Whats you COAL on your .45 ACP

spleify · July 4, 2010, 01:24 PM

Hello all, I am just curious to see what COAL folks are using for there .45 ACP.

Here's my reason for asking. I have been handloading for about a decade, and for the last few years I have been buying by projectiles from Xtreme. Great quality plinkers and nicely priced. I have been making my loads to a COAL of 1.270 been working great in a number of handguns. I purchased a ne M&P 45 took it out for the first time last weekend. Tried loading a mag and shooting it. Gun wouldnt go into full battery. I was baffled and disappointed in my new weapon. I checked an older box of ammo I had and realized that the bullet profile was different from the old ammo to the newly loaded stuff. I contacted Xtreme and they confirmed that they changed the profile of there .45's.

I re-checked head spacing on my next batch, and the COAL that worked for the new profile was 1.230. thats .040 difference from the old ones. They fired great and I am happy with the accuracy of them.

So, just curious to see where others are making theres.

Thanks

**Unclenick** · July 4, 2010, 02:35 PM

I've run them anywhere from 1.16 for some broader flat tip bullets to almost 1.300" for one gun with a long throat. As you discovered, what is needed varies with bullet shape. The only thing to watch out for is seating depth.

Seating Depth = case length (use .898" for .45 ACP) + Bullet Length - COL.

Seating depth affects pressure by changing the amount of space the powder starts burning it, so work loads back up if you seat bullets deeper.

grubbylabs · July 4, 2010, 04:47 PM

All of my HP's get set at 1.200 because of the flat nose and the RN's get set at 1.260. I have not tried them but I have been told by several people not to try the Wad cutters or semi wad cutters in my XD, they don't feed well. So I have just used the RN and the HP and have not had any issues that I did not create. But I am new to re-loading and may not have a clue as to what I am talking about.

zippy13 · July 4, 2010, 05:02 PM

1.210 with home cast from LEE mold 452-200-SWC

spleify · July 4, 2010, 08:18 PM

Ok, very good guys, thanks.

I was just worried about them being to short and I might have an issue with pressure differences.

I should have also mentioned that they are 230gr RN.

At 1.230 they headspaced very nicely and the 50 I loaded shot great in both my .45's

July 4, 2010, 01:24 PM	#1
spleify Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 151	Whats you COAL on your .45 ACP Hello all, I am just curious to see what COAL folks are using for there .45 ACP. Here's my reason for asking. I have been handloading for about a decade, and for the last few years I have been buying by projectiles from Xtreme. Great quality plinkers and nicely priced. I have been making my loads to a COAL of 1.270 been working great in a number of handguns. I purchased a ne M&P 45 took it out for the first time last weekend. Tried loading a mag and shooting it. Gun wouldnt go into full battery. I was baffled and disappointed in my new weapon. I checked an older box of ammo I had and realized that the bullet profile was different from the old ammo to the newly loaded stuff. I contacted Xtreme and they confirmed that they changed the profile of there .45's. I re-checked head spacing on my next batch, and the COAL that worked for the new profile was 1.230. thats .040 difference from the old ones. They fired great and I am happy with the accuracy of them. So, just curious to see where others are making theres. Thanks __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ NRA Member Survival Paracord Wraps & Bracelets Like us on Facebook

July 4, 2010, 02:35 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	I've run them anywhere from 1.16 for some broader flat tip bullets to almost 1.300" for one gun with a long throat. As you discovered, what is needed varies with bullet shape. The only thing to watch out for is seating depth. Seating Depth = case length (use .898" for .45 ACP) + Bullet Length - COL. Seating depth affects pressure by changing the amount of space the powder starts burning it, so work loads back up if you seat bullets deeper. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

July 4, 2010, 04:47 PM	#3
grubbylabs Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Hansen Idaho Posts: 1,465	All of my HP's get set at 1.200 because of the flat nose and the RN's get set at 1.260. I have not tried them but I have been told by several people not to try the Wad cutters or semi wad cutters in my XD, they don't feed well. So I have just used the RN and the HP and have not had any issues that I did not create. But I am new to re-loading and may not have a clue as to what I am talking about. __________________ * (Swinging club) Whack! whack! whack! * Nope, the old nag's still dead . (Capt Charlie)

July 4, 2010, 08:18 PM	#5
spleify Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 151	Ok, very good guys, thanks. I was just worried about them being to short and I might have an issue with pressure differences. I should have also mentioned that they are 230gr RN. At 1.230 they headspaced very nicely and the 50 I loaded shot great in both my .45's __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ NRA Member Survival Paracord Wraps & Bracelets Like us on Facebook

July 4, 2010, 05:02 PM	#4
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	1.210 with home cast from LEE mold 452-200-SWC