Question about coal for .45acp

[gsc3zny]

I am loading .45 ACP with 4 grains of IMR700x with a 200 grain bullet. Lee says the coal should be 1.15, but that is quite a bit shorter than my 230 grain length. Can I go ahead with the 1.15 coal? what would be any problems?

[stilly]

I believe that number is the MINIMUM which is for you to not go shorter than that. If you go shorter you will most likely just increase pressure a bit more.

I also load 700-x in .45 acp and I loaded 200gr swc with the TL design. I loaded them under 5.00 gr of 700-x and I still load that. I will run them at 1.249 coal though because my firearms seem to be happy with that.

I DO have some 160gr bullets that I load about 1.225 and 1.180 and the firearms also like them too. Firearms = G-21 and SA TRP Operator from 2004.

If you leave more of a gap inside the case, I think all you do is decrease the pressure and thus, drop the velocity for the most part, but if you had a chrono you could test that out.

[Bikertrash]

I load 4.5-4.8 700x under 200gr plated RN at 1.245" with outstanding results.

[J-cat]

OAL depends on the bullet. There are some short nosed bullets that require a short OAL. Use your head and imagine how the bullet sits in the case while the case sits in the chamber and how close the bullet shank is to the rifling. Then you'll understand OAL.

[stilly]

OAL depends on the bullet. There are some short nosed bullets that require a short OAL. Use your head and imagine how the bullet sits in the case while the case sits in the chamber and how close the bullet shank is to the rifling. Then you'll understand OAL.

That for sure but on .45 acp if you run cast bullets, there will be a gap in listed data I think when it comes to the Lee 160gr .452 AND the 155gr/ 170gr swc that are out there.

The Lee 160gr is just a short nubbin, so loading it to around 1.110 I believe is okay, but the 155gr and the Dardas is a SWC so the COAL will be around 1.140 or more usually. It is just weird to see a lighter bullet get a longer oal to me. But when you look at the bullet profile it makes sense, and the bullet profile pic was never in the Lee manual so it threw me off there.