45 Colt problems

sks · August 14, 2001, 09:58 PM

I've loaded a bunch of .45 Colt loads recently and am having some terrible problems that have never happened before. In no way do I consider myself a serious or professional reloader but I've been at it for 8 years and reloading the .45 Colt for about 6 of those years. What is happening is the following.

1. When loaded into a Winchester Model 94 Trapper, the bullets are actually going back into the cases. The easy answer is that they are loose but someone please help me as to why this is so.

2. When shot in a Taurus Total Titanium the bullets are coming out of the brass and binding the cylinder. This usually occurs after the third shot.

I am using all new R&P brass, CCI primers, Win 231 and HP38 powders and the following bullets.
Hornady XTP 200 grain
Hornady XTP 300 grain
Hornady XTP 300 grain magnum
Hydra Shock 230 grain
Gold Dot 185 grain
Rainier Flat Point 180 grain

I've crimped them as much as I possibly can. What am I doing wrong? This has never happened to me before. All help, comments, criticism, suggestions, jokes, jabs and whatever, gladly welcomed.

Thanks,

sks

Steve Rose · August 14, 2001, 10:29 PM

Have you changed reloading dies recently ? Sounds like you are using a .454 expander plug with .451-.452 bullets. If you've not changed dies, check the expander plug to see that it is not going too far into the case and belling the brass more than necessary.

Good luck !

Steve Rose · August 14, 2001, 10:30 PM

Did you resize the new brass ? You'll need to.

JohnK · August 14, 2001, 10:33 PM

That's quite a coincidence. I was having the same problem this weekend. In my case the problem was caused by the sizing die not resizing the brass down enough, inside diameter of resized brass was .449-.450", barely enough to hold on to a .452" bullet but not secure enough for heavy 310gr loads I was shooting. The solution I have until I get a new 45 Colt size die is to use my 45 ACP size die, that gets the inside diameter down to .435-.440" and hold the bullets securely.

My guess if that you're having the same problem, why I have no idea. I didn't have problems last time I loaded up some heavy 45 Colt loads either, but whatever the cause that's the problem I'm having and the solution is a new size die.

John

WESHOOT2 · August 15, 2001, 06:17 AM

Get a LEE "U" undersized sizing die ($20).

Crimp will NOT secure a bullet; it's case neck tension.

As for your carbine, make sure you use the correct projectile shape.

Short rounds generate gun-breaking pressure.

zeke · August 15, 2001, 06:32 PM

Second try at reply, lost the first one.

Remington brass is thinner and less elastic than most, making it more difficult for adequate case neck tension. Especially the shorter lighter bullets.

1-Win brass is thicker, Starline thicker yet. Both are commonly available.

2-use shaved down expander plug that only belles case, not re-expand it.

3-Lee factory crimp die, especially on the bullets with out cannelure. Excessive crimp using standard roll crimp die, may actually make it worse.

4-Put your own cannelure in the bullets that don't have one.

How hat are you loading those bullets?

sks · August 15, 2001, 09:07 PM

Thanks for all of the information and help. Haven't had time to check all of the measurements but will do so at the earliest convenience. What I do know is that I don't have a factory crimp nor the "U" undersized sizing die. My bullets for the carbine are always flat points or hollow points. Have done this in the past with no problems.

Hope to post with problem corrected soon.

thanks,

sks

August 14, 2001, 09:58 PM	#1
sks Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2000 Location: Williamsburg, MO Posts: 944	45 Colt problems I've loaded a bunch of .45 Colt loads recently and am having some terrible problems that have never happened before. In no way do I consider myself a serious or professional reloader but I've been at it for 8 years and reloading the .45 Colt for about 6 of those years. What is happening is the following. 1. When loaded into a Winchester Model 94 Trapper, the bullets are actually going back into the cases. The easy answer is that they are loose but someone please help me as to why this is so. 2. When shot in a Taurus Total Titanium the bullets are coming out of the brass and binding the cylinder. This usually occurs after the third shot. I am using all new R&P brass, CCI primers, Win 231 and HP38 powders and the following bullets. Hornady XTP 200 grain Hornady XTP 300 grain Hornady XTP 300 grain magnum Hydra Shock 230 grain Gold Dot 185 grain Rainier Flat Point 180 grain I've crimped them as much as I possibly can. What am I doing wrong? This has never happened to me before. All help, comments, criticism, suggestions, jokes, jabs and whatever, gladly welcomed. Thanks, sks __________________ Guns don't kill people; bullets kill people!

August 14, 2001, 10:33 PM	#4
JohnK Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2001 Location: Duvall, Wa Posts: 552	That's quite a coincidence. I was having the same problem this weekend. In my case the problem was caused by the sizing die not resizing the brass down enough, inside diameter of resized brass was .449-.450", barely enough to hold on to a .452" bullet but not secure enough for heavy 310gr loads I was shooting. The solution I have until I get a new 45 Colt size die is to use my 45 ACP size die, that gets the inside diameter down to .435-.440" and hold the bullets securely. My guess if that you're having the same problem, why I have no idea. I didn't have problems last time I loaded up some heavy 45 Colt loads either, but whatever the cause that's the problem I'm having and the solution is a new size die. John __________________ John http://www.handloads.com Molan Labe!

August 15, 2001, 06:17 AM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Get a LEE "U" undersized sizing die ($20). Crimp will NOT secure a bullet; it's case neck tension. As for your carbine, make sure you use the correct projectile shape. Short rounds generate gun-breaking pressure. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

August 15, 2001, 09:07 PM	#7
sks Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2000 Location: Williamsburg, MO Posts: 944	Thanks for all of the information and help. Haven't had time to check all of the measurements but will do so at the earliest convenience. What I do know is that I don't have a factory crimp nor the "U" undersized sizing die. My bullets for the carbine are always flat points or hollow points. Have done this in the past with no problems. Hope to post with problem corrected soon. thanks, sks __________________ Guns don't kill people; bullets kill people!

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August 14, 2001, 10:29 PM	#2
Steve Rose Junior Member Join Date: March 4, 2001 Posts: 9	Have you changed reloading dies recently ? Sounds like you are using a .454 expander plug with .451-.452 bullets. If you've not changed dies, check the expander plug to see that it is not going too far into the case and belling the brass more than necessary. Good luck !

August 14, 2001, 10:30 PM	#3
Steve Rose Junior Member Join Date: March 4, 2001 Posts: 9	Did you resize the new brass ? You'll need to.

August 15, 2001, 06:32 PM	#6
zeke Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 1999 Location: NW Wi Posts: 1,671	Second try at reply, lost the first one. Remington brass is thinner and less elastic than most, making it more difficult for adequate case neck tension. Especially the shorter lighter bullets. 1-Win brass is thicker, Starline thicker yet. Both are commonly available. 2-use shaved down expander plug that only belles case, not re-expand it. 3-Lee factory crimp die, especially on the bullets with out cannelure. Excessive crimp using standard roll crimp die, may actually make it worse. 4-Put your own cannelure in the bullets that don't have one. How hat are you loading those bullets?