What OAL are you using for 45 Auto 230gr LRN?

[Rule3]

Once again there is conflicting information on the load data I have researched.

I have lengths of 1.200, 1.230, 1.250, 1.270 and 1.275(max spec)

With the large numbers of this very popular bullet being used, how does one know which length to use???

 

[SW CQB 45]

I would say load a batch of each below max and see how they feed.

the longer the bullet, the closer it puts it to the rifling for potentially better accuracy, but then you may run into feed issues.

I usually take a factory ball round and start from there.

not sure if I answered your question.

go to

http://www.handloads.org/

click on 45acp and 230 slug and you get many combos.

 

[haggis]

1.25"-1.26" seems to work well for me in 1911's.

Buck

 

[imashooter2]

1.250 works well for me.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

It depends on the bullet.The 230 LRN I used for so many years is actually a semi wadcutter,round nose.(full caliber shoulder).With that particular bullet,it would not chamber properly until the bullet was seated to give an OAL of 1.235.

With the 1911 barrel removed,drop a round in the chamber.The base of the case should settle flush or very slightly below flush with the barrel hood.The barrel hood is the part which makes contact with the breech when the slide is forward.You should automatically do this whenever handloading for any new bullet.

The case mouth should not be belled more than necessary for the bullet to start and after seating,it should get only a very slight taper crimp.

Whenever using data,it's always best to know exactly what bullet they're using but sometimes the description is vague.All 230 LRN bullets are not the same.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

Describe the bullet fully.Does the shank end in an abrupt shoulder or does it slope around to the nose?

 

[flash60601]

Describe the bullet fully.Does the shank end in an abrupt shoulder or does it slope around to the nose?

The ones with a distinct shoulder on the driving band? I seat them so the face of driving band is exactly at the case mouth, give or take .002". They will chamber properly at this, and not hang up.

The ones with the ogive smoothly meeting the full diameter (without any shoulder), I normally seat 1.250, as it feeds well in all my guns, regardless of powder charge from pipsqueak up to 7.4 gr of Unique which is snappy, to say the least.


Flash

 

[Rule3]

I currently have three brands. Bullseye, Magnus and Missouri.

Just by looking at them I can not tell much if any difference between them. They could be the same bullet IMO. There may be slight variances but nothing major. They all appear to have a distinct driving band, then the ball starts.
I am shooting more out of my M&P 45, XD 45 than my Dan Wesson 1911.
The Hodgdon data for HP -38 shows 1.200 which seems short to me.

 

[Wayne Dobbs]

1.25" is what I've used for 30 years with no problems. This is using the Lyman 452374 design and the blunter H&G version too. Load it with 5.1 grains of 231/HP38, taper crimp to .479 and let fly!

 

[Rule3]

1.25" is what I've used for 30 years with no problems. This is using the Lyman 452374 design and the blunter H&G version too. Load it with 5.1 grains of 231/HP38, taper crimp to .479 and let fly!

That's what I loaded the last batch at only using 5.0 gr's. (I like whole numbers)

Think I'll go load some now. Thanks!

(guess that should be whole numbers)

 

[zercool]

Just ran a couple across the calipers. 1.260 OAL. Feeds and chambers beautifully in my 1911.

 

[fredj338]

IT depends on the mold style, but 1.240"-1.260" seems to work for most.

 

[Rule3]

I wonder what bullet Hodgdons used to test and publish their data of 1.200?? Their information is usually spot on. That is way shorter then other manuals. I need to call them. The picture in Speer #14 looks like most of the bullets I have and it is OAL of 1.270.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I't not just about OAL!

They call it a recipe for a reason. Recipes in cooking work because they use the ingredients in the correct amounts and cause a chemical reaction making the desired thing turn out right.

The OAL is only pertanent to the recipe you are using. Remember it usually a minimum OAL, not maximum.

If I want the desired results, the ones that the data associates with the recipe, I have to use the same "ingredients" they did. That would mean the OAL too.

Then, if I have feeding issues, I can work up my own load. Take for instance AA#2. Their data calls for a minimum of 1.200". I can safely load to that OAL with their powder weight and get near the posted velocity.

If I know that 1.200" won't feed in my firearm, I will/can go longer and be safe. I can't go shorter though as pressures will raise exponentially.

If I had a firearm that choked on 1.260", I wouldn't use a recipe that had 1.275" as the minimum OAL. This is just an illustration and the numbers may not be "real", but you will get my drift.

Hope this helps!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I depends upon the profile of the bullet but as a general rule I use 1.260" for LRN bullets and 1.250" for FMJ bullets. Both are charged with 5.5gr W231/HP-38.

 

[Rule3]

.


If I want the desired results, the ones that the data associates with the recipe, I have to use the same "ingredients" they did. That would mean the OAL too.


Hope this helps!

I totally agree. Unfortunately, most of the "recipes" do not mention the most important ingredient. The exact bullet used. Lee reloading does not even list max OAL, only min for each powder. Unless one is using a big name brand bullet such as Speer, Hornady etc, it is a unknown for TVA, Missouri, Magnus etc as none of those are specifically cited in anything I have found.

 

[fredj338]

I totally agree. Unfortunately, most of the "recipes" do not mention the most important ingredient. The exact bullet used. Lee reloading does not even list max OAL, only min for each powder. Unless one is using a big name brand bullet such as Speer, Hornady etc, it is a unknown for TVA, Missouri, Magnus etc as none of those are specifically cited in anything I have found.

You won't find much data on lead bullets & if you do, it likely won;t list the casting outfit, but a mold (like the Lyman). SO I try to match the bullet shape as closely as possible to the bullet in the data. If it's jacketed, then I reduce 5% for the lead load.

 

[oldRoger]

+1 for 1.250”, in the typical .230gr FMJ bullet design, I suppose the Military has a spec for this design which most seem to follow. As you get into the more exotic JHP designs the shape changes a lot, and the pb molds seem to vary as well.
I have been using I.250” COL for hardball and round nose pb.230/225gr since the late 50s. That seems to feed well in both ramped and un-ramped 1911 barrels.
The only trouble I ever run into is with 200gr SWC pb bullets, which do have a variety of nose shapes.