45 LC entry questions

Archeryrob · Nov 21, 2020

I have never bothered reloading and most of my shooting is black powder. Since my wife has started shooting I am starting to move from 44 cap and ball to 45LC. Just absolutely shocked at the prices. With buying BP, caps and making my own wads and casting balls, I guess I have been a bit sheltered.

Anyways, I will never be reloading as you all might. I am a hunter first and shooting is only don;t to make sure I am effective. I do not shoot as a hobby. I shoot my rifles to be sure I can kill game and pistols in case I ever need to defend the home, that is all.

I was considering the Lee 90263 classic loader kit and hand loading them. I had not really wanted to invest in press to just reload one cartridge. I am sure in an afternoon I could easily set 200 and last me a year. A press would just waste work bench space for me. Any problems with this?

Also, how about casing a 452 bullet and not sizing it?

Pale Ryder · Nov 21, 2020

.452 is the correct size so I don’t think you need to size it. LEE loader will work for your needs. I would add one tool, and that would be the LEE hand priming kit so you can prime cases ahead of time. I started on a single press for couple calibers, really doesn’t take much room. Found this too.

ohen cepel · Nov 21, 2020

Casting to size will vary. Not all revolvers have the correct throats size (or even all the same size) and bores may vary some.

Also, what you cast with will vary the final size of the bullet. Pure lead will come out of the same mold at a different weight/size than alloys. So, it may be all fine without sizing or not. Several variables there.

If you have some you have already cast and they are correct for your gun and you can replicate them then you should be fine.

Given how many you seem to be shooting I would slug the gun(s) and simply buy 500 of the right diameter and be done with it.

Doco Overboard · Nov 21, 2020

Archeryrob said:
I have never bothered reloading and most of my shooting is black powder. Since my wife has started shooting I am starting to move from 44 cap and ball to 45LC. Just absolutely shocked at the prices. With buying BP, caps and making my own wads and casting balls, I guess I have been a bit sheltered.

Anyways, I will never be reloading as you all might. I am a hunter first and shooting is only don;t to make sure I am effective. I do not shoot as a hobby. I shoot my rifles to be sure I can kill game and pistols in case I ever need to defend the home, that is all.

I was considering the Lee 90263 classic loader kit and hand loading them. I had not really wanted to invest in press to just reload one cartridge. I am sure in an afternoon I could easily set 200 and last me a year. A press would just waste work bench space for me. Any problems with this?

Also, how about casing a 452 bullet and not sizing it?

Sounds like your interested in venturing in towards reloading to a certain extent.
I have a friend who hunts all over the continent for all types of game.
He buys specific ammo for the rifle from the builder to suit his purpose and doesn't even think about the cost. I'm astounded at what he pays but versus the cost of the hunt the ammo is an ancillary cost to him that he doesn't worry about absorbing.

I hand load ammo for specific types of rifles I choose to hunt with that are cost prohibitive or not always readily attainable these days because I like to shoot them frequently off season.
Weird stuff like 7.7, 303, 30/40 275 etc. I get savings and satisfaction when game taking happens and enjoyment at the range.

When I want to get it done or haven't tagged out, I use factory offerings for a 270 rifle because its cheaper and easier to manage once you get a little stock pile going on plus, if I happen to have a problem with the rifle I don't have to worry about boutique ammo to keep it in the running.
I keep other rifles that use the same ammo for game taking only.

44 or 35 cal rifle I do batch loading and then supplement as needed just like your describing. After a while you'll have a ton of ammo/components at your disposal.

Maybe someone near you has a press and components to help you out to focus on getting a cartridge inventory together.
Then you can go from there.
If I was near you you could use my stuff and have at it.

Blacksmith101 · Nov 21, 2020

Tough time to start reloading almost everything is out of stock.

The Lee Loader is an easy way to get started I have one for each caliber I own if available:
https://leeprecision.com/lee-loader-45-colt.html

If you want to use dies but don't have bench space Lee makes an inexpensive hand press:
https://leeprecision.com/lee-loader-45-colt.html

Bullet size will vary somewhat with alloy and casting temperature but if you need it Lee also has inexpensive sizing dies, needs a press:
https://leeprecision.com/bullet-szr-punch-.452.html
or
https://leeprecision.com/new-lube-size-kit-.452.html

And for less than MSRP pricing try Natchez Shooters Supply:
https://www.natchezss.com/reloading.html

And don't forget a reloading manual, the Lee manual will have additional dipper measured loads that are not included with the Lee Loader:
https://www.natchezss.com/lee-modern-reloading-manual-2nd-edition.html

Uncle Duke · Nov 21, 2020

The Lee can certainly make good ammo. It just can't do it quickly. If slowly is quick enough for you, then that's all that matters, and all is good for a small investment.

Not sure what you're shooting. Maybe a tight throated Ruger? Maybe a loose Smith 25? Maybe something else. But yeah, can always modify if needed. Maybe try a few .452 and bench some rounds in whatever you're shooting to see how they perform.

Archeryrob · Nov 21, 2020

Uncle Duke said:
Not sure what you're shooting. Maybe a tight throated Ruger? Maybe a loose Smith 25? Maybe something else.

Pietta 1858's and adding a conversion cylinder to a steel one and probably buying a steel sheriff to add a Kirst Konverter too.

John from MD · Nov 21, 2020

I used a Lee tool way back when for the off caliber stuff I loaded. It is slow and measuring with a dipper is not a fine art, but you can do it. I found that slower powder loads gave better consistency since a couple .10's off didn't matter as much as with a faster powder. If you are using it for shooting at 100 yards, you can make ammo good enough to kill deer at 100 yards. 50 yards will give you tighter groups.

Just my .02.

linkstate · Nov 21, 2020

I started reloading using that Lee Loader. For low volume on a budget it will work fine.

Couple things:
Resizing .45 Colt takes some pounding. I think Lee even calls out it takes more force than other calibers. A little Lee case lube helps some. It’s not that bad though...

Buy the Lee Loader first or search for the powder list (I can take a pic), then buy powder to match the scoop. Of course you can buy the whole Lee scoop set for about 10 bucks. It comes with a chart for most powders.

Not necessarily needed since the scoops tend to measure on the low side but a scale is a good idea.

Melnic · Nov 21, 2020

You mention casting, if your loading only a couple hundred, better off buying the bullets already casted and sized. Your equipment to cast and all the time to get things consistent will cost you more than the bullets for low volume IMO.

If all you have to do is a couple hundred bullets, you could probably barter for it if you want to keep costs down.

Biggfoot44 · Nov 21, 2020

If you're shooting 200 per year , just buy 500 or 1000 bullets .

fidelity · Nov 21, 2020

Blacksmith101 said:
Tough time to start reloading almost everything is out of stock.

The Lee Loader is an easy way to get started I have one for each caliber I own if available:
https://leeprecision.com/lee-loader-45-colt.html

If you want to use dies but don't have bench space Lee makes an inexpensive hand press:
https://leeprecision.com/lee-loader-45-colt.html ...

I followed the above path when I started a few weeks ago with 38 Special (and eventually will do 357 Magnum, 45 ACP, and maybe 9mm after I shoot my current factory ammo stocks to generate brass).

I got Lee Classic sets for 38/357, 45 ACP, and 9mm.

I also got the Lee Hand Press with a kit from Midway (out of stock now but can be back ordered) ...

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013017131

With their universal deprimer as I had a large bucket of 38 Special brass to prep (generous donation from a Monocacy Pistol Club member).

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011183740

I liked the hand press so much (very easy to deprime while watching recorded scientific talks that I was catching up on), that I ordered Lee deluxe carbide die sets for 38/357 and 45 ACP, and made a couple of batches of ammo with just the hand press. One set measuring powders with a digital scale and the other with the Lee dipper set and the very useful card that it comes with. Also got the Frankford priming tool.

Now I backordered a Lee turret press (that my current dies can be used with), an extra turret ring (probably should up this number), and the Lee auto powder loader. I want a throughput of 100-200 rounds per hour (after depriming, uniforming pockets, and cleaning brass) where I might spend a couple hours. This stuff is fun, and Lee makes these incremental upgrades relatively affordable. I think the turret press should be enough to keep me occupied on the reloading end for the year.

fidelity · Nov 21, 2020

Archeryrob said:
...

I was considering the Lee 90263 classic loader kit and hand loading them. I had not really wanted to invest in press to just reload one cartridge. I am sure in an afternoon I could easily set 200 and last me a year. A press would just waste work bench space for me. Any problems with this?

...

If you have the inclination (despite the bench space concerns), get in on this karma ...

https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=250889

Archeryrob · Nov 21, 2020

John from MD said:
If you are using it for shooting at 100 yards, you can make ammo good enough to kill deer at 100 yards. 50 yards will give you tighter groups.

Pistols John, not lever guns. I have not tried aiming those 8" barrels at deer at 100 yards. I'm a pretty good shot with the 30-30, but I might be exceeding myself trying that shot.

Kill deer at 30 yards, sure I'm in for that.

Melnic said:
You mention casting, if your loading only a couple hundred, better off buying the bullets already casted and sized. Your equipment to cast and all the time to get things consistent will cost you more than the bullets for low volume IMO.

Maybe I should have cross posted in the pepper thread. I would rather make, what I can make. Should I lube the bullets? I have deer and beeswax lube for felt wads.

Archeryrob · Nov 21, 2020

fidelity said:
I followed the above path when I started a few weeks ago with 38 Special (and eventually will do 357 Magnum, 45 ACP, and maybe 9mm after I shoot my current factory ammo stocks to generate brass).

I got Lee Classic sets for 38/357, 45 ACP, and 9mm.

I also got the Lee Hand Press with a kit from Midway (out of stock now but can be back ordered) ...

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013017131

With their universal deprimer as I had a large bucket of 38 Special brass to prep (generous donation from a Monocacy Pistol Club member).

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011183740

I liked the hand press so much (very easy to deprime while watching recorded scientific talks that I was catching up on), that I ordered Lee deluxe carbide die sets for 38/357 and 45 ACP, and made a couple of batches of ammo with just the hand press. One set measuring powders with a digital scale and the other with the Lee dipper set and the very useful card that it comes with. Also got the Frankford priming tool.

Now I backordered a Lee turret press (that my current dies can be used with), an extra turret ring (probably should up this number), and the Lee auto powder loader. I want a throughput of 100-200 rounds per hour (after depriming, uniforming pockets, and cleaning brass) where I might spend a couple hours. This stuff is fun, and Lee makes these incremental upgrades relatively affordable. I think the turret press should be enough to keep me occupied on the reloading end for the year.

I am not against having a press, I just do not want to dump a bunch of money into it to reload just 45LC. Damn, the price of 9mm might make it work having one now. :rolleyes:

I have a 12' bench in the garage and a 6' one in the basement. There is just lots of other projects on them. I CAN make room, I just don't want to burn money for one simple cartridge. Now, If I can get a press and dies affordable on a different method. I am all ears for anyone wishing to educate me.

lazarus · Nov 21, 2020

Archeryrob said:
I am not against having a press, I just do not want to dump a bunch of money into it to reload just 45LC. Damn, the price of 9mm might make it work having one now.

I have a 12' bench in the garage and a 6' one in the basement. There is just lots of other projects on them. I CAN make room, I just don't want to burn money for one simple cartridge. Now, If I can get a press and dies affordable on a different method. I am all ears for anyone wishing to educate me.

A basic single stage and die set is around $100-130. Even at regular 45LC prices you can save money within a couple of hundred rounds.

Biggfoot44 · Nov 21, 2020

Answer #1 - You can indeed load quality ammo with an original " whack a mole " Lee Loader . Added - But slow

Answer #2 - Casting , and related processes , does not lend as well to absolute minimalism .

It a fine and intriguing hobby in itself . But if you just want to shoot a cpl hundred rounds of conventional lead bullets , just buy them from the wide plethora of commercial sources . Most people who reload with lead bullets buy them .

Added - Ironically said , considering I am gearing up to cast Buckshot , but the dynamics are different .

Blacksmith101 · Nov 22, 2020

Buy a wack-a-mole and try it to see if you like it. It is the least expensive way to test the waters. That's what I did with a .222 about a half century ago. If you don't like it you are only out a few bucks if you can't sell it in the MDS classifieds for what you paid for it.

Boats · Nov 22, 2020

If 200rds will last you a year, then I would just buy 200 rds. Yes, .45LC is not cheap.

You will spend more than it is worth on the press, scale, dies and brass cleaning supplies.

Biggfoot44 · Nov 22, 2020

Eh .

Whack a Mole
One can of powder that happens to corespond with dipper
500 commercial cast bullets
500 primers

If you already have 100rd of once fired brass , you're ready to roll for less than cost of 200rd of .45 Colt ammo .

45 LC entry questions

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