Light loads still work but cause battery issues?

[Kappy]

I've been loading some .45ACPs for my new CZ97B. I have had a few problems with rounds not loading all the way. In a few cases, the rounds have nosed-up, while in others, they just keep the slide out of battery. I've been using a case gauge to check the rounds, and they all seem to be fine, at least dimension-wise.

Is it possible that the slide is working back enough to pull and eject the round before, but not coming back enough (due to a light charge) to strip the round off of the mag and seat it?

[Fordtrucks]

What's the load ur using?
We need more info to be sure, but yes it sounds like a light load.
That is the problem with semi-autos u can only go so far without replacing parts, u might need a lower pound recoil spring.

In revolvers it's not an issue, u just need enough juice to get the bullet out the barrel.

[Kappy]

It's .45acp 200gr bullet. I'm using Bullseye. I want to say it's 4.5 gr, but I'm posting during a break at work. I'll check when I get home.

[noylj]

>I've been loading some .45ACPs for my new CZ97B. I have had a few problems with rounds not loading all the way. In a few cases, the rounds have nosed-up, while in others, they just keep the slide out of battery. I've been using a case gauge to check the rounds, and they all seem to be fine, at least dimension-wise.

New CZ. How many rounds? Generally, don't even worry about function for 200 rounds to break-in the gun.
What 200gn bullet? FMJ-RN, FMJ-FN, JHP, LSWC button nose, LSWC long nose (H&G68 clone).
Not loading in all the way? If the round goes nose up into the barrel, that usually indicates the COL is too short. Slide out of battery? Can you close the slide by pushing the back of the slide?
Have you taken the perfect-case-gage-that-comes-with-every-gun out of the gun and drop the rounds in the barrel? While at it, mark up the bullet and case with Magic Marker and do a Plunk test.
Here is my write-up for these problems:
Per Ramshot:
"SPECIAL NOTE ON CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH “COL”
It is important to note that the SAAMI “COL” values are for the firearms and ammunition manufacturers industry and must be seen as a guideline only.
The individual reloader is free to adjust this dimension to suit their particular firearm-component-weapon combination.
This parameter is determined by various dimensions such as
1) magazine length (space),
2) freebore-lead dimensions of the barrel,
3) ogive or profile of the projectile and
4) position of cannelure or crimp groove.
• Always begin loading at the minimum "Start Load".
• Increase in 2% increments towards the Maximum Load.
• Watch for signs of excessive pressure.
• Never exceed the Maximum Load."

Your COL (OAL) is determined by your barrel (chamber and throat dimensions) and your gun (feed ramp) and your magazine (COL that fits magazine and when the magazine lips release the round for feeding) and the PARTICULAR bullet you are using. What worked in a pressure barrel or the lab's gun or in my gun has very little to do with what will work best in your gun.
Take the barrel out of the gun. Create two inert dummy rounds (no powder or primer) at max COL and remove enough case mouth flare for rounds to chamber (you can achieve this by using a sized case—expand-and-flare it, and remove the flare just until the case "plunks" in the barrel).
Drop the inert rounds in and decrease the COL until they chamber completely. This will be your "max" effective COL. I prefer to have the case head flush with the barrel hood. After this, place the inert rounds in the magazine and be sure they fit the magazine and feed and chamber.
You can also do this for any chambering problems you have. Remove the barrel and drop rounds in until you find one that won't chamber. Take that round and "paint" the bullet and case black with Magic Marker or other marker. Drop round in barrel (or gage) and rotate it back-and-forth.
Remove and inspect the round:
1) scratches on bullet--COL is too long
2) scratches on edge of the case mouth--insufficient crimp
3) scratches just below the case mouth--too much crimp, you're crushing the case
4) scratches on case at base of bullet--bullet seated crooked due to insufficient case expansion (not case mouth flare) or improper seating stem fit
5) scratches on case just above extractor groove--case bulge not removed during sizing. May need a bulge buster.

[JMP]

It isn't necessarily the issue, but CZs tend to have the smallest chambers. Make sure you are seating the bullet deep enough for the CZ's chamber.

[maxx03]

4.5 grains of Bullseye is more than enough to cycle The slide. As the other two posters noted, Check COAL, you might find your answer there.

[fguffey]

I built a 45 ACP, complete with a scope. There is no shortage new in the box 45 ACP ammo around so that is what I used. No problems, Winchester in the white box worked flawlessly and then reloaded the fired cases.

The reloaded ammo had problems that were identical to your problems. I measured the reloaded ammo and compared the dimensions to out of the box factory ammo and surplus ammo. There was a difference.

To work out the problem I dug out 5 sets of 45 ACP dies, nothing would restore the case to factory dimensions. Then I decided to size my reloads with an RCBS carbide die. I was thinking the 45 ACP liked new ammo; come to find out the pistol liked ammo that had the same dimensions as factory ammo.

I had another reloader meet me at the range. I told him about the pistol not liking my reloads, he suggested I did not know how to reload for the 45 ACP; it was about this time he offered to reload for me. Yes! I like free ammo.

He met me at the range with 3 1911 ACP pistols and a lot of ammo. Nothing worked in my pistol. He offered his reloads to 3 other shooters, like me they also like free ammo. His ammo worked flawlessly in 6 45 ACP pistols. I do not live far from the range so I boxed up some of his reloads and headed for home. I ran his reloads through one of my presses with the 45 ACP carbide die then I returned to the range. His ammo flew through pistol flawlessly.

His reloads and my reloads had a similar appearance; both cases looked like a snake had swallowed something. I sized enough of the case to remove the bulge. After sizing with the carbide die my reload measurements were identical in dimensions to factory, over the counter new ammo.

And then it was suggested I used the wrong magazine, not sure how that could happen, I have 5 different ones.

[Kappy]

Odd. I subscribed to my thread but never received an email letting me know about posts.

Thanks for the great info. I tried the barrel, and the rounds pretty much plunked in, but not 100% of the time. As JMP pointed out, the barrel appears to be a bit too tight.

I ran the same rounds through my 1911 without any problems. I also checked them in a Lyman max cartridge gauge. They slip in and fall out just fine.

I just sent the chamber off to have it reamed out. I have high hopes.

[Kappy]

It isn't necessarily the issue, but CZs tend to have the smallest chambers. Make sure you are seating the bullet deep enough for the CZ's chamber.

This appears to be the issue. It's getting reamed. The rounds run through my 1911 just fine, so I can only assume that, since the rounds passed through my gauge just fine, it must be the chamber.

[romukom]

Related information since is CZ related.

http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=34225.0

[stilly]

I've been loading some .45ACPs for my new CZ97B. I have had a few problems with rounds not loading all the way. In a few cases, the rounds have nosed-up, while in others, they just keep the slide out of battery. I've been using a case gauge to check the rounds, and they all seem to be fine, at least dimension-wise.

Is it possible that the slide is working back enough to pull and eject the round before, but not coming back enough (due to a light charge) to strip the round off of the mag and seat it?

That can happen. I noticed that sometimes if I have a light load the Operator will still hold on to the case and push another one forward. Then it jams up because of the gripped spent case still hanging on...

[Par5In2]

I built a 45 ACP, complete with a scope. There is no shortage new in the box 45 ACP ammo around so that is what I used. No problems, Winchester in the white box worked flawlessly and then reloaded the fired cases.

The reloaded ammo had problems that were identical to your problems. I measured the reloaded ammo and compared the dimensions to out of the box factory ammo and surplus ammo. There was a difference.

To work out the problem I dug out 5 sets of 45 ACP dies, nothing would restore the case to factory dimensions. Then I decided to size my reloads with an RCBS carbide die. I was thinking the 45 ACP liked new ammo; come to find out the pistol liked ammo that had the same dimensions as factory ammo.

I had another reloader meet me at the range. I told him about the pistol not liking my reloads, he suggested I did not know how to reload for the 45 ACP; it was about this time he offered to reload for me. Yes! I like free ammo.

He met me at the range with 3 1911 ACP pistols and a lot of ammo. Nothing worked in my pistol. He offered his reloads to 3 other shooters, like me they also like free ammo. His ammo worked flawlessly in 6 45 ACP pistols. I do not live far from the range so I boxed up some of his reloads and headed for home. I ran his reloads through one of my presses with the 45 ACP carbide die then I returned to the range. His ammo flew through pistol flawlessly.

His reloads and my reloads had a similar appearance; both cases looked like a snake had swallowed something. I sized enough of the case to remove the bulge. After sizing with the carbide die my reload measurements were identical in dimensions to factory, over the counter new ammo.

And then it was suggested I used the wrong magazine, not sure how that could happen, I have 5 different ones.

Every bullet gr/manufacturer has different plunk's.

No way would I ever load a round based on a factory OAL.