M-25-14 won't chamber 200gr LSWC handloads

[Blackdog.44]

I recently got my first .45 acp revolver, a Lew Horton M-25-14, with a 3 inch barrel.
I've shot it with Winchester 230gr FMJ white box
And I really love the gun, its a really fun gun to shoot!
Today I thought that I would try a few reloads, and I had no problem loading my own 230 FMJ rounds, but when I tried to chamber the 200gr LSWC (Laser Cast .452) they just will not chamber.
I have tried different seating depths, using more of a taper crip but they all wouldn't fit into the chamber.
Anybody else have this problem, or what I'm doing wrong?? Again my home made Ball rounds were no problem.
Thanks,
Paul

 

[Blackdog.44]

I recently got my first .45 acp revolver, a Lew Horton M-25-14, with a 3 inch barrel.
I've shot it with Winchester 230gr FMJ white box
And I really love the gun, its a really fun gun to shoot!
Today I thought that I would try a few reloads, and I had no problem loading my own 230 FMJ rounds, but when I tried to chamber the 200gr LSWC (Laser Cast .452) they just will not chamber.
I have tried different seating depths, using more of a taper crip but they all wouldn't fit into the chamber.
Anybody else have this problem, or what I'm doing wrong?? Again my home made Ball rounds were no problem.
Thanks,
Paul

 

[Erich]

How are they not fitting in? Too long, or too fat?

If it's too fat, you might consider investing in a Lee Factory Crimp Die . . . those re-size the round after it's loaded and apply a crimp in a separate step.

I've found the Lee FCDs to be very handy.

 

[Blackdog.44]

They are to fat, the rear of the shell is about
an 8th to a quarter of an inch out.
Paul

 

[max]

I picked up my 25-14 from the shop yesterday and had not tried to load it yet. I just tried a 200 gr lead swc and it fit fine. As is usually the case, I agree with Erich. Try the Lee die.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, I've heard of some tight-chambered .45 ACP revolvers that work fine with 0.451" bullets but that will not chamber .452s. Maybe that's what's going on with your gun.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Amici]

Originally posted by Blackdog.44:
They are to fat, the rear of the shell is about
an 8th to a quarter of an inch out.
Paul

That sounds like a failure to properly resize the cases. Check the first station of your press.

The Lee FCD is also a very good investment.

 

[TSQUARED]

If I understand you correctly you may have not belled the cases enough prior to inserting the bullet and the bulet went in partly sideways.

Originally posted by Blackdog.44:
They are to fat, the rear of the shell is about
an 8th to a quarter of an inch out.
Paul

 

[Blackdog.44]

I have been reloading for my 1911 without any problem (230gr FMJ) and these same loads work fine in the revolver too.
It is only the "Laser cast 200gr LSWCs" that won't fit in the chamber.
The bullet by itself will go into the chamber but it does't fall all the way through.
The resized brass (Winchester) will go into the chamber but once I seat the bullet into the shell it will not chamber.
I have tried different seating depths and tried using more of a taper crimp up to the point that the shell buckled.
Again, all factory loads; Winchester Ball, Hydra shoks, and Silvertips and my own Ball loads fit fine.....
I guess if all fails I will load the LWSCs for my M25-5.45 Colt.
Paul

 

[Spotteddog]

Where's the shoulder of the reload SWC relative to an FMJ? Stand them next to one another and see if the ogive is breaking away on the FMJ at the height of the SWC's driving band?
Are you using the same seating die W/O changing settings for OAL FMJ to SWC?
(EDIT) Have you tried to mic the bullets to see that they're "as advertised" for dimension?

 

[Dale53]

The SWC bullet could easily be too big in diameter to fit a tight chamber (maybe .453" when it needs a .451" bullet). If that IS the problem the Lee Factory Crimp Die should solve it.

Dale53