[LarryinCo]

Obviously, I'm new to reloading as will become clear from my story.

I have been collecting the required materials for some time, learning a little as I go along. I had called a local store (don't want a libel lawsuit so I will not name it) and asked about primers and powder. They informed me that their shipments arrive on Friday mornings before the store opens and suggested that I be there very early. When I arrived, I was VERY surprised to see two very long lines of people (I estimate nearly 100 people total) so I joined one. A few minutes before the store was scheduled to open, an employee came out and informed us that one line was for firearms and the other was for powder, primers, and bullets for reloading. Luckily, I was in the correct line. When it was my turn, I asked for primers, powder and bullets. The sales person asked "What kind?" I said for .45 ACP. They turned to ask someone else ".45 ACP takes large pistol primers, right?". That person said "I think so." So I received a box of large pistol primers and a box of .45 cal round nose bullets. He then asked "What kind of powder?" I answered "I'd like a large container." He said "We have 8 lb. containers." I said "That's fine." He handed me the powder and I went to another line to pay for it all.

When I got home, I read the labels. The primers and bullets seem OK, but the powder was labeled as "Premium Ultra-clean Shotshell Powder". Below was another line stating "Good for pistols, too."

My question is simple. Did I get ******* or can I use this powder in .45 ACP reloading?

I am NOT so concerned with 1/4 inch repeatability for shot groups as simply good functioning cheap ammunition for pleasure shooting.

P.S. I contacted the powder manufacturer and they recommended trying 4.5 to 5.0 grains of this powder for the initial loads and gave a caution of ensuring that the firearm 'cycles properly' when fired.

[clr8ter]

How is it that YOU didn't know what to buy before going? From what I've heard, reloading is not just "stick in a primer-ish and some powder-ish, stuff a bullet and done."

[JTJ]

Do you have a loading manual? Is the powder listed in your manual? If the answer is no to either question, find some reliable loading data. You can find links on line. You NEED a good loading manual. There is a lot of information in there as Minimum Overall Cartridge Length, starting loads, maximum loads etc. Find out how to load safely before you blow up a gun and injure yourself or someone else.

[axxe55]

you might want to re-evaluate your learning curve before reloading. first suggestion would be to get the book, The ABC's of Reloading and read through it several times and then read it again. then buy a couple of reloading manuals and read throught them and see what powders you might want to try. while some shotgun powders can be used in pistol loads, i would be doubly sure before trying and i would also recommend using load data from a trusted source before trying them out in any pistol.

you might want to find another place to shop that's not so crowded and rushed when selecting reloading components. reloading is not an area by any means to just do with whatever they have available and what a clerk hands you and says will work. you need to KNOW they are the correct and proper components. way too much risk involved in doing things this way.

safety above all else when reloading potentially dangerous components, being shot from a firearm. good way to lose a hand, or fingers or even your eyesight if something goes wrong.

[Cshooter]

Can you tell us what kind of powder you got, and what type of bullets?

[BILLYBOB44]

Originally Posted by LarryinCo

Obviously, I'm new to reloading as will become clear from my story.

I have been collecting the required materials for some time, learning a little as I go along. I had called a local store (don't want a libel lawsuit so I will not name it) and asked about primers and powder. They informed me that their shipments arrive on Friday mornings before the store opens and suggested that I be there very early. When I arrived, I was VERY surprised to see two very long lines of people (I estimate nearly 100 people total) so I joined one. A few minutes before the store was scheduled to open, an employee came out and informed us that one line was for firearms and the other was for powder, primers, and bullets for reloading. Luckily, I was in the correct line. When it was my turn, I asked for primers, powder and bullets. The sales person asked "What kind?" I said for .45 ACP. They turned to ask someone else ".45 ACP takes large pistol primers, right?". That person said "I think so." So I received a box of large pistol primers and a box of .45 cal round nose bullets. He then asked "What kind of powder?" I answered "I'd like a large container." He said "We have 8 lb. containers." I said "That's fine." He handed me the powder and I went to another line to pay for it all.

When I got home, I read the labels. The primers and bullets seem OK, but the powder was labeled as "Premium Ultra-clean Shotshell Powder". Below was another line stating "Good for pistols, too."

My question is simple. Did I get ******* or can I use this powder in .45 ACP reloading?

I am NOT so concerned with 1/4 inch repeatability for shot groups as simply good functioning cheap ammunition for pleasure shooting.

P.S. I contacted the powder manufacturer and they recommended trying 4.5 to 5.0 grains of this powder for the initial loads and gave a caution of ensuring that the firearm 'cycles properly' when fired.

What you NEED is a good load book+some time to become aware of what is needed to know BEFORE you undertake this rewarding hobby.

If you show up at your favorite reloading store to stand in line for their products+just tell them you want powder, primers,+bullets for .45acp., you have NOT done your part.

You probably do not want to hear this, but you need to "Park" any reloading components you have bought until you have read a couple of reloading handbooks cover to cover..

Two good ones are: ABC's of Reloading, and Lyman's 49th Edition..Bill.

[duddie10]

Im with everyone else on this one. Ive only been reloading for a year and just throwing together whatever you have in a case hoping it will work is a very bad idea. Get some good reloading books and read read read. Before i even started reloading i spent 4 months reading the abc speers hornady and lymans books. And i always cross reference with my books. Even with my cases i do every week. Cant be to careful.

[Overkill0084]

Originally Posted by LarryinCo

Obviously, I'm new to reloading as will become clear from my story.

I have been collecting the required materials for some time, learning a little as I go along. I had called a local store (don't want a libel lawsuit so I will not name it) and asked about primers and powder. They informed me that their shipments arrive on Friday mornings before the store opens and suggested that I be there very early. When I arrived, I was VERY surprised to see two very long lines of people (I estimate nearly 100 people total) so I joined one. A few minutes before the store was scheduled to open, an employee came out and informed us that one line was for firearms and the other was for powder, primers, and bullets for reloading. Luckily, I was in the correct line. When it was my turn, I asked for primers, powder and bullets. The sales person asked "What kind?" I said for .45 ACP. They turned to ask someone else ".45 ACP takes large pistol primers, right?". That person said "I think so." So I received a box of large pistol primers and a box of .45 cal round nose bullets. He then asked "What kind of powder?" I answered "I'd like a large container." He said "We have 8 lb. containers." I said "That's fine." He handed me the powder and I went to another line to pay for it all.

When I got home, I read the labels. The primers and bullets seem OK, but the powder was labeled as "Premium Ultra-clean Shotshell Powder". Below was another line stating "Good for pistols, too."

My question is simple. Did I get ******* or can I use this powder in .45 ACP reloading?

I am NOT so concerned with 1/4 inch repeatability for shot groups as simply good functioning cheap ammunition for pleasure shooting.

P.S. I contacted the powder manufacturer and they recommended trying 4.5 to 5.0 grains of this powder for the initial loads and gave a caution of ensuring that the firearm 'cycles properly' when fired.

What powder did you get? There are a number of powders that work well with both shotguns and handguns, some are easier to use than others. Fortunately .45 acp is one of those calibers that can use lots of different powders well.
Ditto the manual. For reloading, no such thing as TMI. Download the appropriate data for your application and hunt down a good manual. Additionally, I recommend the Lyman 49th Edition. It has much of the tutorial stuff as well as lots of data that is not as brand specific as some others.
Always have a number of options in mind when your looking for components.
If your local shop doesn't have loading data in the store for you to look at (mine does), photocopy and highlight the load data you will be working with.

[DrumJunkie]

Holy mad scientist Batman!!!!!!

It's a headline just waiting to be printed.

[axxe55]

Originally Posted by DrumJunkie

Holy mad scientist Batman!!!!!!

It's a headline just waiting to be printed.

damn, DrumJunkie! why be shy? tell us what you really think!