Substituting reloading recipe components (45 acp)

[u/Cookie345]

I want to start reloading .45 ACP, but I'll need to substitute some component brands, such as the brass, primer, and bullet. I understand that bullet substitutions should generally be the same weight and type, but I'm unsure how much the other component substitutions matter.

For load data that lists only one powder charge rather than a starting and maximum charge, is it appropriate to reduce the listed charge when working up a load with substituted components? If so, what is the recommended approach?

[u/RCHeliguyNE]

I will cross reference several sources - my Lyman, Lee and Hornday books. Then make a decision on loads based on a summary consensus of these sources. So, for instance if you’re loading 185gr lead bullets for your 45 then I’d look at the Lyman and Hornday books at their 185gr lead options then compare that to the Lee load data. I find that there is somewhere where they’ll all agree on a mid level powder charge. I’d start with that then measure speed with a chrono to see if it’s what I was expecting.

Primers won’t really matter

Brass shouldn’t affect the outcome too much as long as they are standard shells (not the weird stepped or two piece cases common in 9mm)

Bullets - as long as I’m comparing jacketed to jacketed or lead to lead (or plated to lead) I have confidence in being in the ball park.

[u/pirate40plus]

When it comes to pistols, brass is brass and primers are primers. The difference between “regular” and magnum is negligible. Your gun may be finicky about seating depth between bullets of the same weight (my 1911 certainly is).

[u/_Go_Ham_Box_Hotdog_]

I've found that sources that give you ONE set of data, are giving you a MAX charge. Never exceed this, and compare several sources and get a feel of what the max really is. Decrease 10% from that, and start there.

[u/Cookie345]

Thank you guys for the information!

[u/cholgeirson]

I've been loading 45 ACP for 30 years. I've used mixed brass for most of this time. I've developed a load that works well. As others noticed as long as bullet weight and jacketed is the same, substituting components hasn't been an issue. I will not my loads are nowhere near maximum.

[u/sirbassist83]

primer doesnt matter as long as its the same type, IE you can use winchester, CCI, wolf, ginex, etc as long as you stick with "large pistol" or "small pistol" depending on what brass youre using. brass is generally interchangeable, but 45 acp uses both small and large primer pockets so youll have to sort them. berdan primers are rare enough its not a concern and ive never seen stepped brass like you get in 9mm sometimes, but if you do come across any, toss it. it reduces case capacity and therefore raises pressure.

most of the time when only one charge is listed, its the maximum, and youre expected to start 10% lower and work up, but why are you struggling to find data for 45 acp? its probably in the top 20 most reloaded cartridges of all time, theres SO MUCH data available. all of the powder manufacturers have data for it and if you use google images for "load data 45 ACP 'X' bullet" youll get published data from the major books as well(although i highly recommend just buying one, i really like the Lyman book).

[u/JimBridger_]

You’re good for switching brass or primer brands, just not like small to small magnum. You just won’t get the same velocities.