My .45acp bullets rotate in case.

nagantino · March 27, 2011, 11:48 AM

I load on a Lee Loadmaster using cast TL 230 RN bullets. The machine is dedicated to .45acp only. I deprime and size in separate dies and finish with the Lee FCD. I began noticing that the finished bullet head could be turned by hand a few days ago. If I tried I could pull the bullet almost out of the case. So I increased the crimp but some still turned. I have seated the bullet lower and yet again increased the crimp but it doesnt feel right to increase this amount. Not all the rounds are like this but even a tight one is capable of turning if I grip it well enough. I have made a search of various sights but cannot find this exact problem

The bullets work fine at the range but I don't like the situation. Any thoughts?

Don H · March 27, 2011, 12:14 PM

Sounds like you're using mixed-brand brass and some are gripping the bullets better due to variation in case wall thickness. I'd suggest screwing down the sizing die a bit more to handle the mixed brass or sort and adjust the sizing die for the specific brass. The amount of crimp is likely not the issue.

**Mal H** · March 27, 2011, 12:33 PM

I think Don H is on the right track. Compare the amount of looseness with headstamps. I'd be willing to bet that some of the loose ones are R-P (Remington). If you find any Federal cases with loose bullets, then you need to crank down on the crimping just a little more. Don't worry, you're not to be creating little bombs with a slightly tighter crimp. You might even find you get better shooting results in the form of a smaller standard deviation of velocities.

mikld · March 27, 2011, 01:05 PM

See what happens if you just size, seat, and forget the FCD. May give you some idea where to start...

chris in va · March 27, 2011, 01:13 PM

Skip the FCD with cast 45's. I found they fit looser when I used it. For some reason I have no problems with the FCD in 9mm however.

On a side note I had horrible results with the TL mold design. Once I switched to the regular 228 version, everything tightened up and accuracy increased.

March 27, 2011, 11:48 AM	#1
nagantino Junior Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Posts: 3	My .45acp bullets rotate in case. I load on a Lee Loadmaster using cast TL 230 RN bullets. The machine is dedicated to .45acp only. I deprime and size in separate dies and finish with the Lee FCD. I began noticing that the finished bullet head could be turned by hand a few days ago. If I tried I could pull the bullet almost out of the case. So I increased the crimp but some still turned. I have seated the bullet lower and yet again increased the crimp but it doesnt feel right to increase this amount. Not all the rounds are like this but even a tight one is capable of turning if I grip it well enough. I have made a search of various sights but cannot find this exact problem The bullets work fine at the range but I don't like the situation. Any thoughts?

March 27, 2011, 12:14 PM	#2
Don H Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2000 Location: SLC,Utah Posts: 2,704	Sounds like you're using mixed-brand brass and some are gripping the bullets better due to variation in case wall thickness. I'd suggest screwing down the sizing die a bit more to handle the mixed brass or sort and adjust the sizing die for the specific brass. The amount of crimp is likely not the issue. __________________ Don http://www.utahconcealedcarry.com/forum/

March 27, 2011, 01:05 PM	#4
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	See what happens if you just size, seat, and forget the FCD. May give you some idea where to start... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

March 27, 2011, 12:33 PM	#3
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,950	I think Don H is on the right track. Compare the amount of looseness with headstamps. I'd be willing to bet that some of the loose ones are R-P (Remington). If you find any Federal cases with loose bullets, then you need to crank down on the crimping just a little more. Don't worry, you're not to be creating little bombs with a slightly tighter crimp. You might even find you get better shooting results in the form of a smaller standard deviation of velocities.

March 27, 2011, 01:13 PM	#5
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Skip the FCD with cast 45's. I found they fit looser when I used it. For some reason I have no problems with the FCD in 9mm however. On a side note I had horrible results with the TL mold design. Once I switched to the regular 228 version, everything tightened up and accuracy increased.