Reloading .45 ACP

[kbm6893]

I currently load 9MM, 38, and .380. I got a pretty good lottery number from the CMP 1911 program and I expect to be called within s month. So I have to reload .45 ACP.

So I bought 500 lead 230 grain round nose bullets from Missouri Bullets. I've used them in my .38 and no issues. SOme guys told me after I got them that the lead bullet might be an issue in feeding into a government 1911. Can't return them now so we'll see. I'll buy plated from now on.

So I loaded up a dummy round. COAL is exactly 1.200" as Hodgson lists. Here are some pics/ Do they look alright? Is the crimp not tight enough? I can't do a plunk test yet since I don't have the gun.

 

[fredj338]

Imo, way to short. Oal, maybe most misunderstood aspect of reloading, even for exp reloaders. It is always gun & bullet specific, regardless of data in a manual. The lyman data is for the lyman bullet only, in their test platform only. Who knows what bullet Hogdon used?
I always load longest oal that fits that gun. I think 1.240-1.250" will fit a bit better, but without the barrel, just guessing. Btw, lead RN loaded properly should feed fine in any 1911 imo.

 

[muddocktor]

They look pretty much like the Zero FMJ bullets I load for my ATI 1911, but they are copper jacketed instead of lead like yours. All I can say is give them a try and see how they do. If you have problems with them and still want to try shooting lead bullets, try some of the MBC Hi Tek coated bullets like those you bought. That Hi Tek polymer coating is pretty slippery feeling and I've had no problems with their 9 MM Hi Tek coated bullets feeding in any of my 9 MM bottom feeders.

And you also might look at the Zero bullets I'm shooting too. They are priced very reasonably for a jacketed bullet and feed well. They sell for $125/1000 shipped in 1000 lot quantity and $120.25/1000 shipped in 2000+ quantities. Their distributor is Roze Distribution.

 

[kbm6893]

Imo, way to short. Oal, maybe most misunderstood aspect of reloading, even for exp reloaders. It is always gun & bullet specific, regardless of data in a manual. The lyman data is for the lyman bullet only, in their test platform only. Who knows what bullet Hogdon used?
I always load longest oal that fits that gun. I think 1.240-1.250" will fit a bit better, but without the barrel, just guessing. Btw, lead RN loaded properly should feed fine in any 1911 imo.

When I get the gun I'll do the plunk test. I always like to load a bit long if possible to cut down on pressure. I'll make a few like 1.230-1.240 and see how they do. How does the crimp look?

 

[Hillbilly77]

A bit off topic, but if you are new at reloading .45 Auto, watch out for different primer sizes.
.45 Auto cases are now fairly common with small & large primers - just be aware of it to save yourself some grief along the way.

 

[kbm6893]

A bit off topic, but if you are new at reloading .45 Auto, watch out for different primer sizes.
.45 Auto cases are now fairly common with small & large primers - just be aware of it to save yourself some grief along the way.

I know. I have 1100 pieces of small primer brass. I'd rather stick with them since they share primers with the other calibers I load. I have a couple of dozen large primer ones that I picked up off the range, but they're kept separate from the small ones.

 

[Collo Rosso]

Haven't shot bare lead in a 1911 in a while, but never had a problem when I did. The Hodgdon site has 1.20" as O.A.L. on every 230 grain bullet I looked up. I'm guilty of loading them at that length, but again, never had a problem.
Buy a chamber gauge. Every cartridge I reload gets checked on a chamber gauge. Of the 5 different manufacturer 1911's I've had, not one has had a short chamber. Doesn't mean they're not out there. Only problems I've had with short chambers has been with CZ and 9mm.

 

[crstrode]

I've reloaded tens of thousands of .45 ACP with 180 to 200 grain semi-wadcutters while I was an active IPSC guy many years ago. The SWC bullets feed wonderfully in most guns. I always loaded to major power factor and used much less crimp than shown in your photos with nary a problem.

The minimal crimp is important since I also use the same formula interchangeably between 1911s and revolvers that headspace on the case mouth.

My powder of choice is Unique.

 

[lrrifleman]

I tend to load 200gr SWC for my 1911. Honestly, I don't remember the COAL. After I purchased it (my Colt) in the late '70s, I had it throated. My Springfield Armory Trophy Match has not been throated, but has always fed SWCs with little difficulty. In almost 45+ years of reloading, I have yet to reload any 230gr FMJRN, but that will probably change when my Ruger CMD comes home.

What has always helped is that back in the '80s when you could pick up a complete 1911 barrel with link and fitted bushing, I did, which makes the plunk test easy!

Personally, I would hold off on ammo production until your 1911 arrives. Pulling bullets that won't feed reliably can be a PITA!

 

[fredj338]

When I get the gun I'll do the plunk test. I always like to load a bit long if possible to cut down on pressure. I'll make a few like 1.230-1.240 and see how they do. How does the crimp look?

Hard to really tell because your crimp Is over the ogive of the bullet. There should be no gap as can be seen in the one pic. If you want to slap calipers on the crimp, 0.469-0.470" works fine for me, any style bullet. Looking closer at the last pic, far too much crimp. If you canactually see it, probably below 0.465". That is likely resizing the bullet base, never good for accuracy.

 

[fredj338]

Haven't shot bare lead in a 1911 in a while, but never had a problem when I did. The Hodgdon site has 1.20" as O.A.L. on every 230 grain bullet I looked up. I'm guilty of loading them at that length, but again, never had a problem.
Buy a chamber gauge. Every cartridge I reload gets checked on a chamber gauge. Of the 5 different manufacturer 1911's I've had, not one has had a short chamber. Doesn't mean they're not out there. Only problems I've had with short chambers has been with CZ and 9mm.

Why the Hogdon data is suspect. No way a LRN or FMJ loads the same as a jhp in the same weight.
Fwiw, chamber gauge only tells you if the case is sized right & bullet not over crimped. No rifling in a gauge so useless to determine proper oal. Always gun & bullet specific.

 

[kbm6893]

Hard to really tell because your crimp Is over the ogive of the bullet. There should be no gap as can be seen in the one pic. If you want to slap calipers on the crimp, 0.469-0.470" works fine for me, any style bullet. Looking closer at the last pic, far too much crimp. If you canactually see it, probably below 0.465". That is likely resizing the bullet base, never good for accuracy.

I'm pretty basic with reloading. I set my dies for what works and then don't change anything. I though the bullet looked a little low in the case. I might raise it a hair and see how it works.

But how could there be a gap if there is too much crimp?

 

[Collo Rosso]

Why the Hogdon data is suspect. No way a LRN or FMJ loads the same as a jhp in the same weight.
Fwiw, chamber gauge only tells you if the case is sized right & bullet not over crimped. No rifling in a gauge so useless to determine proper oal. Always gun & bullet specific.

Always value your opinion Fred. Agree on the chamber gauge. I have dummy rounds of various calibers I reloaded with various bullets I use all set to SAMI maximum length (like 45acp set to 1.275"). After my CZ short throat fiasco I learned to plunk test every new pistol I get.
But once "plunked", I do like the chamber checker. Finds any out of shape cases fast.

 

[TjB101]

Seems most of the RN profiles are looking for a much longer OAL ... I’m loading 200 coated LRN and 230gr plated RN at 1.268 - 1.270 ... 4.9 to 5.0 gr Bullseye for both.

 

[Univibe]

I've been loading for .45 since the seventies.

Looks too short, seated past the edge of the driving band like you did. I recommend using a factory FMJ round as a "dummy" to set up the seating die. Confirm with calipers.

Missouri hardcast will probably feed in any 1911. I've loaded some and they worked fine; I am now using their slugs exclusively. I could live with one failure to feed every 50 or 100 rounds for range use. For competition, no.

Use a light taper crimp. I recommend using a four die set, and do the seating and crimping in two separate operations.

Use a fast burning powder. AA#2, AA#5, Bullseye, etc.

 

[fredj338]

I

I'm pretty basic with reloading. I set my dies for what works and then don't change anything. I though the bullet looked a little low in the case. I might raise it a hair and see how it works.

But how could there be a gap if there is too much crimp?

Because you can see it roll into the case mouth. One does not crimp Into the ogive as your pic shows.

 

[fredj338]

I've been loading for .45 since the seventies.

Looks too short, seated past the edge of the driving band like you did. I recommend using a factory FMJ round as a "dummy" to set up the seating die. Confirm with calipers.

Use a fast burning powder. AA#2, AA#5, Bullseye, etc.

Sorry but this is another misunderstanding of oal. A factory fmj oal is only valid if you use a bullet that is the same shape. The lyman 230gr rn replicates most 230gr ball or rnfmj. Otherwise factory ball means little to oal with just any LRN.
Check out Summers bullets for ball config LRN & they are coated for less smoke & sludge.

 

[nachogrande]

WAY AHEAD OF YOURSELF.

It'd be nice to HAVE THE GUN FIRST, IMO.

 

[kbm6893]

It'd be nice to HAVE THE GUN FIRST, IMO.

Yes, it would. And I'm not gonna start cranking out ammo until it gets here. But while I'm no super ace at reloading, I've been doing it for nearly 6 years, and at least 8,000 rounds loaded and fired. This one looks off. I think I'll disassemble the dummy and start over with a fresh case.

 

[nachogrande]

GUN FIRST.

You never mentioned which diameter bullet you are using, & you can't perform a plunk test nor see if the dummy round feeds/ejects, without the gun. Is it within spec at the case mouth? How it "LOOKS" ??? It looks like a bullet, MAYBE under crimped/seated too deep, maybe not. Will it will it fit/work reliably??? My eyes are not that accurate. Wait & find out for sure.