point in particular...

...some people dont belive in recommending a progressive press to noobes...

... why do you think people say that? The danger of throwing a double charge?