The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - New to Reloading, Made First Bullets, Need Advice

Jeeper906 · April 24, 2009, 10:28 PM

Unclenick, thank you for the information about what the overall cartridge length should be. That is the information that I needed in order to continue reloading and solve this problem. So, as you said, as long as my C.O.L. is 1/100 or less under the Maximum C.O.L. then my overall cartridge length is fine correct?

Also, Jim Watson gave me helpful advice about the C.O.L of a .45 cartridge loaded with 230 grain FMJ which is what I am using as well. Both Jim's and Unclenick's information were about the same which makes me much more confident their information is correct. Thank you for helping me with that.

Gbro, both of those cartridges are primed. I know it looks a little funny in the picture but they are both primed and neither are in backwards. When making these two cartridges I did put a powder charge in them, primed them, and crimped them.

When reading the manual from Dillion it specifically stated stage 3 and stage 4 are "easy ones." Dillion's manual went on to say both the bullet seating depth and crimp were adjusted by Dillion specifically for .45 cartridges. That is why I made two completely assembled cartridges. After reading the manual, I thought once I got my powder charge exact I would be home free on the rest of the reloading stages.

Also, someone asked me what my powder charge was I put in these two cartridges. I put 4.6 grains in the cartridges and with that charge I was aiming for around 750 FPS.

So, I need to pull these bullets apart and start all over. Is it safe to use the bullet puller that you whack on the ground on a primed and ready cartridge? Even after crimping? I know it looks like these two cartridges haven't been crimped but I did run them through the crimping stage. I will have to work on that as well.

April 24, 2009, 10:28 PM	#18
Jeeper906 Junior Member Join Date: April 24, 2009 Posts: 6	Unclenick, thank you for the information about what the overall cartridge length should be. That is the information that I needed in order to continue reloading and solve this problem. So, as you said, as long as my C.O.L. is 1/100 or less under the Maximum C.O.L. then my overall cartridge length is fine correct? Also, Jim Watson gave me helpful advice about the C.O.L of a .45 cartridge loaded with 230 grain FMJ which is what I am using as well. Both Jim's and Unclenick's information were about the same which makes me much more confident their information is correct. Thank you for helping me with that. Gbro, both of those cartridges are primed. I know it looks a little funny in the picture but they are both primed and neither are in backwards. When making these two cartridges I did put a powder charge in them, primed them, and crimped them. When reading the manual from Dillion it specifically stated stage 3 and stage 4 are "easy ones." Dillion's manual went on to say both the bullet seating depth and crimp were adjusted by Dillion specifically for .45 cartridges. That is why I made two completely assembled cartridges. After reading the manual, I thought once I got my powder charge exact I would be home free on the rest of the reloading stages. Also, someone asked me what my powder charge was I put in these two cartridges. I put 4.6 grains in the cartridges and with that charge I was aiming for around 750 FPS. So, I need to pull these bullets apart and start all over. Is it safe to use the bullet puller that you whack on the ground on a primed and ready cartridge? Even after crimping? I know it looks like these two cartridges haven't been crimped but I did run them through the crimping stage. I will have to work on that as well.