First reloading

[GJH77]

Well after some issues getting set up, I finally loaded my first group of .45 bullets. I took them to the range last night to shoot in my 4506 and my M&P. All fed fine, and shot great in my 4506. I started them in my M&P and I ended up with about 8 of the 16 that did not want to seat when fed into the barrel, and the slide would not engage. I was able to push the slide in on a couple, but not the others. This is the first time the M&P has had any issues with feeding. All the rounds were the same length and all within specs on the measurements as far as I could tell.
I brought 5 of them home, reseated the bullets a hair and now three of the 5 cycle fine, but the last two still do not. So I would ask if you could offer anything to do or look for when loading. As always thanks for the help.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I started loading .45 ACP using a set of RCBS carbide dies. Using 230 grain FMJ and Unique I had the same results as you. There is a local store that sells reloading gear and they told me to buy a Lee Factory Crimp Die. I ended up buying a Classic Turret and the four die set to include the FCD. I have not had a single problem since then. I don't use them on revolver ammo but all my auto ammo uses a FCD to set the taper crimp. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to tell me that I just didn't know how to set the RCBS dies up right and Team Green is incapable of wrong while all things Lee are just cheap junk.

 

[Pisgah]

A tip -- when loading, fieldstrip your pistol and use the barrel as a cartridge gage. This will let you know before you head off to the range whether or not all your catridges will chamber.

 

[Rule3]

Some more information would help.
What bullet (Lead, FMJ, shape, weight) What was your OAL of the finished round????? A picture of coarse always helps.

As Pisgah stated, take out your barrel and drop the bullet in. it should plunk in and fall out when turned over. The barrel chamber could be different between the two guns or it could be the actual bullet (is it a RN?)

 

[OKFC05]

A cartridge gauge will let you check whether the cartridge is within SAAMI specs, and where the problem lies.

You frequently find cartridges are loaded too long for some chambers, OK for others. This sounds like your problem.

My .45s that I had been loading for a Colt did not chamber in a Glock .45 until I seated them deeper.

 

[GJH77]

Thanks for the help- to answer some questions-
I did use the barrel on these rounds and they do drop in and out. Original OAL of the rounds was in the 1.23-1.25 range so it seemed ok.
When I reseated the rounds this morning, they are now in the 1.20 range, and 3 did seem to work. I just did not feel comfortable going lower than that yet.
I wondered about using the crimp die. I ordered the Lee with .45 setup, and ordered the 9 and 40 dies with the 4 die, not realizing the set only came with the 3 dies not the 4 die set. So I was going to order it if needed, but just did not until I shot them the first time.
The range officer also suggested that the M&P may have had the rounds hang up on the feed ramp, so if that could be the reason, should I polish it a little?

 

[Dragon88]

I'm sure someone will be along shortly to tell me that I just didn't know how to set the RCBS dies up right and Team Green is incapable of wrong while all things Lee are just cheap junk.

Thanks. You saved me the hassle of typing all that.

To the OP, what bullets are you using?

 

[GJH77]

To the OP, what bullets are you using?

Since I had been shooting the factory 185 JHP for the SD rounds, I started with the same bullet for reloading, and surprisingly they were less expensive than the 230 gr round nose jacketed which I shoot most at the range. All my 45's had used both factory rounds before with no problems, and the factory round was what I used to make sure I was comparable.

 

[Dragon88]

Do these have a sharp shoulder, like an XTP bullet? What brand exactly are they?

Just to clarify, what COAL are you currently using? Do the rounds drop into your barrel cleanly and fall out easily at this COAL?

 

[Fishslayer]

Thanks for the help- to answer some questions-
I did use the barrel on these rounds and they do drop in and out. Original OAL of the rounds was in the 1.23-1.25 range so it seemed ok.
When I reseated the rounds this morning, they are now in the 1.20 range, and 3 did seem to work. I just did not feel comfortable going lower than that yet.

By 1.23" to 1.25" range, are you saying that the OAL varied by .020"? That's a lot.

1.25" is a pretty common OAL for 230gr RN. I would guess a 185gr JHP would be significantly shorter. Is there a published OAL for that bullet?

When I hit a wall as far as published OAL goes I just measure a similar bullet with known data and the unknown bullet and go with haveing the same volume inside the case, if that makes sense.

 

[GJH77]

By 1.23" to 1.25" range, are you saying that the OAL varied by .020"? That's a lot.

1.25" is a pretty common OAL for 230gr RN. I would guess a 185gr JHP would be significantly shorter. Is there a published OAL for that bullet?

When I hit a wall as far as published OAL goes I just measure a similar bullet with known data and the unknown bullet and go with haveing the same volume inside the case, if that makes sense.

The .02 range is probably because I was still getting used to how the press was working and I did them in several sessions as I worked with it. I just measured a factory load 185 JHP again and it is 1.20 also.

 

[Fishslayer]

The .02 range is probably because I was still getting used to how the press was working and I did them in several sessions as I worked with it. I just measured a factory load 185 JHP again and it is 1.20 also.

Alliant's website lists 1.2" as the minimum for Speer Gold Dot so that should be good to go. Just work up & watch for pressure signs.

I'd have to check my notes but that sounds right about where I load most JHP as well.

As an aside, I looked on Handloads.com & "Alliant" shows 1.27" for JHP. Just shows ya really need to bounce data from different sources & take any one source with a large grain of salt.

 

[Skip Sackett]

What I do with 99.9999999% of all of my starting loads is use the powder manufacturer's recommendations. All of them, primer (standard or magnum), powder weight, bullet weight and OAL. This is how I start, it very well may not be where I end up.

The reason I do this is that they pressure tested that scenario and I should be safe using that data. THEN, after I see what that gives me in my firearms, I venture out to the other manuals or even some website loads, such as loaddata.com.

I see if those first loads will feed in MY automatics, cycle them proficiently and shoot accurately.

That is just me though, there are a million ways to skin this cat. The only thing I can say is, it's gotta git skint!

 

[GJH77]

What I do with 99.9999999% of all of my starting loads is use the powder manufacturer's recommendations. All of them, primer (standard or magnum), powder weight, bullet weight and OAL.

Wow I have probably studied and overthought that in order to be on the safe side since this was my first time out. And these bullets worked better than my expectations in the 4506, including accuracy, so for now, I will keep what I have and the next run will set them a little deeper for the M&P. I will also look into getting the factory crimp die.

On the plus side, I ran about 50 .38 specials today, and everything on the press did perfectly. I tried them in three of my revolvers, and all fit perfectly. I will shoot them tomorrow, and let you know how it goes.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Magnumdood]

I didn't see this addressed, and apologize if it was. Is all your brass trimmed to the same length? The 45 headspaces on the brass. If some of the brass was too long that would prevent it from chambering.

 

[GJH77]

I didn't see this addressed, and apologize if it was. Is all your brass trimmed to the same length? The 45 headspaces on the brass. If some of the brass was too long that would prevent it from chambering.

No, I did not trim the brass. More to study on. Thanks.

 

[GJH77]

Just an update and to thank you all for your info and posts, as I have been learning a great deal here.
On the 45's I started this thread about, I did measure the cases of the rounds which did not cycle in my M&P, and all are the same length and correct as listed for the specs.

I took my first reloaded 38's to the range yesterday and had a great time. All did well except for one round where I did not seat the primer to full depth, so the cylinder would not cycle with this round in.
Actually better accuracy than the factory loaded rounds I was previously shooting. So I came back yesterday and reloaded another batch of 38's for the next time.
So in all I think I am going to really like reloading. Right now , I think I am spending way too long as I reload, as I am checking everything, but it was still very enjoyable and rewarding.

 

[Rule3]

So in all I think I am going to really like reloading. Right now , I think I am spending way too long as I reload, as I am checking everything, but it was still very enjoyable and rewarding.

This is a GOOD thing!. Better to go slow. You will speed up as you gain experience and confidence.

Good things happen slow. Bad things happen fast.

 

[GJH77]

This is a GOOD thing!. Better to go slow. You will speed up as you gain experience and confidence.

Good things happen slow. Bad things happen fast.

That is the reason I am being so cautious.

 

[H Richard]

I always use the Bullet Mfg.'s load data. As bullet dimensions, bearing surface, nose shape, etc can have a difference in performance I find the Bullet Mfg.s data works better for me than Powder Mfg.'s data. I don't think I saw anyone mentioning check your crimp. I usually crimp about .003". Depending on case wall thickness of your brand of brass, crimp should be about .468 - .470". Too little crimp, and a tight chamber can cause this problem.