45acp

ammo.crafter · January 21, 2014, 02:28 PM

My fed but unfired handloaded 45acp rounds are showing a noticeable cut on the front of the lead bullet. I cannot find anything on the barrel, ramp magazine, etc ., that would cause these marks.

Also, the slide sometimes does not go all the way into battery.

load: Missouri Bullets 200gr BHN 18
803f/s
Case and OAL are within standards.

Scimmia · January 21, 2014, 04:05 PM

in what gun?

jag2 · January 21, 2014, 04:16 PM

Where are you getting your oal standard? My Speer manual for 200 grn LSWC is 1.19 and just guessing from you two symptons (dented nose and won't go into battery) those are classic for a round that is too long. I would do two things, shorten up the oal and in the future buy round nose bullets, that is what the gun is designed for. I bought what you are using once about 10 years ago. Never again.

trixter · January 21, 2014, 04:18 PM

Looking at the photo and the figures you wrote, I would say seat it a little deeper, until the upper driving band is only about a fingernail width, and see what that measures. Mine are at 1247 to 1249, and then my crimp die takes them down to 469, and even 468. I have a case gauge and they slip in and out of it with no problem. I've not had one with any marks on it and I've never had a jam. Springfield XDm.

ammo.crafter · January 21, 2014, 05:07 PM

I thank for the information and my Colt Government model also thanks you.

ammo.crafter · January 21, 2014, 05:12 PM

BTW OAL=1.258 and case=0.898

Don P · January 21, 2014, 05:23 PM

OAL too long. try 1.250 or less

ammo.crafter · January 21, 2014, 05:30 PM

Will do and thanks.

bledsoeG19 · January 21, 2014, 10:45 PM

You said "fed but unfired", the "cut" you're seeing is when you're manually cycling the slide and the nose of the bullet is smacking the slide's ejetion port. How do I know? Experience. Did the exact same thing. Seat em deeper and enjoy.

MarkDozier · January 22, 2014, 01:17 AM

everyone is right. Seat them deeper. I use the same bullets in all my 45's with no issues.

Wreck-n-Crew · January 22, 2014, 01:28 AM

OAL is determined By a "plunk test" and not from data load charts. Also it is important to insure your case lengths are within tolerance before plunking. ( not such an issue with .45 acp FME)

Guessing will lead to problems. Start there, adjust powder charge if necessary (from the FPS you posted it might be good).

Nick_C_S · January 22, 2014, 01:46 AM

For my Colt 1911, 1.235" looks like #3 in ^^ this pic. ^^

I load a lot of 200g SWC's for .45ACP. Including MoBuCo's - great bullets.

**44 AMP** · January 24, 2014, 11:27 AM

COAL (cartridge over all length - length with bullet) is a guideline, not a rule.

I have found that in most auto pistols shorter than max OAL is needed to function properly. I have one reloading manual that says for the .45ACP max overall length w/bullet is 1.275" (also says same for .45 AR).

an old edition of Cartridges of the World says max is 1.17" for the ACP. It also says max is 1.28" for the .45AR.

Some guns and calibers require considerably shorter than max listed length to function. Depending on bullet shape, some guns won't feed from the mag at max length. You have to adjust your OAL to fit your gun. The book length is what ought to work in everything, not what does work in everything.

Mike38 · January 26, 2014, 11:34 AM

The image “Wreck-n-crew” posted is very valuable information. Should fix you right up.

Edit: Oh, and slow that FPS down to around 730-750 or so with LSWC if you haven’t tried it already.

January 21, 2014, 05:07 PM	#5
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	1911 I thank for the information and my Colt Government model also thanks you. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

January 21, 2014, 05:12 PM	#6
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	1911 BTW OAL=1.258 and case=0.898 __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

January 21, 2014, 05:23 PM	#7
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	OAL too long. try 1.250 or less __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

January 21, 2014, 05:30 PM	#8
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	1911 Will do and thanks. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

January 22, 2014, 01:28 AM	#11
Wreck-n-Crew Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,820	OAL is determined By a "plunk test" and not from data load charts. Also it is important to insure your case lengths are within tolerance before plunking. ( not such an issue with .45 acp FME) Guessing will lead to problems. Start there, adjust powder charge if necessary (from the FPS you posted it might be good). __________________ If you ever have to use a firearm, *you don't get to pick the scenario!*

January 21, 2014, 04:05 PM	#2
Scimmia Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2011 Location: Eastern IA Posts: 428	in what gun?

January 21, 2014, 04:16 PM	#3
jag2 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 773	Where are you getting your oal standard? My Speer manual for 200 grn LSWC is 1.19 and just guessing from you two symptons (dented nose and won't go into battery) those are classic for a round that is too long. I would do two things, shorten up the oal and in the future buy round nose bullets, that is what the gun is designed for. I bought what you are using once about 10 years ago. Never again.

January 21, 2014, 04:18 PM	#4
trixter Member Join Date: February 27, 2011 Location: Where E. Pine St. crosses I-5 Posts: 51	Looking at the photo and the figures you wrote, I would say seat it a little deeper, until the upper driving band is only about a fingernail width, and see what that measures. Mine are at 1247 to 1249, and then my crimp die takes them down to 469, and even 468. I have a case gauge and they slip in and out of it with no problem. I've not had one with any marks on it and I've never had a jam. Springfield XDm.

January 21, 2014, 10:45 PM	#9
bledsoeG19 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2013 Posts: 135	You said "fed but unfired", the "cut" you're seeing is when you're manually cycling the slide and the nose of the bullet is smacking the slide's ejetion port. How do I know? Experience. Did the exact same thing. Seat em deeper and enjoy.

January 22, 2014, 01:17 AM	#10
MarkDozier Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2010 Posts: 363	everyone is right. Seat them deeper. I use the same bullets in all my 45's with no issues.

January 22, 2014, 01:46 AM	#12
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	For my Colt 1911, 1.235" looks like #3 in ^^ this pic. ^^ I load a lot of 200g SWC's for .45ACP. Including MoBuCo's - great bullets. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association Last edited by Nick_C_S; January 22, 2014 at 01:54 AM. Reason: Additional information added.

January 24, 2014, 11:27 AM	#13
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,839	COAL (cartridge over all length - length with bullet) is a guideline, not a rule. I have found that in most auto pistols shorter than max OAL is needed to function properly. I have one reloading manual that says for the .45ACP max overall length w/bullet is 1.275" (also says same for .45 AR). an old edition of Cartridges of the World says max is 1.17" for the ACP. It also says max is 1.28" for the .45AR. Some guns and calibers require considerably shorter than max listed length to function. Depending on bullet shape, some guns won't feed from the mag at max length. You have to adjust your OAL to fit your gun. The book length is what ought to work in everything, not what does work in everything. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

January 26, 2014, 11:34 AM	#14
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	The image “Wreck-n-crew” posted is very valuable information. Should fix you right up. Edit: Oh, and slow that FPS down to around 730-750 or so with LSWC if you haven’t tried it already. Last edited by Mike38; January 26, 2014 at 11:41 AM.