The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Chronograph results for some 223, 30-6 and 45 Reloads.

**Mal H** · June 2, 1999, 10:15 PM

Patrick, I think you are narrowing it down to the crimp. Your dimensions are within specs. My .45 ACP 230 FMJ reloads are .470 at mouth and 1.270 OAL. 1.275 OAL is nominal. IMO, the taper crimp should be no more than .050" down the case. I crimp only enough to remove the bell from the expander, around .030". Also, you might seat the bullet and crimp in 2 separate operations, if you aren't doing that now. Try a few rounds and see if this makes a difference. You might be crimping while the bullet is moving and gouging the bullet. That is only a guess.

For .357 revolver loads, a rolled crimp is preferred. Usually, a heavy crimp won't hurt for these loads.

One other thought, we are going on the assumption that your chrono is accurate, maybe you are blaming the wrong component. Although the rifle loads don't seem to be out of line. Have you chrono'ed a factory .45?

June 2, 1999, 10:15 PM	#6
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,947	Patrick, I think you are narrowing it down to the crimp. Your dimensions are within specs. My .45 ACP 230 FMJ reloads are .470 at mouth and 1.270 OAL. 1.275 OAL is nominal. IMO, the taper crimp should be no more than .050" down the case. I crimp only enough to remove the bell from the expander, around .030". Also, you might seat the bullet and crimp in 2 separate operations, if you aren't doing that now. Try a few rounds and see if this makes a difference. You might be crimping while the bullet is moving and gouging the bullet. That is only a guess. For .357 revolver loads, a rolled crimp is preferred. Usually, a heavy crimp won't hurt for these loads. One other thought, we are going on the assumption that your chrono is accurate, maybe you are blaming the wrong component. Although the rifle loads don't seem to be out of line. Have you chrono'ed a factory .45?