I would like to start this thread for all of you with  your favorite .45 reloads.

There is tons of data out there, some good, some not so good.

Looking forward to hearing what you all have to say and sharing what I am learning. 

Bullseye folks will use 3.8 grains of Bullseye powder and 200 grain lead semi wad cutters.
Very accurate, soft shooting, but very dirty.
Carbon on everything. Makes me think of the black powder thread going on in the other section. 
 I use this for general plinking and practice; saves wear and tear on the pistol.

4.8 to 5 grains of BE and 230 grain FMJ is said to mimic government ball ammo pretty well.

I've been running 5.5 grains of BE under 185 grain montana gold JHP's for extra SD loads, in case I run out of factory SD ammo.  It has been said it is a bad idea to use handloads for SD, but if you gotta, you gotta.
This is definitely a full house load.

As always, look at your reloading manual and work up carefully.

I'd change powders, but I have about 7.8 lbs of an 8 pound keg left. This is after loading hundreds and hundreds of rounds of .45acp. Hehe

Haven't got too much into experimenting with different  45 acp  recipies yet.  I"m using 4.2gr Bullseye with 200gr. RN, CCI large primers and mixed headstamp cases and it's doing very well so far.  It is ejecting the cases straight up into the air from my 1911 however, and that is pretty irritating.  Anyone know what that indicates?

As always, read your manuf. load data and don't take my info as correct.

Haven't got too much into experimenting with different  45 acp  recipies yet.  I"m using 4.2gr Bullseye with 200gr. RN, CCI large primers and mixed headstamp cases and it's doing very well so far.  It is ejecting the cases straight up into the air from my 1911 however, and that is pretty irritating.  Anyone know what that indicates?

As always, read your manuf. load data and don't take my info as correct.

How does it eject with normal full power factory loads?

If it ejects normally with factory, you might need to swap out your recoil spring for a lighter one.
I most parts places sell kits with various poundage springs. I know WGS has springs at their shop.
Just swap for one that'll make the gun work right for plinking, and put the stock heavy spring back in when you are done, for those full power SD loads.

it's a brand new 1911 so maybe little tight yet.  Yes, factory ammo ejects over the shoulder. 

So if I were to go to say, 4.0gr of BE or even 3.8, maybe the brass would just dribble out, or not cycle at all?

it's a brand new 1911 so maybe little tight yet.  Yes, factory ammo ejects over the shoulder. 

So if I were to go to say, 4.0gr of BE or even 3.8, maybe the brass would just dribble out, or not cycle at all?

Haha. Yeah probably.
Mine is an old well broken in Colt, so it cycles no problem.
If you go by WGS, try asking them about it. They have springs in various LBS.
Stock is around 16lbs, so that and the fact that the gun is nice and tight is what's probably giving you the problems with light loads.
A lighter spring and a well lubed slide might be worth a try.
Just don't forget to switch back before shooting full power.

The load we are going to test on on Saturday is:

Winchester WST (4.2 gns)  230 gn FMJ, wolf primers, OAL 1.26, crimp .471.

These easily cycle by hand in my Commander. I expect they will do the same in my buddies full size.

Will post findings. I expect to raise the power factor after these depending on how they shoot.  These are plinking loads. Going to work on target loads when I ensure I can replicate my my recipes.

The load we are going to test on on Saturday is:

Winchester WST (4.2 gns)  230 gn FMJ, wolf primers, OAL 1.26, crimp .471.

These easily cycle by hand in my Commander. I expect they will do the same in my buddies full size.

Will post findings. I expect to raise the power factor after these depending on how they shoot.  These are plinking loads. Going to work on target loads when I ensure I can replicate my my recipes.

Tested these out today on the range. No failures to fire or over charged loads. I have a few (4)  fail to feeds in my Colt Commander. My buddy had zero issues in his full size colt. I attribute this to the fact that my recoil spring is stiffer than his.

The loads felt very light as compared to Speer Law Man factory ammo. The difference was very noticeable. I had no issues with shooting the Speer through my Commander. The OAL on our reloads as compared to the factory was almost the same with a slight variation amongst the group. I think this is due to using mixed headstamp brass.

Came home and reloaded another batch of 200, and upped the charge from 4.2 to 4.7gns of Winchester WST.   Will be out there next weekend to run this batch through our Colts and see how they shoot.

The WST shot very cleanly. There was no unburnt powder in the cases. All the guys i talked that reload have said to use "Bullseye" powder. Anyone on here have experience with this brand?

The WST shot very cleanly. There was no unburnt powder in the cases. All the guys i talked that reload have said to use "Bullseye" powder. Anyone on here have experience with this brand?

That's the powder I was talking about.  It is what the bullseye target shooters use, it is accurate but very, very dirty. It leaves grey soot all over the place.  It is not hard to clean up, but it makes a mess.  If you want to try some LMK I'll give you some.

I use Bullseye for 9mm, .45, and .38. I bought an 8lb keg as part of my Y2K stash. It is very consistent at target velocities. I'll try Tite Group when I use it up. I'll need another 8lb keg for my 22 Dec 2012 stash.

I'll need another 8lb keg for my 22 Dec 2012 stash.

 

Thanks for the info..and the reminder.  I may have to try some.

Anyone try WST in 9MM?

Have not used WST, but I have used Titegroup for 9mm under 147grn CMJ from MG for MPPL matches.  Very soft, fairly cheap, but pretty dirty.  Have recently switched to VV N320 under the same bullet, OAL, brass, primers, and it seems to make for a  somewhat softer, different recoil feel.  About $10 more expensive per pound though.  Thinking about switching back to TG, however the VV is a lot easier to see in the case when it comes out of Sta.2 on my press.  Either way, reloads are way cheaper than the factory 124grn, Amer Eagles we were using for practice/matches.   

, however the VV is a lot easier to see in the case when it comes out of Sta.2 on my press.

This.

I am always looking at my station 3 to gauge the charge for a double. I have noticed it is nearly impossible to do on the XL650...BUT I always look.

Don't know much about the 650, but with my 550, I've been able to situate my workstool so that I can see not only Sta2 (powder drop) but also the primer slide as it returns from picking up a fresh primer(had some issues early on).  Haven't had to set-up a mirror or light yet as I reload during the day in my garage so I can readily see into the case after the powder drop, however I've been considering it as an added safety measure. 
I've been following this thread a bit as I'm about to start reloading .45 after reloading approx. 5000 or so rounds of 9mm (got my Dillon 550 as Christmas present from my wife this past Dec.) and I'm always looking for more info.  Just got 1000 pcs. .45 brass that I ordered from Starline, and am waiting on my .45 bullets from MG. 
Just a heads up, I've read a bit about primer issues with the 650, eye pro is essential as it always is when reloading.  Also, +1 on the post that reminded to check for bullet setback.  I had that issue early on also.  Not too good when shooting action pistol as you don't always end a stage with an empty mag, and I started worrying that the round that was on top at the "unload and show clear" command would somehow be the same one after each stage.  My wife and I started pulling that ejected round and saving it to check OAL before using it again.  Safety first.

Don't know much about the 650, but with my 550, I've been able to situate my workstool so that I can see not only Sta2 (powder drop) but also the primer slide as it returns from picking up a fresh primer(had some issues early on).  Haven't had to set-up a mirror or light yet as I reload during the day in my garage so I can readily see into the case after the powder drop, however I've been considering it as an added safety measure. 
I've been following this thread a bit as I'm about to start reloading .45 after reloading approx. 5000 or so rounds of 9mm (got my Dillon 550 as Christmas present from my wife this past Dec.) and I'm always looking for more info.  Just got 1000 pcs. .45 brass that I ordered from Starline, and am waiting on my .45 bullets from MG. 
Just a heads up, I've read a bit about primer issues with the 650, eye pro is essential as it always is when reloading.  Also, +1 on the post that reminded to check for bullet setback.  I had that issue early on also.  Not too good when shooting action pistol as you don't always end a stage with an empty mag, and I started worrying that the round that was on top at the "unload and show clear" command would somehow be the same one after each stage.  My wife and I started pulling that ejected round and saving it to check OAL before using it again.  Safety first.

I use eye protection. No need for rumors about primers going off for me...you are building a bullet, thats enough to convince me.,

I am currently loading .45 and have tons of 9mm brass that I plan on reloading as well (40 SW bullets on the way as well) The overall endgame here for us is to be able to shoot out there at an MMPL event  or something like it as often as I want, for as cheap as I can, and have control of the ammunition specs.

Once i know I can reload consistently (soon) I plan on taking a 101 and getting into the game.

Any thoughts on best way in?

As some ad person once said, "Just Do It".   My wife and I try to catch one of the MPPL matches a month, and we enter mostly for fun.  The gun manipulation aspect is important, however we're there to do what we aren't allowed to do at the bullseye range.  We started out with factory ammo, and have progressed to "rolling our own".  We have learned a ton in the short time we've been involved, however the lessons have been very eye opening.  Our goals are: be safe, have fun, learn something.  We have not been let down at any of the matches we've entered. 
Don't feel that you have to wait until you're reloading a specific caliber to sign up for 101.  Yes you'll save a bunch of money if you do reload and your times will be faster than with factory ammo, but its fun anyway.  Check out MPPL.net, they have all the info you'll need to sign up and get started.  (I belive that's the website, if not just google Mid Pacific Pistol League and it should lead you there.)  Don't even bother with USPSA membership until you know you want to really get into it. 

As some ad person once said, "Just Do It".   My wife and I try to catch one of the MPPL matches a month, and we enter mostly for fun.  The gun manipulation aspect is important, however we're there to do what we aren't allowed to do at the bullseye range.  We started out with factory ammo, and have progressed to "rolling our own".  We have learned a ton in the short time we've been involved, however the lessons have been very eye opening.  Our goals are: be safe, have fun, learn something.  We have not been let down at any of the matches we've entered. 
Don't feel that you have to wait until you're reloading a specific caliber to sign up for 101.  Yes you'll save a bunch of money if you do reload and your times will be faster than with factory ammo, but its fun anyway.  Check out MPPL.net, they have all the info you'll need to sign up and get started.  (I belive that's the website, if not just google Mid Pacific Pistol League and it should lead you there.)  Don't even bother with USPSA membership until you know you want to really get into it.

I have been lurking the website. I know for a fact that I want to shoot competitively...mostly for the fun and practice. I just haven't had the time to get into it. Going to have to make the time.

I have to deliberately request off to catch their next 101 on 5/22 O_o. Hopefully I get it.

I have to deliberately request off to catch their next 101 on 5/22 O_o. Hopefully I get it.

I think I will be out to sea that day..GRRRR..ANOTHER MISS! 

I load 5.0 grains red dot with a 200 gr. swc. It is not extremely clean burning but it is easy to verify that there is the correct amount of powder in the case, since it fills up the case better than bullseye. In addition to better load density, on a progressive machine I like to visually check the powder level before seating the bullet.  Red dot also makes for good light loads in 12 gauge and for cast rifle bullet loads.