204Ruger

I just pulled the trigger on a Springfield 1911 in 45acp. I would like to know what would be
good some choices for powder, bullets, primers, and reloading dies. I would be
using it for punching paper and hunting. Should I get the 3 or 4 die set?
Thank you in advance for your replies.

P.S. Don't worry pictures to follow.

Well Chuckhunter, congrats on the new 1911, and welcome to the fold.

I've been shooting this model and caliber since before I went to war in RVN, used it there with predictable results and been shooting them ever since. It's my favorite handgun caliber, and my first choice for CCW.

For powders, you've got lots of choices, but one stands out and is my usual favorite.....W231. That one powder will just about do it all, but others to consider are Unique (dirty but very versatile), WST, HP38, Green Dot, Tite Group, and for full power loads, Power Pistol.

Any Large Pistol primer will work, lots of bullet choices too, so I won't list them here, but the standard 230gr FMJ is great just for punching paper, as is any of the jacketed 200 grainers. The cast or swaged H&G #68 is probably the most used by IPSC and other combat shooters, and feeds well from most any 1911.

As for dies, depends on how you're set up. If loading on a single stage press, I always go for Redding dies. All my .45 loading is done on my Dillon RL550.....cranks 'em out at the rate of 500 per hour. I only use Dillon dies on the Dillon, as they are bottom tapered for the progressive machine and really work well.

I strongly recommend a 4-die set, as it's ALWAYS best to seat and crimp in two separate operations.....trust me on this one.

Just for 'gun porn' fun, here's my daily carry, my Kimber Ultra Carry CDP-II in the caliber of choice......45ACP:



Looking forward to seeing your new iron, so won't post "Gunny" telling you you're a putz for not posting a pic of your new weapon.

There are so many powders for .45 that it is silly. Titegroup, universal, unique, the "dots", true blue, zip, wst, and those are just a small teaser of what will work.

My favorite is n320. Clean, accurate, terrific metering. Currently hard to find!

Rick in Oregon wrote:I strongly recommend a 4-die set, as it's ALWAYS best to seat and crimp in two separate operations.....trust me on this one.

Although I don't own or shoot the 45, I have to strongly agree with RIO, as far as dies go. After a couple years fighting bullet seating and crimping in 1 step with my 38's and 357 mag, I bought a taper crimp die for each set, and never looked back.
Good luck finding powder! Around my parts, I am finding primers, brass and bullets, but still no powder.

I've tried a few myself and I found Winchester WST to be pretty darn clean burning and usually end up using that or Bullseye. For peppy loads I've used "Blue-Dot". In my early years I tried Unique and it was very accurate but very dirty. However, I've heard the newer stuff isn't near as dirty as the older LOT's. WW-231 also worked good for me as well and I've heard good things about Clays and TightGroup.

The only downside to Winchester Powder right now is trying to find it. I know folks who have been looking for WST for over a year and have yet to find it.

HTH,

I have a Ruger 1911 gov't modle and my wife has a Para 1911 GI Expert in 45 acp. We use 5.6- 5.7 gr of Unique in them both and while a little dirty this load works very well in our 1911's. In fact I've used Unique in my 45 Long Colts for years. We use a 225 gr flat head cast bullet from Missouri Bullets in our 45 asp's and the accuracy is good. This load sure turns ground hogs inside out ! I thought about using a little cleaner powder, but a good 1911 will stand a little soot. My Ruger has never - after 2000 plus rounds- ever had a function issue. It's also my carry pistol, when I can ware enough clothes to hide it. I traded an old shotgun for a little SCCY 9mm pistol that doesn't seem to like Unique and I am using True Blue powder from Ramshot in it. It meters well, is clean burning and makes the SCCY function good enough to carry under my t-shirt on a hot summer day. It would probably work in the 45 too, but I haven't messed with it yet. May be something to think about, ....................

After much searching in my area all I could find was titegroup. I will use that for
now and see how it goes. From what I read it seems to be a pretty good powder.

Bullseye is my choice for 45 ACP. Yes, it's dirty, but at the size of the charge a pound of it lasts forever.

My favorite pistol powder is Unique, however. Works in everything.

dan97526 wrote:Bullseye is my choice for 45 ACP. Yes, it's dirty, but at the size of the charge a pound of it lasts forever.

N310 quite fast, so is light on the charge as well. I just tested from 3.8 to 4.0 grains (the range that VV had listed) under a 200 grain cast bullet, and all of them cycled the pistol and functioned quite well.

Didn't have a chrono that day, so I'm going to load a few more at 3.9, and see what the chrono says. Assuming nothing untoward shows up, that's nearly 1800 rounds per pound of powder!

chuckhunter wrote:After much searching in my area all I could find was titegroup. I will use that for
now and see how it goes. From what I read it seems to be a pretty good powder.

I use Titegroup for my light loads in my 38's. Very clean and meters like water. I have used Ramshot Zip also. Now that is some messy crap. Even worse than 2400.

Not a fan of TG. Way to easy to over charge. WST. Or Unique for me

Don't forget to consider Hodgdon HS6.

I run this powder in 9mm, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 40 S & W, 45 ACP, and 44 Magnum. Accurate, plenty of speed, and clean burning.

I dont always agree with rick, but he is stearing you straight in my book! I had a serious powder shortage and all I had was some old WAp. Dang good powder though. For practice i started casting my own lead bullets. I couldnt get my hands on any nosler custom comps for 2 years. Available for now though! Reloading , I shelled out the ducks for a Dillon 650 two years ago! Wow is all I can say! I just started loaded rifle in 6.5 grendel with it last week . Previously, i had only loaded hand gun. Powder drop is steady and true even with 8208 xbr sperical powder! seldom varys a tenth! 500 rounds a hour is takin it easy and checking drop vary peridically! I do have auto case feeder. I am considering a electric primer feeded as well. The inital investment is large, but there customer support is second too none, and this press will run you outta components faster than you can find them! Stop spending time reloading and spend more time in Prarie Poodle town!