Small Primer 45 ACP Reloading

MacD · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 7:28 am Post subject: Small Primer 45 ACP Reloading

I have about 30 1x fired CCI Blazer brass I picked out of a purchase of range brass. I have read a bit about the small pistol primed brass and the feeling is mixed. Some say the smaller primer cause some powders to be dirtier than shot with the same load in a large primer case. Others don't seem to have this problem. I am still developing a load for my SA revolver in 45 ACP with 230 grain plated bullets and W231. My start is 4.2 gr. and I stopped at 5.0 gr.

The question is should I bother with the Blazer cases? I would only use them for plinking so would probably stay around 4.6 and use a lead bullet since I now have my mold for 230 grainers.

Vince · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 7:53 am Post subject: Re: Small Primer 45 ACP Reloading

It's my understanding Mac that the Blazer ammo was never designed or intended to be reloaded.

By all means, if it is re-loadable then fill ya boots mate, and let us know how it all goes.

Cheers, Vince

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 8:07 am Post subject: Re: Small Primer 45 ACP Reloading

MacD...I ran tests using Winchester cases with the smaller primer pockets. My findings were that you will have a loss of about 25 fps with the small pistol primered .45 ACP cases. ByTheWay...Federal, Winchester and CCI make these cases.

Using W-231 I saw no increase in powder residue. My load was 5.7 grains of W-231 under a 185 grain Rainier Plated HP in Winchester cases.

Load'em Shoot'em...

One of these days I need to continue the tests using magnum small pistol primers.

MacD · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 9:47 am Post subject: Re: Small Primer 45 ACP Reloading

Thanks Bushmaster. They are now all primed and ready for powder and bullet.

Vince: The CCI aluminium cases are marked NR for Not Re-loadable. These are brass cases. I also had about 80 nickle plated cases with large primer pockets that I am also keeping for plinking rounds. This is the first time I purchased from this supplier. The cases were all deprimed and re-sized but not very clean. I even found two with live primers. This was my first 45 ACP purchase so my next will probably be with another supplier.

Bushmaster

Ah-ha...I found it. A short summary of my tests [and I did test magnum primers].

RePete

I tested the same load (mine) using LP and SP brass and found no difference, either in feel or at the chrono.

Load them up and be happy.

MacD · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 1:44 pm Post subject: Re: Small Primer 45 ACP Reloading

Good stats Bushmaster.