Some beginner advise needed

[joec]

I recently bought a Lee Pro 1000 press from a friend used. Now I've only loaded 12 ga shot shell using the old Lee hand loader methods, so very limited in knowledge here, so bare with me please.

Now I plan on loading 45 Colt for CAS shooting with both a pistol and rifle. I will be reusing the brass I have to start but in the future I will need more I'm sure. So I'm looking for advise on both a black powder or substitute as well as a smokeless powder for this use. I figure I will use Starline brass but have no idea where to get the bullets and what primers to use. I would also appreciate and particular powder, bullet weight combinations used by others. I have been using 225 gr for a while now in 45 Colt. Shooting in NCOWS our targets tend to be a bit further back so accuracy is very important. Any tips or recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

Later I tend to expand this out to cover 9mm and 45 ACP as well which will be standard SAAMI loads for range use only. I buy my self defense ammo factory made preferring Speer Gold Dot ammo for both.

[Dakota Ike]

I usually cast my own bullets, but when I have orderd them I get them from Springfield Slim at Whyte Leather Works.

In .45 cal he has several weights to choose from and with some you can choose .452 or .454 sizing.  Good prices and prompt service.

Regarding primers I use Winchester for both smokeless and black powder.  I would just use whatever your local store keeps in stock.

http://www.whyteleatherworks.com/

[joec]

I usually cast my own bullets, but when I have orderd them I get them from Springfield Slim at Whyte Leather Works.

In .45 cal he has several weights to choose from and with some you can choose .452 or .454 sizing.  Good prices and prompt service.

Regarding primers I use Winchester for both smokeless and black powder.  I would just use whatever your local store keeps in stock.

http://www.whyteleatherworks.com/

How do you pick which size one would need between the .452 and .454. I'm shooting a Cimarron/Uberti/ASM all 1873 models and a Rossi 92 rifle if that makes a difference. Thanks for the site by the way I've saved it for future use. I assume then the Remington, Winchester or CCI would all be about the same or am I wrong on that. I know that Lee says avoid Federal primers so I will do that. As for the primers size is set by the brass used pretty much the same? Thanks again as I said this is all real new to me.

[rickk]

For my sizing needs, I sized several to different sizes and am using the biggest one that still fits through the chamber throat in the revolver. In my case, for my Ruger New Vaquero, that happens to me .452, but you need to check your own cylinder. You can try to measure it, but without a decent inside micrometer you will probably be off by a little. Pushing bullets through seems more precise to me.

As to my rifle, I use what my pistols need and the accuracy is awesome. Maybe that is just luck of the draw with the rifle I am using... dunno.

I have a really good source of free lead, and would not dream of using anything in the way of a cast or swaged bullet that I did not cast or swage myself.

With the PRO-1000, heed the recommendations in the instruction manual for primer brand selection. I personally think the primer feed system in the PRO-1000 is dangerous (I had a primer tray blow up in my face while using one once), but if you are going to use it, use the primer brands recommended at least. I don't think that Federal is one of the recommended brands, which means that using lightened hammer springs is partly to mostly out.  Wear safety glasses when using this press.

[J.D. Goodguy]

joec, before you do anything else get you several reloading books from the different powder makers and go by their recommendations on cases, powder, primers, and bullet weights.  Changing any of these from the recommended charges will have an effect on safe pressures.  These booklets are free at different gun shops.  Do your homework first and do not start anything at the max load shown.  There is a wealth of information at JCR if you will ask.  They also won't steer you wrong.    JIM

[Jefro]

Howdy joec, a 200gr .452 will work fine in both the rifle and pistol. You might want to check out the 45 Special brass for the pistol, makes a nice load for smokeless and real BP. Get a couple of reloading manuals, you will always need them. There are plenty of videos at Lee and Utube to help with the basics, just start one at a time. I would use Winchester, Magtech...etc.. primers with the Lee, they do not reccomend Federal. I like Red Dot for all my smokeless, it's not temp or position sensitive. Bullets are everywhere, just find a vendor you like, for BP check out Springfield Slim in The Darksiders Den. Good Luck
Lyman's 49th
Lee's Modern Reloading
Tumbler Combo
Bullets

Jefro Relax-Enjoy

[joec]

For my sizing needs, I sized several to different sizes and am using the biggest one that still fits through the chamber throat in the revolver. In my case, for my Ruger New Vaquero, that happens to me .452, but you need to check your own cylinder. You can try to measure it, but without a decent inside micrometer you will probably be off by a little. Pushing bullets through seems more precise to me.

As to my rifle, I use what my pistols need and the accuracy is awesome. Maybe that is just luck of the draw with the rifle I am using... dunno.

I have a really good source of free lead, and would not dream of using anything in the way of a cast or swaged bullet that I did not cast or swage myself.

With the PRO-1000, heed the recommendations in the instruction manual for primer brand selection. I personally think the primer feed system in the PRO-1000 is dangerous (I had a primer tray blow up in my face while using one once), but if you are going to use it, use the primer brands recommended at least. I don't think that Federal is one of the recommended brands, which means that using lightened hammer springs is partly to mostly out.  Wear safety glasses when using this press.

Thanks rickk and I do have a good micrometer so will check all three guns and my rifle in 45 colt since that is what I planning on starting with. As for using the Lee Pro 1000 I also found a sight with excellent video of how too, tips etc at http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com/default.html. I also downloaded and saved all of them for future reference including his method of making bullets. I might well give that a try once I get used to loading. I don't want to bite off too much at once as this is all a new experience for me.

[joec]

Thanks guys I'm getting several books on reloading along with the Lee Pro 1000 also. I bought out the complete loading setup of another NCOWS member that is getting out of it. I will pick it all up at the Convention next month as he has a booth there then. There is a lot more with it including some powder, primers and brass as well as some other miscellaneous things. The price was right on it as well. I do plan on using a face shield for eye protection as well as my glasses as I only have one eye now. I will start with the recommended powders and loads in the books. I was just wondering if any particular favorites to give a try for the most part.

I have gone over the videos I previously mentioned a number of times to be sure when I actually get it I can start going pretty quickly. I do tend to follow instructions to the letter until I find something that works better. 

[Jefro]

I was just wondering if any particular favorites to give a try for the most part.

For 45LC I use 6.2 Red Dot.................I have used 5.4 Clays also
Cowboy 45 Special & 45acp  I  use 4.4 Red Dot, all with 200gr RNFP
For BP in revolver, 45 Special, 1.3cc (20gr) Schuetzen, with 200gr Big Lube
I only shoot 44/40 in the rifle

For Hodgdon powders like Clays or Trail Boss, here's the Basic Manual PDF. I tried Clays, but still prefer Red Dot. Cowboy Action Data starts on page 30. Good Luck
Hodgdon Basic Manual

Jefro Relax-Enjoy