Reloading 45 ACP -- Light Primer Strikes

[DueceMcGurk]

New to reloading. Loaded 230 grn LRN behind 4.4 grn of Titegroup. Light primer strikes. No fire.

My diameter measure at the case lip was 0.472. Later learned that it was really 0.463.

Diagnosis was the severe crimp allowed the round to chamber deep into the barrel (45 ACP headspaces on the case mouth). Moving the entire cartridge forward causing the light primer strike.

New batch with correct crimp measurement of 0.472 at case lip. Fired perfectly.

For the benefit of the group, I share my pain. Good news, I broke in my new Lee Classic Turret and learned to rehab over crimped cartridges. The joy is in the struggle. LOL

[acoop101]

Make sure you have the primer seated all the way to the bottom of the primer pocket, if they are not the firing pin will just finish seating the primer.

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[stilly]

Make sure you have the primer seated all the way to the bottom of the primer pocket, if they are not the firing pin will just finish seating the primer.

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk

Not 100% true. Sometimes the boltface will finish the job before you pull the trigger. Other times the force needed to set the primer off is less than seating it.

OP: Good for you. Thank you for learning and sharing.

I have never overcrimped a tapered or straight walled case so badly that it did that but when I thought about it, I thought that the extractor would hold on long enough to let you get in a decent strike...

[robert101]

Yes, I agree ^^^. OP, glad you figured it out. Simple adjustments can make the difference between average ammo and excellent ammo. I always test to my barrel. That is unless others will be shooting it, then I go with SAAMI Specs.

[DueceMcGurk]

Drop tested with my barrel prior to shooting. Perfect alignment to the hood. The thought was that the "deep seating" only happened under the force of slide cycle. Next "barrel drop test" will include more seating force. By the way, 4.4 grn of Titegroup behind 200 grn LFPRN coated Missouri Bullet fired beautifully.

[divingin]

You should be able to use a kinetic bullet puller to just move the bullet a bit in the case then reseat them to length. That *should* expand the case's crimp a bit.

jky

[jameshenry]

If you don't want to disassemble your gun, try a case gauge. It makes setting up the dies quickly and accurately. (Dillon prices are $15.45).