45 ACP issues

[Sass25479]

I've reloaded 38 & 357 for a long time. I finally got bored enough to get started on 45 ACP. So I cleaned and sorted my brass, changed the press over to large primers and started setting up the dies. I get the bullet depth and crimp set and I crank off a few rounds and then I start dropping them into the case guage. Then the head scratching begins. Some of the completed rounds drop in and others don't. So I decide to give Hornady a call. (I'm using their dies and case guage) I explain my problem and he ask if I measured the case lengths. I sheepishly reply that I didn't (I figured it only mattered with bottlenecked rifle cases). He tells me that if there's 5 thousands difference in the cases that will cause the problem. So I do an internet search and everyone is saying that they never trim their cases. I get my calipers out and start measuring cases and I sort out a hand full of the longest cases and I reset the seat/crimp die. This didn't change anything.

I'm using a Dillon XL650 & Hornady dies. Bear Creek 230 grain RN bullets. I'm expanding the case mouth just enough to seat the bullet. I'm setting the crimp just enough for the shell to freely drop into the case guage.


I'm getting large fluctuations in overall length and the majority of completed rounds won't fit in the guage.

And yes, the dies are locked down.

Any Ideas?

[sigguy552]

Is your size die set at the pt
proper depth?

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[broadside]

Are you measuring COL and diameter at the crimp? Are they in spec?

Are the rounds all stopping at the same point in the gauge or is it random when they don't fit?

Have you checked the bullets? Are they uniform length and dia?

[Sheldon]

Is the seating and crimping performed by one die or in separate operations? Oal length can vary if both operations performed in a single step.

Is the crimp a taper crimp? Taper crimp is more forgiving with variation in cartridge length. Are you putting enough crimp? Where is the case hanging up on gauge?

Sometimes to little belling gets the bullet to jam in the case while seating and the bullet seats crooked instead of straightening out. Is the coke bottle bulge around case even, if visible at all?

[BajaJames83]

as a second gauge check you could pull your barrel out and drop one of the "failed" rounds from the case gauge and see if it "plunks"
A loaded round may not gauge if the brass is thicker or the bullet is a little larger some gauges are less forgiving just like some barrels have very tight chambers.

If your sizing die is set correctly (touching the shell plate) that should be it. It might be worth starting over and re setting up all the dies, you may have something off a little.
Excessive crimp? Could cause a case to buldge a little hence why it wont gauge.
You could just size a case and drop that sized case into the gauge or barrel.

[Sass25479]

Dillon was out of stock, so I ended up buying a Hornady 3 die set. Seat and crimping is done in the same die.

The sizing die is adjusted down to the shell plate and then backed up slightly so it doesn't touch the shell plate.

The cases range from .888 to .954 the bullets are within a couple hundred thousands of each other.

No idea if it's taper or roll crimp.

I've started over multiple times, same results.

The shells stop in varying points in the guage.

I can't try the barrel chamber at this time. My 45 cal guns are at my other residence.

[sigguy552]

My Dillon die touches the shell plate and then I go in half a turn so it "cams over"

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[Sheldon]

My Dillon die touches the shell plate and then I go in half a turn so it "cams over"

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To touching the shellplate at the very least and a little cam over is ok too.

You should be able to visually tell difference in taper vs roll crimps. What is diameter of mouth of case after crimping?

[sigguy552]

I think that's his problem. He's not fully sizing

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[croue]

I think that's his problem. He's not fully sizing

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Probably this. Even with a straight wall 45. Probably bulged a bit at the bottom.

Touch the plate plus a little. And make sure it still touches when it has the resistance of the shell being sized in it. That will flex things a little bit sometimes.


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[sofbak]

"The cases range from .888 to .954".

SAAMI spec chamber depth is .898 to .920. Case length to case mouth that headspaces on the chamber shoulder is .888 to .898.

You apparently have excessive case length.

[broadside]

I use Hornady Custom Grade 45 auto taper crimp dies without issue, but for jackets bullets.

The Hornady die box will say taper crimp right on the label it is tapered.

[Sandspider500]

Did I read that right, .95 wtf

[Sandspider500]

460 Rowland cases are .96 soooo......

[Sandspider500]

Thousandths ummm hmmm 5 thousands erm .888 + .005= .893