reload 45 acp

[wvsturgeon]

I am reloading 45 acp. Using .452 bullet and per Hodgdon, that bullet using 231 Win powder has a range from 4.3 grains to 5.3 grains.
I am using the average which comes out to 4.8 grains. The recommended col is .1200 but that seems very short, I am already at .1256 and if I go deeper, the bullet will be very short! So is the max length of .1275 or a tad shorter ok to use or should I go deeper based on the amount of powder I have used.

Here are pics of the seated bullet at .1256

Appreciate anyone's help

Thx!

 

[TIMO]

I would make up a few dummy rounds and see how it loads, feeds from the mag and ejects. I use the OAL as a guide and let my pistol be the deciding factor based on the bullet I am loading. I like Win 231 in my 45 ACP., I mainly shoot 200 gr SWC. Are you using a taper crimp rather than the roll crimp?

Tim

 

[TheCZKid]

I am reloading 45 acp. Using .452 bullet and per Hodgdon, that bullet using 231 Win powder has a range from 4.3 grains to 5.3 grains.
I am using the average which comes out to 4.8 grains. The recommended col is .1200 but that seems very short, I am already at .1256 and if I go deeper, the bullet will be very short! So is the max length of .1275 or a tad shorter ok to use or should I go deeper based on the amount of powder I have used.

Here are pics of the seated bullet at .1256

Appreciate anyone's help

Thx!

The OAL of 1.200 was for a specific bullet, and won't apply to all bullets, because the shape of the bullet will vary from one to the next. The critical area to look at in your seating your bullet will take into consideration where that curve, or ogive, changes from the flat on the side to where it starts to curve toward the tip. You need to seat it far enough out to not have the flat on the side go behind where it goes into the brass rim. And you need to seat it short enough that it won't stick out so far it hits where the rifling begins in your barrel. There's some room between those too far in and too far out, and that's where you should land on your seating depth, based on the side of the bullet and not the tip.

You can use a micrometer on the bullet to help determine where the bullet profile starts to transition from the flat side to where it starts to narrow, that would need to stay Above the rim of the brass. You can also verify it's not seated too long by taking out your barrel and drop a seated bullet in the case into the chamber, and spin it, making sure it's easy to spin. If it's too long it will hit the rifling, and you need to move it further back. Somewhere between the minimum and maximum will be good.

And then do a function test, load it in a magazine and test to see if it cycles.

 

[Lone Hunter]

Look on the BULLETIN Page of Accurate Shooter. There are several videos and a big article on the .45acp. Maybe it will be of some help. It was the article on Jan 15 yesterday.

 

[wvsturgeon]

Hi Tim,

Yes, I am using a taper crimp.
The bullet I am using is 230 grain.
Interesting to see OAL is .1275 but for the COL using the .452 bullet, 230 grain it is .1200
Still learning about reloading but the discrepancy is interesting. Your advice is good and I will give it a try.
Thank you for your help!
Jc

 

[Hengehold]

I am reloading 45 acp. Using .452 bullet and per Hodgdon, that bullet using 231 Win powder has a range from 4.3 grains to 5.3 grains.
I am using the average which comes out to 4.8 grains. The recommended col is .1200 but that seems very short, I am already at .1256 and if I go deeper, the bullet will be very short! So is the max length of .1275 or a tad shorter ok to use or should I go deeper based on the amount of powder I have used.

Here are pics of the seated bullet at .1256

Appreciate anyone's help

Thx!

You should direct your question to the following forum:

Bullseye-L Forum

A forum dedicated to the sport of Bullseye shooting

www.bullseyeforum.net

It is focused on NRA Bullseye pistol shooting and most people use a 1911 for that sport. You will get a lot of good advice from experienced reloaders for the 45acp on that site.
-TH

 

[CJ6]

The AOL will change with manufacturer within the same weight/style also.

 

[TIMO]

All of my 45 ACP reloads are for 1911 pistols and one H&K. I usually try to find a AOL the all will like. A second thing to look at is if it will not feed and the OAL is within parameters for the bullet, it may be a magazine issue, feed ramp issue, extractor issue (internal, or breach face issue. These would be the first 4 items to eliminate if needed. Just a little more to think about.
Tim

 

[NETim]

The first place I start with loading for autoloaders is the "plunk test." Pull the barrel out of your pistol, drop a trial load in the chamber, first to see if it fully chambers and then secondly, give the case a spin to ensure the bullet hasn't engaged the lands. If it's dragging, obviously you'll need to shorten up the OAL. That method at the very least tells you what your max OAL can be with that particular projectile.

 

[358WCF]

Hi Tim,

Yes, I am using a taper crimp.
The bullet I am using is 230 grain.
Interesting to see OAL is .1275 but for the COL using the .452 bullet, 230 grain it is .1200
Still learning about reloading but the discrepancy is interesting. Your advice is good and I will give it a try.
Thank you for your help!
Jc

Sturgeon, not to be a pedantic smartass, but you might want to pay attention where your decimal points are. Just because you think I know what you mean, doesn't mean it's what you really mean. Details really do matter in a hobby such as this.

 

[troupe]

230 gr bullet with 4.5 gr, 231 powder 1.265 oal

 

[243winxb]

The ogive should not be below the case mouth.

 

[wvsturgeon]

Sturgeon, not to be a pedantic smartass, but you might want to pay attention where your decimal points are. Just because you think I know what you mean, doesn't mean it's what you really mean. Details really do matter in a hobby such as this.

agree!

 

[Firearmsunlimited]

Just do this

 

[jrbirdie]

i'll seat all my 45acp bullets to 1.250, then use taper crimp, always check any semi auto load with the wilson case gage, this works for me using lead, plated, or jacketed bullets. 95% of bullets i use are lead hard cast