Advice for a newbie - .45 ACP

[Gollum86]

Hi all,

Last spring I finally got a Lee reloading setup. At the time I wasn't able to find much for components, got some primers but that's it. The other day I finally got some bullets and powder. I found a box of Speer lead bullets and Unique powder. I have a couple books and have been researching online but can't find a specific setup for this round. These are the bullets I have:

http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics ... spx?id=234

From what I've read I was thinking about 5.5 grains of Unique for these. I'm just doing plinking at the range. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[mr surveyor]

first question, are the bullets lubed?

[Gollum86]

Yes, the box says "Hard, multi-layered lubed".

[O6nop]

Yes, the box says "Hard, multi-layered lubed".

Apparently they are: http://www.speer-bullets.com/products/h ... /lead.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My Lee Second Edition Manual suggests 5.0gr Unique as a starting load, and has no data for loads above that. OAL 1.19"
The Alliant website suggests 5.8gr @ 1.27 OAL

I suggest starting at the lower velocity to start, which is the first one I mentioned.

ETA: more data

[Gollum86]

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like pretty much what I had found and was thinking, just wanted to double check since this will be my first attempt.

[mr surveyor]

I found my best loads using Unique with the 230 gr RN Bayou Bullets to be in the 5.5 to 5.8 grain range, at least in my Kimber. I found I much preferred using AA#7 in the .45 acp, even though the powder charge rate is considerably more .... it's just seems much cleaner and more consistent to me. Still not going to give up my Unique though