Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Avoiding double powder charges

I'm about to start loadin for .45 ACP. I want to load for 230gr FMJ in the low to mid-800 fps range, i.e. a basic hardball load. I have no experience with any handgun powders other than loading 14gr of Unique for .45-70 plinking loads. Lotsa different folks like lotsa different powders for the .45 ACP (although actually buying any of them my prove problematic). I do not yet have a progressive press, but I intend to get one soon. Assuming that it does not have a gizmo on it that actually checks for double charges, please tell me what powders for the .45 ACP you know for sure will NOT fit a double charge into a case. In other words, I want any potential double charge to spill over and be as obvious as possible. Thanks.

I load by the "batch" method ie. Dump the powder in all the cases I'm loading, then using a flashlight (if needed) to look into each case. It doesn't take long and any double charge will be obvious. A double charge of most applicable powders will fit in the case, so be careful.

This--

Just as bad, and even easier to do, is a no charge or squib. The primer is enough to send the bullet about half way down the barrel and cycle the slide. Fire that next full power round and at the least you're looking at a burst barrel. Been there, done that!

While I could probably get my RCBS progressive to throw 600rds an hour, I'm quite happy taking my time and only doing maybe half that and checking that powder charge, and primer seat very carefully.

Something like blue dot, or green dot, might be fluffy enough that it would at least be obvious in the case if it was a double charge, I haven't used any powder that would overflow a 45acp case. It might exist, but my limited experience with different powders hasn't shown it to me yet.

I've used bullseye and 231 mostly.

Well, that's the method I use with all my rifle reloading. I guess if it works, just stick with it, eh? Thanks, guys.

I think the the only pistol powder that you might not be able to get a double charge is trail boss.

I been running unique in my 45 ACP with a powder cop die.

Dink

I still load on a single-stage, I dump powder in the case and then seat the bullet.

Progressives make me nervous and I load for way to many different cartridges to entertain a progressive.

It works and it is what I do too. I really am liking the results I am getting with AA 5. meters like water and gives good velocities with low pressure.

Old School powder, HERCO, if they still make it, would work. It's fluffy, not stuffy, and takes up a LOT of case interior space. It would take a compressed charge to hit factory velocity specs, if I remember right.

It's dirty, nasty stuff, though, and you'll have to clean your gun a lot.

It would, however, work for NOT double-charging your cases.

This is my method as well. I also believe it to be faster, since you are only touching each round once. But faster is not the reason I do it, I also consider it safer. YMMV

Therre is nothing to prevent one from checking the powder charge on a progressive before you seat the bullet and pull the handle again. Nothing but nothing beats 100% visual inspection.

As to powders, I've long been a fan of unique for great accuracy and it amongst a host of others are outstanding choices for good 45 acp hardball loads. The 45acp case is small enough that you'd be hardpressed to find a powder where a double charge wouldn't be up to the rim of the case if not overflowing.

If one is real worried about double charges use trailboss.

I use a flash light look over all in loading block .I have a single stage only takes a few seconds .

It is actually quite simple. All you have to do is look into each and every case after the powder has been dropped.

I have not used all brands and models of progressives, but this is quite easy with all the progressives I have seen and used. I use a Dillon 550, and visually inspecting the powder in each case is a simple part of the loading process.

When loading on a progressive, if not using a powder checker with alarm, I visually check the powder in every case before seating a bullet, without exception.

Use the right powder...Bullseye, WST, Solo 1000, etc