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Old March 16, 2000, 11:13 PM   #1
Dave AA
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Join Date: August 18, 1999
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I'm loading 200grn. SWC lead bullets in .45 ACP. My Lyman book does not have lead SWC listed. The bullet is .616" in length.
Any help is appreciated. I just got my Dillon SBD today!
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Old March 16, 2000, 11:31 PM   #2
Robert the41MagFan
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1.235"

Robert
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Old March 17, 2000, 10:03 AM   #3
JoeHatley
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Dave,

I use a similar bullet and seat mine to just short of the SWC sholder. About the thickness of your little finger nail.

I use this visual method rather than measuring, because the cast bullets I have access to, often are made from different molds with different profiles.

Feeds well in all my 1911's.

Good Luck...

Joe


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Old March 17, 2000, 11:13 AM   #4
KAZ
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I load my 45ACP to 1.25 ~ 1.26 OAL (depends on the case). I am using Bull-X 200g LSWC. Bull-X suggests using 1.25 OAL. I have had no problems with this length in my Kimber Gold Match.
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Old March 17, 2000, 11:59 AM   #5
tonyz
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One idea is calling the manufacture of the bullet and ask them what the OAL.

My speer reloading manual has SWC 200Gr at 1.185.

But I always call and get the info from the manufacture as they all vary a little.

Tony Z

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[This message has been edited by tonyz (edited March 17, 2000).]
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Old March 17, 2000, 12:43 PM   #6
Unkel Gilbey
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Hey Fellah's,

I might be way off base here, breaking some sort of rule or something, but I have always used two methods here.

The first is the "Load it in the Magazine" test. If it will fit into the magazine, then it just might be alright. I then go to the second test. This is to visually 'gauge' the loaded round along side of a factory load. If it is of equal height, then it's probabaly OK, shorter is OK too, as long as it isn't obviously compressed. If the reload is 'taller' then the factory round, then I would seat the bullet to at least match the height of the factory round.

Like I said, I'm probably breaking a whole box of reloading laws and regulations, but when I started out, I didn't have access to a set of calipers, and nothing that I read at the time said that it was a dire 'requirement'. The bottom line was that I surmised that if it was at least equal to the factory round, I couldn't go wrong. It was only after a few years of experience and doing research in various reloading manuals that I saw that there was actual spec's for OAL with certain bullets. Ignorance is bliss, I guess.

But I can't help but wonder if my 'common sense' method of coming up with a OAL has any merit? Anyone out there have any similar experince here? Let me know!

Unkel Gilbey

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Old March 19, 2000, 01:46 AM   #7
char923
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I load my lyman 200gr swc bullet #452630 to 1.250" You can get the Lyman 47th Reloading Handbook it show jacketed and cast bullet OAL.
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Old March 19, 2000, 08:08 AM   #8
Big George
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All of the above sound reasonable...I load my Carrolls 200 lswc to 1.255 and my Bul-X 185 lswc to 1.240.

I just switched my 185 gr. bullets to Bull-X because they make a longer 185 which means I can have a longer bullet than the short 185s that are so common. My two Kimbers, My Springfield HiCap and my Charles Daly all seem to love this Bull-X length. BTW, this will seat the bullets within an RCH of the shoulder, but I haven't measured it.
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Old March 19, 2000, 11:40 PM   #9
alan
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Assuming that you are using H&G68 or similar, an oal between 1.255 and 1.260 should work. Personally, in 2, 45 automatics, I load the above mentioned bullet to an oal of 1.260- 1.262. Shoots accurately, (IPSC and IDPA), feeds fine. Try to hold 1.260.

If you want powder charge, inquire via email.
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Old March 20, 2000, 04:49 PM   #10
Dave AA
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Thanks for the help guys! After some experimenting, I ended up with an OAL of 1.221" any longer and the "shoulder" got a little too high. I put 100 rounds through my 5" Kimber yesterday, and it functioned 100%. Also very accurate! Beats factory ammo all over the place. Not to mention those beautiful clean holes in the paper For powder, I'm using 5 grns. of Winchester 231.
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