45ACP case length

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Are you measuring them before or after you run them through the sizer?

If before, I would recommend remeasuring them after sizing. As the brass is resized, it typically grows in length.

Frankly, I couldn't tell you the last time I measured a .45 ACP case and have had no problems. Worst case scenario is that the cartridge would not fire, but I've never had this happen to me in over 20 years of loading the .45.
 
Looking thru my .45 ACP Loadbook , Hornady , Nosler , Sierra , Speer , Lyman , Hodgdon and everyone else lists .898" as case length.

.870 will give an inconsistent crimp (if used) and might give erratic ignition/pressure.

On a 1911 , the extractor should hold it back against the breechface and the pistol does have a good amount of firing pin protrusion. Wouldn't matter in a revolver using moon clips though.
 
arjay said:
I can't remember the last time I measured one either(20-30 years?) and they all seem to work.
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Who measures pistol brass?

BTW 45acp actually SHRINKS during it's reloading lifetime, it's not bottleneck rifle brass.

Shoot more worry less, next thing someone is going to tell you that you need to clean primer pockets. Now this isn't a general, you shouldn't be cautious in reloading, you absolutely should, just some things are blown WAAAAAY out of proportion.

And your crimp in 45 is solely for feeding purposes only, it has ZERO to do with bullet retention. Neck tension from sizing is what holds the bullet.
 
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Load them and shoot them. Worst case is a misfire, unlikely but possible.
 
moxie said:
Benny,

See my response to your same post on the 1911 forum.
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Yes I did, I usually say thanks to all as soon asI get back to my computer. Didn't know I had a time limit or how many forums I asked the question. The same way I have five reloading manuals I ask questions in different forums

Thank you all for your time and help
 
I have yet to see a 45ACP that measured anywhere near .898", and I've measured plenty, trying to find one. It has never had any effect. Load 'em and shoot 'em!
 
If the loaded round passes the "Thunk!" test with the barrel, case length doesn't matter on 45 acp brass. At least not in the fourteen 45 ACP semi-autos I own.
 
BennyS said:
Manual says min length is .888 I have some cases that are .875 and .870 are they safe to load?
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Never had a case length issue. I've loaded many 1,000's of 45acp



Many (30-40 years ago) I purchased a case length trimmer. It's still I the box - never used.

Perhaps my granddaughter (now 6 years old) will find a use for it in 20 or so years: most likely as some of the 'stuff' in grandpa's basement at a yard sale.
 
45 ACP case length

BennyS said:
Manual says min length is .888 I have some cases that are .875 and .870 are they safe to load?
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Some manuals have the min. case length at .888" but some show .893". You'll likely find more cases below the min spec than above the .898" max. I don't recall any of mine as short as yours though. At some point, if they are too short, only the extractor will be supporting the case, if it's too short to touch the chamber's ridge, since that's what the case needs to headspace on, but I don't know what that minimum case length point is. It may be somewhat gun dependent.
 
Heck, I don't even own a case gauge for pistol cartridges. Never had a FTF in over 30 years of reloading and 10's of thousands of rounds.
 
.45 acp brass is always too short. Don't worry about it. Shoot em till they split.;)
 
Thanks everyone, just loaded 100 rounds 1.25 to 1.26 no case measuring anymore, except for the ones I did trim to .888 LOL.
 
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