question about .45 ACP OAL

[Lucky Scott]

My Lyman manual says 1.275 max OAL, so I have been loading at 1.270 to stay just below max length.
I just got a Wilson Magazine and the brochure that came with the magazine lists 1.240 - 1.260 as the sweet spot for the best feeding angle.
I am wondering what other Calgunners are setting their .45's at?

['ol shooter]

I set my Xtreme plated 230 RN's at 1.260, and 200 RN's at 1.230. I use Wilson mags.

[Bigtls1]

I seat my 230 RN's at 1.230

[Lucky Scott]

I am loading 230 gr. RN

[varanidguy]

I load Rocky Mountain Hardcore Match 230 grain pills for my .45 ACP, and I gotta seat them at a maximum of 1.225". Get your barre, do a plunk test, then load to that spec.

[acourvil]

Plated lead RN 230s - 1.265
Heavy jacket RN sierra match 230s - 1.220

But try some different lengths and see what works for your gun(s). I went with a shorter length on the Heavy jacket RN sierra match 230s because the velocity was more consistent at that length, and they fed well in both guns I shoot them in (one of which seems to feed/shoot better with a shorter OAL). Do keep in mind that a big difference in seating depth can also change the pressure.

[varanidguy]

Plated lead RN 230s - 1.265
Heavy jacket RN sierra match 230s - 1.220

But try some different lengths and see what works for your gun(s). I went with a shorter length on the Heavy jacket RN sierra match 230s because the velocity was more consistent at that length, and they fed well in both guns I shoot them in (one of which seems to feed/shoot better with a shorter OAL). Do keep in mind that a big difference in seating depth can also change the pressure.

Yep! I loaded my Berry's plated at about 1.260 or 1.265. When I switched bullets, resulting in a shorter OAL, I went from 5.4 grains of Bullseye to 5.2 grains.

[Lucky Scott]

I am trying to make the ammo load as reliable as possible. Unlike my Remington 700 bolt gun, I am not trying to make the ammo more accurate. I just want the guns to feed the ammo as good as possible.

[Bumslie]

1.260 is all I've ever used

[tanks]

It depends on the bullet and the powder, at least with Hodgdon. For example with Titegroup 200gr cast LSWC is 1.225" whereas with 230 grain LRN it is 1.200" based on their data.

[trackcage]

1.260 is all I've ever used

Yep, 1.258-1.260 for 230gr RN xtreme plated here

[Devilmonkey89]

I load Rocky Mountain Hardcore Match 230 grain pills for my .45 ACP, and I gotta seat them at a maximum of 1.225". Get your barre, do a plunk test, then load to that spec.

+1 with RMR 230's. to pass my plunk test in the Glock 41 I load to 1.23. Anything over that fails the plunk test.

[stilly]

My Lyman manual says 1.275 max OAL, so I have been loading at 1.270 to stay just below max length.
I just got a Wilson Magazine and the brochure that came with the magazine lists 1.240 - 1.260 as the sweet spot for the best feeding angle.
I am wondering what other Calgunners are setting their .45's at?

You set for your mags...

I have a TRP Operator with 6" AMG brakes and highly visible abs, So I set mine for around 1.249-1.253 depending on how precise I am feeling.

Clearly though my 160gr RNFP nubbins will not be nearly as long so they are prolly closer to around 1.215 or something like that.

[pennstater]

Speer LRN/230: 1.270"

SilverState LRN/230: 1.260"

[Eljay]

I always think of the classic 1911 / .45 ACP OAL being 1.25 for a 230gr RN.