When using a bullet maker's reloading manual, is there published coal based on best feeding and reliability, or something else??? In this case a hornaday 185 grain xtp 45acp. I have a bunch of manuals but I figured that with their bullet, the listed coal in the hornaday manual would give best function and feeding. Loaded up a batch I'll find out soon.
Published coal.
- Thread starter AJC
- Start date
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
It has to do with pressure more than anything else
See I was thinking that and that would have been my first choice had I picked a load out of my lyman manual.
Because of variations from one rifle to another and variations in bullet ogives, one of the first things I do with a new rifle before reloading or firing is to measure the max COL for the bullet I intend to use.
I start load development at .020" from the lands provided the bullet will fit the magazine and there is sufficient bullet depth in the case neck or adjust the COL accordingly. I never set the COL to jam or touch the lands and typically try to keep it at .010" from the lands.
One of the advantages to reloading is to tailor your reloads to optimize you rifle's accuracy. Optimizing the COL is one of these advantages.
I start load development at .020" from the lands provided the bullet will fit the magazine and there is sufficient bullet depth in the case neck or adjust the COL accordingly. I never set the COL to jam or touch the lands and typically try to keep it at .010" from the lands.
One of the advantages to reloading is to tailor your reloads to optimize you rifle's accuracy. Optimizing the COL is one of these advantages.
The 45 acp feeds very well with the 230 RN bullet it was designed to handle. I start with original bullet shapes the first time I reload for a gun to limit the amount of problems I may encounter. This is my first round of stepping away from the original shape in 45. I hear horrible stories about feed issues in 45acp so I'm hoping to not be dealing with that. The mags I have dont have feed issues and my previous reloads dont either. Trying something new to continue learning
Especially with pistol bullets don't go shorter than book coal unless you really understand why... Longer is not normally a problem unless they won't fit in the mag.... Shorter though , increases pressure fast... Unwanted pressure that does nothing but increase danger levels... If your new to loading , stick with the book or published data....
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JMayo
Silver $$ Contributor
For me .....
Pistols are about the slide action locking up firmly and ejecting properly & Fitting magazines/proper feeding.
I use a case block to make sure all fit properly in my S&W's. Then I pay attention to slide action while testing loads.
Depending on the pistol some are more forgiving of bullet shape, Some are not. (Sig vrs s&w)
I think I've always useuse the magazine length allowance to lead me in oal. (Comparing #'s with book specs) always close ....
Crimp in 40's cal is a big deal. Double charge is disastrous.
If you hear a small "pop" do not fire another round until you've verified the barrel is clear ....
Pistols are about the slide action locking up firmly and ejecting properly & Fitting magazines/proper feeding.
I use a case block to make sure all fit properly in my S&W's. Then I pay attention to slide action while testing loads.
Depending on the pistol some are more forgiving of bullet shape, Some are not. (Sig vrs s&w)
I think I've always useuse the magazine length allowance to lead me in oal. (Comparing #'s with book specs) always close ....
Crimp in 40's cal is a big deal. Double charge is disastrous.
If you hear a small "pop" do not fire another round until you've verified the barrel is clear ....
One thing I don't see mentioned {apologies if I missed it} is that coal is very often a product of the magazine. This is especially true of guns like the AR-15. You may want to run a bullet seated out longer to the lands or at jam, or it may be a very long heavy bullet which either way will have a better coal if it could be longer. However, if it will not fit in the magazine you have to use then "no diggity!"
185 Hornady 45 acp bullets feed pretty good at factory suggested coal. They may shoot more accurately in your particular handgun if you play around with that figure, mine did.
Edit: one thing you got going for you is that 30 years ago feeding and bullet profile/length was always a concern with the 1911/45acp...these days with way better magazines and barrels/feed ramps, etc. this is not any where near the issues of the past.
185 Hornady 45 acp bullets feed pretty good at factory suggested coal. They may shoot more accurately in your particular handgun if you play around with that figure, mine did.
Edit: one thing you got going for you is that 30 years ago feeding and bullet profile/length was always a concern with the 1911/45acp...these days with way better magazines and barrels/feed ramps, etc. this is not any where near the issues of the past.
I unfortunately experienced this with more than a couple of my dads 9mm reloads. Only solution was to toss the entire batch. Not worth the risk Imo.
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