45 ACP Target Practice Ammo

First topic message reminder :

Hi guys,

I've been shooting Atlanta Arms Elite 45 ACP in my SA 1911 Target Loaded for competition and range practice.  For training I dry fire with intention nearly everyday.

I'm currently on the fence on reloading as I would need to reload 5000 rounds to break even on a cost point.  I don't care to pick it up as a hobby and don't want to spend more than an hour loading hundreds of rounds.  I do want to get better faster and from what I read it's more dry firing and applying it down range.  So I'm looking to see if there's any ammo you guys would recommend for range practice that's more cost effective than $0.66/bullet I'm paying for a case of Atlanta Arms with taxes and California FFL fees.

I love my Dillon 550, and don't feel the need to upgrade to the 650/750/1050.

With the 45, I average 250-300 rounds/hr. Allowing for intermittent powder checks, and watching primer orientation. 
9MM & 32 S&W runs a bit slower.

Watch TV? Podcasts? Listen to music? Reload with the news/game/movie/etc.

Personally, I train with my target ammo as practice rounds, just make more.
and yes, I find it therapeutic.

Regarding the PhotoEscape PTU's, I believe HTC refers to "High Tech Coated", which are the coated lead bullets.  The HTC PTU's expand further down into the case so that lead bullets are not sized by the case wall during bullet seating.

For jacketed bullets, the original PhotoEscape powder transfer unit is what I use.

rburk wrote:Regarding the PhotoEscape PTU's, I believe HTC refers to "High Tech Coated", which are the coated lead bullets.  The HTC PTU's expand further down into the case so that lead bullets are not sized by the case wall during bullet seating.

For jacketed bullets, the original PhotoEscape powder transfer unit is what I use.

Thanks for clarifying that!

Are you talking about this one here?

https://www.photoescapeinc.com/products/powder-funnel.html

I ask because the SKU listed doesn't match the 45 powder funnel on the Dillon website.  Although it may be a typo on PhotoEscape's website

Yes, that is the original PTU.  I don't know about the SKU numbers.

If you have any questions, email Alex at his PhotoEscape website, he will respond.

I found this article helpful when I was getting started in reloading for BE a couple seasons ago.

https://www.ssusa.org/content/usmc-match-45-load/

Good luck.
-Trevor