New and need advice

Mr. 1959 -

I'm no pro, but IMHO here's what you'll need....
• A reloading press, which you have
• Expendables (the correct powder, primers, & bullets), of course
• Caliber conversion kit for 45ACP  (this will allow you to hold the case and bell the larger mouth of the 45)
• Reloading die set for 45ACP
• Reloading scale accurate to 0.1gr  (this will allow you to adjust the powder measure)
• Reloading handbook(s)
• A personal notebook
• A working brain

Now the powder you have on hand for 38 may not work in 45ACP. You'll need to consult your reloading handbook for that information. Typically for each weight bullet, a choice of several powders will be given. Your local gun store will have free pamphlets published by the powder manufacturers which will expand the knowledge of the handbook, but not replace it. NEVER accept any advice from the internet without first comparing it to a printed manual. The sole exception to this would be information from the powder manufacturer's own web sites.

It's VERY important that you understand that each cartridge has it own idiosyncricies. So even if you might have loaded 38Spl for years, you'd start back at pretty much the beginning for a new cartridge like 45ACP. It's sort of like a second wife. Although the old and new one may look similar, that's about all they have in common! A reloading handbook will detail what you need to watch out for with each cartridge.

The handbook, or "reloading manual", is so important that most people keep 3 or more to compare. New ones can be purchased anywhere reloading supplies are sold. Older editions are often useful just for reference, even though 1 or 2 points on the latest technology might not be listed. 

Last, but not least, safety dictates that you'll need a working brain. You need a workplace without distractions; a place where you can really concentrate. Reloading is not the time to drink beers or even too much coffee. If you have a Dillon calendar, no matter how tempting, you'll want to hang that on the wall behind your bench, not over it! And because no brain is perfect, you'll want a notebook to write down all our reloading recipes so we can remember what worked and what didn't.

Hope this helps!

Thanks so much for your advice/help. 

The steps are pretty simple but take time and don't rush since setting up for the perfect first round takes time, the second through whatever is simple.

You need a 45ACP conversion set which includes the shell plate expander insert, and "buttons".  I always get another tool head so I don't have to do this everytime.  You also need a set of reloading dies for 45ACP, carbide so you don't have to lube cases.  If you don't have these may I suggest the Dillion dies - they are great and have some features that make them work better than "others" in a progressive press.

Now for the hard part - you need to change out the priming system from small primers to large primers.  This is a PAIN.  I have two Dillons, one for small primers and one for large primers.  I only change out toolheads and shell plates.

You also need to move the powder throw, I buy another powder throw for each tool head so I never have to re-set the measure.  I also get a stand for the tool head so I just change the shell plate which isn't hard unless you loose the little ball - I keep spares, and pull the two pins and change the tool head.

Makes it real simple.  Set up the dies by running one shell through at a time until they are all set.  The manual will outline setting the dies.

Hope that helps.

.45 great choice. Call Dillion boys, (or girls) they have experts that will only sell you what you need.  I have a Sq Deal B, that is pushing 18 years old. I just recently had them send me the complete set up for .45 L.C. and .44 Mag.  as I have loaded the heck out of .45 acp. You will need a good scale for spot checking powder.  You will need to learn to check every few cases for powder weight periodically.  At least until your comfy with the process.  I use, Oh, never mind they recommend I dont' give out load data, but the books will give you all of that info. Good Luck.