Question re. .45 Colt ammo

[Ted124]

.45 Colt, this caliber is new to me.
What do I have to look out for when buying manufactured ammo, such as Hornady Cowboy Action or similar rounds.
I am mostly concerned to keep the barrel as clean as possible.
I do not expect to shoot it very often and I do not reload (I wish I knew how, maybe it's not to late to start).

[Mags]

.45 Colt, this caliber is new to me.
What do I have to look out for when buying manufactured ammo, such as Hornady Cowboy Action or similar rounds.
I am mostly concerned to keep the barrel as clean as possible.
I do not expect to shoot it very often and I do not reload (I wish I knew how, maybe it's not to late to start).

You might want to learn to reload for this caliber. This caliber has gotten insanely expensive.
In my reloads i use copper and polymer coated bullets.

Factory that I have used in the past with no issues. To keep the barrel clean as possible between cleanings, go coated.
Aguila 45 (Long) Colt 200gr (least expensive)
HSM Cowboy Action 200gr and 250gr
Choice Ammunition Cowboy 250gr (coated)
Fiocchi Cowboy Action 250gr (coated)
Grizzly Cowboy Action 250gr
Hornady LEVERevolution 225gr (most expensive)

[Ted124]

Thank you Mags, that's very valuable info.

[Ted124]

My thought is for the number of rounds I send down range every year, are re-loading setup, learning doesn't quit seem to be the right option. I can get a box of HSM for around $1 per round. A box of 50 may just be enough for a year. Similar for .308.
I am thinking of getting a .223 single shot for plinking.

The list of brand name suggestions is valuable though.
In CA I would need a FFL03 +COE to get ammo shipped to my house directly (incl. out of state).
Prices outside of CA are something to dream of.
So, this may be the way to go, if my shooting increases.

[DsGrouse]

45 Colt is the round that got me into reloading.

I'm not a big fan of Hornaday. 45 Colt loads. The brass, IMHO, is terrible, and at least in my 4 45 Colt guns, accuracy is so-so. Winchester has been superb. That being said. I prefer to reload as mentioned above. For that, I like a simple blue bullets 250grn powder coated bullet, and Starline brass.

Powder coated Blue bullets.
https://thebluebullets.com/product/250-gr-rnfp-45-452/
Jacketed bullets Nosler 250 grain
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010873140?pid=199646
Starline Brass
https://www.starlinebrass.com/45-colt-brass
Forty and I have both had great luck with alliant BE-86 powder
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2184308109?pid=728959

I use 8.0-to 8.2 grains of Be86, barring any spillage; that's 850ish rounds per pound of powder.

If you watch Facebook Marketplace, you can pick up 2nd-hand reloading presses and gear for 0.30 to 0.40 cents on the dollar. A simple single-stage press, and you'd make your investment back in short order. (between 308 and 45 Colt)

You might be able to get supplies shipped directly to your house, i.e., powder, Primers, Brass, and bullets.

As for factory loads,
Federal has shot very well for me
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/federal ... -2990.aspx
My favorite Winchester
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/winches ... 09339.aspx
I've not tried this version of Winchester
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1029449944?pid=325031
I've had great luck with Buffalo Bore in my lever guns
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102701802?pid=826241

[Mags]

... I can get a box of HSM for around $1 per round. A box of 50 may just be enough for a year. Similar for .308.
...

It's about a $1.00/rd here too. Nothing more. The Federal ammo excise tax is buried in the shelf price.

Does your buying price include the 11% California Ammo Excise tax, the 7.75% (Ventura area) sales tax, the $5 background check, etc?

[Ted124]

No, of course not. Nothing is included in listed pricing.
Well, I am taking a closer look at a re-loading operation.
I am a complete novice, starting from the ground up.
I’d have to find space in the house and get/setup a solid bench/table.

[DsGrouse]

I recomend a clean rcbs rock chucker II, IV, or rebel.
A scale,
Powder dropper
Rcbs hand primer
Rcbs hand trimmer
Lee reloading manual
Lyman reloading manual, you'll need at least two

You should be able to find most of that on facebook market place.

[Mags]

No, of course not. Nothing is included in listed pricing.
Well, I am taking a closer look at a re-loading operation.
I am a complete novice, starting from the ground up.
I’d have to find space in the house and get/setup a solid bench/table.

I mention it, so that if you decide to calculate where your break even cost would be, you don't forget to include those fees.

For me, after having recouped the cost of the reloading equipment, my 45 colt reloads cost me about 70-75 cents per round if I have to replenish brass and about 1/2 that, 35 cents, when I can reuse the brass.

As a rough guess, your breakeven is likely somewhere between 7-10 boxes of HSM vs reload equipment and your first several batches of reloads.

[Ted124]

Thank you guys for the motivational replies. I knew I would find the right folks here to give advice if I really wanted to get into reloading.
I am not the most consistent individual around. I get excited easily, than lose interest just as easily.
Now, reloading or making my own ammo always seemed atractive to me, not only for the savings. Also the skill and crafts aspects.
I taught myself a good number of things, that aspect wouldn't new to me.
There are other family aspects that cast uncertainty over the immediate future, but somehow I will have to live on.

I did sell the .357 Carbine a couple of days ago (count will stay the same since I will bring home the Single Shot after Saturday).
That'll make a good starting point for the reloading operation.

That being said, the matter keeps my brain spinning. I have to set up from scratch. I have a spare bedroom, that's already good.
When it comes to tools, I prefer 'new' and would just get the Rock Chucker Kit from RCBS and what else I need for .45 Colt. Later expand into .308.
I need a work bench, started looking already. Will have to take some measurements.

[DsGrouse]

I too started with new. The fact is, after buying two new presses, I have purchased over 25 used ones. Simply put, taken care of, they don't break or wear out. With the RCBS RC II, IV, or Rebel you are buying something that will function for 50+ years. Heck, even with surface rust or pitting, they simply continue to work perfectly. An afternoon of cleaning, acetone, mineral spirits, then iso propyl alcohol, followed by lightly oiling, and you'll have decades of use.

I use presses for specific tasks, I've got a press for most any task I want. You don't need to go to that level of detail. A RCBS RockChucker II, IV or Rebel (20% larger) will do all the sizing, depriming, charging, seating, and crimping you need.

[Mags]

Thank you guys for the motivational replies. I knew I would find the right folks here to give advice if I really wanted to get into reloading.
I am not the most consistent individual around. I get excited easily, than lose interest just as easily.
Now, reloading or making my own ammo always seemed atractive to me, not only for the savings. Also the skill and crafts aspects.
I taught myself a good number of things, that aspect wouldn't new to me.
There are other family aspects that cast uncertainty over the immediate future, but somehow I will have to live on.

I did sell the .357 Carbine a couple of days ago (count will stay the same since I will bring home the Single Shot after Saturday).
That'll make a good starting point for the reloading operation.

That being said, the matter keeps my brain spinning. I have to set up from scratch. I have a spare bedroom, that's already good.
When it comes to tools, I prefer 'new' and would just get the Rock Chucker Kit from RCBS and what else I need for .45 Colt. Later expand into .308.
I need a work bench, started looking already. Will have to take some measurements.

If you start out new, you might want to look at the RCBS Partner Kit. It has most of the very basic things you would need for the 'occasional' reloader. That said you would also need the following:
o Case trimmer
o shell holder(s)
o die set(s)
o calipers
o reload data (book(s) and plenty of online resources).

Additional options
o powder dispenser (the RCBS Partner Kit has the basics, but this will make it easier)
o hand primer (the RCBS Partner Kit has the basics, but this will make it easier)
o tumbler (for the 'occasional' reloader, not really needed. you can hand wipe the outside of the cases and use the Partner Kit bottle brush for inside the cases).
o tumbler media

[Ted124]

Thanks again. I saw the partner press/kit. I am looking on ebay right now, there is some stuff.
I figure you have to build your reloading equipment/station.

Since this goes now into reloading maybe an admin wants to move the thread to the reloading section.

Update: just clicked 'buy it now' on an ebay listing. Looks like a clean press, 2 scales, and 3 die sets, lub pad, case holder, primer tray.
May not need all the die sets, but there is a .223/556 that could come in handy.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/188454497679

Quickly screwed together a table top from left over pine boards. 50 x 22, will go on a couple of saw horses once the tung oil finish has aired out. We'll see from there.

[CT_Shooter]

I think a kit from any vendor is a good idea. I bought a Lee Precision Challenger Kit and dies and a few other essentials that come from needing them (digital scale, powder trickler, etc...).

When I started target shooting, I was into it. I loved it. I shot a lot. Thousands of 357 rounds each year and as many or more 22s (those Henry speed loaders are crazy fast). Not so much anymore; sadly, but I still shoot several hundred rounds of 357s a year and I currently reload 158 JHP/SPs in old brass for 22¢ each (Zero Bullets, H110, WSPM). Since I only shoot 38s and 357s, about a decade ago I (wisely) bought lots of primers, bullets, and powder (and thousands of rounds of 22s), knowing it wasn't going to get cheaper and that I like shooting. I wish I could say I was a great marksman. I can't. But I'm still having fun and I still love it.

And I still have more components and ammo than I'll ever shoot and I've saved a lot of money on ammunition over the years. I highly recommend the investment if you think you'll be shooting often.

[DsGrouse]

Thanks again. I saw the partner press/kit. I am looking on ebay right now, there is some stuff.
I figure you have to build your reloading equipment/station.

Since this goes now into reloading maybe an admin wants to move the thread to the reloading section.

Update: just clicked 'buy it now' on an ebay listing. Looks like a clean press, 2 scales, and 3 die sets, lub pad, case holder, primer tray.
May not need all the die sets, but there is a .223/556 that could come in handy.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/188454497679

Quickly screwed together a table top from left over pine boards. 50 x 22, will go on a couple of saw horses once the tung oil finish has aired out. We'll see from there.

That's a great start. The electronic scales are nice, but beams tend to be a less prone to wind, heat or temp fluctuations.

I've put 3 or 4 newbie kits together using the RS presses. For 45 colt i highly recomend an expander die
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/ ... pander-die

Or hornaday's cowboy die set.
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/ ... e-point452

I also use a factory crimp/profile crimp die
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/ ... -crimp-die
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/ ... -crimp-die


An example of another auction site for buying used reloading stuff.
https://hibid.com/lot/304813472/rcbs-rc ... f=lot-list
Shell holder kit
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/ ... holder-set

Most of my dies are lee. I use those until i find a point in the process where i need a different or specialized die.

For instance i have 45-70 set up on my turret press. I have hornaday sizing die to pop primers, rcbs sizer for sizing primed cases, rcbs 45-70 expander die to flare case. Lee powder through die, lee bullet drop die, hornaday seat die, lee crimp die.

All the parts i listed can be found used. Besure to clean all the dies before using the. And use lube on straight wall cases

[Mags]

...
May not need all the die sets, but there is a .223/556 that could come in handy.
...

About .223/5.56, RCBS has two die sets for this caliber. I suggest you obtain the Small Base version (11103). Cases formed with this die set are less likely to jam.
Also, primers won't fit in the Military 5.56 cases. You will need a primer pocket swagger. It removes the primer pocket hole crimp used in the Military cases. .223 cases don't have the crimp.