Replies

So long as the propellants were kept air tight, dry and in a cool place, they "should" be fine. I'd be very, very careful about not being able to read the writing on the coffee cans!

.38/.357 projectiles are the same diameter - .357" ...unless they're lead, and then they're .358". The rule with lead projectiles is that lead is (almost) always .001 larger in diameter than copper jacketed projectiles.

As for .44 and .45 projectiles... it depends. :-)

44 Special - Lead Round Ball = .433"
44 Special - Lead Semi Wadcutter = .430"
44 Special - Copper Jacketed = .429"
44 Magnum - Lead Round ball = .433"
44 Magnum - Copper Jacketed = .429"
45 Auto Rim - Lead Round Ball = .454"
45 Auto Rim - Lead Semi Wadcutter = .452"
45 Auto Rim - Copper Jacketed = .451"
45 ACP - Lead Semi Wadcutter = .452"
45 ACP - Copper Jacketed = .451"
45 Colt - Same as 45 ACP

I "think" Bonanza IS the brand itself. If I remember correctly (and if I don't, then somebody please correct me!) they made a "coaxial" press which had the potential of producing VERY concentric ammo. Also, it was very strong and could be used for swaging operations. Does yours have two rams instead of one? If so, then you've probably got a coaxial press.

"Best Performance" is very subjective and is certain to start something akin to a religious war here! :-) Do a Google search for an article titled "Pressures and the Handloader" by Jack O'Conner. It will keep you from blowing yourself up even though most of us don't have labs full of test rifles equipped with piezo-electric pressure transducers and chronographs. If you can't find it, I'll scan it out of a book here that I have it in.

If you want, I'll send you my personal favorite .45ACP handload. It's from the bottom of the charts in the Winchester reloading guide, and is very mild. According to their data, it's pushing around 870FPS and is very accurate from my Colt Series 80.

Let me know buddy! :-)