45ACP brass

[flanman]

As I venture into reloading I have a question about the casings. Recently picked-up a bucket full-literally a bucket full of spent casings. Most are 45ACP but a portion are +P. The question is if I have to use +P loads for those casings or can I just load to standard?

flanman

[ColtSnakes]

You do not have to load +P in them.

[MMCSRET]

My suggestion: Sort the cases by head stamp, pick the largest standard group and use them to learn/develop your load techniques and load data. After you have refined your abilities and learned some of the vagaries you will find that using head stamp lots will be useful in your ammunition catagorys. The +P cases are the same but you may want to load +P someday, that is where the head stamp segregation becomes a handy tool. Also watch for small primer pockets, these must be segregated and loaded separately.

[joshb]

I just got a new colt auto. Pounded out a 500 round batch of reloads. Went to the range, and found out the gun "didn't like them". I'm looking for a good "formula", but I wished I hadn't done the whole batch, before testing!

[williamd]

I just got a new colt auto. Pounded out a 500 round batch of reloads. Went to the range, and found out the gun "didn't like them". I'm looking for a good "formula", but I wished I hadn't done the whole batch, before testing!

But, lesson learned. What powder do you have? What bullet do you plan to use? I use WST in 4.5 to 5.0 range for 200 to 230g bullets. Check the Alliant Powder reloading website.

[CO_Kid]

I just got a new colt auto. Pounded out a 500 round batch of reloads. Went to the range, and found out the gun "didn't like them". I'm looking for a good "formula", but I wished I hadn't done the whole batch, before testing!

What malfunctions were you experiencing? It's entirely possible that instead of having to reinvent the wheel so to speak with your handloads, a simple change to a lighter/heavier spring in the gun would fix the problem. If you are the type who likes experimenting with reloading, that's fine. If you really like the load you were trying to use, maybe try different springs first.