Help with seating depth-.45 ACP W/200gr.SWC

JT-AR-MG42 · April 2, 2014, 04:41 PM

Looking to a little input on your favorite seating depth for the 452460 or the plated 200gr. SWC
in a 45acp automatic that gives you good function.

Seems like I recall seating the bullet shoulder 1/32nd" above the case mouth as being a popular starting spot.
Sound about right? Or do you go about it differently.

Thanks, JT

Mike / Tx · April 2, 2014, 04:58 PM

To be honest I never really measure mine. I did onced upon a time long ago when I first started out loading for my 10mm, but after getting things set up and rolling I just left the dies set for the best load I had going and went on my happy way.

That said, nowadays I am pouring my own cast bullets and as such am changing things up fairly regularly. Since I might load any one of several different bullets I just use this, "The Plunk Test" as a guide and go on with things.

I will make up a half dozen dummies when I try out a new bullet and as long as they flow through the mag and chamber OK they get loaded for real and shot for accuracy. I also admit to using one of the Wilson case gauges as well. The one I have is actually a bit tighter than the chamber of my 1911, so if they fit it they will fit the chamber. Even so I will also run a randomly picked dozen or so of the new loaded rounds through the Plunk Test just to be sure things are as they seem.

Hope that link helps.

Nick_C_S · April 2, 2014, 06:01 PM

1/32" above the case mouth is about right. For my gun - a vintage 1984 Colt 1911 - The correct COL is 1.238" for your basic 200g LSWC. Which is something closer to 1/64" above the case mouth; although like Mike, I've never actually measured it.

For your gun, it might be something different. Actual mileage may vary. You must perform a plunk test for your gun and that bullet to find the correct COL. Cartridge Overall Length isn't something that is variable in nature. It's either right or it's wrong. And it must be determined for each and every bullet type, and each and every gun for which you load it.

filthy phil · April 2, 2014, 06:27 PM

I pull my bbl, see where the factory round sits, flush with the ramp, and try to duplicate that.
Speer 200lswc

Works fine in glocks and sig 1911

g.willikers · April 3, 2014, 09:36 AM

^^^
I load the 200gr SWC to match the profile of factory ball ammo.
Never bothered to actually measure, as this works just fine.

SQUAREKNOT · April 3, 2014, 02:43 PM

Bill Wilson's load is/was 5gr Bullseye, any primer and OAL @1.25". A friend had trouble @ 1.24" and no problems @ the 1.25"

Gster · April 3, 2014, 06:36 PM

My 1911 loves 1.230 length rounds.

Hunter Customs · April 3, 2014, 06:56 PM

My OAL for the 200gr SWC setting on top of 5.7 grs of Win 231 was 1.245.
This was a good load for the old major power USPSA/IPSC, these loads fed fine in every 1911 style gun I used them in.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

JT-AR-MG42 · April 4, 2014, 09:36 AM

Thanks for all the tips.

Sounds like its time to load up a dummy ( I am referring to the ammo at this point) or six and get function by racking the slide quick-like.

I like the idea of leaving the seating plug alone where it is set for 230 FMJs and will start there.

JT

pete2 · April 4, 2014, 04:18 PM

If this bullet is seated too long it will stick in the bbl, it may fire or it may not go into battery. I had some that fired great in a particular gun but if you had to unload a round from the chamber you could tell it was sticking in the chamber. Friend of mine made some too long and they wouldn't all go into battery and would stick in the bbl, hard to rack the slide back to clear it. Take the Bbl out and do the plunk test to make sure it isn't too long.

40-82 · April 4, 2014, 05:41 PM

I use an RCBS cast 200 grain SWC, and I load it to an overall length of 1.168, and that seems to function pretty well in my barrels. With the semi-wadcutter I've found loaded lengths that will go into a case gauge perfectly and still regularly malfunction in the gun. With bullets other than round nose simply using a go-no go gauge to determine whether it will function is not always enough.

April 2, 2014, 04:41 PM	#1
JT-AR-MG42 Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 555	Help with seating depth-.45 ACP W/200gr.SWC Looking to a little input on your favorite seating depth for the 452460 or the plated 200gr. SWC in a 45acp automatic that gives you good function. Seems like I recall seating the bullet shoulder 1/32nd" above the case mouth as being a popular starting spot. Sound about right? Or do you go about it differently. Thanks, JT

April 2, 2014, 04:58 PM	#2
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	To be honest I never really measure mine. I did onced upon a time long ago when I first started out loading for my 10mm, but after getting things set up and rolling I just left the dies set for the best load I had going and went on my happy way. That said, nowadays I am pouring my own cast bullets and as such am changing things up fairly regularly. Since I might load any one of several different bullets I just use this, "The Plunk Test" as a guide and go on with things. I will make up a half dozen dummies when I try out a new bullet and as long as they flow through the mag and chamber OK they get loaded for real and shot for accuracy. I also admit to using one of the Wilson case gauges as well. The one I have is actually a bit tighter than the chamber of my 1911, so if they fit it they will fit the chamber. Even so I will also run a randomly picked dozen or so of the new loaded rounds through the Plunk Test just to be sure things are as they seem. Hope that link helps. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

April 2, 2014, 06:01 PM	#3
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,522	1/32" above the case mouth is about right. For my gun - a vintage 1984 Colt 1911 - The correct COL is 1.238" for your basic 200g LSWC. Which is something closer to 1/64" above the case mouth; although like Mike, I've never actually measured it. For your gun, it might be something different. Actual mileage may vary. You must perform a plunk test for your gun and that bullet to find the correct COL. Cartridge Overall Length isn't something that is variable in nature. It's either right or it's wrong. And it must be determined for each and every bullet type, and each and every gun for which you load it. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association Last edited by Nick_C_S; April 2, 2014 at 06:07 PM.

April 2, 2014, 06:27 PM	#4
filthy phil Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2013 Location: Tomball Tejas Posts: 105	I pull my bbl, see where the factory round sits, flush with the ramp, and try to duplicate that. Speer 200lswc Works fine in glocks and sig 1911 __________________ glocks gen4 :21, gen 3 17tb, 19, 30s (×2) , sig tacpac 1911, colt 6920(x2), cia underfolder ak, npap underfolder Last edited by filthy phil; April 2, 2014 at 06:33 PM.

April 3, 2014, 09:36 AM	#5
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	^^^ I load the 200gr SWC to match the profile of factory ball ammo. Never bothered to actually measure, as this works just fine. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

April 3, 2014, 02:43 PM	#6
SQUAREKNOT Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2008 Posts: 263	Bill Wilson's load is/was 5gr Bullseye, any primer and OAL @1.25". A friend had trouble @ 1.24" and no problems @ the 1.25"

April 3, 2014, 06:36 PM	#7
Gster Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Location: N.central Pa. Posts: 302	My 1911 loves 1.230 length rounds. __________________ Gun control means: Being able to hit what you are shooting at.

April 3, 2014, 06:56 PM	#8
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	My OAL for the 200gr SWC setting on top of 5.7 grs of Win 231 was 1.245. This was a good load for the old major power USPSA/IPSC, these loads fed fine in every 1911 style gun I used them in. Best Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com

April 4, 2014, 09:36 AM	#9
JT-AR-MG42 Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 555	Thanks for all the tips. Sounds like its time to load up a dummy ( I am referring to the ammo at this point) or six and get function by racking the slide quick-like. I like the idea of leaving the seating plug alone where it is set for 230 FMJs and will start there. JT

April 4, 2014, 04:18 PM	#10
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	If this bullet is seated too long it will stick in the bbl, it may fire or it may not go into battery. I had some that fired great in a particular gun but if you had to unload a round from the chamber you could tell it was sticking in the chamber. Friend of mine made some too long and they wouldn't all go into battery and would stick in the bbl, hard to rack the slide back to clear it. Take the Bbl out and do the plunk test to make sure it isn't too long.

April 4, 2014, 05:41 PM	#11
40-82 Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2013 Posts: 178	I use an RCBS cast 200 grain SWC, and I load it to an overall length of 1.168, and that seems to function pretty well in my barrels. With the semi-wadcutter I've found loaded lengths that will go into a case gauge perfectly and still regularly malfunction in the gun. With bullets other than round nose simply using a go-no go gauge to determine whether it will function is not always enough.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search