Cartridge overall lenght variation?

drdirk · October 20, 2005, 08:54 PM

I am curious to learn what kind of variation you guys are getting on your reloading station. I have a RCBS single stage and NEW a Dillon 550 that I just set up for 45 ACP. I am loading 5.5 Win 231 with the Dillon dies set (as close as I can!) to a overall lenght of 1.230. Bullet is 230 FMJ.

I find my tolerances are about 0.003. I get reading from 1.232 to 1.228 on my Dillon or my RCBS. Dies are RCBS.

What are you finding? Is this ok or should I reduce the lenght so that the longest I get is 1.230? I read that the max COL for 45acp is actually 1.275 so Seems like I am ok on that end... but nobody publishes longer than 1.230 for any bullet as far as I found.

On a different note, so far I am very pleased with the Dillon. I researched my purchase a lot and thanks to this board I found a lot of good suggestions and comments on the Dillon. Not cheap, but so far I think my money is well spend. And MUCH faster than my good old single state!

Jim Watson · October 20, 2005, 10:18 PM

.003" variation is not bad.
1.23" OAL seems short for 230 FMJ RN .45 ACP; I load to 1.26" with Zero brand bullets and have seen many such lengths published.

October 20, 2005, 08:54 PM	#1
drdirk Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2004 Location: houston, tx Posts: 179	Cartridge overall lenght variation? I am curious to learn what kind of variation you guys are getting on your reloading station. I have a RCBS single stage and NEW a Dillon 550 that I just set up for 45 ACP. I am loading 5.5 Win 231 with the Dillon dies set (as close as I can!) to a overall lenght of 1.230. Bullet is 230 FMJ. I find my tolerances are about 0.003. I get reading from 1.232 to 1.228 on my Dillon or my RCBS. Dies are RCBS. What are you finding? Is this ok or should I reduce the lenght so that the longest I get is 1.230? I read that the max COL for 45acp is actually 1.275 so Seems like I am ok on that end... but nobody publishes longer than 1.230 for any bullet as far as I found. On a different note, so far I am very pleased with the Dillon. I researched my purchase a lot and thanks to this board I found a lot of good suggestions and comments on the Dillon. Not cheap, but so far I think my money is well spend. And MUCH faster than my good old single state!

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October 20, 2005, 10:18 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	.003" variation is not bad. 1.23" OAL seems short for 230 FMJ RN .45 ACP; I load to 1.26" with Zero brand bullets and have seen many such lengths published.