I load .45acp so far about 6K rounds since march
here is what I have learned
I ordered a Lee Pro 1000 from Midway for about $120
comes with the dies, Got a little scale and some calipers also
Scale was $20 buck for a digital, same for bar scale, I use them both. one to check the other, They both seem accurate. I check the powder load whenever I change the amount, I check the first 10 or so until It loads the correct amount then check 1/20 as I am loading to confirm its correct
At first I had alot of problem with the Lee, timing was off and it was tipping primers, I had a friend with several Lee Pro 1000s and he quickly got everything running smooth
I also purchased a single press for $17 and use a factory crimp dies for the competition rounds. This gets out any bulge from seating the bullet
I get primers and powder locally . Brass I had kept from the past and Bullets I buy online
Primers $18\1000
Brass free
Powder $17/14oz or $70 for 4lbs
Bullet were about $50/1000 for 200gr lead or about $170/2000 hardball. This is ordered online...
basically the cost is 1/2 that of factory, plus I have loads that shoot much better for my type of shooting
I load 3.9-4.0grs of Hodgdon Clay using either northeast bullets or montana gold CMJ or Zero FMJ/JHP
So far every thing is going smooth. One squib, and 2 light loads that made it to the target but didn't cycle the 1911
Everyone recommends Dillon, I haven't loaded with one, but the Lee seems to be doing great for 1/5 the price
Thing you have to be aware of
1. how much powder to use... different amounts depending on the type and manufacturer of powder
2. bullet seat dept. different shapes with have different OAL overall Length
3. Make sure powder gets loaded to prevent squibs. I check each case before the bullet is seated, it also prevents double loads.
Get a good bench to mount the press to, don't have any distraction when you load
here is what I have learned
I ordered a Lee Pro 1000 from Midway for about $120
comes with the dies, Got a little scale and some calipers also
Scale was $20 buck for a digital, same for bar scale, I use them both. one to check the other, They both seem accurate. I check the powder load whenever I change the amount, I check the first 10 or so until It loads the correct amount then check 1/20 as I am loading to confirm its correct
At first I had alot of problem with the Lee, timing was off and it was tipping primers, I had a friend with several Lee Pro 1000s and he quickly got everything running smooth
I also purchased a single press for $17 and use a factory crimp dies for the competition rounds. This gets out any bulge from seating the bullet
I get primers and powder locally . Brass I had kept from the past and Bullets I buy online
Primers $18\1000
Brass free
Powder $17/14oz or $70 for 4lbs
Bullet were about $50/1000 for 200gr lead or about $170/2000 hardball. This is ordered online...
basically the cost is 1/2 that of factory, plus I have loads that shoot much better for my type of shooting
I load 3.9-4.0grs of Hodgdon Clay using either northeast bullets or montana gold CMJ or Zero FMJ/JHP
So far every thing is going smooth. One squib, and 2 light loads that made it to the target but didn't cycle the 1911
Everyone recommends Dillon, I haven't loaded with one, but the Lee seems to be doing great for 1/5 the price
Thing you have to be aware of
1. how much powder to use... different amounts depending on the type and manufacturer of powder
2. bullet seat dept. different shapes with have different OAL overall Length
3. Make sure powder gets loaded to prevent squibs. I check each case before the bullet is seated, it also prevents double loads.
Get a good bench to mount the press to, don't have any distraction when you load